‘Sinners’ Lands 18 Nominatons At The 2026 NAACP Image Awards

Kendrick Lamar and Teyana Taylor lead music nominations at the 2026 NAACP Image Awards.

The NAACP Image Awards are returning for another year with nominations spanning leading musicians, actors, and actresses. Presented annually by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the NAACP Image Awards honor outstanding performances and achievements of people of color in the arts, entertainment, as well as those who promote social justice through their creative work.

The 57th NAACP Image Awards will center on the “We See You” theme, affirming Black creativity, excellence, and humanity across every space where our stories are told.

“From film, television, and music to literature and beyond, the voices of all of our nominees tell stories that honor our past, celebrate our identity, and remind us that storytelling has the power to move culture forward,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson in a statement with Essence. 

Lamar, Taylor, and rapper Doechii lead this year’s nominations, alongside Cynthia Erivo and Michael B. Jordan, who are all competing for Entertainer of the Year.

Lamar received six nominations more than any other artist across the music and recording categories, including Entertainer of the Year, Outstanding Song-Hip Hop/Rap, Outstanding Male Artist, Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional), Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album, and Outstanding Short Form Series or Special.

Taylor also received six nominations recognizing her work in “One Battle After Another,” Tyler Perry’s “Straw,” and her latest album, “Escape Room.” Taylor’s nominations include Entertainer of the Year, Outstanding Song- Soul/R&B, Outstanding Female Artist, Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Television Series, and Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.

In addition to the top contenders, the music categories showcase a diverse range of genres with nominees spanning Hip-Hop/Rap, Soul/R&B, Gospel, and Jazz, with other notable music nominees this year like Cardi B, Leon Thomas, and Rayvn Lenae, and so many more.

Erivo and Doechii each received four nominations, while Jordan, who is expected to receive his first Oscar nomination for his role in “Sinners“, led the film categories with “Sinners” scoring 18 nominations.

In the television categories, “Bel-Air” leads with seven nominations, followed by “Abbott Elementary”, “Reasonable Doubt”, and “Ruth & Boaz” with six nominations each.

This year, the NAACP is also introducing two new categories: Outstanding Literacy Work – Journalism and Outstanding Editing in a Motion Picture or Television Series, Movie, or Special.

On February 28, winners will be revealed during a two-hour live TV special at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and simulcast on CBS, from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California. Voting will close on February 7 at 12:00 a.m (ET).

To view the full list of the 2026 NAACP Image Award Nominations, click here.