Sylvia Rhone to Receive BET Awards 2026 Ultimate Icon Honor
When Sylvia Rhone steps onto the stage of the BET Awards, she will carry more than a microphone – she will bring a legacy that has reshaped the music business.
The 2026 BET Awards will air live on Sunday, June 28 from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET, with network‑first host Druski—BET’s youngest ever host—leading the proceedings. Rhone, the first Black woman to chair a major U.S. record label, will be honored with the ceremony’s Ultimate Icon Award.
BET’s press release describes the Ultimate Icon Award as a tribute to “trailblazers whose work has transcended their field, figures whose names have become synonymous with excellence.” Past recipients include Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Kirk Franklin and Mariah Carey.
Rhone’s career spans five decades. She began as a secretary at Buddah Records before rising through the ranks. In 1990 she became the first Black woman president of Atlantic’s East West America division, then served as chairman and CEO of Elektra Entertainment Group, president of Universal Motown Records, and chair of the Universal Motown Record Group.
From 2014 to 2019 Rhone led Epic Records as president, and from 2019 to 2025 she was Epic’s chair and CEO. During that time she helped develop artists such as Travis Scott, 21 Savage, Mariah the Scientist, Giveon, Future and Tyla. Prior to Epic, she signed Brandy, MC Lyte, Yo‑Yo and LeVert at Atlantic, and signed Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes and En Vogue as Elektra chairman. At Universal Motown she brought India.Arie, Akon, Kid Cudi and Erykah Badu to the roster and secured a distribution partnership with Cash Money Records.
In a statement issued by BET EVP & Head of Programming Connie Orlando, the network highlighted Rhone’s broader cultural impact. "Her legacy is heard in the music, seen in the careers she built, and felt in the generation of leaders walking the path she cleared," Orlando said. "We are proud to honor Sylvia Rhone with the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards."
The ceremony will feature performances and other honors, but the spotlight on Rhone will underscore her role in breaking barriers for women and people of color in executive positions. Her career is marked by firsts: the first Black woman to chair a major label, the first to hold dual CEO and chair roles at a major imprint, and a long‑term champion of diverse artists.
The BET Awards 2026 will also include a red‑carpet pre‑show and a lineup of musical performances, though the specific acts have yet to be announced. The event will be broadcast live on BET and streamed on Peacock.
Rhone’s receipt of the Ultimate Icon Award follows her 2025 announcement of stepping down from Epic. In a farewell memo to Epic staff, she reflected on her experience working with influential artists and the evolving nature of music creation.
The BET Awards have a history of honoring figures who shape the industry. The 2025 ceremony recognized Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin with the Ultimate Icon Award, underscoring the award’s focus on long‑term cultural influence.
Sylvia Rhone’s recognition at the 2026 BET Awards highlights her lasting impact on the music business and the broader cultural landscape. The award will be presented during the ceremony’s televised segment, after which the event will continue with additional performances and award presentations.
The BET Awards 2026 will run from 8 p.m. ET/PT and will be available for live viewing on BET and Peacock. Viewers can expect to see the Ultimate Icon Award presented to Rhone, followed by the usual mix of music performances and other honors.
