LOS ANGELES — After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking profession, Lauryn Hill shocked the BET Awards viewers Sunday with an impromptu efficiency of her 1998 basic “Ex-Issue” after accepting the Dwelling Legend Icon Award earlier than closing the present with “All the pieces Is All the pieces.”
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Launched by Ice Dice, the eight-time Grammy winner was honored with performances at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater from SZA, Doechii, Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Frequent, her youngsters Selah Marley and Zion Marley, who revisited songs from Hill’s stellar catalog whereas she stood smiling, singing alongside and applauding all through the tribute.
After she accepted the honour, Hill inspired artists to embrace their presents and stay true to their objective.
“I combat for y’all,” Hill mentioned. “And preventing for y’all is me preventing for myself, it’s me preventing for my youngsters, it’s me preventing for my group.”
The Dwelling Legend Icon Award acknowledges pioneers whose work has remained culturally important throughout generations. Hill first emerged as a member of the Fugees earlier than releasing her landmark solo debut, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” that includes classics together with “Doo Wop (That Factor),” “Ex-Issue” and “All the pieces Is All the pieces.”
Janet Jackson surprises Teyana Taylor with honor
Teyana Taylor fought again tears Sunday after an emotional shock on the BET Awards:Janet Jackson walked onto the stage to current Taylor with the Icon of the Yr Award.
Taylor, visibly shocked as Jackson acquired a standing ovation, embraced the music legend earlier than thanking one among her greatest inspirations.
“They didn’t inform me Janet was coming,” Taylor mentioned by way of tears. “There can be no me with out you.”
Presenting the award, Jackson praised Taylor’s relentless work ethic and creative vary, highlighting her Golden Globe win for finest supporting actress in “One Battle After One other” and calling her presents “God-given.”
The Icon of the Yr Award acknowledges a inventive drive whose affect is shaping tradition. Taylor has advanced from a multiplatinum recording artist into an award-winning actor, director, producer and choreographer.
Accepting the honour, Taylor mirrored on her two-decade profession.
“I labored my (expletives) off 20 years,” she mentioned. “So I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with conceitedness. I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude.”
BET Awards remembers Clive Davis, Richard Smallwood and different trailblazers
The BET Awards paused to honor influential figures from music and leisure who died over the previous yr throughout an emotional in memoriam tribute.
Erica Campbell of Mary Mary launched the section by reflecting on the enduring legacies left behind by those that died, paying particular tribute to the late gospel composer Richard Smallwood, whose music she mentioned strengthened her religion. She additionally remembered the late music government Clive Davis, who died earlier this week at 94, earlier than performing Whitney Houston’s “I Love the Lord” with Le’Andria Johnson.
The tribute remembered Smallwood, Davis, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and others whose contributions left a long-lasting mark on music, tv and tradition.
D’Angelo honored with all-star tribute
The present additionally celebrated the late D’Angelo’s legacy with a star-studded tribute that opened with appearances by his three youngsters.
Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Child, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton and RAYE had been among the many artists who honored the singer with performances of his music, celebrating the enduring affect of one among R&B’s most acclaimed voices.
Sylvia Rhone honored for shaping generations of artists
Music government Sylvia Rhone acquired the BET Final Icon Award in recognition of her groundbreaking management and lasting affect on the music business.
Offered by Kelly Rowland, the honour celebrated Rhone’s trailblazing profession as the primary Black girl to steer a serious report firm owned by a Fortune 500 company. A video tribute featured messages from artists together with Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, highlighting her function in serving to develop the careers of performers similar to Tracy Chapman, Brandy, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Child Cudi, Future, Travis Scott and Tyler, the Creator.
Whereas accepting the award, Rhone devoted the honour to the artists and artistic groups she has labored alongside all through her profession.
“Tonight’s honor bears my title, but it surely actually belongs to all of us who create tradition,” she mentioned.
Rhone additionally used the second to induce the music business to guard artists as synthetic intelligence reshapes the enterprise.
“We make the algorithm. The algorithm doesn’t make us,” she mentioned. “We should honor the musician. We should compensate the creator.”
She concluded by calling on the business to make sure the subsequent technology of artists has the chance to create “the songs that can change the world.”
Druski opens BET Awards with dramatic entrance
Druski made a grand entrance to kick off the BET Awards on Sunday, descending from the rafters in a harness as a choir stuffed the theater with a rendition of Kirk Franklin’s “Revolution,” setting the tone for an evening celebrating music, comedy and tradition.
The comic and digital creator made historical past by changing into the youngest host of the ceremony. The present’s opening performances featured Kehlani, who sang “Folded” with Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Anelise Estelle Foxx, on guitar. Don Toliver additionally carried out his hits “E85” and “Physique.”
Accepting the award for finest feminine R&B/pop artist, Kehlani admitted she hadn’t ready a speech, as a substitute marveling that “Janet Jackson is right here,” earlier than telling the icon she was “actually honored to be right here” among the many evening’s expertise.
Druski, 31, surpassed Kevin Hart, who beforehand held the excellence because the BET Award’s youngest host when he emceed in 2011.
All through the evening, Druski leaned into his comedic persona with appearances alongside Martin Lawrence and Latto. Lawrence jokingly shut down Druski’s pitch to look within the subsequent “Unhealthy Boys” movie earlier than teasing his upcoming Paramount+ sequence, whereas Latto playfully poked enjoyable on the host throughout one of many present’s transitions. Druski additionally spoofed Jay-Z’s Roots Picnic freestyle.
Druski grew to become one among leisure’s fastest-rising stars by way of his viral sketches earlier than increasing into sold-out comedy excursions and collaborations with artists together with Drake and Snoop Dogg, in addition to appearances alongside figures like Tom Brady and Timothée Chalamet.
Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte returned because the present’s announcer.
