Usher accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 BET Awards, even as the superstar reflected it may be a little early.
The Grammy winner stood as a parade of artists performed his hits: Childish Gambino opened with “U Don't Have to Call,” joined by Keke Palmer, who took the lead on “You Make Me Wanna…Coco Jones appeared in the audience for a sultry rendition of “There Goes My Baby,” serenading Usher and his wife Jenn Goicoechea.
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Summer Walker took the stage for “Good Good,” Tinashe performed “Nice & Slow,” Marsha Ambrosius tackled “Superstar,” and Chlöe performed “Good Kisser.” Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monét teamed up for “Bad Girl,” mirroring Usher and Beyoncé's choreography of their rendition of the song. Latto brought the energy for “Yes!” In a way, the tribute emphasized the women who carried much of the night, dominating the performances.
Following performances by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, Usher accepted the award from music executive LA Reid.
“Getting here definitely hasn't been easy, but it's been worth it,” Usher began his lengthy speech, reflecting on his career, which has spanned more than three decades. He questioned the moment, saying, “I'm still running and shooting and I still love this (expletive) like I did when I was 8 years old,” he said.
Much of his speech could not be heard by the audience at home because it was censored.
“I forgive each and every person who said something negative about me because it just motivated me to be who I am,” she said at one point.
Earlier in the night, Will Smith stood in a circle of fire – joined by Fridayy and gospel choir Sunday Service – to debut his latest single, “You Can Make It”, live.
“I don't know who needs it right now,” Smith opened. “But I'm here to tell you that you can do it.”
Halfway through, Kirk Franklin joined in, and then the two struck out together. “Nobody has an easy ride,” said Smith, who is in the midst of his comeback he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars two years ago, he said to the room. “There is wisdom in this fire. Dance in your darkest moments.”
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The upcoming presidential election was a big topic of conversation throughout the show. After Childish Gambino presented Killer Mike with the album of the year award for “Michael,” the rapper used his acceptance speech to address his arrest and voting at the Grammys.
“Technically, I wasn't supposed to be here. They handcuffed me and took me out of this building. But I want to tell you, look at God. Because I'm back, baby. I'm back. And I'm winning,” she said in her speech Killer Mike was arrested at the Grammys earlier this year for a physical altercation he said was caused by an “overzealous” security guard – he was not charged in the incident.
“They'll tell you who we vote for is important,” his speech continued, “And it's who we vote for on the big stage. It's important, but it's more important that you know who your city council is, who's your. the prosecutor is”.
Megan Thee Stallion opened the show by emerging from an egg, a metaphor for her new musical rebirth, before plunging into an energetic medley of her new singles 'Hiss' and 'Boa'.
“BET, where are my girls at?” she said, calling out Monét and Jones in the crowd before launching into “Where Them Girls At,” a song that has been a fan favorite since the Friday release of her third studio album, “Megan.”
Taraji P. Henson hosted the show at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. His opening monologue was a performance, Henson rapping “It's about us,” in a loose parody of Kendrick Lamar's “Not Like Us,” which he released amid his reignited feud with Drake.
“No beef here tonight,” he joked, “Can we say plant-based?”
South African amapiano superstar Tyla from Johannesburg won two honors at the show, starting with Best International Act.
Later in the night, she would take home the award for Best Novel Artist. “This is crazy,” he said. “I just want to dedicate this one to Africa.”
Monét, who earlier this year won the Grammy for Best New Artist, made her BET debut and set a high bar for performances, condensing an entire set into a few minutes with three costume changes and a couple of songs, “On My Mama” and “Bé.”
Sexyy Red then took to the stage, performing her bedroom ballad 'U My Everything' before moving on to another stage and a costume change, tackling 'Get It Sexyy' in front of an LED screen depicting the White House and dancers dressed as the Secret Service. .
The show took a change of tone when VanVan and Heiress Harris, two child rappers, performed their empowerment anthem “Be You” at the school. Harris is the daughter of rapper TI and singer Tiny Harris.
Best R&B/Pop Female Artist went to SZA and Best Actress to Regina King, both not in attendance; the BET HER award went to Monét for “On My Mama”. He brought his mother to accept it.
Country musician Tanner Adell brought him “Buckle Bunny” and his new song, “Cowboy Break My Heart.” GloRilla emerged from above, descending to join her dancers for “Yeah Glo!” and “Wanna Be,” the latter of which saw a surprise appearance by Megan Thee Stallion. Shaboozey kept the country rolling with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and teamed up with rapper J-Kwon, who appears on the track, creating an unexpected and rewarding collaboration across genres.
Lauryn Hill closed out the night, starting with “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” segueing into “Lost Ones,” before introducing her son YG Marley for his reggae tracks “Survival” and “Praise Jah In The Moonlight.” Best of all: Wyclef Jean appeared and the trio, fronted by a full band, performed the Fugees' “Fu-Gee-La.” Pras, the third member of Fugees, was not present. The rapper, who was accused of multibillion-dollar political conspiracies spanning two presidencies, was convicted in April.
