Usher accepts a lifetime achievement award at the 2024 BET Awards – despite the superstar’s thoughts maybe a little too early.
The Grammy winner remained standing as a parade of artists performed their 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 from “Ana Goes My Baby,” serenading Usher and his wife Jenn Goicoechea.
Summer Walker hit 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 from the song’s performance. Latto brings the energy to “Yes!” In some ways, the honor emphasized the women who did most of the night – dominating the performance.
After introductions by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, Usher accepted the award from music executive LA Reid.
“Getting here has not been easy, but it’s been worth it,” Usher began a long speech, reflecting on his career, which has spanned three decades. He asked about that time, saying, “I’m still running and gunning and I still love this (expletive) like I did when I was 8 years old,” he said.
Many of his speeches could not be heard by the audience at home because they were censored.
“I forgive everyone who has negative words about me because it only motivates me to be me,” he said at one point.
Earlier in the night, Will Smith stood in a circle of fire – joined by Fridayy and the Sunday Service gospel choir – to make a live debut of his latest single, “You Can Do It.”
“I don’t know who needs this right now,” Smith opened the set. “But I’m here to tell you, you can make it.”
In the middle of the road, Kirk Franklin joined, and then the two rapped together. “No one can ride easy,” said Smith, who was in the middle of returning from slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars two years ago, to the room. “There is wisdom in that fire. Dance in the darkest moment.”
The upcoming presidential election was a big topic of conversation on 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 the arrest of the Grammys and voting.
“Technically, I wasn’t supposed to be here. I was handcuffed, and I was kicked out of this building. But I want to say, look at God. ‘Cause I’m back, baby. And I won,” he said in his speech. Killer Mike was arrested at the Grammys earlier this year through a physical altercation said to be caused by an “over-zealous” security guard; he was not prosecuted for the incident.
“They’ll tell you who we elect is important,” he continued, “And who we elect on the big stage. It’s important, but it’s more important that you know who your city council is, who you are. The prosecutor.”
Megan Thee Stallion opened the show by breaking out of an egg — a metaphor for her new musical rebirth — before diving in with an energetic medley of new singles “Hiss” and “Boa.”
“BET, where are the girls?” she said, shouting out Monét and Jones in the crowd before launching into “Where Them Girls At” – a track that has been a fan favorite since the release of her third studio album, “Megan.”
Taraji P. Henson hosts a show at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. In his opening monologue of the show, Henson rapped “It’s about us,” in a parody of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which he released in the midst of his feud with Drake.
“No beef here tonight,” he joked, “Can we say plants?”
Tyla, Johannesburg, South Africa’s amapiano superstar, won two awards at the event, starting with best international act.
Later that night, he will receive the award for best new artist. “This is crazy,” she said. “I just want to dedicate this to Africa.”
Monét, who earlier this year won a Grammy for best new artist, made his BET debut and set a high bar for his performance, condensing his full set into a few minutes with three costume changes and a pair of songs, “On My Mama” and “Okay.”
Then Sexyy Red took the stage, performing the smooth bedroom ballad “U My Everything” before moving to another stage and changing costumes – belting out “Get It Sexyy” in front of an LED screen depicting the White House and dancers dressed as Secret Service. .
The show took a change of tone when VanVan and Heiress Harris, two child rappers, performed the empowerment song “Be You” in a school room set. Harris is the daughter of rapper TI and singer Tiny Harris.
Best female R&B/pop artist went to SZA and best actress to Regina King, both of whom were not in attendance; BET HER award goes to Monét for “On My Mama.” He brought his mother to receive him.
Country musician Tanner Adell brought her “Buckle Bunny” and her new song, “Cowboy Break My Heart.” GloRilla came out from above, coming down to join her dancers for a “Yeah Glo!” and “Wanna Be” – the latter a surprise appearance from Megan Thee Stallion. Shaboozey keeps the country coming with “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” and is joined by rapper J-Kwon, who appears on the track, creating an unexpected and rewarding collaboration between genres.
Lauryn Hill closed out the night, starting with “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” into “Lost Ones,” before introducing her son YG Marley for reggae hits “Survival” and “Praise Jah In The Moonlight.” Best: Wyclef Jean shows up, and the trio — in front of a full band — performs the Fugees’ “Fu-Gee-La.” Pras, the third member of the Fugees, was absent. The rapper, who was charged in a multimillion-dollar political conspiracy during two presidents, was convicted in April.