USHER was honored at the 2024 BET Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Childish Gambino, Chloe Bailey, Tinashe, Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Keke Palmer, and Marsha Ambrosius paid tribute to the star with a medley of his hit songs.
After the performance, Usher accepted his award and honored those who have helped his career.
The theme of his speech was, “The Year of the Father,” as he reflected on his dad abandoning him as a child and honored the positive male role models that stayed.
However, a portion of his speech was cut out and fans were not happy with one writing on X, “Is Usher telling industry secrets because the censoring is crazy.”
Another noted, “Two years in a row but this time during the legendary Usher’s speech. Whoever is in charge of sound -never again. This was a cultural moment and we missed 99% of it. We catching him at the end of his speech.”
Follow along below for live updates on the 2024 BET Awards…
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‘She looks so proud’ – fans react to Lauryn Hill and YG Marley performance
Lauryn Hill took to the stage with her son YG Marley for a special performance.
Lauryn’s only album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was recently named Apple Music’s best album of all time.
Her son, YG Marley, who she shared with Bob Marley, is following in his parents’ footsteps as a performer in his own right.
One fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “it must warm her to see him up there”.
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Viewers accuse Will Smith of ‘cosplaying’ as Kanye, continued
Fans reacted to Will Smith’s performance at the BET Awards, with one writing, “Will borrowed Kanye Sunday service for tonight.”
“This Will Smith performance is giving Kanye vibes,” another agreed.
“Will Smith cosplaying as Kanye West is killing me right now,” a third chimed in.
A fourth questioned, “Is Will Smith tryna be Kanye?”
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Viewers accuse Will Smith of ‘cosplaying’ as Kanye
Will Smith performed his brand new song, You Can Make It, at the BET Awards.
He’s only released one song since his last album, Lost and Found, in 2005.
The performance marked his long-awaited return to music, but fans slammed the star for “cosplaying” as Kanye West.
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Keke Palmer’s performance shocks fans, part two
After the video of Keke and Usher went viral, her partner at the time commented on the clip.
“It’s the outfit tho,” her partner Darius said.
“You a mom.”
Fans were outraged by his comments, prompting Darius to clarify his statement.
“We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is,” he wrote on social media.
“This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe. I rest my case.”
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Keke Palmer’s performance shocks fans
Keke Palmer was featured in Usher’s tribute performance, and fans went wild.
“I need BET to explain the reasoning behind getting Childish Gambino and Keke Palmer to honor Usher,” one viewer wrote on X.
“They messy for having KeKe Palmer do this lmaooo,” another added.
“Just remembered the Usher and Keke Palmer debacle,” a third wrote.
The “debacle” the fan referenced was a viral video of Keke dancing with Usher during a performance at his Las Vegas residency in 2023.
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That’s all for tonight!
The BET Awards have officially wrapped up!
Stay tuned for highlights of tonight’s ceremony.
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Taraji apologizes for awkward slip up
Taraji spoke to the audience for the last time tonight as the BET Awards wrapped up.
She apologized to Jordan Howlett for mistaking him for Keith Lee and added that she loved them both.
Jordan and Keith are popular TikTokers and content creators who were in the audience for the awards.
Taraji wanted to give Keith a flower, but accidentally gave it to Jordan instead.
She then flirted with them both and didn’t realize that Keith’s wife was sitting next to him.
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Wyclef surprises the audience
Wyclef joined Lauryn and YG on stage for a Fugees reunion.
The group is reportedly working on a new album and is touring for the first time in almost three decades.
Fans are loving the performance on X.
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Ms Lauryn Hill and YG Marley perform
Lauryn Hill has taken the stage with her son YG Marley for a special performance.
Lauryn’s only album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was recently named Apple Music’s best album of all time.
Her son, YG Marley, who she shared with Bob Marley, is following in his parents’ footsteps as a performer in his own right.
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Fans react to OJ Simpson tribute
Fans are reacting to OJ Simpson’s feature in tonight’s In Memorium tribute.
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In Memorium
Tia Mowry introduced this year’s In Memorium segment.
Willie Mays, Ron Cephas Jones, Maurice Hines, Mister Cee, Carl Weathers, Aaron Spears, and even OJ Simpson were featured.
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Video of the Year goes to…
Victoria Monet!
This is Victoria’s second win of the night. She also performed and was featured in Usher’s tribute.
Victoria brought her choreographer up to the stage and thanked him for “upgrading” her performance.
She shouted out her dancers and advocated for dancers to be paid more for their work.
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Jessica and Niecy Nash Betts take the stage
Jessica and Niecy Nash Betts have taken the stage to present the award for Video of the Year.
The couple is making history as the first same-sex couple to present at the BET Awards.
The nominees for Video of the Year are,
- Doja Cat, Agora Hills
- Lil Durk feat J. Cole, All My Life
- Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), Barbie World
- Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, Bongos
- Drake feat. J. Cole, First Person Shooter
- Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, Good Good
- Victoria Monét, On My Mama
- Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, Rich Baby Daddy
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Usher’s message
Usher advocated for forgiveness and said he had to forgive his dad for abandoning him to become the man he is.
Usher highlighted the theme of fathers throughout his speech and honored the positive male role models in his life.
He thanked his wife and expressed gratitude to his fans.
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‘I’m trying Tameka’
Usher highlighted the importance of fathers during his speech and commended Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys for their ability to co-parent.
“I’m trying Tameka,” he joked, referencing his ex-wife Tameka Foster.
Usher also shouted out LeBron James and his son, Bronny, who will be playing on the Lakers together next season.
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Fans react to BET censoring Usher’s speech
Fans are reacting on X after BET censored a portion of Usher’s acceptance speech.
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‘They say success has a million fathers’
Usher paid tribute to the men who stood behind him and mentored him after his father left.
He said it was the “year of the father” and honored Black fathers who are positive role models to their sons.
BET then cut out the audio for a portion of his speech.
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The man, the myth, the legend… Usher Raymond
“Getting here has definitely not been easy… but it has been worth it,” Usher began his acceptance speech.
“I didn’t write anything because I wanted this moment to be exactly what it was, present,” he added.
Usher joked that it was “too early” for him to receive the award because he’s still “running and gunning.”
He recalled the start of his career as a member of a group in Tennessee.
Usher said he was trying to find his identity and grappled with his father leaving him at a young age.
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LA Reid and Babyface take the stage
LA Reid and Babyface have taken the stage to present Usher with his Lifetime Achievement Award.
The two recalled Usher’s rise to fame and said they knew he’d be a star from his first audition.
“We couldn’t be prouder of the icon that you’ve become, but more importantly, the man you’ve become,” Babyface said.
LA announced that Walmart was donating 100,000 to Usher’s charity in honor of his achievement.
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Fans react to Usher’s tribute performance
Childish Gambino, Chloe, Tinashe, Summer, Coco, Keke, Marsha, and Latto performed a medley of Usher’s hits to honor the icon.
Fans are reacting to the star-studded performance on X.
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How you like him now?
Latto took the stage next to rap Ludacris’ iconic verse in Usher’s Yeah!.
Chloe, Tinashe, Summer, Coco, Keke, and Marsha joined her on stage for a final tribute to the one and only… Usher Raymond.
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Let’s keep the tribute going!
Chloe continued the Usher tribute with a rendition of his hit, Good Kisser.
Tinashe was up next to perform, Nice & Slow. Usher got up from his seat and vibed to her cover.
Victoria Monet and Teyana Taylor took the stage to sing, Bad Girl. Teyana dressed as Usher in a black suit and hat, while Victoria danced in a silver two-piece.
The two performed saucy choreography while backup dancers sang the track.
Chloe Bailey performed a sensual rendition of Usher’s Good KisserCredit: Getty -
Keeping it honest
Summer Walker has taken the stage to sing, Good Good. She featured on the song with Usher and 21 Savage last year.
Coco Jones then appeared in the audience to sing, There Goes My Baby, and even got the crowd involved.
She approached Usher’s wife and then grabbed his hand.
Marsha Ambrosius appeared on stage to perform, Superstar.
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Fans react to Keke
Fans are reacting to Keke’s Usher tribute on X.
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Honoring Usher
Today’s biggest stars are taking the stage to honor Usher before he accepts his Lifetime Achievement Award.
Childish Gambino kicked off the tribute with a soulful rendition of Usher’s hit, You Don’t Have to Call.
Keke Palmer joined him on stage as she belted out, You Make Me Wanna.
Keke Palmer honored Usher during the BET’s tribute performanceCredit: Getty 
Keke Palmer has frequently expressed her love for Usher and even featured in his music videoCredit: Getty
