Ms. Lauryn Hill received the ceremony’s newly created Living Legend Icon award at the BET Awards, held June 28 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, an honor recognizing her enduring influence on hip-hop and R&B. The ceremony featured a career-spanning tribute led by artists including SZA, Doechii, and others who performed tracks from Hill’s catalog, culminating in a surprise appearance by the artist herself.
The tribute segment showcased the breadth of Hill’s discography, beginning with SZA and Doechii, who opened the performance with a rendition of the Fugees’ “Ready or Not.” Following this, Tierra Whack and Tems took the stage for a performance of “Fu-Gee-La.” The set continued with Doja Cat, who performed “Superstar,” before being joined by Nas for “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That),” his 1996 hit that originally featured Hill’s vocals.
The musical celebration also included the gospel-inflected duo the War & Treaty, who performed “His Eye Is on the Sparrow.” The song holds significance for Hill’s career, as its inclusion in the 1993 film Sister Act 2 remains a defining moment in her career and legacy. The tribute featured participation from Hill’s children—Selah, YG Marley, and Zion Marley—alongside appearances by Lizzo, Rapsody, and Alexia Jayy. The segment concluded with a performance of “Lost Ones,” a defining track from 1998’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, delivered by Queen Latifah and Common.
The Surprise Performance and Award Acceptance
The evening’s biggest surprise occurred when Hill herself took the stage unexpectedly. “I wasn’t even supposed to perform, but I heard somebody wasn’t doing this song,” she stated before performing “Ex-Factor.” Her appearance drew a standing ovation from the audience at the Peacock Theater. Ice Cube, who presented the award, characterized Hill as one of the most influential artists in hip-hop and R&B history.
In her acceptance speech, Hill addressed the audience, emphasizing the importance of artistic individuality. “I do this because I want y’all to have everything that I experienced,” she remarked. “We don’t have to sound the same. We don’t have to be the same. We don’t have to look the same. That’s the beauty.”
Additional Honors and Ceremony Highlights
The BET Awards also saw Janet Jackson make an unannounced appearance to present the Icon of the Year award to Teyana Taylor. During the presentation, Jackson highlighted Taylor’s work ethic and versatility, referencing her career spanning two decades. Taylor, in her acceptance, expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting, “I worked my ass off 20 years. So I’m not accepting what I’ve earned with arrogance. I’m accepting what I’ve earned with gratitude.”
The ceremony continued with a tribute to the legacy of D’Angelo. Performances by Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton, and RAYE celebrated the artist’s influence on the neo-soul genre. The segment was preceded by an appearance from the artist’s three children. Additionally, music executive Sylvia Rhone was honored with the BET Ultimate Icon Award for her groundbreaking career and influence across multiple generations of artists.
The event, hosted by comedian Druski, featured a series of performances from artists including Cardi B, Kehlani, Don Toliver, French Montana, Rick Ross, and Max B.