LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥� After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking career, surprised the BET Awards audience Sunday with an impromptu performance of her 1998 classic 鈥淓x-Factor鈥� after accepting the Living Legend Icon Award before closing the show with 鈥淓verything Is Everything.鈥�
Introduced by the eight-time Grammy winner was honored with performances at Los Angeles鈥� Peacock Theater from SZA, Doechii, Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Common, her children Selah Marley and Zion Marley, who revisited songs from Hill鈥檚 stellar catalog while she stood smiling, singing along and applauding throughout the tribute.
After she accepted the honor, Hill encouraged artists to embrace their gifts and remain true to their purpose.
鈥淚 fight for y鈥檃ll,鈥� Hill said. 鈥淎nd fighting for y鈥檃ll is me fighting for myself, it鈥檚 me fighting for my children, it鈥檚 me fighting for my community.鈥�
The Living Legend Icon Award recognizes pioneers whose work has remained culturally essential across generations. Hill first emerged as a member of the Fugees before releasing her landmark solo debut, 鈥淭he Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,鈥� featuring classics including 鈥淒oo Wop (That Thing),鈥� 鈥淓x-Factor鈥� and 鈥淓verything Is Everything.鈥�
Janet Jackson surprises Teyana Taylor with honor
fought back tears Sunday after an emotional surprise at the walked onto the stage to present Taylor with the Icon of the Year Award.
Taylor, visibly stunned as Jackson received a standing ovation, embraced the music legend before thanking one of her biggest inspirations.
鈥淭hey did not tell me Janet was coming,鈥� Taylor said through tears. 鈥淭here will be no me without you.鈥�
Presenting the award, Jackson praised Taylor鈥檚 relentless work ethic and artistic range, highlighting her Golden Globe win for in 鈥淥ne Battle After Another鈥� and calling her gifts 鈥淕od-given.鈥�
The Icon of the Year Award recognizes a creative force whose influence is shaping culture. Taylor has evolved from a multiplatinum recording artist into an award-winning actor, director, producer and choreographer.
Accepting the honor, Taylor reflected on her two-decade career.
鈥淚 worked my (expletives) off 20 years,鈥� she said. 鈥淪o I鈥檓 not accepting what I鈥檝e earned with arrogance. I鈥檓 accepting what I鈥檝e earned with gratitude.鈥�
BET Awards remembers Clive Davis, Richard Smallwood and other trailblazers
The BET Awards paused to honor influential figures from music and entertainment who died over the past year during an emotional in memoriam tribute.
of Mary Mary introduced the segment by reflecting on the enduring legacies left behind by those who died, paying special tribute to the late gospel composer whose music she said strengthened her faith. She also remembered the late music executive who died earlier this week at 94, before performing 鈥淚 Love the Lord鈥� with Le鈥橝ndria Johnson.
The tribute remembered Smallwood, Davis, and others whose contributions left a lasting mark on music, television and culture.
D鈥橝ngelo honored with all-star tribute
The show also celebrated the late legacy with a star-studded tribute that opened with appearances by his three children.
BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton and RAYE were among the artists who honored the singer with performances of his music, celebrating the enduring influence of one of R&B鈥檚 most acclaimed voices.
Sylvia Rhone honored for shaping generations of artists
Music executive received the BET Ultimate Icon Award in recognition of her groundbreaking leadership and lasting impact on the music industry.
Presented by the honor celebrated Rhone鈥檚 trailblazing career as the first Black woman to lead a major record company owned by a Fortune 500 corporation. A video tribute featured messages from artists including Missy Elliott and Busta Rhymes, highlighting her role in helping develop the careers of performers such as Tracy Chapman, Brandy, Erykah Badu, Lil Wayne, Kid Cudi, Future, Travis Scott and Tyler, the Creator.
While accepting the award, Rhone dedicated the honor to the artists and creative teams she has worked alongside throughout her career.
鈥淭onight鈥檚 honor bears my name, but it really belongs to all of us who create culture,鈥� she said.
Rhone also used the moment to urge the music industry to protect artists as artificial intelligence reshapes the business.
鈥淲e make the algorithm. The algorithm doesn鈥檛 make us,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e must honor the musician. We must compensate the creator.鈥�
She concluded by calling on the industry to ensure the next generation of artists has the opportunity to create 鈥渢he songs that will change the world.鈥�
Druski opens BET Awards with dramatic entrance
made a grand entrance to kick off the on Sunday, descending from the rafters in a harness as a choir filled the theater with a rendition of Kirk Franklin鈥檚 鈥淩evolution,鈥� setting the tone for a night celebrating music, comedy and culture.
The comedian and digital creator made history by becoming the youngest host of the ceremony. The show’s opening performances featured Kehlani, who sang 鈥淔olded鈥� with Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Anelise Estelle Foxx, on guitar. Don Toliver also performed his hits 鈥淓85鈥� and 鈥淏ody.鈥�
Accepting the award for best female R&B/pop artist, Kehlani admitted she hadn鈥檛 prepared a speech, instead marveling that 鈥淛anet Jackson is here,鈥� before telling the icon she was 鈥渞eally honored to be here鈥� among the night鈥檚 talent.
Druski, 31, surpassed who previously held the distinction as the BET Award鈥檚 youngest host when he emceed in 2011.
Throughout the night, Druski leaned into his comedic persona with appearances alongside Martin Lawrence and Latto. Lawrence jokingly shut down Druski鈥檚 pitch to appear in the next 鈥淏ad Boys鈥� film before teasing his upcoming Paramount+ series, while Latto playfully poked fun at the host during one of the show鈥檚 transitions. Druski also spoofed Jay-Z’s Roots Picnic freestyle.
Druski became one of entertainment鈥檚 fastest-rising stars through his viral sketches before expanding into sold-out comedy tours and collaborations with artists including and as well as appearances alongside figures like and
Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte returned as the show鈥檚 announcer.
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