Few artists have exerted as much influence on popular music with as compact a catalog as Lauryn Hill, a reality underscored last night (June 28) at the BET Awards, where Hill became the first recipient of the ceremony’s newly created Living Legend Icon award. She was also celebrated with a career-spanning tribute featuring many of the artists who have followed in her wake.
SZA and Doechii kicked things off with a rendition of the Fugees’ “Ready or Not,” while Tierra Whack and Tems teamed up for a performance of “Fu-Gee-La.” Doja Cat then tackled one of Hill’s deeper cuts, “Superstar,” before joining Nas for a performance of “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That),” his 1996 hit that originally featured Hill’s vocals. Elsewhere, gospel-inflected duo the War & Treaty delivered a powerful rendition of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” a song with personal significance to Hill’s career and legacy thanks to its inclusion in the 1993 film Sister Act 2.
The celebration extended beyond the artists who took the microphone. Hill’s children Selah, YG Marley and Zion Marley participated in the tribute, alongside appearances from Lizzo, Rapsody and Alexia Jayy. The segment culminated with Queen Latifah and Common joining forces for a fiery rendition of “Lost Ones,” one of the defining tracks from 1998’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Then came the evening’s biggest surprise: Hill herself took the stage. “I wasn’t even supposed to perform, but I heard somebody wasn’t doing this song,” she quipped before launching into “Ex-Factor,” prompting a standing ovation from the audience at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater. Earlier in the evening, Ice Cube had presented Hill with the award, praising her as one of the most influential artists in hip-hop and R&B history.
Accepting the honor, Hill reflected on the values that have guided her career. “I do this because I want y’all to have everything that I experienced,” she told the crowd. “We may not always agree all the time, but I’m rooting for you and I’m grateful that you root for me sometimes too. All of our differences, all of our uniqueness, that’s the beauty, ya’ll. 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. I love you.”
Also during the ceremony, Janet Jackson appeared unannounced to present Teyana Taylor with the Icon of the Year award. Taylor, visibly stunned, embraced Jackson as the audience rose to its feet. “They did not tell me Janet was coming,” Taylor said through tears. “There will be no me without you.” In presenting the honor, Jackson praised Taylor’s work ethic and artistic versatility, citing her recent Golden Globe-winning acting turn and describing her talents as “God-given.” Taylor, reflecting on her two-decade career, told the audience, “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 show also paid tribute to the legacy of D’Angelo, with appearances by the late artist’s three children preceding performances from Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton and RAYE, who celebrated the enduring influence of one of neo-soul’s most revered figures. Music executive Sylvia Rhone received the BET Ultimate Icon Award in recognition of her groundbreaking career and influence across multiple generations of artists.
The ceremony, hosted by comedian Druski also featured performances from Cardi B, Kehlani, Don Toliver, French Montana, Rick Ross and Max B.
