{"id":664609,"date":"2026-06-29T16:37:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:37:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/664609\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T16:37:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T16:37:11","slug":"lauryn-hill-honored-janet-jackson-stuns-teyana-taylor-and-druski-makes-history-at-bet-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/664609\/","title":{"rendered":"Lauryn Hill honored, Janet Jackson stuns Teyana Taylor and Druski makes history at BET Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

LOS ANGELES \u2014 After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking career, Lauryn Hill<\/a> surprised the BET Awards audience Sunday with an impromptu performance of her 1998 classic \u201cEx-Factor\u201d after accepting the Living Legend Icon Award before closing the show with \u201cEverything Is Everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Introduced by Ice Cube,<\/a> the eight-time Grammy winner was honored with performances at Los Angeles\u2019 Peacock Theater from SZA, Doechii, Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Common, her children Selah Marley and Zion Marley, who revisited songs from Hill\u2019s stellar catalog while she stood smiling, singing along and applauding throughout the tribute.<\/p>\n

After she accepted the honor, Hill encouraged artists to embrace their gifts and remain true to their purpose.<\/p>\n

\u201cI fight for y\u2019all,\u201d Hill said. \u201cAnd fighting for y\u2019all is me fighting for myself, it\u2019s me fighting for my children, it\u2019s me fighting for my community.\u201d<\/p>\n

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, \u201cThe Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,\u201d featuring classics including \u201cDoo Wop (That Thing),\u201d \u201cEx-Factor\u201d and \u201cEverything Is Everything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Janet Jackson surprises Teyana Taylor with honor<\/p>\n

Teyana Taylor<\/a> fought back tears Sunday after an emotional surprise at the BET Awards:<\/a>Janet Jackson<\/a> walked onto the stage to present Taylor with the Icon of the Year Award.<\/p>\n

Taylor, visibly stunned as Jackson received a standing ovation, embraced the music legend before thanking one of her biggest inspirations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey did not tell me Janet was coming,\u201d Taylor said through tears. \u201cThere will be no me without you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Presenting the award, Jackson praised Taylor\u2019s relentless work ethic and artistic range, highlighting her Golden Globe win for best supporting actress<\/a> in \u201cOne Battle After Another\u201d and calling her gifts \u201cGod-given.\u201d<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Accepting the honor, Taylor reflected on her two-decade career.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worked my (expletives) off 20 years,\u201d she said. \u201cSo I\u2019m not accepting what I\u2019ve earned with arrogance. I\u2019m accepting what I\u2019ve earned with gratitude.\u201d<\/p>\n

BET Awards remembers Clive Davis, Richard Smallwood and other trailblazers<\/p>\n

The BET Awards paused to honor influential figures from music and entertainment who died over the past year during an emotional in memoriam tribute.<\/p>\n

Erica Campbell<\/a> 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 Richard Smallwood,<\/a> whose music she said strengthened her faith. She also remembered the late music executive Clive Davis,<\/a> who died earlier this week at 94, before performing Whitney Houston\u2019s<\/a> \u201cI Love the Lord\u201d with Le\u2019Andria Johnson.<\/p>\n

The tribute remembered Smallwood, Davis, Malcolm-Jamal Warner<\/a> and others whose contributions left a lasting mark on music, television and culture.<\/p>\n

D\u2019Angelo honored with all-star tribute\"AriAri Lennox, George Clinton, Durand Bernarr, Isaiah Sharkey, and Raye perform during the BET Awards 2026 in Los Angeles, CA on June 28, 2026.Paras Griffin \/ Getty Images for BET<\/p>\n

The show also celebrated the late D\u2019Angelo\u2019s<\/a> legacy with a star-studded tribute that opened with appearances by his three children.<\/p>\n

Ari Lennox,<\/a> 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\u2019s most acclaimed voices.<\/p>\n

Sylvia Rhone honored for shaping generations of artists<\/p>\n

Music executive Sylvia Rhone<\/a> received the BET Ultimate Icon Award in recognition of her groundbreaking leadership and lasting impact on the music industry.<\/p>\n

Presented by Kelly Rowland,<\/a> the honor celebrated Rhone\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

While accepting the award, Rhone dedicated the honor to the artists and creative teams she has worked alongside throughout her career.<\/p>\n

\u201cTonight\u2019s honor bears my name, but it really belongs to all of us who create culture,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Rhone also used the moment to urge the music industry to protect artists as artificial intelligence reshapes the business.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe make the algorithm. The algorithm doesn\u2019t make us,\u201d she said. \u201cWe must honor the musician. We must compensate the creator.\u201d<\/p>\n

She concluded by calling on the industry to ensure the next generation of artists has the opportunity to create \u201cthe songs that will change the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Druski opens BET Awards with dramatic entrance\"DruskiDruski speaks onstage during the BET Awards 2026 in Los Angeles, California on June 28, 2026.Paras Griffin \/ Getty Images for BET<\/p>\n

Druski<\/a> made a grand entrance to kick off the BET Awards<\/a> on Sunday, descending from the rafters in a harness as a choir filled the theater with a rendition of Kirk Franklin\u2019s \u201cRevolution,\u201d setting the tone for a night celebrating music, comedy and culture.<\/p>\n

The comedian and digital creator made history by becoming the youngest host of the ceremony. The show\u2019s opening performances featured Kehlani, who sang \u201cFolded\u201d with Jamie Foxx and his daughter, Anelise Estelle Foxx, on guitar. Don Toliver also performed his hits \u201cE85\u201d and \u201cBody.\u201d<\/p>\n

Accepting the award for best female R&B\/pop artist, Kehlani admitted she hadn\u2019t prepared a speech, instead marveling that \u201cJanet Jackson is here,\u201d before telling the icon she was \u201creally honored to be here\u201d among the night\u2019s talent.<\/p>\n

Druski, 31, surpassed Kevin Hart,<\/a> who previously held the distinction as the BET Award\u2019s youngest host when he emceed in 2011.<\/p>\n

Throughout the night, Druski leaned into his comedic persona with appearances alongside Martin Lawrence and Latto. Lawrence jokingly shut down Druski\u2019s pitch to appear in the next \u201cBad Boys\u201d film before teasing his upcoming Paramount+ series, while Latto playfully poked fun at the host during one of the show\u2019s transitions. Druski also spoofed Jay-Z\u2019s Roots Picnic freestyle.<\/p>\n

Druski became one of entertainment\u2019s fastest-rising stars through his viral sketches before expanding into sold-out comedy tours and collaborations with artists including Drake<\/a> and Snoop Dogg,<\/a> as well as appearances alongside figures like Tom Brady<\/a> and Timoth\u00e9e Chalamet.<\/a><\/p>\n

Hip-hop pioneer MC Lyte returned as the show\u2019s announcer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"LOS ANGELES \u2014 After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking career, Lauryn Hill surprised the BET Awards…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":664610,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[6491,96,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-664609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-celebrities","tag-celebrities","tag-entertainment","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/664609","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=664609"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/664609\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/664610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=664609"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=664609"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=664609"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}