Usher had some “Confessions” to make on the 2024 BET Awards, however they had been of the heartwarming sort.
The R&B icon was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award on the ceremony Sunday night time.
“Getting right here has positively not been straightforward, nevertheless it has been value it,” Usher mentioned. “This Life(time) Achievement Award, I do not know man, is it too early for me to obtain it? As a result of I am nonetheless operating and gunning, and I nonetheless love this (work) like I did once I was 8 years previous.”
Usher was given his flowers with a jam-packed tribute efficiency that showcased the “Yeah!” singer’s immaculate assortment of soulful pop hits.
Learn Usher’s Lifetime Achievement Award speech
On a extra somber observe, Usher additionally regarded again at his early years throughout his speech.
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“I used to be making an attempt to make sense of this title {that a} man gave me however did not stick round as a result of he did not love me,” mentioned Usher of his relationship together with his father. “Or a minimum of that was my notion of it as a result of I needed to stay lengthy sufficient as a way to perceive that you need to have a forgiving coronary heart as a way to perceive the true pitfalls and hardships of a Black man in America.”
“My father was a product of that. He made a variety of selections. He made a variety of decisions, and one which most likely harm and helped me on the similar time was to remain away,” Usher continued. “That is a part of the rationale why I say that is the yr of the daddy, the place all of the fathers have gotten to face up for his or her little kids and be the person that they have to be for them.”
Nonetheless, Usher pressured the significance of forgiveness.
“You have to be keen to forgive, y’all. He who is aware of no sin solid the primary stone. You have to be keen to forgive. Received to be keen to be open,” he mentioned. “I am telling you, you are standing earlier than a person who needed to forgive a person who by no means confirmed up ever. And look what I made with it! Look what I used to be in a position to usher in. That is what’s actual. That is what makes us human. That is what makes us women and men. I thanks all, man.”
Usher wins finest male R&B/pop artist at BET Awards 2024
Earlier within the night time, Usher received the award for finest male R&B/pop artist. “I’m actually completely satisfied to nonetheless be part of the struggle,” he mentioned, together with “being an inspiration for the brand new children.”
Usher’s BET Award follows main accolades for the 45-year-old, together with a career-defining efficiency on the Tremendous Bowl halftime present in February.
Taking the stage at Allegiant Stadium, the Grammy-winning singer delivered a suave, nostalgic set that highlighted his legacy of R&B-pop hits, together with “Caught Up,” “Love in This Membership” and “U Received it Dangerous.” The 13-minute efficiency additionally featured appearances from longtime friends and collaborators Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Will.i.am., Lil Jon, Jermaine Dupri and Ludacris.
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Usher honored by Jennifer Hudson, Keke Palmer, extra in star-studded BET Awards tribute
Infantile Gambino opened the tribute efficiency with a suave rendition of Usher’s “U Do not Must Name.”
Actress and singer Keke Palmer additionally made an look, delivering an lively efficiency of “You Make Me Wanna…” Palmer beforehand starred in Usher’s music video for “Boyfriend.”
Different stars who took the stage to honor Usher included Summer time Walker, Jennifer Hudson, Chlöe, Tinashe, Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monét.
Rapper Latto channeled Usher’s heartthrob charisma for a swaggering efficiency of “Yeah!,” even playfully throwing her jacket at Usher within the viewers.
Usher honored by Apollo Theater with Icon Award
Earlier this month, Usher was honored with the Icon Award by the Apollo Theater throughout its annual spring profit. Songwriter and report producer Babyface was acknowledged with the Legacy Award alongside him.
Usher was first to take the stage to just accept his award, recalling his early reminiscences of being on the Apollo, together with seeing former Apollo Newbie Night time host Kiki Shepherd. “They are saying if you may make it in New York, you may make it wherever. But when you may make it to the Apollo, you are able to do something,” he mentioned. “Every little thing that the Apollo has finished has motivated me in so many various methods.”
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The “Good Good” singer praised his mom Jonnetta Patton for permitting him to dream huge. “I used to be at all times speaking concerning the actuality that I’d have the ability to make it and he or she believed it,” he mentioned. “She was daring sufficient to assist my imaginative and prescient and assist me as an artist and as a person and as a philanthropist.”
“Unimaginable moments have occurred on this stage. Tonight I will be part of a legacy of unimaginable individuals, like Harry Belafonte,” Usher continued. “I really feel like I am the youngest of the legends, however for some motive, I additionally really feel like I could be the oldest of the pioneers of this time. Someway, one way or the other this places me on this very new and traditional area. I am so completely satisfied that I may have this second.”
Contributing: Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY