Usher is honored, Will Smith returns, and the election is high of thoughts

(AP) – Usher accepted the lifetime achievement award on the 2024 BET Awards — even when the famous person mused it is likely to be a bit early.

The Grammy winner stayed on his ft as a parade of artists carried out his hits — Infantile Gambino kicked it off with “U Don’t Should Name,” joined by Keke Palmer, who took the lead on “You Make Me Wanna…” Coco Jones appeared within the viewers for a sultry rendition of “There Goes My Child,” serenading Usher and his spouse Jenn Goicoechea.

Summer season Walker hit the stage for “Good Good,” Tinashe did “Good & Sluggish,” Marsha Ambrosius tackled “Celebrity” and Chlöe carried out “Good Kisser.” Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monét teamed up for “Dangerous Woman,” mirroring Usher and Beyoncé’s choreography from their efficiency of the tune. Latto introduced the vitality for “Yeah!” In some methods, the homage underscored the ladies that carried a lot of the night time — dominating the performances.

After introductions by Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam, Usher accepted the award from music govt L.A. Reid.

“Getting right here has positively not been straightforward, but it surely has been price it,” Usher started his prolonged speech, reflecting on his profession, which has spanned over three many years. He questioned the timing, saying, “I’m nonetheless working and gunning and I nonetheless love this (expletive) like I did once I was 8 years previous,” he mentioned.

A lot of his speech couldn’t be heard to audiences at residence as a result of it was censored.

“I forgive each one that had something to say adverse about me as a result of it solely motivated me to be who I’m,” he mentioned at one level.

Earlier within the night time, Will Smith stood in a circle of fireplace — joined by Fridayy and the gospel choir Sunday Service — to make the dwell debut of his newest single, “You Can Make It.”

“I don’t know who wants this proper now,” Smith opened his set. “However I’m right here to inform you, you may make it.”

Mid-way by way of, Kirk Franklin joined, after which two rapped collectively. “No one will get a simple experience,” Smith, who’s within the midst of his comeback from slapping Chris Rock on the Oscars two years in the past, advised the room. “There may be knowledge in that fireplace. Dance in your darkest moments.”

The forthcoming presidential election was an enormous matter of dialog all through the present. After Infantile Gambino introduced Killer Mike with the album of the 12 months award for “Michael,” the rapper used his acceptance speech to deal with his Grammys arrest and voting.

“Technically, I used to be not presupposed to be right here. I used to be put in handcuffs, and I used to be marched out of this constructing. However I wish to inform you, take a look at God. ‘Trigger I’m again, child. I’m again and I’m successful,” he mentioned in his speech. Killer Mike was arrested on the Grammys earlier this 12 months over a bodily altercation he mentioned was attributable to an “over-zealous” safety guard; he was not charged over the incident.

“They going to inform you who we vote for is essential,” he continued his speech, “And it’s who we vote for on the large stage. It’s essential, but it surely’s extra essential you understand who your metropolis council individual is, who your prosecutor is.”

Megan Thee Stallion opened the present by rising from an egg — a metaphor for her a brand new musical rebirth — earlier than diving into with an brisk medley of her new singles “Hiss” and “Boa.”

“BET, the place my ladies at?” she mentioned, shouting out Monét and Jones within the crowd earlier than launching into “The place Them Women At” — a monitor that’s been a right away fan favourite since Friday’s launch of her third studio album, “Megan.”

Taraji P. Henson hosted the present on the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Her opening monologue was a efficiency, Henson rapping “It’s about us,” in a unfastened parody of Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” which he launched within the midst of his reignited feud with Drake.

“No beef in right here tonight,” she joked, “Can we are saying plant-based?”

Tyla, the Johannesburg, South African amapiano famous person, received two honors on the present, beginning with greatest worldwide act.

Later within the night time, she’d take residence the award for greatest new artist. “That is loopy,” she mentioned. “I simply wish to dedicate this one to Africa.”

Monét, who earlier this 12 months received the Grammy for greatest new artist, made her BET debut and set a excessive bar for performances, condensing a full set into a number of minutes with three costume modifications and a pair of songs, “On My Mama” and “Alright.”

Then Sexyy Crimson took the stage, performing her clean bed room ballad “U My All the things” earlier than shifting to a different stage and a dressing up change — tackling “Get It Sexyy” in entrance of an LED display screen depicting the White Home and dancers dressed just like the Secret Service.

The present took a tonal shift when VanVan and Heiress Harris, two little one rappers, their empowerment anthem “Be You” in a lecture room set. Harris is the daughter of rapper T.I. and singer Tiny Harris.

Finest feminine R&B/pop artist went to SZA and greatest actress to Regina King, each of whom weren’t in attendance; the BET HER award went to Monét for “On My Mama.” She introduced her mom as much as settle for it.

Nation musician Tanner Adell introduced her “Buckle Bunny” and her new tune, “Cowboy Break My Coronary heart.” GloRilla emerged from above, descending to affix her dancers for “Yeah Glo!” and “Wanna Be” — the latter of which noticed a shock look from Megan Thee Stallion. Shaboozey stored the nation coming with “A Bar Music (Tipsy)” and was joined by rapper J-Kwon, who seems on the monitor, creating an sudden and rewarding collaboration throughout genres.

Lauryn Hill closed the night time, starting with “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” going into “Misplaced Ones,” earlier than introducing her son YG Marley for his reggae tracks “Survival” and “Reward Jah In The Moonlight.” Better of all: Wyclef Jean appeared, and the trio — in entrance of a full-band — carried out Fugees’ “Fu-Gee-La.” Pras, the third member of Fugees, was not current. The rapper, who was accused in multimillion-dollar political conspiracies spanning two presidencies, was convicted in April.

___

For extra protection of this 12 months’s BET Awards, go to https://apnews.com/hub/bet-awards

Next Post
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest