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Tag: Lauryn Hill

  • SZA, Doechii Lead Lauryn Hill BET Awards Tribute

    Ms. Lauryn Hill

    The music world celebrated a legend last night as Ms. Lauryn Hill was honored with the newly created Living Legend Icon award at the BET Awards, solidifying her status as one of history’s most influential artists. The celebration was a vibrant tapestry woven with powerful performances and deeply personal reflections, marking not just a career milestone but a moment of shared cultural reverence.

    The evening kicked off with an explosive display of talent, featuring collaborations that bridged generations and genres. SZA and Doechii set the tone by performing a rendition of the Fugees’ “Ready or Not,” while Tierra Whack and Tems delivered a sultry performance of “Fu-Gee-La.” The musical lineup continued to delve into Hill’s extensive catalog, with Doja Cat tackling the classic “Superstar” before joining Nas for an unforgettable performance of “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That),” a track that originally featured Hill’s iconic vocals.

    The tribute extended across the spectrum of music and culture. The powerful gospel-inflected duo War & Treaty shared a moving rendition of “His Eye Is on the Sparrow,” a song intrinsically linked to Hill’s career legacy due to its inclusion in the 1993 film Sister Act 2.

    Beyond the stage, the celebration brought together family and industry figures, including Hill’s children Selah, YG Marley, and Zion Marley, alongside appearances from Lizzo, Rapsody, and Alexia Jayy. The emotional crescendo arrived when Queen Latifah and Common joined forces for a fiery performance of “Lost Ones,” a defining track from the seminal 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.

    The night’s true surprise came when Ms. Hill took center stage. With a playful quip about missing a song, she launched into “Ex-Factor,” prompting a standing ovation at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater. Earlier in the evening, Ice Cube presented the award, praising Hill as one of the most influential artists in hip-hop and R&B history.

    In a moment that touched many hearts, Ms. Hill reflected on the guiding principles of her career. She shared that she pursues her work to ensure others experience the richness of her journey. “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,” she told the audience. “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.”

    The ceremony also highlighted the enduring influence of other icons. Janet Jackson appeared unannounced to present the Icon of the Year award to Teyana Taylor, who was visibly moved by the surprise. Jackson praised Taylor’s work ethic and artistic versatility, recognizing her talents as “God-given.” Reflecting on her own two-decade career, Taylor emphasized gratitude: “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 tribute further honored the legacy of D’Angelo, featuring appearances by his children before performances from Ari Lennox, BJ the Chicago Kid, Durand Bernarr, George Clinton, and RAYE, celebrating the lasting influence of neo-soul’s revered figure. Music executive Sylvia Rhone also received the BET Ultimate Icon Award for her groundbreaking career and influence across multiple generations of artists.

    The event concluded with a stellar lineup of performers, including Cardi B, Kehlani, Don Toliver, French Montana, Rick Ross, and Max B, all contributing to an unforgettable celebration of musical greatness.

    Credit: Spin

  • Lauryn Hill Receives BET Awards Tribute From Doechii, SZA, Tems, Tierra Whack, Doja Cat, & More

    The BET Awards stage was set for a night of pure musical reverence, culminating in an unforgettable tribute to a true icon: Lauryn Hill. The living legend was honored with the prestigious Living Legend Icon Award, rightfully cementing her legacy as one of the most influential figures in music history.

    The celebration that followed was nothing short of a masterclass in musical storytelling. The festivities kicked off with a deeply personal summary of Hill’s remarkable career, delivered by Ice Cube. He took the stage to chronicle her journey, tracing it back to her acting debut in 1993’s Sister Act 2, setting an immediate tone of respect and nostalgia.

    The tribute continued as bandmate Wyclef Jean stepped forward to share the history of their time together in the iconic Fugees. These stories provided a rich tapestry of Hill’s artistic achievements, weaving together her solo brilliance with the group dynamic that defined an era.

    But the honor was only the beginning. The tribute quickly expanded into a breathtaking gathering of musical royalty, featuring an astonishing lineup of contemporary artists who paid homage to Hill’s enduring influence. The star-studded assembly included SZA, Tems, Doechii, Tierra Whack, Nas, YG Marley, Lizzo, Queen Latifah, and Common.

    It was a powerful demonstration that Lauryn Hill‘s impact transcends generations and genres. Surrounded by such an incredible constellation of talent, the evening proved that her voice remains not just a classic, but a living, breathing force that continues to inspire and resonate across the music world.

    Credit: Stereogum

  • Lauyrn Hill Receives Living Legend Icon Award After Incredible Tribute at 2026 BET Awards: ‘I Want People to Know What We Can Do’

    Music royalty always seems to find a way to define the very fabric of culture, but for some artists, that definition comes with an undeniable gravitas. Sunday night, at the 2026 BET Awards, Lauryn Hill was rightfully honored as the inaugural recipient of the Living Legend Icon Award.

    This recognition isn’t just an accolade; it’s a profound acknowledgment of an artistic legacy that has spanned decades. The award celebrates those pioneers who have not only mastered their craft but have refused to let go of the culture they helped create, cementing Hill’s status as a true living legend.

    Hill’s career trajectory is a masterclass in evolution. She first made her mark on the silver screen as Rita Louise Watson in Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit in 1993. But her voice truly soared when she joined forces with Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel to form the Fugees in 1994, releasing their debut album Blunted on Reality. The true seismic shift arrived in 1996 with her performance of Roberta Flack’s “Killing Me Softly With His Song” in The Score, followed by the release of her seminal solo work, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which permanently redefined what a hip-hop album could sound like.

    When she stepped onto the stage for the tribute, the energy was palpable. The performance itself was a dazzling tapestry woven from the history of music and culture. Starting with Ice Cube setting the stage, the evening transitioned through powerful collaborations featuring artists like Doechii, SZA, Tems, and Doja Cat. The medley included iconic tracks and performances that celebrated the collective power of music, seamlessly blending classic hits with modern sensations.

    Beyond the performance, Hill’s acceptance speech offered a deeply moving perspective on her life and work. She articulated why she fights for others, emphasizing a deep-seated desire to share the love and protection she experienced. “I do this because I love y’all,” she stated, explaining that her mission stems from a feeling of responsibility to pour out the love she received into others.

    She further elaborated on her advocacy, noting that fighting for her community, family, and grandparents is inseparable from fighting for herself. “I fight for y’all,” she declared, asserting that this fight for others is also a fight for self. She expressed a powerful commitment to using music as a vehicle not just for personal expression, but for communication, insisting that people should know what artists can achieve.

    Lauryn Hill’s enduring legacy is a testament to the fact that true stardom is about more than hits and albums—it is about influence. As she accepted the Living Legend Icon Award, her words served as a reminder that the greatest icons are those who use their platform to champion dignity, freedom, and boundless possibility for everyone.

    Credit: Billboard

  • Best Performances at the 2026 BET Awards, Ranked

    Los Angeles was the epicenter of celebration on Sunday night (June 28) as the annual BET Awards returned, once again delivering a stellar showcase of Black excellence and cultural dominance. Moving beyond previous years, this ceremony served as a dynamic platform honoring not only musical legends but also the rising stars who are currently defining the landscape of R&B and hip-hop.

    The event was a true reunion of titans, bringing together figures whose contributions have shaped modern music. While names like Mariah Carey, Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, and Kirk Franklin have graced these stages in previous years, this installment focused on acknowledging the present-day powerhouses rallying the rap and R&B Avengers.

    The night featured a powerful blend of nostalgia and forward-looking recognition. Janet Jackson brought undeniable grace to the proceedings, notably presenting the Icon of the Year Award to Teyana Taylor. The celebration also paid tribute to the many Black luminaries who have passed, with six-time Grammy winner Erica Campbell offering a stirring performance of Whitney Houston’s “I Love the Lord.”

    The scope of the awards honored a rich tapestry of musical influence. Legendary music executive Sylvia Rhone was celebrated for her enduring impact on artists such as Missy Elliott, Future, and Brandy, underscoring the deep history embedded within the industry.

    The focus remained firmly on contemporary creativity. The ceremony recognized an R&B superteam featuring Ari Lennox and Durand Bernarr for honoring the legacy of D’Angelo. Doja Cat, Doechii, and others were celebrated alongside the incomparable Lauryn Hill, while the spotlight shone on emerging talents like Kwn and Kenny Iko, who made their official BET Awards debuts.

    Beyond the legends, the night was a vibrant testament to ongoing artistic innovation. Stars like Tems and RAYE delivered standout performances, proving that Black creativity remains as energetic and vibrant as ever, setting new benchmarks for contemporary music.

    Credit: Billboard

  • Here Are the Winners of the 2026 BET Awards: Updating Live

    The stage is set for some serious celebration as the 2026 BET Awards are gearing up to hit the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28th. This isn’t just another awards show; it’s a spotlight illuminating the cultural landscape of music and entertainment.

    Hosted by the dynamic Druski, the event will air live at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and will be broadcast across a wide array of channels, including BET HER, CMT, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon (NAN), Paramount, POP, VH1, Comedy Central, and TV Land, ensuring the celebration reaches every corner of the viewing world.

    The nominations have been hotly contested by a stellar group of talent. Cardi B led the pack with six nods, demonstrating incredible momentum, closely followed by musical giants Kendrick Lamar and Mariah the Scientist, both securing five nods each. Adding to the competitive field are Doechii, Doja Cat, Clipse, Teyana Taylor, Olivia Dean, and Latto, who each earned four nominations. These selections were determined by the esteemed BET Voting Academy, a panel of entertainment professionals and influencers across music, media, marketing, and creative arts.

    Beyond the main categories, the show is introducing fresh perspectives with two brand-new awards designed to recognize cultural impact. The Fashion Vanguard Award will honor a global figure whose fashion presence has profoundly shaped style narratives and elevated fashion as powerful storytelling across music, film, sports, and public life.

    Equally important is the Pulse Award, which seeks to celebrate creators, campaigns, or content series that have most powerfully moved Black culture forward in digital spaces by sparking essential conversations, building strong communities, and defining the moment online.

    The evening promises to be packed with recognition for outstanding talent, highlighted by three special awards recognizing enduring influence: Lauryn Hill will receive the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award, Teyana Taylor is set to be named the first recipient of the Icon of the Year Award, and legendary music executive Sylvia Rhone will claim the Ultimate Icon Award.

    The production of this high-energy event is overseen by Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming & music strategy at BET. The show itself is brought to life through Jesse Collins Entertainment, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay serving as executive producers, ensuring a deeply meaningful and unforgettable night of celebration for the industry.

    Credit: Billboard