At the 2024 BET Awards, Will Smith debuts a new song and Usher receives recognition.

At 8 p.m. EST on BET, the BET Awards kicked off from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.

 

Shortly after winning the 2024 BET Awards for best male R&B/pop artist, Usher received the lifetime achievement award.

 

With “U Don’t Have to Call,” Childish Gambino launched an all-star tribute to the R&B pop artist. Keke Palmer joined him, taking the lead on “You Make Me Wanna…” During her seductive performance of “There Goes My Baby,” Coco Jones serenaded Usher and his spouse Jenn Goicoechea from the audience.

 

Summer Walker sang “Good Good,” Tinashe “Nice & Slow,” Marsha Ambrosius “Superstar,” and Chlöe “Good Kisser” on stage. Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monét collaborated on “Bad Girl,” with Taylor costumed as Usher. Latto provided the vigour for “Yeah!” It highlighted the ladies who, for the most part, carried the evening and dominated the performances.

 

L.A. Reid and Babyface joined Terry Lewis and Jimmy Jam in introducing Usher. Babyface described how, when Usher was 14 years old, he tried out for Boyz II Men’s “End of the Road” and immediately won them over with his brilliance.

 

Considering his career that has lasted more than three decades, Usher started his address by saying, “Getting here has definitely not been easy, but it has been worth it.” I’m still racing and gunning and I still enjoy this (expletive) like I did when I was eight years old, so is it too early for me to get the lifetime achievement award? he said.

 

Earlier in the evening, Will Smith performed his most recent hit, “You Can Make It,” live in a circle of fire with Fridayy and the gospel choir Sunday Service.

 

Smith began his show by saying, “I’m not sure who needs this right now.” “However, I’m here to tell you that you can succeed.”

 

Kirk Franklin joined in the middle, and the two of them began to rap together. Smith, who is now making a comeback after slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars two years ago, told the room, “Nobody gets an easy ride.” There’s knowledge in that flame. In your lowest points, dance.

 

There was a lot of discussion on the upcoming presidential election on Sunday’s broadcast. Following Childish Gambino’s “Michael” album of the year prize, the rapper addressed his Grammy arrest and voting during his acceptance speech.

 

In a technical sense, I wasn’t meant to be here. After being placed in handcuffs, I was led out of this building. However, I want you to see this: God, take a look; I’m back, sweetheart. In his speech, he declared, “I’m back and I’m winning.” Killer Mike said that a “over-zealous” security guard started a violent brawl at the Grammys earlier this year, which led to his arrest. He was not charged in connection with the event.

 

He went on, “They’re going to tell you who we vote for is important, and it’s who we vote for on the big stage.” It’s crucial, but even more crucial is knowing who your city council member and prosecutor are.

 

Megan Thee Stallion began the performance by hatching out of an egg, symbolising her own creative rebirth, and then launched into a spirited mix of her two most recent hits, “Hiss” and “Boa.”

 

“BET, Where my girls at?” she exclaimed, calling out Monét and Jones from the audience before launching into her hit song “Where Them Girls At.” Since her third studio album, “Megan,” was released on Friday, the song has become an instant fan favourite.

 

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, Megan Thee Stallion will take the stage at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles to perform at the BET Awards.

The programme was hosted by Taraji P. Henson performed a sloppy spoof of Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us,” which he released during his rekindled dispute with Drake, in her introductory address, rapping “It’s about us.”

She joked, “No beef in here tonight. Can we say plant-based?”

 

The show’s top performer, Tyla, hails from Johannesburg, South Africa, and took home two awards, the first being best international act.

 

She would win the best new artist prize later that evening. “This is absurd,” she exclaimed.This one is dedicated to all the African superstars who came before me but were denied the possibilities I am now experiencing.

 

After winning the Grammy for best new artist earlier this year, Monét made her BET debut and raised the bar for performances, fitting an entire set into a few minutes with three costume changes and two songs, “Alright” and “On My Mama.”

 

Following a costume change and a silky rendition of her bedroom ballad “U My Everything,” Sexyy Red joined the stage to perform “Get It Sexyy” in front of an LED screen that displayed the White House and dancers dressed like members of the Secret Service.

 

When two young rappers, VanVan and Heiress Harris, performed their empowerment hymn, “Be You,” on a schoolroom stage, the show’s tone changed dramatically. Harris is the daughter of singer Tiny Harris and rapper T.I.

 

SZA won best actress and Regina King won best female R&B/pop artist; both winners were not present; Monét won BET HER for “On My Mama.” She raised her mother to acknowledge it.

Latto sipped wine and relaxed on a chaise sofa before leaping up for “Big Mama”; Tyla, accompanied by Gunna and Skillibeng, did a “Jump” from a lion’s cage. Ice Spice began with “Phat Butt” and moved into “Think U The S— (Fart)” off her upcoming full-length debut, “Y2K.”