Usher Accepts BET Lifetime Achievement Award — Despite Audio Issues — After Electrifying Women-Led Tribute

Usher had one hell of a night at the 2024 BET Awards.

During the event on Sunday, June 30, the R&B superstar, 45, received the Lifetime Achievement Award — a esteemed honor previously bestowed on icons like Prince, Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah and Lionel Richie — in celebration of his epic musical legacy.

A list of surprise guests took the stage during “Culture’s Biggest Night” honoring Usher, starting with Childish Gambino, aka Donald Glover — and Keke Palmer! — performing an acapella version of the legendary 2001 hit “U Don’t Have to Call.”

The tribute mix then continued with a nostalgic look back at Usher’s epic discography with performances by Palmer (“U Make Me Wanna”), Coco Jones (“There Goes My Baby”), Marsha Ambrosius (“Superstar”), Chlöe (“Good” Kisser” ), Tinashe (“Nice & Slow”), Teyana Taylor (“Bad Girl” with a dance number by Victoria Monét) and Latto (“Yeah!”).

Summer Walker also performed her Usher collaboration “Good Good,” featuring 21 Savage, which was nominated for Best Collaboration and Best Video at the BET Awards.

Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monet perform on stage during the 2024 BET Awards.

Kevin Winter/Getty

Usher then took the stage to accept his coveted award – presented by Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, LA Reid, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis – as his wife, Jenn Goicoechea Raymond, cheered him on from the front row.

The Grammy-winning performer began by joking whether it was “too soon” for him to receive his prestigious honor, saying, “I’m still running and shooting and I still love this s— like I did when I was 8 years old.”

He then spoke about his personal experience growing up without a father while sharing a name with him, adding: “I was trying to make sense of this name that a man gave me that didn’t stick because he didn’t like it – or at least that was my perception.”

Latto performs a trio of new songs during the 2024 BET Awards

“Because I’ve had to live long enough to realize that you have to have a forgiving heart to understand the true pitfalls and hardships of being a black man in America,” Usher continued. “And my father, he was a product of that. He made a lot of decisions—he made a lot of choices—and the one that probably hurt me and helped me at the same time was to stay away.”

Usher’s speech was later cut, apparently due to language that then went into audio problems, but he concluded by relating everything to parenting his own children and the importance of fathers today, declaring 2024 to be “the year of the father”.

Usher accepts his Lifetime Achievement Award from Babyface and LA Reid onstage during the 2024 BET Awards at the Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Kevin Winter/Getty

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“Even though there was no dad to call, even though there was no one to call and say you’re going to be okay, this is what you’re doing, this is okay, this is what’s not… That’s what led me to be the father that I am to his boys, Cinco and Naviyd, who are here today,” he said, also showing love to his “little ones,” Sire and Sovereign, back home.

“It’s all 100% about my kids and making sure you realize that your dreams can come true if you’re truly committed,” he concluded, also thanking his team, Babyface, Reid and others who contributed to his successful 30+ year career. “If you’re committed to something, find a passion and stay committed to it, it could potentially be you. This could be your moment.”

“Not on this stage because I’m the only one who’s going to have this,” the R&B singer joked, “but you could have a moment like this.”

Usher accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the 2024 BET Awards at the Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Kevin Winter/Getty

BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes “distinguished achievements and distinguished public service,” industry pioneers “who have profoundly changed the culture and entertainment industry,” according to a press release. And after an already tremendous year, it’s only fitting that Usher received it next.

“The relationship between BET and Usher spans decades, from his multiple appearances onward 106 & Parkto recently winning the Entertainer of the Year trophy at the 55th NAACP Image Awards,” Connie Orlando, BET EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy, said in a press statement.

She continued, “From his chart-topping hits, electrifying performances and unforgettable vocals to his signature moves and sound, Usher continues to stand on culture, setting new standards for the music industry and black excellence.”

Usher at the BET Awards at the Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles.

Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty

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Along with the Lifetime Achievement Award, Usher was also nominated for four BET Awards this year, including Album of the Year for his latest studio LP, Coming home. He ended up taking home the award for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist.

The “U Got It Bad” singer has had a successful year so far, which includes a record-breaking headlining Super Bowl halftime show, the release of his ninth studio album, the 20th anniversary of his diamond certification Confessions album and the announcement of his upcoming Past Present Future tour — which follows his ultra-successful Las Vegas residency that ended in December.

The 2024 BET Awards air live on June 30 at 8:00 PM ET/PT live from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

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Source: HIS Education