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| Will Smith at 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles |
During the ceremony, hosted by Taraji P. Henson, a poignant message was delivered to the audience, urging them to participate in the forthcoming presidential election. The event was punctuated by both riveting performances and heartfelt speeches, with a particularly moving moment coming from Will Smith, who delivered a powerful rap on his latest song, "You Can Make It," addressing personal and professional challenges he faced following a confrontation with Chris Rock at the Academy Awards the previous year. "I'm here to tell you, you can make it," he proclaimed, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and resilience.
The evening's highlight was a soulful performance by a group of musicians, accompanied by the Sunday Service Choir and R&B singer Friday, who sang in a circle of fire. This was followed by a touching speech by Will Smith, who concluded his performance with the message, "Dance in your darkest moments."
The ceremony also featured a redemption performance on Sunday, during which gospel star Kirk Franklin shared words of courage and wisdom. "Nobody gets an easy ride, we all have a cross to bear, but there’s wisdom in the fire, and every moment is an opportunity," Smith articulated. "Embrace the journey."
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| Killer Mike |
The evening culminated in a standing ovation for Grammy-winning rapper and Oscar-nominated actor Will Smith, who was introduced by Taraji P. Henson as "my brother."
Additionally, the show included a powerful moment from Killer Mike, who, despite facing challenges, celebrated his recent accolades, including the Album of the Year at the Grammys. This achievement came after a brief altercation with a security guard outside Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, which led to his detainment. However, Mike's resilience and determination were evident as he addressed the audience, expressing his gratitude and reaffirming his commitment to his craft. "I want to tell you, look at God, because I’m back, baby. I’m back and I’m winning. And I want to tell Black people that because of BET, I’m back. Not because no white person calling nobody. A Black man runs his business. A Black company put this show on and they got my Black ass back in here. Thank y’all," Mike declared, receiving a resounding applause from the audience.
"A multitude of individuals will inquire, 'Who was he? What led to his success?' I stand as a symbol of one of the most remarkable creations of God, representing not only one-half of the Black family but also encompassing Black men and women. In essence, I am you, regardless of your age, your opinion of me, or your feelings towards me. This victory is unequivocally ours," he continued.
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Mike also ventured into political discourse, emphasizing the importance of voting: "They may suggest that our political preferences are of little consequence, but they couldn't be more wrong. It's crucial to understand the significance of electing representatives at both the national and local levels. Knowing who your city council member or prosecutor is is vital. If you're dissatisfied with the candidates in your area, it's time to take action. Run for office yourself. Embrace the power of your vote," he advised.
Throughout the evening, Henson repeatedly urged viewers to cast their ballots, even making an appearance in a recorded video with Vice President Kamala Harris. At one point, she adopted a grave tone. "There are efforts to reintroduce the draft, and the question remains: who will be the first to be drafted? I'm not here to instill fear; rather, I aim to enlighten. We must be informed," she stated.
"I'm speaking to the passionate individuals who are hesitant to vote. We must unite," she added.
The actress commenced the show with a rap over Kendrick Lamar's diss track "Not Like Us," donning a red hoodie, jeans, and showcasing her teeth with grillz.
"I am a champion for all of us, placing a strong emphasis on unity. Let's leave any animosity behind tonight. Can we commit to maintaining a plant-based lifestyle?," she inquired, eliciting laughter from the audience.
The night saw a dominance of female artists in performances, with standout acts including Tyla, Sexyy Red, Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla, and Ice Spice. The duo of young performers, VanVan and Heiress Harris, captivated the audience with their rendition of "Be You" on a stage that mimicked a classroom setting, earning the show's cutest moment.
Victoria Monet, who also received a standing ovation for her performance, was presented with the BET HER Award for "On My Mama." During her acceptance speech, she brought her mother to the stage, inspiring the women in attendance to continue supporting and collaborating with one another. "I want to convey that our unity is crucial. We must stand together, supporting each other, and working with a positive attitude. To all the Black female artists in this room, I am eager to work together on a song that will make a significant impact," she expressed, also being awarded the BET Video of the Year.
Women also came together to honor Usher during various performances as he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award, months after his memorable performance at the Super Bowl halftime show, marking his 30th year in the music industry.
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KeKe Palmer showcased her exceptional talent as she meticulously brought to life the music video for "You Make Me Wanna," while Coco Jones demonstrated remarkable vocal prowess during her rendition of "There Goes My Baby," adding to her performance by engaging in choreography in front of Usher and his wife. Teyana Taylor exuded grace and power as she sang "Bad Girl," complementing her dance moves with Monet who danced beside her. Meanwhile, Tinashe captivated the audience with her seductive performance of "Nice & Slow," while Chloe contributed to the energy of the evening with her lively dance in "Good Kisser." Latto took the stage to deliver a rap over Ludacris's verse in "Yeah!" and Summer Walker delivered an emotive performance of "Good Good," a collaboration with Usher, captivating the audience.
Childish Gambino's tribute opened with an appearance, which appeared to be aided by a technical device to enhance his voice, delivering an alluring performance of "U Don't Have to Call." Marsha Ambrosius also took the stage, performing "Superstar" despite challenges with the initial riff.
Usher engaged the audience by expressing his preference for communication and delivered a 14-minute speech, which included moments of profanity as he fully expressed himself.
At one point, Usher removed his glasses, addressing the audience with a serious message. He spoke of his father's flaws and the importance of honoring those who have supported him, including executives and producers such as Babyface, L.A. Reid, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Jermaine Dupri, and others.
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He emphasized the necessity for forgiveness, illustrating this with the example of having to forgive someone who has never shown up but highlighting the result of this forgiveness, his successful career, and the positive impact he has made.
Lauryn Hill concluded the evening with an impressive series of performances. She paid homage to her 1998 Grammy-winning album, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," and shared a performance with her 22-year-old son, YG Marley, on his viral TikTok track, "Praise Jah In the Moonlight." Additionally, she reunited with fellow Fugees member, Wyclef Jean, for a memorable performance of "Fu-Gee-La," although Pras was unable to participate due to illness.
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