Usher received the Lifetime Achievement Award and was honored with an epic tribute at the 2024 BET Awards.
The "Yeah!" hitmaker received his award from production duo Baby Face and L.A. Reid, who co-founded the label LaFace Records, signed the artist when he was a teenager.
The R'n'B icon's speech was partially censored as he was overcome with emotion.
He began: "Obviously tonight is a celebration of a lot of things that can be recognized for this lifetime achievement award coming up. I'm really happy to still be a part of the fight."
The 45-year-old singer, who was also crowned Best Male R'n'B Pop Artist, went on to pay tribute to all fathers who "are generals" and provide their sons with the "motivation" to be "our future black leaders ".
The father-of-four added in his speech: "The fathers who are at home tonight or in this hall, I want them to stand up. Too often we get to that point where we can say to our mothers, 'Look mum, I made it ". We don't get a chance to say enough, 'Dad, I made it.' So my speech is for all the men who are generals to their sons and motivation for our future black leaders, young men. Thank you guys so much for this honour."
Usher also mentioned his ex-wife Tamika Foster, insisting he is "turning over a new page".
He said, "I'm trying, Tamika."
At one point, he joked, "This lifetime achievement award, I don't know, man, is it too early to get it? Because I'm still running and shooting like I was eight years old."
To pay tribute to the show, Childish Gambino, Kiki Palmer, Coco Jones, Chloe Bailey, Tinashe, Latto, and more took the stage to perform his classics.
Producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis also paid tribute to the "Love In This Club" artist.
Kiki Palmer belted out "You Make Me Wanna" to the delight of a screaming Usher, Coco Jones belted out "There Goes My Baby," Chloe Bailey wowed with her rendition of "Good Kisser," and Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monae nailed their duet of "Bad." Girl" that Usher did with Beyoncé.
Lato ended the concert by replacing Ludacris on his verse on "Yeah!".
Rap titan Megan Thee Stallion dazzled as she opened the show with an energetic rendition of 'BOA' and 'Where Them Girls At'.
As expected, Will Smith debuted his new single 'You Can Make It', joined by gospel icon Kirk Franklin and the Sunday Service Choir.
Killer Mike's album "Michael" was named album of the year.
Victoria Monae won her first BET Award, the BETHer Award, for "On My Mama,"
Joined by her mother, she said: "It's really amazing. It's such an honor to receive this award, especially the BET Her award, because I'm proud to be a black woman; that's the lady I dedicated this song to. This is my mother."
She also won the video of the year award.
'Water' hitmaker Tayla was crowned New Artist and Best International Artist.
Lauryn Hill closed the bash with a series of career gems.
Taraji P. Henson hosted the star-studded ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night (30.06.24). | BGNES
