This past weekend we gathered around our televisions together as cousins and tuned in for the culture’s biggest night. At the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, Taraji P. Henson hosted the 2024 BET Awards, celebrating some of the best and brightest of our time, from the red carpet to the big stage.
Megan Thee Stallion, who just released her first independent album from her record label Hot Girl Productions, took a break from her sold-out tour to open the awards with her new hit Where Them Girls At. From there, the evening was filled with electrifying performances from Victoria Monet, Glorilla, Tyla, Shaboozey (w/ special guest J-Kwon), and yes…..even Will Smith. The Fresh Prince took to the stage with Gospel legend Kirk Franklin to debut a new single entitled You Can Make It. It was his first awards show appearance since “Slapgate” at the Oscars in 2022, where many presumed his career, and his reputation, to be ruined. However, he is currently celebrating the summer release of his record-breaking major box office hit Bad Boys 4 with Martin Lawrence. The fourth installment of the franchise just so happens to be one of the most successful of the series so far. You can call it whatever you want, but in the words of LL Cool J, don’t call it a comeback.
The 2024 BET Awards also did a great job of catering to a multi-generational audience, highlighting a variety of genres and demographics. The amazingly talented elementary school superstars Heiress Harris and Van Van had the crowd on their feet as they performed their single Be You. The children really are our future and these young girls have a definite hit on their hands with their message of individuality to kids around the world. Country artist Tanner Adell, who was featured on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album, had a major breakthrough moment as she performed her chart-topping introductory single Buckle Bunny which put her at the top of the list of artists to watch. But one of the night’s biggest moments was the much-anticipated Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Usher Raymond’s tribute. And, wow! What a time it was.
Childish Gambino (AKA Donald Glover) kicked off the tribute with his slowed down rendition of U Don’t Have to Call, and honestly, it would be the last male face you see for the rest of the tribute. Summer Walker, Tinashe, Marsha Ambrosius, and Latto all killed it when it came to paying homage to the R&B legend. However, it was Coco Jones, Chloe Bailey, and Keke Palmer who came to EAT. Coco serenaded the audience, along with Usher and his wife, with There Goes My Baby with the lap dance to match. Chloe left it all on the floor from the vocals to the footwork with her version of Good Kisser. Keke Palmer was in her big bag with her My Way era performance and her reincarnation of Usher’s U Make Me Wanna musicvideo right down to the iconic pants drop. But the evening belonged to Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monet’s recreation of Usher and Beyonce’s 2004 BET Awards Bad Girl performance. Even Queen Bey herself took to social media to give props to Victoria for her role as Beyonce. The duo’s undeniable chemistry in their choreography was almost too convincing, but even more evident was their talent through the accuracy in their adaptation of one of the GOAT’s greatest hits.
There was much discussion online about whether the Usher tribute should have involved more male artists such as Luke James or Durand Bernarr who actually participated in the award show promo leading up to Usher receiving the Lifetime Achievement award. However, regardless of who you think should or should not have been there, one thing is indisputable, the ladies did not come to play. In his acceptance speech, Usher thanked his mom who played a huge role in his success as his manager for many years. He also showed gratitude to his wife, and children, adding an awkward “I’m trying Tameka!” shout-out to his ex-wife/co-parent Tameka Foster. He then brought on stage the major producers and music executives who had huge influences on his career such as Jermaine Dupri and L.A. Reid. Shortly after that, the audio “coincidentally” proceeded to go in and out for the remaining duration of his speech, causing confusion, and jokes, for those of us at home.
Victoria Monet also had a major breakout moment of her own earlier in the show with her very first solo performance on the BET awards for her Billboard hit On My Mama and latest single Alright, both of which featured the work of legendary choreographer Sean Bankhead. The awards show ended with an encore, and an on-time performance from Lauryn Hill featuring a duet with her son, YG Marley, which was then followed by a surprise reunion with Wyclef.
Outside of performances there were many moments that made the evening unforgettable, sparking conversations from audiences at home. Taraji’s audience rose-giving ceremony was just one of them where she mistakenly introduced Keith Lee as another fellow influencer, Jordan Howlett. There was a light back and forth online about whose fault it was, but the consensus seems to agree that it was a production issue. The evening was an overall success receiving some of the highest ratings in years, for highlighting some of the culture’s biggest moments.
The Usher and Friends tour run isn’t over. He is headlining the Essence Festival this July 4th weekend in New Orleans, along with many other BET Awards performers and attendees such as Victoria Monet, Keke Palmer, and Janet Jackson, for the culture’s biggest weekend.
