The 2024 BET Awards celebrated a night of spectacular performances and notable wins, highlighting the best in Black entertainment. Hosted by the charismatic Taraji P. Henson, the four-hour event took place at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and was packed with memorable moments.
Among the evening’s biggest winners were Usher, Victoria Monét, and Tyla. Usher, in particular, was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. His tribute was a highlight of the night, showcasing the impact of his illustrious career.
Usher’s tribute began with Childish Gambino, who had just presented the Album of the Year award to Killer Mike for “Michael,” delivering a soulful rendition of “U Don’t Have to Call.” Keke Palmer then took the stage, performing her version of “U Make Me Wanna.” The tribute continued with Summer Walker singing a verse from her collaboration with Usher, “Good Good,” followed by Coco Jones serenading the crowd with “There Goes My Baby.”
Marsha Ambrosius brought the house down with “Confessions,” while Chlöe delivered a powerful performance of “Good Kisser.” Tinashe performed “Nice & Slow,” and Victoria Monét, who had already performed earlier in the evening, returned with Teyana Taylor for “Bad Girl.” Latto wrapped up the medley with a dynamic take on Ludacris’ verse from “Yeah!”
Following the tribute, L.A. Reid and Babyface, who signed Usher to their label LaFace Records, presented him with the award. “Getting here has definitely not been easy, but it has been worth it,” Usher said. “This life achievement award, I don’t know man. Is it too early for me to receive it? Because I’m still running and gunning and still love this shit like I was eight years old.”
However, Usher’s acceptance speech took an unexpected turn. Although he admitted he didn’t prepare a speech and enjoyed talking, the broadcast cut out a significant portion of his remarks due to some cursing. Despite the confusion, Usher expressed heartfelt thanks to his supporters, including Jermaine Dupri.
Lauryn Hill closed the night with a powerful performance, featuring songs from various stages of her career. She opened with “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” and “Lost Ones,” then brought out her son YG Marley for “Survival” and the viral hit “Praise Jah in the Moonlight.” Wyclef Jean, her fellow Fugees member, joined her to perform “Fu-Gee-La,” concluding the segment on a high note.
Megan Thee Stallion made a grand return to the BET Awards stage after three years. She kicked off the show by emerging from an egg, referencing the artwork of her newly released third studio album, “Megan.” Her performance included fiery renditions of “Hiss,” “Boa,” and “Where Them Girls At.”
Taraji P. Henson, channeling Kendrick Lamar, opened the show with a rendition of his hit “Not Like Us.” Sporting an outfit inspired by Lamar’s “The Pop Out” show, she set the tone for the evening with her energetic performance and witty introduction.
Victoria Monét also shined, delivering a medley of her hits. She started with “On My Mama” and smoothly transitioned to her latest single, “Alright,” with Kaytranada on the decks. Her performance was marked by impressive choreography and a seamless outfit change.
Other notable performances included Sexy Redd’s medley of “U My Everything” and “Get It Sexyy,” and Tanner Adell’s and Doechii’s brief but impactful renditions of “Buckle Bunny” and “Rocket.” GloRilla made a dramatic entrance from the ceiling in a parachute for “Yeah Glo!” and “TGIF,” later teaming up with Megan Thee Stallion for their collaboration “Wanna Be.” Shaboozey and J-Kwon brought the crowd to their feet with “A Bar Song (Tipsy).”
Latto delivered a standout performance of “Big Mama,” and Tyla captivated the audience with her performance of “Jump,” featuring Skillibeng and Gunna. Ice Spice gave fans a taste of her upcoming album “Y2K” with back-to-back performances of “Phat Butt” and “Think U the Shit (Fart).”
Check out the list of winners:
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Muni Long
Coco Jones
Doja Cat
H.E.R.
SZA
Tyla
Victoria Monét
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Brent Faiyaz
Bryson Tiller
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
October London
Usher
Best Group
Y$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
41
Blxst & Bino Rideaux
City Girls
Flo
Maverick City Music
Wanmor
Best Collaboration
Lil’ Durk ft. J.Cole – All My Life
Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar – America Has A Problem (Remix)
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (with Aqua) – Barbie World
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – Bongos
Y$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign ft. Rich the Kid, and Playboi Carti – Carnival
Lola Brooke ft. Latto & Yung Miami – Don’t Play With It (Remix)
Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Uzi Vert – Everybody
Usher, Summer Walker, & 21 Savage – Good Good
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – Rich Baby Daddy
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Cardi B
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Sexyy Red
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
21 Savage
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Gunna
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Wayne
Video of the Year
Doja Cat – Agora Hills
Lil Durk ft. J.Cole – All My Life
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (with Aqua) – Barbie World
Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion – Bongos
Drake ft. J.Cole – First Person Shooter
Usher, Summer Walker, & 21 Savage – Good Good
Victoria Monét – On My Mama
Drake ft. Sexyy Red & SZA – Rich Baby Daddy
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Child.
Cole Bennett
Dave Meyers
Janelle Monae & Alan Ferguson
Offset
Tems
Tyler, The Creator
Best New Artist
41
4Batz
Ayra Starr
Bossman DLow
Fridayy
October London
Sexyy Red
Tyla
Album of the Year
Chris Brown – 11:11
Gunna – A Gift & A Curse
21 Savage – American Dream
Usher – Coming Home
Drake – For All The Dogs (Scary Hours Edition)
Victoria Monét – Jaguar II
Killer Mike – Michael
Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday 2
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Shirley Caesar – All Of The Glory
Kirk Franklin – All Things
Halle Bailey – Angel
Cece Winans – Come Jesus Come
Erica Campbell – Do You Believe In Love?
Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine, & Chandler Moore – God Problems
Tems – Me & U
Kirk Franklin – Try Love
BET Her Award
Beyoncé – 16 Carriages
Nicki Minaj ft. Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Blessings
Ayra Starr – Commas
Flo ft. Missy Elliot – Fly Girl
Megan Thee Stallion – Hiss
Victoria Monét – On My Mama
SZA – Saturn
GloRilla – Yeah Glo!
Best Movie
American Fiction
Bob Marley: One Love
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
The Book of Clarence
The Color Purple
The Equalizer 3
The Little Mermaid
Best Actor
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Denzel Washington
Donald Glover
Idris Elba
Jeffrey Wright
Lakeith Stanfield
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Coco Jones
Danielle Brooks
Fantasia
Halle Bailey
Issa Rae
Regina King
YoungStars Award
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter
Demi Singleton
Heiress Diana Harris
Jabria McCullum
Jalyn Hall
Leah Jeffries
Van Van
Sportswoman of the Year
A’Ja Wilson
Angel Reese
Coco Gauff
Flau’Jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Naomi Osaka
Sha’Carri Richardson
Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year
Anthony Edwards
Gervonta Davis
Jalen Brunson
Jalen Hurts
Kyrie Irving
LeBron James
Patrick Mahomes
Stephen Curry
Best International Act
Asake
Aya Nakamura
Ayra Starr
BK
Cleo Sol
Focalistic
Karol Conka
Raye
Tiakola
Tyla
Viewers’ Choice Best International Act
Bellah
Cristale
Duquesa
Holly G
Jungeli
Makhadzi
Oruam
Seyi Vibez
Tyler ICU
