BET Awards honor Lauryn Hill, Janet Jackson surprises Teyana Taylor

The BET Awards ceremony occurred Sunday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Lauryn Hill received the Living Legend Icon Award after a 20-minute tribute featuring performances by SZA, Doechii, Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Common, and her children Selah Marley and Zion Marley.

Hill performed "Ex-Factor" and "Everything Is Everything" after accepting the award. She told the audience, "I fight for y'all. Taylor, who was unaware Jackson would appear, said through tears, "They did not tell me Janet was coming. " Taylor said she accepted the award "with gratitude" after working for two decades.

Additional honors and tributes Music executive Sylvia Rhone received the BET Ultimate Icon Award. She urged the industry to protect artists as artificial intelligence changes the business, stating, "We make the algorithm. The algorithm doesn't make us.

We must honor the musician. " The ceremony included an in memoriam segment honoring figures who died in the past year, including gospel composer Richard Smallwood and music executive Clive Davis. A separate tribute featured performances honoring the late D'Angelo.

Opening and hosting Comedian Druski, age 31, hosted the show and became the youngest person to do so. He opened the ceremony by descending from the rafters in a harness while a choir performed Kirk Franklin's "Revolution."