Here's What You Missed At The 2024 BET Awards

She’s a legend and “Miseducation” is one of the best albums ever made, but Lauryn Hill knows she be late all the time. You can’t get mad that people call you out on it.

I loved that she opened with the title track. She sounded great, even though I don’t love that the instrumental arrangements are different from the original versions. I thought it was sweet that she brought out her and Rohan Marley’s son, YG Marley. — Taryn

I love “Praise Jah in the Moonlight” so much. I listen to it almost every day. Shoutout to Wyclef Jean coming out at the end of the performance! He told the pre-show audience to go buy tickets to the Fugees and Lauryn Hill concert tour, celebrating the anniversaries of "The Score" and "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." So it appears that there is more of this energy to come in a city near you. — Erin

Look at Sean Bankhead up there with Victoria Monét for this win. He choreographed the “On My Mama” video and was a 2023 HuffPost Culture Shifter! Loved this music video so much. Bring back good music videos just like this! Victoria also called out pay disparities for dancers; what a way to call for better wages for some of the folks who make music videos so great.

Listen. I get that BET doesn’t want to pay the FCC fees, but those of us watching from home couldn’t hear half of the damn speech. Was Usher really cussing that much? I could tell he was all over the place during his speech, but I would’ve loved to actually hear it to be sure of that for myself. Laying on the censor button this heavily felt excessive.

Usher is beyond deserving of a lifetime achievement award. Again, 30 years?! I find it really hard to think of any of his peers who’ve had a comparable career and are still going.

When I first heard about him receiving this award, it was hard to imagine who would do his tribute justice. But when I remembered that I’m a child of the OG BET tributes and adjusted my expectations, I was a little less critical. I know most will probably disagree with me, but I didn’t hate Childish Gambino’s “U Don’t Have to Call” cover, especially since I liked it when he first covered it on his “Stn Mtn” mixtape. He sounded so good and Keke Palmer following up was perfect.

There were a few folks I could’ve done without. I love his song with Summer Walker, but she’s not a performer and has never really claimed to be. That part of the tribute fell flat for me. I thought Coco Jones, Marsha Ambrosious and Tinashe were great choices. Victoria Monét dancing with Teyana Taylor while she sang “Bad Girl” was absolutely my favorite part of the tribute. Choosing Latto to end the tribute with “Yeah” felt a bit off to me, but I also get that they wanted to get that Atlanta connection in the tribute. Overall, I was satisfied, but I don’t really think there are many who can truly live up to the expectations of an Usher tribute. — Taryn

I don’t know how to feel!!!!!!!!! I really thought Usher was just going to tribute himself, which I would have absolutely loved. Taryn, I’ll be the first to agree with you that I thought Childish Gambino’s rendition of “U Don’t Have To Call” was very good. That transition to Keke Palmer made me literally scream in my apartment. And I absolutely love that she dropped her pants like Usher used to do all the time, too. Coco Jones sounded good on “There Goes My Baby” but I kind of wish she would have just stood still doing it. (Though her acknowledging Usher’s wife before him was a nice touch.) Chloe was probably my favorite of the tribute, with her rendition of “Good Kisser.” It felt like the energy picked up in that moment. That is also an underrated Usher hit in my opinion. I gotta watch that Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monét performance again — I know it was good but I need to soak it in. And Latto reminded me why I love her so much with her performance of “Yeah!”

To be honest, I don’t think I ever would have fully been satisfied by this Usher tribute, but I also am not mad at it either. — Erin

It was cute that Taraji took a moment to give cultural icons in the audience their flowers, until it wasn’t. She was on a roll giving props to Halle Bailey, Flau’jae and Bobby Jones until she confused Jordan Howlett, a.k.a. Jordan Thee Stallion, for Keith Lee. When she shouted out a “Method Man look-a-like” I just knew she knew who she was talking about — until she said Keith Lee’s name while looking at Jordan. I know they’re both in the food influencer space, but damn, Taraji. That was awkward as hell.

She ended up giving both Keith and Jordan flowers and the two played it off, but talk about secondhand embarrassment. Live TV is hard and this is a long show, so I get it, but also not really. — Taryn

She also told Keith to call her, with his wife sitting right next to him! Don’t mess with Ronni! ‘Cause I know Keith don’t play! — Erin

Victoria is a girl’s girl. I loved that she brought her mom on stage to accept her award for “On My Mama.” It’s so sweet that she said she wanted to collaborate with all the female artists in the room. And even though that may be ambitious, I know she’s genuine. Again, Ms. Monét is here to stay.

Seeing Latto’s trajectory since her first BET Award win has been such a treat. She’s experimenting with her live shows which, I appreciate… but this performance was a bit hard to follow. I don’t know if it was because there were a lot of elements going on or because I don’t particularly care for her “Big Mama” song. But I’m glad to see her back onstage, nonetheless. — Taryn

Ok, I’m glad you said this because I was feeling the same way. I’m a huge fan of Latto, but I’m not sure if I loved this performance. The beginning grabbed my attention, but then I kinda got lost in everything else going on. The lip-syncing also threw me off. — Erin

Good for sis.

Also, it feels like they’re announcing more awards on the telecast this year. Somebody must’ve complained.

I just knew this was going to Sexyy Red. That’s really all I got here. — Erin

Same. — Taryn

Well the BET Awards turned into a whole hoedown this year, huh? Like Tanner, Beyoncé put me onto Shaboozey with his “Cowboy Cater” features. I have his “Tipsy” song in rotation so it was cool to see him turn his set into a bar and— OMG, he brought out “Tipsy” originator J-Kwon! Not me hitting the chickenhead! What a fun performance.

I didn’t listen to Killer Mike’s album. I heard it was good, I just never got around to it. It makes sense that he won, since he swept in the rap categories at Grammys — and was randomly arrested at the ceremony shortly after. I appreciated his acceptance speech, and I totally expected him to make a statement about the upcoming elections. And he definitely told the truth.

BUT, I will say I wanted Victoria Monét to win for Album of The Year. — Taryn

He is definitely giving a sermon to accept this award, and I respect it. “Thank you for seeing me Black people,” he said before acknowledging that he was kicked out of the building during the Grammy Awards earlier this year. “A lot of people gonna say who was he? Who is he? Why did he get it? I am a representation of one of the finest things God has ever made. That is one half of the Black family. Black men and women, I am you. Whether you’re young, whether you’re old, whether you like me whether you don’t like me, I am absolutely you. And this win is absolutely ours.” — Erin

I could never hate Glorilla. She entered via a parachute y’all! You know I’m in the living room shouting “YEA GLO!”

I was soooo hype that she brought out Megan Thee Stallion for “Wanna Be.” They channeled their tour energy to close Glo’s performance, and it was too good!

Beyoncé put me onto Tanner Adell and a few other Black country artists with her feature on “Blackbiirds.” Tanner sounded so great singing “Buckle Bunny,” which has been a gym fave for me recently. And I was kind of sad they cut the stream off while she performed “Cowboy Break My Heart,” a new song she’s releasing. These girls are really making me a country music fan!

Will Smith got banned from the Oscars and said, "Let me go back to the BET Awards." I ain’t even mad at it (because I was never really upset with him, if we’re being honest). I was a bit skeptical when I heard he was making music again, but he shut me right up. This song has made it to my Sunday inspirational playlist and this performance was really powerful. And it reminds me that I need to go see “Bad Boys: Ride or Die.” — Taryn

TARYN, girl, you GOTTA see “Bad Boys: Ride or Die"!!! It is so good! Like, you gotta find a theater to go see it in! — Erin

Nobody works harder than Van Van. And I mean that. Niece has been on my FYP for about 4 years now and she’s only 5. But seriously, this little group her and T.I.’s daughter have formed is too cute. I loved this little song, too. — Taryn

This is just too cute for words. Heiress Harris can SANG. She is so talented! Every time I see a video of her, I am astonished because it almost seems like she’s been here before. And I loooove Van Van — how can she rap so well already? I can’t believe these kids are so young and just so good at this. I woulda been crying backstage, not able to go on. — Erin

The irony of this campaign ad being right after Sexyy Red’s performance isn’t lost on me. (That was intentional, I’m sure.) And the vice president saying “they not like us” was equally cringy and hilarious. After Thursday’s debate, everybody is over the forthcoming election before it even gets here. But I do think moments like this at the BET Awards are better than saying nothing. Now, let’s get to a point where it doesn’t feel pander-y next time.

“U My Everything” is my song, and I’ve been very supportive of Sexyy Red from the jump, but this whole “Make America Sexy Again” gimmick she’s doing really doesn’t sit right with me. The girl has some bangers, and I love that she represents the kind of hood girls I grew up with, but the MAGA-adjacent act pisses me off. And I know that’s true for a lot of Black folks, which is probably why BET didn’t let her bring that big stupid red hat onstage. She was toeing the line here, but we know what you’ve been doing, girl. — Taryn

I immediately said “ohhhh no” as soon as that stage changed to this view of Capitol Hill. Last year, she had this to say about Trump: “I like Trump,” she said. “Yeah, they support him in the hood. At first I don’t think people was f–king with him. They thought he was racist, saying little s–t against women. But once he started getting Black people out of jail and giving people that free money. Aww baby, we love Trump. We need him back in office. We need him back because, baby, them checks. Them stimulus checks. Trump, we miss you.” (Earlier this month, she said she wasn't endorsing a presidential candidate on Twitter, formerly known as X.)

Sigh. I am very thankful that she didn’t bring that red hat out there. I have really mostly blocked Sexyy Red out of my listening habits, HOWEVER, I was swaying a little bit on my couch during that performance. — Erin

It makes sense that Usher would win this, not only because he actually is the best in this category among the nominees, but also because he’s getting the Lifetime Achievement Award. It wouldn’t make sense if he didn’t win it lol. Also, every time I remember Usher’s been doing this for 30 years, I’m shocked. That man is really aging like wine and moving like a 25-year-old. What vitamins is he taking? — Taryn

Lol, I immediately knew he was gonna win, especially since he was sitting in the front row. Can’t wait to see him in September. — Erin

I could watch Victoria perform all day long. And the scream I scrome when she brought out Kaytranada for “Alright”... baby this is one of my top 5 songs of the summer. I’m still amazed at how quickly she did two whole outfit changes onstage during a performance that couldn’t have been longer than eight minutes.
She deserved that standing ovation from the crowd. Victoria Monét just keeps providing that she will be a multigenerational talent. — Taryn

I love her so much. And so glad she incorporated that very, very cool jacket choreography into this live performance for “On My Mama.” It amazes me every time I see it. Coco Jones’ reaction face was me for real. She was astonished. And I am, too. — Erin

Chile, first of all, it was a pleasant surprise to see Colman Domingo at the BET Awards presenting the first award of the night. The girls love Tyla, and her album was great. I’m happy for her and the success she’s having right now. At the same time, I’d love to see BET continue to prioritize artists from around the diaspora and not just those the mainstream deems palpable.

I have to watch this back because I was too busy laughing. Also, I was in the kitchen trying to get my meal prep for the week finished and thought Kendrick had come out to perform lol. I’m never going to get tired of hearing "Not Like Us." (Or “Euphoria” for that matter.) — Erin

Taraji is hilarious and that opening was perfect. This is the summer of “Not Like Us” and her seizing that moment for her own rendition is an example of why we watch the BET Awards.

Also, allow me to be messy for a bit. Within the first 10 minutes, two diss records aimed at the two top nominated artists of the night. Now that’s what I call a ki! — Taryn

I’m so glad Megan stepped away from her tour to grace the stage of the BET Awards. She looks and sounds so good. Her new album JUST came out on Friday — and she has a song with Victoria Monét called “Spin,” and I’ve already had it on repeat. (Ha, as I was typing this Meg shouted out Victoria.) Giving the full album more spins to find some other faves. That is how you open a show. Great energy. No notes. — Erin

Megan is such a star. And she looks GREAT. This is definitely her moment, and I’m glad she’s taking it. And I know there’s been more than enough beef this year, but her making a point to perform “Hiss” feels more about reclaiming her power than a diss record. Give Meg her things! — Taryn