Usher is receiving his flowers this year. The R&B icon was the man of the hour at the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday, June 30, as this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Ahead of Usher receiving the award, BET set up the moment with an epic tribute medley performance featuring a plethora of artists giving their best Usher impressions, running through anthems from the 45-year-old’s decorated discography.
While Usher may not rock the sandals and white linen fit Childish Gambino lined up, the multi-hyphenate did the R&B legend’s 2002 smash “U Don’t Have to Call” justice with a smooth cover before Keke Palmer joined him on stage. Palmer took it back to 1997’s “You Make Me Wanna…,” which landed on Usher’s sophomore My Way album. The Illinois native put her dance skills to the test and finished off undressing from her white kicks, bedazzled jeans, and Braves cap.
Summer Walker notched a guest appearance on Usher’s 2023 Coming Home album and delivered her steamy verse to their sultry “Good Good” collab, which also features 21 Savage. Sans Savage and with Usher watching from the front row, Summer and her team of dancers in black corsets and matching combat boots held down the fort.
Performers came from the crowd as Coco Jones surprised the audience at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater, running through Usher’s “There Goes My Baby.” The emerging singer seductively danced in front of Jennifer Goicoechea (Usher’s wife), and then had the 45-year-old luminary stand up before she returned to the stage.
“Superstar” is a fan-favorite off Usher’s 2004 Confessions classic, and Marsha Ambrosius stepped up for the tender cover. Chloe Bailey joined the party, singing “Good Kisser” in a shiny white leotard.
With “Nasty” shooting up the charts, Tinashe fittingly made a cameo, reimagining Usher’s “Nice & Slow.” Nashe put her own spin on the My Way classic and added a dance routine that the singer himself seemed to be in approval of.
Next up, Victoria Monét and Teyana Taylor worked a tag-team collaboration, performing “Bad Girl,” which had the camera doing flips while trying to keep up with the gymnastic acrobatics from the duo.
Latto closed out the tribute performance with the massive “Yeah!” sans guest appearances from Lil Jon and Ludacris; the track topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks in 2004. Big Latto even tweaked some of the lyrics to fit more of what she’s bringing to the table. “Big butt and some double-Ds,” she raps.
The tribute was a fitting homage to Usher’s illustrious career, showcasing the impact he has had on the music industry and the artists who have followed in his footsteps. The performances were a testament to Usher’s versatility and the timelessness of his music, with each artist bringing their unique flair to his classic hits.
Usher’s influence on the R&B genre is undeniable, and the tribute at the 2024 BET Awards was a celebration of his contributions to music and culture. The Lifetime Achievement Award is a well-deserved honor for an artist who has consistently pushed the boundaries of R&B and inspired countless others along the way.
As the night came to a close, it was clear that Usher’s legacy is as strong as ever. The performances were a reminder of the enduring power of his music and the profound impact he has had on the industry. The 2024 BET Awards will be remembered as a night that honored not just Usher’s past achievements, but also his ongoing influence and the bright future of R&B.
Source: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET, AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
