Memorable Moments From the 2024 BET Awards Ceremony

The 2024 BET Awards gave us so much! Under the guidance of host Taraji P. Henson (who has been hitting the gym like a beast and it shows), the 2024 BET Awards drilled down on the importance of voting this election season and served up viral-making performances throughout the night. Just in case you missed it, here are some of our favorite memorable moments from the night’s award ceremony.

Megan Thee Stallion sets the tone

GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion perform onstage at the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
GloRilla and Megan Thee Stallion onstage at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Image: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images.

The Body singer cracked open the show by cracking out of a human-sized egg and giving a “you better be ready for this” performance of her hit single “BOA” from her third album, Megan. Later in the show, she joined GloRilla onstage for a dynamic duet.

Will Smith reclaims his time

Will Smith performs onstage at the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Will Smith onstage at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Image: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images.

Will Smith performed at the BET Awards for the first time with a fiery rendition of his new release “You Can Make It,” solidifying that the Black community has forgiven and is re-embracing their Fresh Prince.

The children are our future

Heiress Harris and VanVan  at 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles.  Image: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for BET.
Heiress Harris and VanVan onstage at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Image: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for BET.

Pint-sized powerhouses Heiress Harris and VanVan took us all to school with their hit “Be You.” Yep, big messages can come in small packages.

Country AF

Shaboozey and J-Kwon perform onstage at the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Shaboozey and J-Kwon onstage at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Image: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images.

With our country crowns firmly affixed, the night was filled with toe-tapping performances from artists Tanner Adell, Shaboozey and J-Kwon, making us all say, “yeehaw!”

Breaking the Afrobeat

Tyla onstage at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Image: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET.
Tyla onstage at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Image: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET.

From the human-tiger dancers to backbending stilt walkers, South African singer Tyla, featuring Gunna and Skillibeng, took us back to the motherland with a “Jump” rhyme.

All about Usher

Usher accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images)
Usher accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Image: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty Images.

It’s good to be Usher! The Super Bowl LVIII half-time show performer and secret wedding newlywed received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by legendary producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. Childish Gambino, Keke Palmer, Coco Jones and more stars performed a medley of his greatest hits before the man himself took the stage to accept the auspicious honor.

And the Video of the Year goes to…

Sean Bankhead and Victoria Monét accept the Video of the Year award for "On My Mama" onstage during the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)
Sean Bankhead and Victoria Monét accept the Video of the Year award for “On My Mama” at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Image: Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET.

Victoria Monét took home the prestigious statuette for her song “On My Mama.” She thanked her dancers and asked the industry to support their talent with fair pay so they could have sustainable careers and continue to make songs come to life with their artistry.

The Return Engagement of Lauryn Hill

Lauryn Hill, YG Marley and Wyclef Jean perform onstage during the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Lauryn Hill, YG Marley and Wyclef Jean onstage at the 2024 BET Awards in Los Angeles. Image: Kevin Winter/Getty Images.

Chart-topper Lauryn Hill did that thing, rocking the house down with classics from her 1998 award-winning solo album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, alongside her son, YG Marley, who performed his hit “Praise Jah in the Moonlight.” Wyclef Jean then joined the pair on stage for an unforgettable rendition of “Fu-Gee-La.”

Updated: July 1, 2024 — 12:03 pm