After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking career, Lauryn Hill surprised the BET Awards audience Sunday with an impromptu performance of her 1998 classic "Ex-Factor” after accepting the Living Legend Icon Award before closing the show with "Everything Is Everything.”
Introduced by Ice Cube, the eight-time Grammy winner was honored with performances at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater from SZA, Doechii, Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Common, her children Selah Marley and Zion Marley, who revisited songs from Hill’s stellar catalog while she stood smiling, singing along, and applauding throughout the tribute.
After she accepted the honor, Hill encouraged artists to embrace their gifts and remain true to their purpose.
"I fight for y’all,” Hill said. "And fighting for y’all is me fighting for myself, it’s me fighting for my children, it’s me fighting for my community.”
The Living Legend Icon Award recognizes pioneers whose work has remained culturally essential across generations. Hill first emerged as a member of the Fugees before releasing her landmark solo debut, "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” featuring classics including "Doo Wop (That Thing),” "Ex-Factor,” and "Everything Is Everything.”
