Lauryn Hill Receives Living Legend Icon Award at 2026 BET Awards
- Lauryn Hill received the Living Legend Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards held on 28 June in Los Angeles
- A star-studded tribute featuring Nas, SZA, Doja Cat, Doechii, Lizzo and Hill's own children took the stage in her honour
- Recording artists including Tierra Whack and Salt from Salt-N-Pepa praised Hill's lasting impact on music and authenticity
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Lauryn Hill was celebrated as one of the greatest to ever do it when she received the Living Legend Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards on Sunday, 28 June, in Los Angeles.
The Grammy-winning artist's honour was marked by one of the night's most memorable tribute performances, bringing together Nas, Queen Latifah, Doechii, Lizzo, SZA, Common, Doja Cat and even two of Hill's own children, Selah Marley and Zion Marley, to pay homage to her extraordinary career.
Hill herself closed out the tribute with a surprise appearance, performing her beloved classics ‘Ex-Factor’ and ‘Everything is Everything’ to a rapturous crowd.
Tierra Whack and fellow artists speak on Hill's influence
Tierra Whack, who also performed in the tribute, was visibly emotional when speaking about what Hill's legacy means to her personally. ‘Ms. Lauryn Hill, I would be nothing without her. She paved the way. She made it possible for women, people of my colour, girls who look like me, women who look like me. It's honestly a dream come true. Like, when I got the phone call, I literally busted out into tears,’ Whack said.
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Cheryl ‘Salt’ James of Salt-N-Pepa credited Hill's enduring relevance to her unwavering authenticity. ‘The audience is very smart, and they know when someone's being a cookie-cutter version of someone, and when they're actually being themselves. And Lauryn Hill is definitely one of the most authentic,’ she said, adding that Hill remains her favourite female rapper of all time, a remarkable achievement built on just one solo album.
Gospel duo Tanya Blount and Michael Trotter Jr also reflected on their shared history with Hill, having appeared alongside her in the film Sister Act 2. Blount described watching Hill grow from a young, ambitious performer into the icon she is today as ‘fantastic,’ noting how the film's music has taken on a life of its own across generations.
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A timeless legacy recognised on the BET stage
Recording artist Erica Campbell, who also knew Hill from their Sister Act 2 days, recalled a young Hill telling her backstage that she was part of a group called the Fugees, who were about to release music. ‘From there to here is a long way. But God is good,’ Campbell reflected.
Artist KWN summed up the sentiment of the evening simply: ‘No matter what type of artist you are, she's always going to be on your list.’ With a solo catalogue anchored by the landmark 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Hill's Living Legend Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards cements a legacy that has shaped generations of artists across the globe.
3 Other Briefly News stories about Lauryn Hill
- Lauryn Hill's 1998 album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill has reached diamond status in sales.
- South African former politician and radio host Mbuyiseni Ndlozi recently showed love to the American rapper and singer Lauryn Hill.
- Fugees group members Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean have recently partnered with an SA local brand.
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Source: Briefly News
