Usher's Legacy Takes Center Stage at BET Awards

Photo By Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET 

The 2024 BET Awards celebrated Black excellence Sunday night, with a lineup of high-energy performances and a moving tribute to Usher, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hosted by Taraji P. Henson at the Peacock Theatre, the event opened with an electrifying performance by Megan Thee Stallion, who emerged from an egg in a nod to her latest album artwork. She ignited the night with "Hiss," followed by "Boa" and "Where Them Girls At."

Drake led the nominations with seven, including album of the year for "For All The Dogs (Scary Hours Edition)." Nicki Minaj followed closely with six, including album of the year for "Pink Friday 2."

Usher's tribute was a standout moment. Introduced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Usher watched as a parade of artists honored his career. Childish Gambino opened with "U Don't Have to Call," followed by Keke Palmer's rendition of "U Make Me Wanna." Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Marsha Ambrosius, Chlöe, and Tinashe contributed with performances of Usher's hits.

L.A. Reid and Babyface, co-founders of Usher's label LaFace Records, presented the award. Overcoming technical difficulties during his acceptance speech, Usher expressed gratitude and humor about his journey and those who supported him, including Jermaine Dupri.

Lauryn Hill revisited tracks from her groundbreaking album "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill," bringing out her son YG Marley for "Survival" and "Praise Jah in the Moonlight." Hill closed her set with Fugees member Wyclef Jean performing "Fu-Gee-La."

The diverse lineup included Ice Spice previewing her upcoming album "Y2K," GloRilla descending from the ceiling for "Yeah Glo!" and "TGIF," and Tyla performing "Jump" with Skillibeng and Gunna.

Victoria Monét, who won video of the year for "On My Mama," performed her hits, while Sexy Redd, Tanner Adell, Doechii, and Shaboozey showcased their talents.

Usher and Victoria Monét emerged as the night's biggest winners. Usher received the Lifetime Achievement Award and best male R&B/pop artist. Monét won video of the year and captivated the audience with her performances.

For a complete list of winners click here. 

Kanye West in Moscow: Concert Rumors Swirl, Putin Meeting Speculated

Kanye West arrived in Moscow today, fueling rumors of a potential concert and a meeting with President Vladimir Putin. The rapper's visit coincides with the birthday of Gosha Rubchinskiy, the new creative director of West's Yeezy brand.

Russian media outlets reported West's arrival, citing footage appearing to show him in the Moscow subway. While sources suggest the visit is primarily to celebrate Rubchinskiy's birthday, the possibility of a concert hasn't been definitively ruled out. There have been no official announcements from West's representatives or potential venues regarding a performance.

Kanye West arrives in Moscowhttps://t.co/JdkYJGdjoS pic.twitter.com/KvmBlxZxCd

— RT (@RT_com) June 30, 2024

In December 2023, West appointed Rubchinskiy to lead the Yeezy design team. A statement from Yeezy at the time hailed the move as "a milestone in design history."

Kanye West's loyalty to Russia has turned into open support for aggression against Ukraine. The American rapper, who has a huge army of fans around the world, continues to praise Putin and everything he does. Adolf Hitler is another figure Kanye seems to be influenced by. pic.twitter.com/3XDJuELPeB

— Jan Wouters Esq. 🇧🇪 🇺🇦 @BelgianBoy@mastodon.social (@layoutdokter) June 30, 2024

The 47-year-old rapper, known for past statements praising President Putin, was filmed walking with an entourage in Moscow, wearing baggy white trousers and a white hoodie. Videos circulating online show him shopping and interacting with fans.

West posted "Hello, Moscow" in Russian on VKontakte, the country's state-monitored social media platform, on Sunday. He was also seen in a Moscow underpass, a hotel lobby, the Gum mall, and Red Square.

Reports indicate West is staying at the Four Seasons Hotel near the Kremlin, where the Presidential Suite reportedly costs around £10,000 ($12,450 USD) per night.

Russian Ye’s fans are waiting for him in front of his hotel in Moscow 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/Cr4dqm4cs3

— Donda Times (@dondatimes) June 30, 2024

West's visit to Russia has sparked controversy, as most Western celebrities have distanced themselves from the country following its invasion of Ukraine. However, West, who has faced criticism for various controversial statements and actions, remains an exception. His past praise for Putin raises questions about the nature of his visit and potential interactions with Russian officials.

Watch: Sisters With Voices Deliver Soul-Stirring Tiny Desk Set

Screengrab: YouTube

In a fitting conclusion to NPR's Black Music Month celebration, the iconic R&B group SWV delivered a captivating Tiny Desk concert. The trio, known for their harmonious vocals and enduring hits, performed at NPR's headquarters, showcasing their timeless appeal and musical prowess.

Formed in New York City, Sisters With Voices (SWV) rose to fame in the 1990s alongside popular girl groups like En Vogue, TLC and Xscape. Their unique blend of R&B, new jack swing, and hip-hop soul earned them multiple platinum records and a dedicated fanbase that remains strong today.

The Tiny Desk setlist was a nostalgic journey through SWV's biggest hits, starting with the crowd-pleasing "I'm So Into You." The audience's enthusiasm was evident, with many singing along even after the song ended. Other fan favorites like "Right Here," "You're the One," and their number-one hit "Weak" further showcased their musical prowess and enduring appeal.

Before performing "You're the One," Lelee Lyons reflected on the group's groundbreaking approach to music in the '90s, noting their willingness to push boundaries. This served as a reminder of SWV's significant impact on the music industry and their continued influence.

SWV is currently co-headlining the Queens of R&B Tour with fellow '90s hitmakers Xscape. The tour, which kicked off with a sold-out show in Concord, California, features a mix of solo and collaborative performances, offering fans a nostalgic and exciting concert experience.

Watch the entire performance below.

SET LIST
"I'm So Into You"
"Right Here (Human Nature Radio Mix)"
"You're the One"
"You're Always on My Mind"
"Rain"
"Weak"
"Anything (Old Skool Radio Version)"