Usher Calls BET Awards Tribute ‘Amazing’ Despite Criticism From Fans

(L-R) Donald Glover AKA Childish Gambino and Keke Palmer perform 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)

One of the most talked-about moments from Sunday night’s BET Awards was the female-led tribute to R&B legend Usher.

The singer, songwriter and producer received BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award and was honored with a star-studded, 17-minute tribute featuring Childish Gambino, Keke Palmer, Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Marsha Ambrosius, Chlöe Bailey, Tinashe, Teyana Taylor, Victoria Monét, and Latto.

RelatedBET Awards 2024: Complete Winners List and Show Recap
Related: BET Blames ‘Malfunction’ for Audio Snafus During Usher’s Lifetime Achievement Speech 

Childish Gambino kicked off the tribute with Usher’s 2002 hit “U Don’t Have To Call.” Keke Palmer followed with the singer’s 1997 single “You Make Me Wanna,” and Usher was shown cheering from the audience.

Next, Summer Walker took the stage to sing “Good Good,” her 2023 collaboration with the hitmaker. Coco Jones sang a cover of the 2010 single “There Goes My Baby.” Marsha Ambrosius performed “Superstar,” and Chlöe sang Usher’s 2014 song “Good Kisser.”

Tinashe then took the stage to perform the 1998 Billboard Hot 100 #1 single “Nice & Slow.” Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monét turned in a provocative performance of the single “Bad Girl” off Usher’s 2004 album Confessions, and Latto closed the show with a performance of the #1 2004 single “Yeah!” featuring Ludacris and Lil Jon.

Some viewers on social media thought the tribute was lackluster and would have benefited from including more male vocalists, or by bringing in Ludacris and Lil Jon.

One person posted on X, “Still stuck on the fact that Chris Brown, Lloyd, Mario, Tank, Luke James, Ne-Yo, Avant, Avery Wilson or any other talented male R&B singers just weren’t even a thought for this Usher tribute.”

Another viewer added, “They couldn’t get Ludacris to play Ludacris in the Usher tribute?”

Actress Elise Neal added her voice to the criticism during an Instagram live.

“I was disappointed and I think it’s because he’s given us such good stuff — so many hits, so much greatness, some roller skates. I wanted some roller skates. I wanted to see a man hit those notes. I wanted to see a whole lot of things like that,” Neal said referring to Usher’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime show earlier this year.

Despite the criticism, others said they enjoyed the tribute, including Usher himself.

“My tribute was amazing mann,” the music icon posted to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. “Thank U to each and every one involved in the making of this moment.”

As of this afternoon, the tribute video continued to trend on YouTube and had been viewed nearly 2 million times.

Usher Tweet About BET Awards Tribute (Credit: X)
Courtesy of X

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About Anita Bennett

Anita Bennett is the editor and founder of Urban Hollywood 411. She can be reached on Twitter @tvanita.