Usher accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024 BET Awards but Speech’s audio kept cutting out
Usher’s speech accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 BET Awards kept cutting out. Find out more.
By Heran Mamo
Jul 01, 2024 04 :38 AM
Usher accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 BET Awards Sunday night (June 30) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, but the audio cut out for a good chunk of his speech for those watching from home.
At the beginning of each segment, Terry Lewis said: “It’s great to see the flowers in the garden while it is still growing. So keep growing those flowers.” He and Jimmy Jam both mentioned that they produced “Bad Girl,” from Usher’s 2004 magnum opus Confessions, which was part of the tribute performance. They then enlisted the help of two influential men in Usher’s life: L.A. Reid and Babyface. Babyface said that while they praised Usher’s mom, Jonnetta, for being “the original momager” and bringing him into the world, the gentlemen also congratulated Jonnetta on her role as “original mother”.
Usher gave a 12-minute speech in which he accepted the award, but four minutes were almost inaudible to those who weren’t in the theatre with him. Billboard has reached out to BET regarding the audio of Usher’s acceptance speech.
“Getting here was not easy but it was worth it. I didn’t want to write anything, because I wanted the moment to be what it is: present. In this moment I want to express my gratitude for everyone who has contributed to this moment and also the 30+ years of career I’ve had. I don’t understand, man. Is it too soon for me to get it? “I’m still running around and shooting and I love this stuff like I did at eight years old”, he said.
Later, Usher explained that he had trouble understanding his birth name. He said it was given to him from a man who did not love or stick by him. “Or, at least, this was my perception, because I lived long enough to learn that you need to have a forgiveness heart to truly understand the pitfalls and difficulties of a Black American,” said the 8-time Grammy award winner. “And my dad, he’s a product of it.” He made many decisions and choices, but the one that hurt me and helped at the same was to stay far away. “But that’s why I say that this is the Father’s Year, and that all fathers need to stand up for their children and be the men that they require them to be.”
Usher praised Jam, Lewis Reid, Babyface and Babyface, saying that they were “the men who inspired me, spoke to me, have spoken to, or have spoken to, me. They have been solid, no matter how f****** up it might have been. Sorry, I’m cursing, to let you know what I truly feel.” The “f******” word was censored, but the “s-t’s” following “f****** up” weren’t. Usher’s speech began to cut in and out almost four minutes after he started.
According to a Billboardreporter at the show, Usher only used “f-k” or “motherf” in his speech, which was free of any sexually explicit content.
Usher then shouted his son Sire castrello Raymond at home, and his daughter Sovereign Bo Raymond in the front rows. “It’s all about my kids and ensuring that they understand that their dreams can become a reality if they are truly committed. If you have passion for something, and stay committed to that, then this could be you. This could be the moment. He joked, “Not on this stage because I am the only one who will have this moment.”
Usher received the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2024 BET Awards on Sunday, June 30th at the Peacock Theater. However, the audio was cut off for most of his speech.