Lauryn Hill urged young people to embrace their unique talents, declaring that "somebody out there needs your gift," as she accepted the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award at the annual BET Awards. The acclaimed American singer and rapper, 51, also delighted the audience with a surprise performance of her hit "Ex-Factor."
The prestigious US ceremony, which celebrates black writers, musicians, filmmakers, and entertainers, saw Hill honoured after a star-studded tribute. Performers including Nas, SZA, Doechii, Lizzo, Doja Cat, Common and Queen Latifah took to the stage before her own unexpected rendition from her landmark 1998 album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Hill shared her profound motivation: "I do this because I love y’all. I do this because I want you to have everything that I experienced."
She reflected on her supportive upbringing, adding: "I had wonderful parents who loved me, poured into me and protected me. And once I realized that not everybody got to have that experience, I felt like it was my duty, my responsibility to share as much love and to pour into as many people as I possibly could. Music was a way for me to do that."
Encouraging the next generation, she continued: "We hold different gifts. Someone else’s gifting might be fashion. Might be hair. Might be consoling someone. It might be this microphone. But that gifting is very important because somebody out there needs your gift. So don’t sell your gift short."
Hill also used her platform to call for collective celebration and respect within the community. "Thank you all the legends and all the greats who paved the road for all of us. Let’s celebrate each other. Let’s honour each other. Let’s respect each other," she implored. "If nobody else shows us respect, let’s respect each other. If nobody else loves us, let’s love on each other. And you know what’s going to happen? They’re going to start loving us. They already do, first of all. But we’re gonna show them how we wanna be loved. It’s intimidating sometimes, we shine so great."
Hill first rose to prominence as the frontwoman of the multi-platinum-selling, Grammy-winning group The Fugees. Their seminal 1996 album, The Score, which featured global hits like "Killing Me Softly" and "Ready Or Not", sold more than 22 million copies worldwide. This achievement earned her the Grammy for Best Rap Album, making her the first woman to receive the prestigious prize.
Her solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, catapulted her to global superstardom. Written and recorded while she was pregnant with her first son, Zion, the album included the poignant track "To Zion", reflecting her decision to embrace motherhood despite industry advice.
With other enduring hits such as "Doo Wop (That Thing)", "Ex-Factor", "Everything Is Everything", and "Lost Ones", the record saw Hill become the first rapper to win the Album of the Year Grammy and the first woman to secure five awards in a single night.
