Usher’s lengthy and heartfelt speech as he accepted the Lifetime Achievement honor at the 2024 BET Awards was noticeably marred by constant censorship – with BET now issuing an apology over the matter.
The annual ceremony took place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles over the weekend on Sunday, with the Daddy’s Home hitmaker, 45, also garnering a win for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist.
However, during his acceptance of the Lifetime Achievement Award, portions of the moment were notably muted – causing fans to quickly jump to X to comment on the ‘ridiculous’ censoring.
On Monday, BET released a statement to apologize: ‘Celebrating global icon Usher on our stage with a star-studded tribute and having him accept his award with a heartfelt speech was an honor.’
‘Due to an audio malfunction during the LIVE telecast, portions of his speech were inadvertently muted,’ the network explained.
Usher’s, 45, lengthy and heartfelt speech as he accepted the Lifetime Achievement honor at the 2024 BET Awards was noticeably marred by constant censorship – with BET now issuing an apology over the matter; seen on Sunday in L.A.
‘We extend our sincere apologies to Usher as we couldn’t be more grateful for his participation in Culture’s Biggest Night.’
‘Fans can catch his full uninterrupted speech across BET platforms and tonight’s encore on BET,’ the statement concluded.
As Usher gave a 13-minute speech to emotionally accept the honor, the broadcast audio would cut out for extended periods of time, leaving viewers at home curious to know what the star said.
A full version of the speech is now available on BET’s YouTube channel and will be included in a Monday rebroadcast, with a few profanities removed.
Social media users took to X to air their frustrations over being unable to hear the entire speech, with one penning, ‘Are they gonna upload Usher’s unedited speech on BET+ or something, because this consistent muting is ridiculous.’
Another fan added, ‘Usher cussing up a storm up there like it’s the Source awards BET took away my audio can’t even hear the speech.’
Much of his speech centered on the idea of fatherhood, forgiveness, and his three-decades’ long career.
It appears that the heavy censoring started shortly after Usher said, ‘Sorry, I’m gonna curse and let you know how I really feel,’ early on in his acceptance.
On Monday, BET released a statement to apologize : ‘Celebrating global icon Usher on our stage with a star-studded tribute and having him accept his award with a heartfelt speech was an honor
‘Due to an audio malfunction during the LIVE telecast, portions of his speech were inadvertently muted,’ the network explained
He recounted walking into music mogul L.A. Reid’s office at 12 or 13 years old and telling a room full of executives that he’d make it.
‘That wasn’t ego speaking. I rebranded that word that day,’ he said in a section of the speech that didn’t air. ‘I rebranded that word that day. I expressed goals out loud.’
The R&B superstar is an eight-time Grammy winner who recently ended a two-year Las Vegas residency, Usher: My Way, at the Park MGM.
In February, he released his first solo album in eight years, and in August is scheduled to kick off a 24-city U.S. tour titled Past Present Future.
Usher’s 2024 Super Bowl halftime performance drew acclaim and included guest appearances by such stars as Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Jermaine Dupri, Lil Jon and Ludacris.
His album Confessions has sold more than 10 million units in the U.S., ranking it among one of the best-selling music projects of all time. It launched No. 1 hits such as Yeah! with Ludacris and Lil Jon, Burn and Confessions Part II.
Usher was also named the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist, besting fellow nominees including Brent Faiyaz, Bryson Tiller, Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Drake, Fridayy and October London.
Usher – who walked the red carpet ahead of the main event – said in his acceptance speech that he was ‘really happy to be able to be in this category.’
A full version of the speech is now available on BET’s YouTube channel and will be included in a Monday rebroadcast, with a few profanities removed
In his speech, Usher, who is father to four children, used his platform to emphasize the importance of fatherhood
‘Obviously tonight is a celebration of many things being able to be recognized for this life achievement award that’s coming,’ Usher said. ‘I’m really happy to still be a part of the fight, you know what I’m saying.’
In his speech, Usher, who is father to four children, used his platform to emphasize the importance of fatherhood.
‘To fathers tonight at home or in this audience, I would like you to stand up,’ Usher said. ‘Far too often, we get to this moment on we are able to say to our mothers, “Look mom, I made it.” We don’t get chance to say enough “Dad, I did it.”
‘So this one is for all the men out there being generals to their sons and motivation for our future Black leaders, young men. Thank you guys so much for this honor.’
A 16-minute tribute performance to Usher also took place at the 2024 BET Awards to help honor his Lifetime Achievement Award.
Keke Palmer joined others stars, such as Teyana Taylor and Coco Jones, to belt out lyrics to a mashup of tracks spanning Usher’s music career.
The star – who welcomed her first child last year in February with ex Darius Jackson – confidently showcased her sculpted midriff as she took to the stage to sing You Make Me Wanna (1997).
Moments before, the beauty also joined Childish Gambino as he sang Usher’s 2001 song, You Don’t Have To Call.
The Redbone hitmaker was stylishly casual in a pair of tan-colored trousers as well as a short-sleeved, button up that was left unfastened around the collar.
A 16-minute tribute performance to Usher also took place at the 2024 BET Awards to help honor his Lifetime Achievement Award
Moments before, the beauty also joined Childish Gambino as he sang Usher’s 2001 song, You Don’t Have To Call
Summer Walker soon took to the stage to belt out, Good Good, and wore a strapless, black leather bodysuit as well as a pair of over-the-knee boots.
And Coco Jones jumped into the mashup to sing, There Goes My Baby, and wore a fitted, long-sleeved black bodysuit with a Dolce & Gabbana belt.
Marsha Ambrosius performed Superstar during her portion of the tribute inside a circle of lights, and donned a black blazer as well as sparkling, tasseled bracelets.
Chloe Bailey – who also goes by the stage name of Chlöe – wowed as she sang Good Kisser.
She donned a figure-hugging, nude catsuit that had rhinestone details throughout the material. The star slipped into a pair of open-toed, nude strappy heels for the performance.
Tinashe turned heads during her portion as she belted out Nice & Slow – which kicked off as she lounged on the floor of the stage as red lights surrounded her.
Latto closed out the tribute mashup by rapping Usher’s hit track, Yeah!, and was soon joined by Chloe Bailey, Tinashe, Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Keke Palmer and also Marsha Ambrosius
Teyana Taylor and Victoria Monet jumped to the stage together to perform Bad Girl, with The Book Of Clarence actress wearing a pair of black trousers as well as a skimpy bralette top.
Monet also flaunted her incredible figure in a silver, sequin cropped top as well as a matching miniskirt.
Latto closed out the tribute mashup by rapping Usher’s hit track, Yeah!, and was soon joined by Chloe Bailey, Tinashe, Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Keke Palmer and also Marsha Ambrosius.
During the tribute mashup, Usher could be seen standing on his feet in the audience as he danced along to the songs.
