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BET Awards: Lauryn Hill honored, Janet Jackson stuns Teyana Taylor and Druski makes history
By Jonathan Landrum Jr. | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC)
· June 28, 2026
· 5 min read
After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking career, Lauryn Hill surprised the BET Awards audience Sunday with an impromptu performance of her 1998 classic “Ex-Factor” after accepting the Living Legend Icon Award before closing the show with “Everything Is Everything.”
Int...
Key takeaway ” The Living Legend Icon Award recognizes pioneers whose work has remained culturally essential across generations.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The BET Awards' tribute to Lauryn Hill at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles is a testament to the city's thriving music scene and its ability to foster innovative artists. Hill's influence on the local music community is evident in the number of artists who have followed in her footsteps, blending hip-hop, R&B, and soul to create a unique sound. The fact that SZA, Doechii, and Lizzo, all of whom have ties to the Los Angeles music scene, were part of the tribute highlights the city's continued relevance in shaping the music industry. Furthermore, the award ceremony's recognition of Teyana Taylor's achievements serves as a reminder of the city's diverse talent pool, with many artists successfully transitioning between music, film, and other creative fields. As the Los Angeles music scene continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how the city's artists and venues respond to the legacy of pioneers like Lauryn Hill.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking career, Lauryn Hill surprised the BET Awards audience Sunday with an impromptu performance of her 1998 classic “Ex-Factor” after accepting the Living Legend Icon Award before closing the show with “Everything Is Everything.”
Int...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jonathan Landrum Jr. | The Associated Press at NBC Los Angeles (KNBC). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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