Lauryn Hill recieves inaugural BET Living Legend Icon Award

Lauryn Hill has been presented with the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards. She is the first recipient of the newly established honour recognising artists whose work has had a lasting impact on music and culture.

The award was presented during the 25th BET Awards ceremony at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles following an all-star tribute led by  SZA, Doechii and Queen Latifah. The segment revisited songs from both her solo catalogue and her work with The Fugees, including renditions of 'Ready or Not' and 'If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)'.

Hill then made a surprise appearance, taking to the stage to perform her 1998 single 'Ex-Factor' before accepting the honour.

Hill first rose to prominence as a member of The Fugees before launching her solo career with The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998. The album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, won five Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year, and remains one of the most acclaimed albums in hip-hop and R&B.

Established in 2001 by Black Entertainment Television (BET), the BET Awards celebrate Black excellence across music, film, television, sports and culture. Alongside competitive categories, the ceremony also recognises artists whose influence has made a lasting contribution to the entertainment industry.

In her acceptance speech, Hill said she has always sought to use music as a way to "share as much love and to pour into as much people as I possibly could."

She also encouraged artists to embrace their individuality, adding: "Don't sell your gift short, somebody out there needs your gift."

Watch Hill's acceptance speech below: