BET Awards Winners: Water singer Tyla claims honors for Best International Act and Best New Artist: ‘It’s just amazing’

Tyla was the first winner named at Sunday’s 2024 BET Awards held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles in the category for Best International Act.

‘This is very heavy, guys,’ the Water singer, 22, said as she accepted the honors. ‘Guys, I did not prepare anything but I just want to say thank you so much to my tigers, my family, my team.’

The South Africa-born singer, who donned a black Versace gown and an estimated $230,000 in Jared Atelier jewelry to Sunday’s show, wrapped up in saying she’s ‘going to be performing soon.’   

Tyla, whose other hit singles include Truth or Dare, Art and Jump, was subsequently named Best New Artist, besting fellow nominees 41, 4Batz, Ayra Starr, Bossman Dlow, Fridayy, October London and Sexyy Red.

‘Oh, my gosh, this is crazy,’ she said in her acceptance speech. ‘Firstly, I love Sexyy Red. Oh, my gosh. I love her so much, but yeah, this is just such a gift to be here.

The South Africa-born singer said she’s ‘going to be performing soon’

‘I just want to dedicate this one to Africa, you know. I want to dedicate this one to all of the African superstars before me that didn’t get these opportunities that I’m getting. Yeah, it’s just amazing – Africa to the world!’

Usher was 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, 45, said in his acceptance speech that he was ‘really happy to be able to be in this category.’

‘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.’

Killer Mike, 49, pulled off an upset in capturing Album of the Year for his record Michael edged fellow nominees including Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2, Drake’s For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition), Usher’s Coming Home, Chris Brown’s 11:11.

Tyla, whose other hit singles include Truth or Dare, Art and Jump, was subsequently named Best New Artist 

She said, ‘I just want to dedicate this one to Africa, you know. I want to dedicate this one to all of the African superstars before me that didn’t get these opportunities that I’m getting. Yeah, it’s just amazing – Africa to the world!’

Usher, 45, was 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 said in his acceptance speech that he was ‘really happy to be able to be in this category’

Grammy-winning singer Usher will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award

‘I am moved and compelled to say this in this moment,’ the Atlanta native said in his speech. ‘A lot of people are going to say, “Who was he? Who is he? Why did he get it?” I am a representation of one of the finest things God has ever made and that is one-half of the Black family.

‘Black men and women, I am you. Whether you’re young, whether you’re old, whether you like me, whether you don’t like me, I am absolutely you. And this win is absolutely ours!’

Killer Mike referenced his arrest in February at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, days after it was revealed he won’t be facing any charges in connection with the incident, which involved a security guard.

‘Technically I was not supposed to be here: I was put in handcuffs and I was marched out of this building,’ Killer Mike said. ‘But I want to tell you, look at God because I’m back, baby – I’m back and I’m winning.’

SZA, 34, won the honors for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, prevailing in a group of honorees including Beyoncé, Coco Jones, Doja Cat, H.E.R., Muni Long, Victoria Monét and Tyla. SZA was not on hand to accept the award. 

Victoria Monét brought her mother L’Tanya Chestang-Cubit onstage as she won the BET Her award for her track On My Mama.

‘It’s such an honor to receive this award, especially the BET Her award because I’m so proud to be a Black woman – and this is the lady I put it on – this is my mama,’ Monét, 35, said. ‘I’m so happy to be here and I know, I just want to say that we really need each other. We need to support each other.

‘We need to collaborate with the happy face. So anybody in this room that is a Black female artist, I would love to collaborate and make the anthem that’s going to break the Internet together. I know we need that.’

Killer Mike, 49, pulled off an upset in capturing Album of the Year for his record Michael edged fellow nominees including Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday 2, Drake’s For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition), Usher’s Coming Home, Chris Brown’s 11:11 

He said in his speech, ‘Black men and women, I am you. Whether you’re young, whether you’re old, whether you like me, whether you don’t like me, I am absolutely you. And this win is absolutely ours!’

Victoria Monét, 35, brought her mother L’Tanya Chestang-Cubit onstage as she won the BET Her award for her track On My Mama 

‘It’s such an honor to receive this award, especially the BET Her award because I’m so proud to be a Black woman – and this is the lady I put it on – this is my mama,’ Monét said 

The award show’s theme this year was Standing on Culture, with Taraji P. Henson returning as the host, and Grammy-winning singer Usher being honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Drake led all artists in nominations with seven, including Album of the Year, Best Male Hip Hop Artist and Best Male Hip Hop Artist.

Nicki Minaj got six nominations including for Album of the Year for her Pink Friday 2 release, while Beyonce was up for five honors, including for best female R&B/pop artist as well as two Cowboy Carter tracks – Texas Hold ’Em and 16 Carriages.

J. Cole, Sexyy Red, SZA and Victoria Monét also have five nominations each.

Beyonce and Jay-Z’s eldest daughter Blue Ivy Carter, 11, is also nominated for the Youngstars Award.

The event will also feature performances by Megan Thee Stallion,  Ice Spice, Sexyy Red, Latto, Lauryn Hill & YG Marley, Tyla, GloRilla, Muni Long, Shaboozey, and Victoria Monét. 

Additionally, appearances are expected from Cardi B, Davido, Gunna, the Roots, Common, Queen Latifah, and the Jungle Brothers. 

Will Smith, 55, debuted a new, original song titled You Can Make It at the award show. 

‘From his start as a rapper to The Fresh Prince to being a box office king as one of the Bad Boys, Will Smith is truly a global icon, and we are honored to welcome him back to grace the BET Awards stage,’ Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, said in a statement prior to the ceremony.

Leading the BET Awards 2024 nominations, Drake has received seven nods including Album of the Year and Best Male Hip Hop Artist. 

Nicki Minaj has landed six nominations including for album of the year for her Pink Friday 2 release

Will Smith is set to debut new music in his first major solo performance since the infamous Oscar slap on Sunday; (pictured June)

‘We look forward to Will adding to yet another defining night for the culture that is not to be missed.’  

Last year’s ceremony saw Latto named Best Female Hip Hop Artist while rap icon Busta Rhymes was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Beyoncé’s Break My Soul was named the winner of the BET Her award and she also won the Viewer’s Choice Award for Break My Soul.