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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 Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· 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 San Francisco
The BET Awards' celebration of music, comedy, and culture has a significant impact on the San Francisco community, where diversity and artistic expression are deeply valued. The recognition of Teyana Taylor as Icon of the Year and Druski's historic hosting gig reflect the city's own vibrant cultural landscape. San Francisco's rich history of nurturing creative talent and its thriving arts scene make it a natural fit for the BET Awards' message of empowerment and celebration of African American culture. The awards show's emphasis on honoring artists who are shaping culture also resonates with San Francisco's own legacy of innovation and progressivism. As the city continues to evolve and grow, events like the BET Awards serve as a reminder of the power of art and culture to bring people together and drive positive change. The city's residents can take pride in the fact that the BET Awards' values align with their own, and that the show's impact will be felt beyond the stage and into the community.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco 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 Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
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 Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jonathan Landrum Jr. | The Associated Press at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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