local
Lauryn Hill honored, Janet Jackson stuns Teyana Taylor and Druski makes history at BET Awards
By Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· 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.”Introdu...
Key takeaway ”The Living Legend Icon Award recognizes pioneers whose work has remained culturally essential across generations.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
San Antonio 's own vibrant music scene, which often celebrates its rich cultural heritage, can appreciate the significance of the BET Awards' tribute to Lauryn Hill. As a city that values its artistic pioneers, the Living Legend Icon Award bestowed upon Hill serves as a reminder of the impact that visionary artists can have on their communities. Hill's message of embracing one's gifts and remaining true to their purpose resonates deeply in a city like San Antonio, where local musicians and artists are working to preserve and promote their unique cultural identities. The city's own festivals and events, such as the San Antonio Jazz & Blues Festival, showcase the importance of celebrating and supporting local talent, much like the BET Awards' recognition of Hill's groundbreaking career. By honoring iconic figures like Hill, the BET Awards sets an example for San Antonio's own arts and culture scene to follow, highlighting the value of preserving and promoting the city's rich musical heritage.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio 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 KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
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.”Introdu...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Jonathan Landrum Jr., Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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