BET Awards Apologizes to Usher Over “Audio Malfunction” That Muted Parts of His Speech. An unforeseen issue occurred during the BET Awards’ biggest moment this year. The network apologised to Usher after technical issues dampened his passionate Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech.
A star-studded tribute concert preceded Usher’s 2024 BET Awards Lifetime Achievement Award on Sunday, June 30. The smooth-voiced R&B star’s poignant statement was somewhat muted due to audio glitches during the live show.
“We got to be willing to forgive. We got to be willing to be open,” Usher concluded. “I’m telling you you’re standing before a man who had to forgive a man who never showed up ever. And look what I made with it.”
BET told PEOPLE, “Due to an audio malfunction during the LIVE telecast, portions of his speech were inadvertently muted.” While the network expressed remorse, they were honoured to honour worldwide legend USHER with a star-studded tribute and a moving speech during his award acceptance. We apologise to USHER and thank him for participating in Culture’s Biggest Night.”
BET is streaming Usher’s full address, which will be repeated on July 2. The network hopes this will allow people see Usher’s full message.
At five minutes into his address, Usher was reflecting on his upbringing and the value of present fathers when the incident occurred. The audio cut out for home viewers due to language, then muted for four minutes. Usher, 45, recounted his father’s absence and other personal challenges.
“I was trying to make sense of this name that a man gave me that didn’t stick around because he didn’t love,” Usher said. “I had to live long enough to understand that you need a forgiving heart to understand the true pitfalls and hardships of a Black man in America. My father came from that.”
Usher said, “He made a lot of decisions and choices, and the one that probably hurt and helped me was to stay away.”
Usher discussed his high professional objectives and early achievements in the subdued section. He also praised his mother, Jonetta Patton, who was his manager and mother, calling her a powerful Black lady.
“I made something of it, and I did that because my mother, she subbed in two ways,” Usher remarked, acknowledging her sacrifices. Her motherhood and fatherhood were simultaneous. Black women in America have this power.”
Usher also paid tribute to Quincy Jones, Harry Belafonte, and Clarence Avant, the “Black Godfather” of entertainment. His grandmother, Ernestine “Tina” Carter, died in December 2022. He was grateful.
Usher refocused on parenting after the audio was restored. He spoke on parenting his four children, two of them, Cinco, 16, and Naviyd, 15, attended the awards with his wife, Jenn Goicoechea Raymond. The younger children, Sovereign, 3, and Sire, 2, were home.
Usher won the 2024 BET Award for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and the Lifetime Achievement Award. He’ll play at New Orleans’ 2024 ESSENCE Festival of Culture from July 4-7 to celebrate his diamond-certified record Confessions’ 20th anniversary. His much-anticipated Past Present Future tour begins this summer.
