“We are here today to give you your flowers, your long-overdue flowers.” Lil Kim said those words directly to Queen Latifah following a groundbreaking performance in honor of the veteran MC and Hollywood star, who was given the lifetime achievement award at the 2021 BET Awards on Sunday night (June 27).
Queen Latifah was introduced as “a woman who has been creating magic for decades,” and following a highlight reel that included testimonials from stars like Jada Pinkett-Smith, LL Cool J and Megan Thee Stallion, Rapsody took the stage to perform Queen Latifah’s 1989 hit “Ladies First” alongside its original guest star, Monie Love. Immediately after, Lil Kim entered to put her spin on 1993’s “U.N.I.T.Y.,” followed by MC Lyte to send the song home and round out the all-star tribute.
Queen Latifah appeared visibly moved while watching her quartet of friends, who joined together following the performance to introduce the lifetime achievement honor. At 51, Queen Latifah is the third-youngest artist in BET Awards history to receive the lifetime achievement honor.
Click here for an updating list of winners from the 2021 BET Awards.
