Lauryn Hill is set to be honored with the “Living Icon” honor at the 2026 BET Awards.
Hosted by Druski, the brand new Living Legend Icon Award is given to an artist who “mastered their craft and never let go of the culture.” Hill will be the first recipient.
Connie Orlando, EVP, specials, music programming, and music strategy, lauded Hill in a statement.
“Ms. Lauryn Hill is the very definition of a living legend,” Orlando said. “Across every era, she has never chased the moment; she has shaped it. Her artistry redefined what was possible in our music and gave a generation permission to be fearless, spiritual, and free. Hill’s influence is woven into the fabric of the culture, and it is a profound honor to celebrate her legacy on Culture’s Biggest Night.”
THE LEGEND OF LAURYN HILL
Widely regarded as one of the most influential musicians of her generation, she came to prominence as a member of the Fugees. Their 1996 album The Score sold over 22 million copies and made her the first woman to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
As a solo artist, Hill cemented her status as a creative powerhouse with her 1998 solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. The album became the first hip-hop record to win Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards. She also became the first woman to win five Grammys in a single evening, out of a record-breaking ten nominations. T
The diamond-certified album was later inducted into the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry. The album produced massive hits such as “Doo Wop (That Thing)” and “Ex-Factor.” Beyond her own discography, Hill has written and produced hits for legends like Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige, earned eight career Grammys, and remains a foundational blueprint for modern hip-hop, R&B, and neo-soul artists.
The 2026 BET Awards are scheduled to air live on Sunday, June 28, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET/PT.