While Lamar's lyrics were pointed jabs at Drake, Henson changed the lyrics tocelebrate Black culture, rapping, "It's about us."
Taraji P. Henson onstage during the 2024 BET Awards at Peacock Theater on June 30, 2024
Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET
In her opening monologue, Henson also referenced Thursday'sCNN presidential debate between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, calling out the latter's widely ridiculed claim thatthat immigrants coming to America are "taking Black jobs."
"[This is] a show packed full of all-stars with Black jobs. Whatever that means," Henson quipped to the audience. "But clearly, we know there's a difference. Thanks for the info, but we already knew it."
Later in the show, media personality B. Simone also took shotsat Trump's "Black jobs" comment, asking folks in the audience whether jobs such as being a TSA agent, TV judge and hairstylist were "Black jobs." (The answers were yes, yes and yes.)
Henson previously hosted the 2021 BET Awards , where sheused the opportunity to honor some iconic Black women who have impacted pop culture. Henson started the show with a memorable opening monologue and had roses handed out to several women in the room, including Zendaya, Jazmine Sullivan, Issa Rae and "Queen" Maxine Waters. She also donned various ensembles throughout the show that honored and celebrated the styles and looks of some groundbreaking artists.
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Watch Taraji P. Henson Fan Out Over Ice Spice, Will Smith, Usher and More BET Awards Performers
"Oh, lord. It's just another part of my talent that you guys get to see," she shared with a laugh. "You gonna see a lot of things. [It will be] another surprise for a lot of my fans that didn't know I could do this. I've done it before, but not on Culture's Biggest Night. I think more people will get to see this talent."
While she had yet to start formal rehearsals for the surprise, Henson told ET that she was working on it in "mirror moments at home, in my sleep, in my head, every waking moment, just so that it's in my body, so when I get on the stage, it's second nature."
That opening moment is just one that she was looking forward to in her return to the BET Awards.
"I think it's the live theater of it all. I was trained in theater, so I feel most comfortable on the stage," Henson said, before sharing that fans can expect an "uplifting" theme throughout the show.
"It's about empowerment, it's about togetherness, and that's not gonna change," she said of her personal brand. "We're going to have a good time."
This year's award show promises to beCulture's Biggest Night the best so far. Not only will the night feature ajam-packed list of performers , but the showwill pay special tribute to Usher , who will receivethe prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award. The "Love in this Club" singer , 45, will join a celebrated list ofgame-changers and industry pioneers who have left a lasting impact on the culture and entertainment.
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