Usher delivered an emotional speech as he accepted a lifetime achievement prize at the BET Awards on Sunday.
The singer-songwriter told the audience as he accepted the award that “getting here has definitely not been easy, but it has been worth it”.
The 45-year-old is best known for hits including Yeah! and You Make Me Wanna.
Usher also picked up the award for best R&B and hip-hop artist at the ceremony.
He opened his 15-minute-long acceptance speech by saying: “This life achievement award, I don’t know, man, is it too early to receive it? Cause I’m still runnin’ and gunnin’ like I did when I was eight years old.”
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The singer went on to speak about his dad leaving his family when he was a child.
He also reflected on what it means to now be a father himself.
As several men in the audience got on their feet, Usher said: “We don’t get a chance to say enough, ‘Dad I did it’, so this one is for all of the men out there being generals to their sons, and motivation for our future black leaders – young men.”
Usher also said he was “turning over a new leaf” and addressed the topic of forgiveness.
He said: “We’ve got to be willing to forgive, we’ve got to be willing to be open.
The award was presented to him by producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
After a montage of career highlights, including clips from his teenage years and his recent Super Bowl performance, there was an all-star tribute to the singer.
Childish Gambino, Keke Palmer and Summer Walker were among the artists to each perform one of Usher’s songs.
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The recognition for Usher comes just a few months after he played the prestigious half-time show at the Super Bowl.
Other highlights from the event included Will Smith debuting a new single – You Can Make It.
The Black Entertainment Television awards have been running since 2001 and celebrate black talent across a variety of industries.
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