Lizzo performs Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop” at BET Awards tribute with Rapsody and fans rave over the performance [VIDEO]

The singer’s soulful rendition of the classic during the Living Legend tribute drew mixed reactions

Lizzo took the stage at the 2026 BET Awards to perform Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” alongside Rapsody as part of an all-star tribute honoring Hill as the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award recipient. The 19-second clip posted by Variety shows Lizzo in a zebra-print dress delivering the song with passionate, gospel-inflected vocals backed by a full live band and orchestra.

The tribute, which ran nearly 20 minutes, featured multiple artists performing Hill’s catalog spanning her Fugees era and solo work. Lizzo and Rapsody’s segment drew particular attention on social media. The reactions ranged from praise for the energy and vocal delivery to comparisons with the original recording. Meanwhile, clip has already amassed significant engagement. Viewers noted Hill’s visible enjoyment from her seat in the audience.

The All-Star Tribute to a Living Legend

Lauryn Hill was honored as the inaugural recipient of the Living Legend Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards. Ice Cube introduced the award, describing Hill as “one of the greatest voices in Black music history,” while Wyclef Jean provided narrative context on her career and Fugees era.

The nearly 20-minute tribute medley featured performances of Hill’s hits by a cross-generational lineup of artists. The War and Treaty opened with “Joyful, Joyful,” Doechii and SZA performed “Ready or Not,” Tems and Tierra Whack handled “Fu-Gee-La,” and Selah Marley, Hill’s daughter, performed the Miseducation title track. Doja Cat performed “Superstar,” Nas joined for “If I Ruled the World,” and YG Marley performed “Turn Your Lights Down Low.”

Lizzo and Rapsody delivered “Doo Wop (That Thing)” together, with Zion Marley performing a song associated with him, Alexia Jayy delivering “Killing Me Softly,” and Queen Latifah and Common closing with “Lost Ones.” Hill was present in the audience throughout, visibly smiling, clapping, and dancing as artists honored her work.

The Performance Captured on Video

The Variety clip opens with Lizzo centered on stage in a short zebra-print dress. In addition, her blonde hair styled in an updo, and large hoop earrings. She sings with expressive facial expressions and physical movement against a backdrop of glowing green geometric panels and a reflective stage floor. A full live band, including drums, guitars, keyboards, and brass, accompanies her.

The clip cuts to an audience reaction shot showing a diverse crowd clapping and smiling. Meanwhile, Lauryn Hill smiled broadly as she was enjoying the moment. The video returns to Lizzo before transitioning to a wide shot revealing the full stage production, including backup performers and stage haze effects.

As the set continued, Lizzo kept singing with intensity, her eyes expressive and body engaged. A profile-angle shot shows her from the side as she delivers the song’s lyrics. The clip concludes with a view emphasizing the band and stage setup, including musicians actively playing.

“Doo Wop (That Thing)’s” Legacy

“Doo Wop (That Thing)” is the lead single from Lauryn Hill’s 1998 solo debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. The song is known for its blend of doo-wop harmonies, hip-hop verses, and lyrics addressing relationships, gender dynamics, and social observation.

The 2026 BET Awards tribute was framed as a multi-generational celebration of Hill’s influence on hip-hop, R&B, conscious music, and Black cultural expression. The inclusion of Hill’s children performing alongside established artists underscored her lasting impact across generations.

Hill later took the stage herself to perform “Ex-Factor” live before accepting the award. In her acceptance speech, she spoke about love, community, responsibility in music and art, and the value of being outspoken, while congratulating her children on their accomplishments.

Lizzo’s Performance Was Met with Immediate Acclaim on X

The X users had a lot to say about Lizzo’s performance. They left 145 comments and 136 quotes on the Variety post, offering their opinion. Many viewers praised Lizzo’s vocal delivery and energy. “Lizzo did her thing, great choice of song for her!!!” one user wrote. Meanwhile, another person on X commented, “Lizzo walking in there like she performing at church yes moma.”

The soulful, gospel-inflected tone of her performance was frequently noted. “Amazing. Lizzo got soul in her. You better sing honey like we’re in church!!! She has such a gospel tone,” one user posted. Another wrote, “Lizzo really picked the hardest song to cover and made it work.”

Some viewers expressed frustration that Variety’s caption omitted Rapsody’s involvement. “Don’t EVER Disrespect RAPSODY like that ever again…..they Performed it together!!” one user wrote, while another commented, “I hate when Variety hits my tl…always with half ass info.”

Critical reactions centered on comparisons to the original recording. “Unfortunately nowhere near the original,” one user wrote. Meanwhile, another person commented, “Absolutely Horrible! Way to destroy a timeless classic!” Body-focused criticism of Lizzo also appeared in a subset of replies. One user wrote, “Get the zebra off the stage please” as an insult to her.

Others defended the performance against detractors. “Lizzo mimicked lauryn’s vocal style well & has the voice for it. Lauryn looked pleased too so 🤷🏽‍♀️ great job girlie,” one user wrote. Another commented, “Rapsody & Lizzo was perfect for Lauryn Hill’s ‘Doowop’ now that’s how you pay homage.”

The Overall Tribute and Its Significance

The Lauryn Hill tribute was one of the most anticipated segments of the 2026 BET Awards. The production values reflected the significance of honoring Hill. After all, there was a full live band, dynamic lighting, and a modern geometric stage design that created a visually striking environment in her honor.

The inclusion of Hill’s children, Selah Marley, YG Marley, and Zion Marley, added a personal dimension to the tribute. This distinguished her tribute from typical award show homages. Their participation underscored the theme of legacy and the passing of artistic traditions from one generation to the next.

Hill’s own performance of “Ex-Factor” and her acceptance speech brought the segment to a powerful close. Her remarks about love, community, and responsibility in music reflected the themes that have defined her career and contributed to her status as an icon.

How This Performance Will Be Remembered

As the 2026 BET Awards fade from the spotlight, the Lauryn Hill tribute remains one of the most talked-about moments from the broadcast. The all-star lineup, the family participation, and Hill’s own performance created a segment that resonated with viewers and honored one of music’s most influential figures.

For Lizzo, the performance represented another high-profile moment in a career marked by both critical acclaim and public scrutiny. Her willingness to take on one of Hill’s most beloved songs demonstrated confidence in her vocal abilities, even as comparisons to the original invited inevitable criticism.

For the BET Awards, the tribute reinforced the show’s commitment to honoring Black musical excellence across generations. The segment joined other memorable moments from the evening, contributing to a broadcast that celebrated the depth and breadth of Black artistic achievement.

The post Lizzo performs Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop” at BET Awards tribute with Rapsody and fans rave over the performance [VIDEO] appeared first on Hip Hop Vibe.

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