Photo Credit Jojocrews
Anita Baker announced months ago that in 2018 she would be officially retiring after over four decades of providing us timeless, classic music. She cemented this by kicking off a farewell tour in select cities, and has been on the road saying goodbye to her devoted fans at sold out shows.
Now, ahead of Sunday’s 2018 BET Awards the network has announced that they will paying homage to the living legend with the Lifetime Achievement Award and performing.
Baker will be honored at the ceremony, taking place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Past honorees include Whitney Houston, Prince and Samuel L. Jackson. Baker is hanging it up at the conclusion of her ongoing farewell tour, leaving a legacy that includes eight Grammy Awards and seven platinum albums.
“With a career that spanned nearly four decades, she made an everlasting impression on the sound of soul and R&B music that has inspired generations to come,” BET said in announcing the honorees for the June 24 event.
In a departure from previous years, the BET Awards is honoring six people for the Humanitarian Award. These honorees were chosen after exhibiting bravery and strength in 2018, according to BET. The honorees include Waffle House hero James Shaw Jr., March for Our Lives’ speaker Naomi Wadler, National Student Walk-Out Day participant Justin Blackmon, journalist Shaun King, Parkland hero Anthony Borges and Mamoudou Gassama, the man who saved a 4-year-old by climbing a set of balconies like Spider-Man in Paris.
“The intention is to remind everyone that you don’t have to be a celebrity to give back and support others in need; we all have the opportunity to make a difference for the betterment of humankind,” BET sais.
Jamie Foxx will host the 18th annual BET Awards. Top nominees for the night include DJ Khaled, up for six trophies, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Bruno Mars. The show will begin at 8 p.m. ET.
We will be tuned in!
