Photo credit: Tierra Whack, Lauryn Hill (Instagram)
Tierra Whack has revealed that performing in Lauryn Hill’s tribute at the 2026 BET Awards was far from guaranteed. During a recent interview, the rapper shared that she and her management team worked behind the scenes to secure a place in the star-studded performance honoring the legendary artist.
Rather than receiving an automatic invitation, Whack said she actively pursued the opportunity because of the profound influence Lauryn Hill has had on her music career.
Tierra Whack pushed for a place in the tribute
Whack recalled seeing BET announce plans for Lauryn Hill’s tribute in early June. As soon as she saw the announcement, she contacted her manager and made it clear that she wanted to be part of the performance.
Although her team explored different avenues, she admitted they did not have a direct connection to Hill. For a while, she wasn’t sure whether the opportunity would come together.
Everything changed about a week before the awards show when her manager called with the news that she had been selected.
“I just burst into tears,” Whack said, explaining that the moment felt like a dream come true.
Lauryn Hill inspired Tierra Whack’s career
Whack said Lauryn Hill has shaped her artistic journey since she first started making music. She remembered listening to Hill’s albums while developing her own sound and drawing confidence from the fact that Hill successfully balanced both singing and rapping.
At the time, many people told Whack she needed to choose one style over the other.
Instead, she looked to Hill as proof that an artist could excel in both.
That influence made performing in the tribute feel like a full-circle moment.
Learning “Fu-Gee-La” became the biggest challenge
While Whack felt comfortable performing nearly any Lauryn Hill song, she admitted there was one track she hoped she would avoid.
That song turned out to be “Fu-Gee-La.”
She described the verse as one of the most technically difficult rap performances she had ever learned. According to Whack, she spent an entire week memorizing the lyrics and practicing every day.
She even researched unfamiliar words and references to better understand the song’s meaning before stepping onto the BET Awards stage.
Despite the challenge, she embraced the opportunity and said the demanding performance pushed her as an artist.
The tribute featured an all-star lineup
The tribute celebrated Lauryn Hill after she received the inaugural Living Legend Icon Award at the 2026 BET Awards.
Several artists joined the performance, including Tems, SZA, Doechii, Doja Cat, Nas, Queen Latifah, Lizzo, Rapsody and Common.
Whack performed alongside Nigerian singer Tems during the tribute, helping celebrate Hill’s lasting influence on hip-hop and R&B.
She also revealed that Hill’s team eventually supported her participation after learning how much the performance meant to her.
Although Whack and Hill only shared a brief conversation backstage, she said the experience remains one of the most meaningful moments of her career.
A full-circle moment
Looking back, Whack described the tribute as more than another awards show performance. It represented years of admiration, persistence and preparation.
She fought for the opportunity, dedicated herself to mastering one of Lauryn Hill’s most demanding songs and ultimately performed in front of one of her biggest musical inspirations.
For Whack, the experience served as a reminder that determination can turn longtime dreams into unforgettable career moments.
Source: YouTube interview / BET Awards 2026.
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