Just when you think the tribute couldn’t be any more iconic, Bajan music, fashion and beauty multi-hyphenate Rihanna saluted Mary’s legacy in a touching intro highlighting the icon’s timeless career that has touched multiple generations before presenting her with BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award. 

Following the touching memento, the R&B icon delivered a powerful, show-stopping 20-minute medley of her classic hits such as “Just Fine,” “Real Love” and “You’re All I Need.” Mary served live vocals, fly fashion and dance routines. The R&B legend came out in an icy all-white ensemble to give us a quick, soulful acapella before switching things up and bringing out Lil Kim and Method Man to give us that hood-R&B Mary we know and love. 

As Mary said in her acceptance speech, she is a queen and a living legend indeed. Celebrities and fans alike are still recuperating from her performance of a lifetime. It was truly one for the records, and we’re still getting our life to it.

Late last night after the 2019 BET Awards ended, 50 Cent took some time away from his social media antics to send his kudos. Fif, who did not attend the awards show, posted a simple one-sentence message to his Instagram account that aptly sums up how we all are feeling right about now.
“Mary J. Blige destroyed it,” Fifty declared to his 23 million followers. 

John Legend also had a word for hip-hop’s most soulful songstress.
“Thrilled to be in the presence of Queen @maryjblige!! That parade of hits made me so happy!” the “All of Me” singer tweeted during the awards show. “The entire crowd knew every single word and sang at the top of our lungs!”
“I stan until the end of time,” sports commentator Jemele Hill proclaimed on Twitter. 

No other commentary is needed. Point blank, simple. Check out the wildest reactions to Mary’s performance below:

Watch the iconic performance for yourself below: