After watching a 20-minute tribute celebrating her groundbreaking career, Lauryn Hill surprised the BET Awards audience Sunday with an impromptu performance of her 1998 classic Ex-Factor after accepting the Living Legend Icon Award before closing the show with Everything Is Everything.

Introduced by Ice Cube, the eight-time Grammy winner was honoured with performances at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater from SZA, Doechii, Lizzo, Queen Latifah, Common, and her children Selah Marley and Zion Marley, who revisited songs from Hill’s stellar catalogue while she stood smiling, singing along and applauding throughout the tribute.

After she accepted the honour, Hill encouraged artistes to embrace their gifts and remain true to their purpose.