She used her acceptance speech to urge musicians to support each other.
R&B singer Anita Baker urged musicians to support each other as she accepted the Lifetime Achievement award at the BET Awards in Los Angeles.
Host for the evening Jamie Foxx was joined by Yolanda Adams, Ledisi and Marsha Ambrosius as they sang Baker’s hits including Caught Up In the Rapture, Angel and Sweet Love.
Baker, 60, appeared emotional throughout the performances.
After being called to the stage to accept the award, the seven-time Grammy winner, who dominated the R&B charts from the early 1980s through to the mid 90s, told young stars to tap veterans on the shoulder and ask for their advice.
She said: “I would ask, the singers that are veterans here, when you see the young ones, tap them on the shoulder, they need you. Young ones, now that you’re here tonight, look around the room and find a veteran, and tap them on the shoulder, and introduce yourself. Let’s take care of each other. We need each other. We can’t do it alone.”
She added: “I would ask that the music be allowed to play, that singers are allowed to sing, and rappers are allowed to rap, and poets are allowed to rhyme.”
Earlier this year, Baker announced her retirement and a subsequent farewell tour. We’ll miss you Queen!
Watch her acceptance speech below.
