Jamie Foxx Gets Emotional After Stunning Tribute By T-Pain, Babyface & More
By Tony M. Centeno
June 10, 2025
Jamie Foxx got emotional while reflecting on his near-death experience during his Ultimate Icon award acceptance speech.
On Monday night, June 9, the respected singer-actor was honored with the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards. The legendary Stevie Wonder began the tribute by introducing a montage of Foxx's early beginnings and accomplishments throughout his 30+ year career. Afterward, Craig Robinson sat at a piano as he introduced the array of iconic artists who performed Foxx's hits, like "Unpredictable" by Babyface and Ludacris and "Night & Day" from the movie Ray delivered by Tank and Jennifer Hudson.
It wouldn't be a Jamie Foxx tribute without mentioning his biggest hit, "Blame It." Robinson brought out the iconic Doug E. Fresh, Teddy Riley and T-Pain to deliver a rare rendition of Foxx's 2008 classic. The New York rapper beatboxed the intro of the song while Riley sang Foxx's verse and chorus with a wireless keyboard in his hands. T-Pain came out later to perform his memorable verse as the other performers danced behind him.
Once the performance was done, Foxx approached the podium to claim his award from Stevie Wonder and delivered a touching speech. During his emotional speech, Foxx reflected on his dire medical episode that almost killed him in 2023. The 57-year-old kept his condition from the public until he revealed he suffered a brain bleed that led to a stroke in his 2024 Netflix special, What Had Happened Was...
"I cannot even begin to express the love I feel from everybody out there," Foxx said. "I gotta be honest. When I saw the In Memorium, I was like man that could've been me.' I don't know why I went through what I went through, but I know my second chance I'm not going to turn down. I have so much love to give. I told him I said 'bro just give me one more crack at this and I promise... whatever reason you put this on me, I promise I'm going to do right, and I'm going to do right in front of y'all."
Foxx was one of several recipients of the 2025 Ultimate Icon Award. Mariah Carey, Snoop Dogg and Kirk Franklin were also honored with the award. Watch Jamie Foxx's acceptance speech below.