Mindless Behavior Apologizes for Lauryn Hill Joke at BET Awards

One of the most talked-about-moments of the BET Awards occurred when Mindless Behavior hit the stage. The teen group was presenting the award for Best Female R&B Artist to Beyoncé when one member made a joke about Lauryn Hill.

“You sing bad…like Lauryn Hill’s tax accountant bad,” quipped Ray Ray in response to comedian Mike Epps’ attempt at singing. The joke, which poked fun at Hill’s recent tax problems, was poorly received by some in the audience and ignited a firestorm on Twitter.

According to TMZ, Beyoncé was not too pleased with the joke. She made a point to acknowledge the Fugees frontwoman during her speech and reportedly told a handler backstage that the remark was “disrespectful” and “not cool.”

During a phone call on “106 & Park” on Monday, Ray Ray apologized for his words. “I want to apologize about the Lauryn Hill joke,” he said. “I didn’t mean no harm by it. I hope everyone can forgive me. It was like a big thing on Twitter and everything, so I truly apologize. I respect Lauryn Hill and all of them like that.”

The group also took to Twitter to offer their apologies. “We meant no disrespect to our girl Lauryn Hill last night, it was a bad joke. We’re big fans and hope you’re not mad!” they tweeted.

Fresh off their Viewers’ Choice win at the BET Awards, Mindless Behavior will debut the first single off their sophomore album next week featuring Soulja Boy.