On June 28 at the BET Awards, Smokey Robinson received a Lifetime Achievement Award, during his momentous moment the 75 year old music artist gave advice to the new artists to stay humble by keeping their feet on the ground.
At the BEt Awards 2015, during the acceptance speech, Smokey Robinson addressed the newbies in show business by saying, "For those of you pursuing show business, I can say to you...show business is a world of accolades and pedestals and people giving you praise and stuff like that."
Then he continued further by reminding the new artists that if ever they reach the top they should always remember to "keep their feet on the ground."
"But I say to you...remember where you came from, and no matter how high your head is in the clouds, you had better try and keep your feet on the ground. Know there is nothing unique to you, you didn't start it, and you ain't gonna finish it." the music icon added.
Then he goes on, pointing to famous stars like Ciara, Jason Derulo and Tinashe who are slated to give a dance tribute for Janet Jackson at the BET Awards. Smokey said, "For those of you who are fortunate enough to get a taste and get drunk on yourselves and become self-absorbed .. there are so many people in this world who wish they had one person who they felt love them."
Then Robinson reminded the famous artists to be thankful to their fans and noted that the love that the artists receives from numerous fans is to be considered a "blessing."
He said, "And for you to become hearty and self-absorbed because millions of people around the world, most of them you'll never know or never meet, love you, it's so ridiculous. You should be thankful. It's a blessing. We all should know from who our blessings come. You didn't start this. You are not the first in line. The line started way way way way before your great, great, great grandparents were born. Also, you are not the end of the line. It didn't start with y'all, and it's not going to end with ya'll, so don't be so full of yourselves."
The Motown icon ended his speech by admitting that he is humbled by the success of the new music artists. Robinson said, "I listen to what the younger people are doing nowadays because I'm still competing with them. I want a slot on the radio." He added, "I want people to go out and buy my albums, so I'm still competing with them. So I listen to them to see what they're doing. And I enjoy their music. I think it's a bad mistake for people to put them down."
