BET Awards 2018: Childish Gambino and Jamie Foxx perform impromptu version of 'This Is America'

The host initially brought actor-musician Donald Glover up to the stage to 'acknowledge' him

BET Awards host Jamie Foxx diverted from the ceremony's script to honour Childish Gambino on stage, who performed "This Is America" with him.

Foxx had been weaving comedic monologues throughout the evening, but he stopped to pay tribute to Childish Gambino's Donald Glover for his work.

"That song should not be joked about," said the host, referring to Glover's hit song.

The 50-year-old host then mimicked Glover’s dance moves in the provocative video released last month as Glover watched from the audience.

Foxx added, "This young man, Childish Gambino, Donald Glover - singer, songwriter, philanthropist, movie star, overall badass. A true artist. I wanna acknowledge you."

He then invited Glover on stage where the duo embraced and Glover said, "I really was not expecting to get up here."

The duo then performed an abbreviated version of "This Is America."

While Glover sang the opening lines of the song, the audience sang the "yeah, yeah, yeah" verse.

The actor-musician also took the the time to praise actress and producer Lena Waithe and Insecure's Issa Rae.

Before Glover left the stage, Foxx teased Glover for his ceremony look, which Glover admitted was "pyjamas."

Foxx commented: "[Like] you just rolled out of bed. That’s how you know you’re rich — get out of bed with your pyjamas on and come to the BET Awards."