Beyoncé urged black communities to vote in the upcoming US elections, as she accepted an honour for her humanitarian work at the BET Awards.

Axar.az reports citing foreign media.

Dedicating her award to protesters around the country, the star said: "You're proving to our ancestors that their struggles were not in vain."

"I'm encouraging you to continue to take action, continue to change and dismantle a racist and unequal system.

"We have to vote like our life depends on it, because it does."

Beyoncé was presented with her award by Michelle Obama, who praised the star's commitment to the black community.

"You can see it in everything she does, from her music that gives voice to black joy and black pain, to her activism that demands justice for black lives.

"And she's doing it all while staying devoted to her children and the loved ones she holds dear," she continued. "To my girl, I just want to say - you inspire me. You inspire all of us.