This is going to be so good!
The National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) announced a star-studded lineup for their Rhapsody & Rhythm Award honorees, The Root reports.
The NMAAM announced the recipients of their 2021 Rhapsody & Rhythm Awards, including musical giants Quincy Jones, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, and the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The event will double as a fundraising effort for the museum and the kick-off to their three-day celebration of Black Music Month.
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President/CEO of NMAAM, Henry Beecher Hicks III, spoke about the upcoming celebrations, saying, “NMAAM showcases Black music excellence every day, but this year’s Black Music Month will be a special one as we celebrate the museum’s opening with phenomenal music icons and Black music fans across the world.”
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The Fisk Jubilee Singers, originally founded by Fisk-University treasurer George L. White, first performed in 1871 at Oberlin College, many of them being formerly enslaved Black people. Last year, nearly 150 years since their inception, the group won their first Grammy award in the Roots Gospel Album category.
Photo Courtesy of FiskJubileeSingers.org
According to Billboard, the Celebration of Legends Benefit Concert is sponsored by Amazon and will feature both live and virtual tribute performances. Previous honorees include CeCe Winans, Nile Rodgers, Gloria Gaynor, and George Clinton.
“One of Amazon’s core values is to think big. We know that we can only do that when we all work together to recognize, elevate and celebrate all voices. We are excited to be NMAAM’s partner and the presenting sponsor for this year’s Black Music Month celebration. The work the museum is doing is essential to helping our wider commu8nity expand the way it thinks, and it’s an honor to be a part of it all,” said Courtney Ross, senior manager of External Affairs for Amazon Nashville.
The award ceremony will kick off the festivities, followed by the inaugural State of Black Music Summit featuring artists, industry executives, and culture creators, followed by a Juneteenth celebration featuring a museum dedication ceremony.
The NMAAM’s Black Music Month Celebration takes place June 17-19th. For more information, head to blackmusicmonth.com.
Congratulations to all of the honorees!
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