LL COOL J and Usher were among the honorees greeted Thursday night by the Black Music Action Coalition at the organization's fourth annual BMAC Gala. As BMAC co-founder/president/CEO Willie “Prophet” Stigers noted, the event isn't about “celebrating record sales, streaming numbers or other accolades. It's the intersection of activism and music.”
As Stigers further explained, “When most people turn down the heat around social, racial, and economic justice, we redouble our efforts and highlight the positive and meaningful impact the music industry has made on society, something we hope you'll be inspired by. fact.”
Highlights in the packed ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles were the Clarence Avant Trailblazer and Quincy Jones Humanitarian Awards presentations to LL COOL J and Usher, respectively. Surprised on stage by attorney Ben Crump, who presented the award, LL noted to rapturous applause and cheers from the audience: “You have to keep believing in the beauty of your dreams. If I can come all the way from Queens and do the things I do, then anything is possible.”
After receiving his award from fellow artist Bobby Brown and briefly teasing the crowd with one of his trademark dance moves, Usher segued into a moving 15-minute acceptance speech. He said, in part, “Besides just being Usher, the performer, the entertainer, I try every day to just be Usher, the man. who has the means and power to inspire and raise awareness of the issues we face as Black men and women in this country.”
Actress Taraji P. Henson presented the BMAC Social Impact Act at BET Media Group. Among the company's executive honorees was president/CEO Scott Mills; president, media sales Louis Carr; Executive vp of experts, music programming and music Constance Orlando and executive vp/chief marketing officer Kimberly Paige. The BMAC Change Agent Award was presented to Ivy McGregor, CEO of Beyoncé's BeyGOOD Foundation. And the BMAC 365 Award went to Live Nation.
Rapper/activist Gunna received a special commendation from the Guaranteed Income Mayors, an organization made up of more than 170 mayors from across the country. “I'm here to make sure my community is uplifted – this GI program is going to help change a lot of lives,” Gunna said. He recently partnered with BMAC to launch the BMAC 30349 Guaranteed Income initiative, which will provide a monthly stipend of $1,000 to 30 families residing in the artist's hometown of South Fulton, Georgia.
Hosted by Kenny Burns, the gala also featured BJ The Chicago Kid, who set the tone for the evening with his rendition of the Black National Anthem. Anthony Hamilton and The Hamiltones took to the stage later in the evening, performing an intense medley. This year's gala also marked the inaugural BMAC auction, organized in partnership with Julien's Auctions. Among the bargains that attendees claimed: a Flavor Fav watch necklace and sunglasses belonging to music legend James Brown.
As part of its gala, the BMAC hosted a number of other events. In partnership with The Revels Group, BMAC co-hosted the Black Future Now Brunch (September 15), which honored Jhené Aiko, Cash Cobain and artist director Rachelle Jean-Louis. Two days later (September 17), the BMAC Stigers accepted the SESAC Visionary Award. Then the following evening (September 18), Stigers sat down with BMI President/CEO Mike O'Neill to discuss the benefits and challenges of artificial intelligence during a panel also co-hosted by BMAC.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/ll-cool-j-usher-2024-bmac-gala-1235780967/