Β Some of the biggest names in film, television, and music gathered for a star-studded affair at the annualΒ URBAN ONE HONORSΒ at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Thursday, December 5.Β Hosted by Urban One Founder and ChairwomanΒ Cathy HughesΒ and actorΒ Chris Tucker, the prestigious event celebrated the 40-year legacy of Radio One and will premiere onΒ January 20, 2020, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, atΒ 8 P.M./7CΒ on TV One.Β This year’s honorees included: veteran music executiveΒ Sylvia RhoneΒ (Lifetime Achievement Honor); Grammy Award-winning recording artist and producerΒ Missy ElliottΒ (Music Innovation Honor); Academy Award-winning actorΒ Jamie FoxxΒ (Entertainment Icon Honor); Grammy Award-winning artistΒ Chance the RapperΒ (Represent Change Honor); and, actor/dancer and star of “Pose,”Β Ryan Jamaal SwainΒ (Represent Pride Honor). Special recognition went to music executive legendΒ Clarence “The Black Godfather” AvantΒ (Represent Opportunity), civil rights activistΒ Rev. Al SharptonΒ (Represent Leadership) and Emmy Award-winning actorΒ Billy PorterΒ (Represent Excellence).
Highlights from the evening included:Β
- A surprise performance by Grammy Award-winning iconΒ Anita Baker, who not only serenaded Cathy Hughes with “Giving You the Best That I Got” but also hadΒ Lalah Hathaway, Billy Porter and Jamie Foxx to join her on stage.
Β - ActressΒ Corinne FoxxΒ presenting the Entertainment Icon Honor to her father Jamie Foxx, who, during his acceptance speech, remarked that his best role ever is being a father.
Β - RapperΒ Lil’ Kim’sΒ heartfelt presentation of the Music Innovation Honor, which brought honoree Missy Elliott to tears.
Β - A special musical tribute to the late, two-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter,Β James Ingram,Β by Ne-Yo, Eric BenΓ©t, ChantΓ© Moore and Al B. Sure!Β
Additional performances from Grammy Award-winning R&B superstarΒ Brandy,Β Grammy-nominated rapperΒ WaleΒ and new artistΒ Jac RossΒ brought the audience to its feet. Special appearances by Urban One CEOΒ Alfred Liggins, III, veteran radio personalityΒ Tom Joyner, entrepreneur and TV personalityΒ Ray J, rapper/radio hostΒ Da Brat, TV hostΒ Egypt Sherrod, comedianΒ George Wallace, and Reach Media/Radio One personalitiesΒ Russ Parr, Willie Moore, Jr., Dyana Williams, Darlene McCoyΒ andΒ Little Bacon BearΒ rounded out the show.Β “It is with great humility and gratitude that I acknowledge our sponsors, staff and attendees at our second annual Urban One Honors at the MGM National Harbor. We are totally aware that our 40thΒ anniversary would not be a reality without your love and support,” said Hughes.
URBAN ONE HONORSΒ is presented by TV One and Radio One’s Washington D.C. market’s cluster of radio stations:Β Majic 102.3Β andΒ 92.7,Β WKYS 93.9, Praise 104.1,Β WOL 1450,Β Spirit 1340, andΒ The Team 980Β andΒ 95.9. The televised event heralds the accomplishments of individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in entertainment, media, music, education, and the community.
