ย Some of the biggest names in film, television, and music gathered for a star-studded affair at the annualย URBAN ONE HONORSย at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, on Thursday, December 5.ย Hosted by Urban One Founder and Chairwomanย Cathy Hughesย and actorย Chris Tucker, the prestigious event celebrated the 40-year legacy of Radio One and will premiere onย January 20, 2020, the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, atย 8 P.M./7Cย on TV One.ย This year’s honorees included: veteran music executiveย Sylvia Rhoneย (Lifetime Achievement Honor); Grammy Award-winning recording artist and producerย Missy Elliottย (Music Innovation Honor); Academy Award-winning actorย Jamie Foxxย (Entertainment Icon Honor); Grammy Award-winning artistย Chance the Rapperย (Represent Change Honor); and, actor/dancer and star of “Pose,”ย Ryan Jamaal Swainย (Represent Pride Honor). Special recognition went to music executive legendย Clarence “The Black Godfather” Avantย (Represent Opportunity), civil rights activistย Rev. Al Sharptonย (Represent Leadership) and Emmy Award-winning actorย Billy Porterย (Represent Excellence).
Highlights from the evening included:ย
- A surprise performance by Grammy Award-winning iconย Anita Baker, who not only serenaded Cathy Hughes with “Giving You the Best That I Got” but also hadย Lalah Hathaway, Billy Porter and Jamie Foxx to join her on stage.
ย - Actressย Corinne Foxxย 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.
ย - Rapperย Lil’ Kim’sย heartfelt presentation of the Music Innovation Honor, which brought honoree Missy Elliott to tears.
ย - A special musical tribute to the late, two-time Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter,ย James Ingram,ย by Ne-Yo, Eric Benรฉt, Chantรฉ Moore and Al B. Sure!ย
Additional performances from Grammy Award-winning R&B superstarย Brandy,ย Grammy-nominated rapperย Waleย and new artistย Jac Rossย brought the audience to its feet. Special appearances by Urban One CEOย Alfred Liggins, III, veteran radio personalityย Tom Joyner, entrepreneur and TV personalityย Ray J, rapper/radio hostย Da Brat, TV hostย Egypt Sherrod, comedianย George Wallace, and Reach Media/Radio One personalitiesย Russ Parr, Willie Moore, Jr., Dyana Williams, Darlene McCoyย andย Little Bacon Bearย rounded out the show.ย “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 40thย anniversary would not be a reality without your love and support,” said Hughes.
URBAN ONE HONORSย is presented by TV One and Radio One’s Washington D.C. market’s cluster of radio stations:ย Majic 102.3ย andย 92.7,ย WKYS 93.9, Praise 104.1,ย WOL 1450,ย Spirit 1340, andย The Team 980ย andย 95.9. The televised event heralds the accomplishments of individuals who have made extraordinary contributions in entertainment, media, music, education, and the community.
