Orlando's Best

Breaking Orlando News and Information
Menu
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Best Pizza In Orlando
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Additional Resources

John Legend honored at Grammys’ Black Music Collective event

Elen Salzburg April 3, 2022

LAS VEGAS – As John Legend was honored for his musical achievements Saturday — the night before the Grammy Awards — the singer used the Recording Academy stage to pay homage to a Black music culture that has shaped him and the wider world of music.

Legend explained how Black music has set trends for listeners across the globe, speaking at the academy’s Black Music Collective event in Las Vegas, where he was given the Global Impact Award for his personal and professional achievements in the music industry.

“I’m proud to celebrate and honor and cultivate our music,” Legend said at the event held the night before the Grammy Awards.

“Black music is and has been the rhythm, the root, the inspiration, the innovation behind so much of the world’s popular music. It doesn’t exist without us,” he said.

DeSantis gets to choose Disney Reedy Creek board members under bill – Orlando Sentinel
Read moreDeSantis gets to choose Disney Reedy Creek board members under bill – Orlando Sentinel

The multi-Grammy winner applauded the efforts of the Black Music Collective, a group created in 2020 of prominent music industry leaders — including honorary chairs from Legend and producers Jimmy Jam and Quincy Jones — who are looking to find ways to drive Black representation and inclusion. The academy has been focused on amplifying Black voices after years of backlash regarding racial inequality.

Ad

Like Legend, the event was filled with empowering messages that touched on the importance of recognizing Black music creators. It also featured a slew of popular performances including Chloe Bailey, Muni Long, Jimmie Allen, Cordae and Summer Walker.

Legend said Black music has the potential to fuel justice and inspire communities.

“Our art and music can help movements find their footing and voice,” he said. “Our art and music can help activists, the people closest to injustice and lead the way forward to equality and opportunity.”

Saweetie, who presented MC Lyte with an award, spoke about how Black women’s accomplishments have been downplayed but their impact on the culture has been undeniable. She has women have been in the forefront of hip-hop as rappers, producers and others behind the scenes.

“There’s no conversation about the past, present and future of hip-hop without women,” she said. “The playing ground has not been level, but I’m proud of the progress we made. Despite the continued injustice and inequality in our industry and society at large, there’s no better time to be a Black creator than now.”

Ad

The event highlighted the productive efforts by LVRN, a Black-founded record label that has built a strong roster including 6lack, D.R.A.M., Boogie and Summer Walker.

MC Lyte was honored for being the “beacon of hope” for Black women, while D-Nice was recognized for his success through Club Quarantine. He says Legend helped ignite the flood of new followers in the early stages.

“Club Quarantine is not really about D-Nice, the deejay,” he said. “It’s about a community. People come together and they share conversations in the chats. I’m just in the background trying to create a space to feel comfortable to get together. I say this like I said before ‘Black music saved the world.’”

Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Prev Article
Next Article

Related Articles

Orlando Free Fall to be torn down after Tyre Sampson’s death
The Orlando Free Fall, a drop tower from which 14-year-old …

Orlando Free Fall to be torn down after Tyre Sampson’s death

German federal court mulls bid to remove antisemitic relic
BERLIN – A German federal court on Monday mulled a …

German federal court mulls bid to remove antisemitic relic

About The Author

Elen Salzburg

Recent Posts

  • Disney Mario World
  • How To Use Genie Plus Disney World
  • Youtube Tron Ride Disney World
  • 8 Weeks Pregnant At Disney World
  • Disney World Zip Code Florida

Orlando's Best

Breaking Orlando News and Information
Copyright © 2023 Orlando's Best
Theme by TransGenx.com

Ad Blocker Detected

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker.

Refresh