LAS VEGAS (AP) — As John Legend was honored for his musical achievements Saturday — the night time earlier than the Grammy Awards — the singer used the Recording Academy stage to pay homage to a Black music tradition that has formed him and the broader world of music.
Legend defined how Black music has set traits for listeners throughout the globe, talking on the academy’s Black Music Collective occasion in Las Vegas, the place he was given the World Influence Award for his private {and professional} achievements within the music trade.
“I’m proud to have fun and honor and domesticate our music,” Legend stated on the occasion held the night time earlier than the Grammy Awards.
“Black music is and has been the rhythm, the basis, the inspiration, the innovation behind a lot of the world’s fashionable music. It doesn’t exist with out us,” he stated.
The multi-Grammy winner applauded the efforts of the Black Music Collective, a gaggle created in 2020 of distinguished music trade leaders — together with honorary chairs from Legend and producers Jimmy Jam and Quincy Jones — who want to discover methods to drive Black illustration and inclusion. The academy has been targeted on amplifying Black voices after years of backlash relating to racial inequality.
Like Legend, the occasion was full of empowering messages that touched on the significance of recognizing Black music creators. It additionally featured a slew of fashionable performances together with Chloe Bailey, Muni Lengthy, Jimmie Allen, Cordae and Summer time Walker.
Legend stated Black music has the potential to gas justice and encourage communities.
“Our artwork and music will help actions discover their footing and voice,” he stated. “Our artwork and music will help activists, the folks closest to injustice and prepared the ground ahead to equality and alternative.”
Saweetie, who offered MC Lyte with an award, spoke about how Black girls’s accomplishments have been downplayed however their impression on the tradition has been plain. She has girls have been within the forefront of hip-hop as rappers, producers and others behind the scenes.
“There’s no dialog in regards to the previous, current and way forward for hip-hop with out girls,” she stated. “The taking part in floor has not been stage, however I’m pleased with the progress we made. Regardless of the continued injustice and inequality in our trade and society at giant, there’s no higher time to be a Black creator than now.”
The occasion highlighted the productive efforts by LVRN, a Black-founded document label that has constructed a robust roster together with 6lack, D.R.A.M., Boogie and Summer time Walker.
MC Lyte was honored for being the “beacon of hope” for Black girls, whereas D-Good was acknowledged for his success by means of Membership Quarantine. He says Legend helped ignite the flood of latest followers within the early phases.
“Membership Quarantine will not be actually about D-Good, the deejay,” he stated. “It’s a few group. Folks come collectively they usually share conversations within the chats. I’m simply within the background making an attempt to create an area to really feel snug to get collectively. I say this like I stated earlier than ‘Black music saved the world.’”
Copyright 2022 The Related Press. All rights reserved. This materials might not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed with out permission.
