Black artists honored by academy
As Lil Wayne was honored for his musical achievements, the rapper opened up about the little he has been recognized previously in his career during a pre-Grammy event that also paid homage to Dr. Dre and Missy Elliott.
“I don’t get honored,” Lil Wayne remarked Thursday at the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective event in Los Angeles, where he, Dr. Dre and Elliott were given the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. The honorees received the renamed award for their personal and professional achievements in the industry.
During his speech, Lil Wayne explained how the responsibility of making adult decisions was first placed on his shoulders at age 12, when he signed his first record deal with Cash Money. The rapper, 40, thanked his mother, the mothers of his children and his kids.
Dr. Dre, 57, talked about starting his musical journey with the initial thought of making enough money to “buy a decent pair of shoes” to wear to school. The producer-rapper recalled when he heard hip-hop for the first time in middle school, and spoke about his knack for collaborating.
“One of my passions is collaborations,” the seventime Grammy winner said. “I never in my entire career done anything alone. I don’t even know if I want to be in the studio alone. It sounds boring.”
Some in the audience were moved to tears by Elliott’s heartfelt speech praising music executive Sylvia Rhone, who also received the impact award.
“She saw something in me that I didn’t see in myself,” the four-time Grammy winner, 51, said of Rhone, 71, the Epic Records CEO who is regarded as one of the most influential executives in the industry. Rhone made history in 1994 when she was named chairman and CEO of Elektra Entertainment Group. At the time, it made her the only African American and first woman to hold the titles.
The event marked a celebratory night for the Black Music Collective, a group of industry leaders that formed in 2020 to find ways to drive Black representation and inclusion.
While we’re talking about
Dr. Dre: Dr. Dre celebrated the 30th anniversary of “The Chronic” with a re-release of his debut studio album.
His iconic first solo album made a return Wednesday to streaming services. His December 1992 release became a classic spawning several hits, including “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” and “Let Me Ride,”
which won Dr. Dre his first Grammy in 1994. Last year, “The Chronic” was removed from all major streaming services after Snoop Dogg purchased the Death Row Records brand and pulled the label’s music from the platforms.
Dr. Dre’s debut album was re-released through its original distributor, Interscope Records. The rapper-producer said he’s thrilled to work with Interscope, and his album being available for fans all over the world is a “full circle moment for me.”
Feb. 4 birthdays: Actor Jerry Adler is 94. Actor Gary Conway is 87. Drummer John Steel is 82. Singer Alice Cooper is 75. Actor Lisa Eichhorn is 71. Singer Clint Black is 61. Actor Rob Corddry is 52. Actor Michael Goorjian is 52. TV personality Nicolle Wallace is 51. Actor Charlie Barnett is 35. Actor Kyla Kenedy is 20.