( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) Urban One Honors Premieres Sunday, February 25th
ENSPIRE Contributor: Gabrielle Maya
The Queen of Hip-Hop and Soul, Mary J. Blige, was recently announced as the Honoree for the Entertainment Icon Honor at the 2024 Urban One Honors. The event will be filmed on Saturday, January 20, at The Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta, GA—the Annual Honors Premieres on Sunday, February 25 at 8/7c on TV One and CLEO TV.
A Grammy and Emmy Award winner, singer, and actress Mary J. Blige’s voice defines the contemporary music era. She has 8 multi-platinum albums, 9 Grammy Awards (23 nominations), 1 EMMY Award, 2 Academy Award nominations, 2 Golden Globe nominations and 1 SAG nomination. At an early age, her music inspirations were Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight; now, she is a global star. Mary J. Blige has musical grit and urban style fused with Hip-Hop and Soul. Her 1992 album “What’s the 411?” brought on several hits, including two No. R&B No.1s “You Remind Me” and “Real Love.”
Mary J. Blige redefined the R&B genre, her passion brought out more top chart hits like “Be Without You,” “No More Drama,” and “Family Affair” brought her many successes, a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Her career has consisted of the release of 15 studio albums, and she soon starred in films and television, such as “Mudbound,” “The Umbrella Academy,” “Respect,” “Power Book II: Ghost” and more.
“Urban One is thrilled to honor the incomparable Mary J. Blige as our 2024 Entertainment Icon. Mary’s immeasurable talent and award-winning music have shaped our culture and have profoundly impacted artists and music across all genres, but most notably, the elevation of female artists in both R&B and Hip Hop across generations. She fully personifies the ”Best in Black” theme of this year’s Urban One Honors,” says Michelle L. Rice, President of TV One and CLEO TV.” Alongside Mary J. Blige, she will be joined by esteemed honorees Dionne Warwick, recognized as the Lifetime Achievement Honoree; Chlöe, celebrated as the Generation Next Honoree; Frankie Beverly, honored as a Living Legend; and Donald Lawrence, acclaimed for his Inspirational Impact.
Furthermore, you can look forward to these performers and presenters and guests Teyana Taylor, Bebe Winans, Damon Little, Angie Stone, and October London, alongside a reunion featuring KeKe Wyatt, Chanté Moore, and Nicci Gilbert (cast of R&B Divas). GRAMMY™ Award-winning singer and actress LeToya Luckett returns to host the event’s “Backstage Pass,” featuring exclusive interviews with the show’s honorees, performers, and presenters.
Follow Mary J. Blige on Instagram or listen to her on Spotify. For more information on Urban One, visit https://urbanonehonors.com/. To preview the Urban One Honors red carpet “Backstage Pass” hosted by Letoya Luckett, click here.
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