As the culture celebrated its epic 50th year of Hip Hop during Black Music Month, there was no better way to honor the entertainers who paved the way throughout the years with their music than to place in their hands the prestigious Culture Creators Award. The star-studded event was presented by Netflix and empowered by the Pronghorn Company and Lexus.
Each year, the esteemed organization recognizes and celebrates trailblazers in entertainment and fashion. Notable celebrities like Jimmy Jam, Tasha Smith, Muni Long, Tone Stith, Kash Doll, Chante Moore, Christian Combs, Lodric D. Collins, and Candiace Dillard Bassett were among the attendees of over 400 guests. Their presence was a testament to the industry’s collective commitment to celebrating diversity and fostering a sense of unity with their excitement and glamor at the event.
This year, Hip Hop Legends Busta Rhymes and M C Lyte were honored with the Icon Awards for their achievements and contributions to Hip Hop Culture. Hosted by Gia Peppers, Chloe x Halle received the Innovators Of The Year Award. Busta Rhymes reflecting on his journey, stated “I get a lot of love because I’m a giver of love… but I don’t get awards… not in this form. So it’s a little overwhelming for me because, Mona would know, a lot of times I would ask, ‘How much longer I gotta wait?’ he shared in a touching moment.”
“We are the founders of civilization, the makers and the owners of the planet, the gods of the universe. Our culture is the greatest … even when they gave us nothing, we created every culture,” she shared during a significant moment of his speech.
As a 2023 Icon Award winner, Busta’s speech served as a powerful reminder that success is born from perseverance, determination, and unwavering passion. The room hung onto every word that he spoke as he charged the atmosphere with his energy – it was electric.
The Culture Creators Awards Brunch also honored Troy Carter for Technology, Karl Kani for Fashion, Candace Rodney for Business, Flau’jae Johnson for Sports, Stephen Hill for Television, Lauriann Gibson for Art/Dance, and Chris Robinson for Video/Film.
On the red carpet, King Combs spoke with ThisIsRnB.com about his new single ‘Fliest In The City’ which drops on July 14th. “It’s gonna be crazy. It’s about being the flyest in the city and I was born in New York, I grew up a little bit in LA and a little bit in Atlanta but you know New York is a part of my roots and that’s why I got my boy Eight Boogie on there … we’re about to go up,” he shared.
Recording artist TA Thomas opened up about his latest single ‘June 15th’, a song that was inspired by one of his first relationships. “Not a lot of times do people get to see the emotional side, the vulnerable side of men and when I walked in the studio I was kind of feeling a little weighty from the situation from this situation and I decided to speak to this relationship because I feel like being a guy sometimes I struggle to keep the relationship alive. Talking to my boys I realized that it was a universal thing going on in the city and so I decided to write to record. Women would actually be surprised to go behind the scenes into the man caves and hear about the things that actually hurt us.” T A Thomas’ upcoming album ‘Caught Between Two Worlds’ drops in early September.
The Culture Creators’ 7th Annual Innovators and Leaders Awards Brunch was a resounding success. The lasting impression that it leaves on the industry each year while inspiring a new wave of creators to fearlessly pursue their dreams is second to none. Exemplifying the transformative power of unity, collaboration, and unwavering artistic expression the event will continue to impact Hollywood and Beyond for decades to come.
