More Excellence: Snoop Dogg, Fela Kuti, Berry Gordy Honored at Atlanta’s Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame
In June 2021, the Black American Music Association and the Georgia Entertainment Caucus unveiled the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame for the first time — an inaugural effort to celebrate key figures in American music in one of the country’s cultural capitals. The new Atlanta landmark is growing, and on February 17, a new group of 15 acts earned their Crown Jewels, or plaques on a walkway adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium: Donald Lawrence, Yolanda Adams, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Snoop Dogg, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Cicely Tyson, Berry Gordy, Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, and Tyler Perry. The inductees also included late global artists Fela Kuti and Bob Marley. At the celebration brunch following the outdoor induction ceremony, Pastor Wilbur Purvis said a prayer for entertainers and audiences: “We thank you for the gift of music. Music gives soul to the universe and life to everything,” he said. “We pray for the poets and playwrights and producers who remind us that we all have a story.”
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Look Sharp
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone A young marching band turns up the the second annual induction ceremony for the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame, located on the sidewalks of Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive and Northside Drive in Atlanta, adjacent to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Bebe Winans
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone BeBe and CeCe Winans were inducted into the Walk of Fame, honored for their unique blend of R&B and gospel. Bebe Winans accepted the duo’s award.
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New Edition
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone New Edition took a pit stop from their current tour with Charlie Wilson to celebrate their Crown Jewel of Excellence on the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame.
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Atlanta’s New Mayor
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Mayor Andre Dickens (second from left) was elected in November, besting 13 candidates. He stands with Walk of Fame founders, Demette Guidry, Georgia State Representative Erica Thomas, Catherine Brewton, and Michael Mauldin and LA Reid (second from right).
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Ronnie DeVoe
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition poses with his plaque on the Walk of Fame.
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Yolanda Adams
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Catherine Brewton, a founder of the Georgia Entertainment Caucus that supports the Walk of Fame, said that gospel singer Yolanda Adams was the only act inducted unanimously.
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Rhonda Ross
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Berry Gordy’s daughter Rhonda Ross accepted his award on the Motown founder’s behalf. She explained that her father made all his children memorize the inspirational poem “If–” by Rudyard Kipling. She continued the tradition with her son, pictured here, who recited the poem at the celebration brunch with impressive conviction. “The Black Walk of Fame, like that poem, is about vision,” said Ross.
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Donald Lawrence
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Donald Lawrence earned a Crown Jewel as a towering figure in gospel music. Introducing him at the celebration brunch, Demmette Guidry, one of the founders of the Walk of Fame, said of Lawrence, “If we started counting the souls he touched, we’d be here for a millennium.”
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Gary Chambers Jr. and Kimberly Jones
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Louisiana Senate candidate Gary Chambers Jr., currently in a hot race to unseat incumbent Republican Sen. John Kennedy, poses with Kimberly Jones, author of New York Times bestseller I’m Not Dying With You Tonight.
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Wyclef Jean
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Wyclef Jean was invited to honor international inductee Fela Kuti and also paid tribute to Bob Marley, who will be inducted in June.
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Renee Henry Celebrates Cicely Tyson
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Late actor Cicely Tyson’s great-niece Renee Henry accepted an award for Tyson, who died in 2021. “This induction is an testament to her work in front of and behind camera,” said Henry. “We all miss her dearly, but as she would say, ‘I’m here.'”
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The Legacy of Ray Charles
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Ray Charles’ family celebrates his induction as a foundational awardee, alongside Cicely Tyson, Berry Gordy, and Smokey Robinson.
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Wyclef Rocks Out for Fela Kuti and Bob Marley
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Wyclef Jean recounted a night he spent with Dave Chappelle, playing around on guitar. The jam session produced his song “If I Was President,” which he performed at the celebration brunch, and followed with a multilingual freestyle.
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Snoop Dogg’s Tribute Starts the Party
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone A cover of inductee Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” by the Trap Jazz Allstars got the crowd off their feet; their horn-powered rendition of “Drop it Like Hot” drove them wild.
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Yolanda Adams Accepts Her Award
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone At the celebration brunch following the induction ceremony, gospel Yolanda Adams, who earned a Crown Jewel, gave a rousing sermon on favor and purpose. “When you look at your life, it’s a collection of all the things that you’ve gone through. When your joys outweigh your sorrows, you are truly blessed,” she said. “I thank God right now for the talent, but more for the anointing.”
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Bow Wow
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Accepting Snoop Dogg’s award on his behalf, his protege Bow Wow celebrated the West Coast rapper’s 19 studio albums and continued influence.
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In the Spirit
Image Credit: Rita Harper for Rolling Stone Guests including former Atlanta mayor Kasim Reed (second from right) were moved by stirring performances by gospel acts Jekalyn Carr, DeWayne Woods, and Le’Andria Johnson.