The Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective (BMC) will host the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors , celebrating the careers of Pharrell Williams, Brandy and Kirk Franklin, on Thursday, Jan. 29. The Grammy Week event will take place at the Fairmont Century Plaza, just three nights before the 68th annual Grammy Awards are presented at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Williams will be presented with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, recognizing not only his musical achievements but also his entrepreneurial innovation, philanthropic efforts and cultural influence. Brandy and Franklin will receive the Black Music Icon Award, recognizing Black music creators whose artistry, innovation and service have shaped the industry and inspired generations around the world.
Franklin was initially set to be honored during the 2025 event prior to the Recording Academy’s decision to condense Grammy Week programming to prioritize Los Angeles wildfire response.
Franklin, 55, is a 20-time Grammy winner. He is nominated again this year for best gospel performance/song for “Do It Again.” Williams, 52, is a 13-time Grammy winner. He has four nominations this year, including album of the year as producer of Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out. Brandy, 46, has won one Grammy, best R&B performance by a duo or group with vocal for “The Boy Is Mine,” her Hot 100-topping collab with Monica.
“Pharrell, Brandy and Kirk are true visionaries and masters of their craft,” Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “Each has built a legacy that transcends genre, defies convention and shapes culture. Their artistry continues to inspire generations of artists around the world. I’m thrilled to join the Black Music Collective in honoring three of music’s brightest stars in January and celebrating their immeasurable contributions to the industry.”
Since its inception, the BMC has been dedicated to championing and empowering Black music creators and industry leaders. Past honorees include Alicia Keys, Dr. Dre, JAY-Z, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and Sylvia Rhone. In further support of its mission to cultivate the next generation of Black leaders in music, the BMC awarded $85,000 in scholarship grants last year to Black college students and HBCU music programs.
Returning for the fourth consecutive year to produce Recording Academy Honors is MVD Inc, with Adam Blackstone also returning as music supervisor.
