Plot Synopsis

BLACK MUSIC HONORS is an annual ceremony and television special that acknowledge legendary artists who have made a significant contribution to African American music. The celebration of Black musical excellence first began as "Celebrate the Soul of American Music" from 1990 to 1993, a TV show that featured some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry. In 2016, it was revived under the new title of BLACK MUSIC HONORS to commemorate Black Music Month.

The inaugural event took place at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center's Jackson Hall on August 18, 2016, where Ledisi and Malcolm-Jamal Warner led the audience through the momentous night of legendary honorees including: pop vocalist Dionne Warwick, music executive Clarence Avant, rapper Big Daddy Kane, songwriting/production duo Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, "First Lady of Gospel Music" Pastor Shirley Caesar and legendary record label Stax Records. BLACK MUSIC HONORS aired locally in Nashville, on WTVF-NewsChannel 5 on Sunday, September 4, 2016 at 3pm CT, and the special debuted nationally on the Bounce TV Network on Friday, September 23, 2016 at 9pm ET.

Hosted by Rickey Smiley and LeToya Luckett, the 2017 BLACK MUSIC HONORS was a two-hour special that was taped on on Friday, August 18, 2017, at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville, TN. The special air on broadcast syndication from September 2-30, 2017 and then on Bounce TV on Tuesday, October 10, at 7pm ET. Donnie McClurkin received the Gospel Music Icon Award; the R&B group Guy, creators of the New Jack Swing sound, was given the R&B Soul Music Icon Award; rapper Slick Rick was presented with the Hip Hop/Rap Music Icon Award; Oleta Adams received the Legends Award; and Jody Watley was recognized with the Crossover Music Icon Award.

The 2018 BLACK MUSIC HONORS took place on Thursday, August 16 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) in Nashville. Rickey Smiley and LeToya Luckett return as co-hosts of the show, which aired on broadcast syndication on September 8-30, 2018. Honorees include: Bobby Brown (R&B Soul Music Icon Award); Bebe and Cece Winans (Gospel Music Icon Award); Dallas Austin (Music Innovator Icon Award); and Faith Evans (Urban Music Icon Award).

Taped September 5, 2019 at The Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA, the 2019 BLACK MUSIC HONORS was hosted by Rickey Smiley and LeToya Luckett and later aired in national syndication from September 14-October 20. The two-hour program then aired on Sunday, October 20 at Noon ET on Bounce TV. Honorees included: Xscape (Urban Music Icon Award); Yolanda Adams (Gospel Music Icon Award); Arrested Development (Hip Hop Icon Award); Tamia (Soul Music Icon Award); and Freddie Jackson (Legend Award).

Hosted by Rickey Smiley, the 2020 BLACK MUSIC HONORS, which aired in national broadcast syndication November 21 thru December 13, 2020. The show also aired on Saturday, November 21, 2020 at Noon ET on Bounce TV. Performers of the evening include Musiq Soulchild, Raheem DeVaughn, Tweet, MAJOR., June's Diary, Brian Courtney Wilson, D Smoke, Evvie McKinney, Marvin Sapp, RL, and Shelea. Honorees included: En Vogue (Urban Music Icon Award); Deborah Cox (Entertainer Icon Award); Fred Hammond (Gospel Music Icon Award); and The National Museum of African American Music (Legacy Award).

The 6th Annual BLACK MUSIC HONORS was held at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville, TN, and the special aired nationally on Saturday, June 19, 2021 at 1pm ET on Bounce TV, commemorating Juneteenth, now a federal holiday. Loni Love hosted two-hour special, which honored artists and musicians who have influenced and made significant contributions to American music, including 2021 honorees: Angie Stone (Soul Music Icon Award); Ginuwine (Urban Music Icon Award); Marvin Sapp (Gospel Music Icon Award); and Ramsey Lewis (Legends Award). Performers included Cece Winans, Montell Jordan, Jacquees, After 7, Syleena Johnson, Pleasure P, Stokley, Avery*Sunshine, J. Moss, Q Parker, Bahamadia, Chrisette Michele, Jac Ross, Mumu Fresh, Kevin Ross, Theresa Tha Songbird, and Zacardi Cortez.

Hosted by LeToya Luckett and DeRay Davis, the 2022 BLACK MUSIC HONORS was taped at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA on Thursday, May 19. The two-hour special aired in national syndication from June 4 - July 3 and on Bounce TV on June 25. The 2022 BMH Honorees were: Keri Hilson (Music and Songwriter Icon Award); Mary Mary (Gospel Icon Award); Tevin Campbell (R&B Icon Award); Dru Hill (Urban Music Icon Award); Karyn White (Soul Music Award); and The Whispers (Legends Award).

The 8th edition of BLACK MUSIC HONORS was co-hosted by LeToya Luckett and DeRay Davis. Live taping took place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA on Thursday, May 19, 2023. The televised special premiered on the Stellar Network June 3 and aired in national broadcast syndication from Saturday, June 10 - Sunday, July 2 in tribute to Black Music Month. The show also aired on Bounce TV on June 19 to commemorate Juneteenth. Honorees included: Missy Elliott (Music Innovator Icon Award); SWV (Urban Music Icon Award); Evelyn "Champagne" King (R&B Icon Award); Jeffrey Osborne (Legends Icon Award); and The Hawkins Family (Gospel Icon Award).
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The 2024 BLACK MUSIC HONORS, hosted again by LeToya Luckett and DeRay Davis, took place at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, May 18, 2024. The televised special premiered on the Stellar Network Saturday, June 1 at 8pm EST with a rebroadcast at 10pm EST and aired in national broadcast syndication from June 8 through June 30 in tribute to Black Music Month. The show also aired on Bounce TV Wednesday, June 19th (Juneteenth) at 9pm EST.

This year's honorees include Johnny Gill (R&B Soul Music Icon Award), Patrice Rushen (Lifetime Achievement Award), Bootsy Collins (Legend Award), and Hezekiah Walker Gospel Music Icon Award).

Performers includes: Ceelo Green, Total and 702, MC Lyte, Marsha Ambrosius, Chrisette Michele, Next, Mr. Talkbox, J. Brown, Jekalyn Carr, Mali Music, Ruben Studdard, Kim Burrell, BLK ODYSSY, Donald Lawrence, Kevin Lemons & Higher Calling, Ricky Dillard, MonoNeon, Shanice, The Chi (Carl Thomas, Dave Hollister & Syleena Johnson) and Tone Stith with a special appearance by David & Tamela Mann.