Queen Latifah and Dionne Warwick Set to Receive Kennedy Center Honors

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced today the selection of five honorees for the 46th Kennedy Center Honors, and Grammy and Emmy Award-winning artists Queen Latifah and music legend Dionne Warwick are among the distinguished recipients to be celebrated at the annual national celebration of the arts in December.

Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement that the honorees each "explored new terrain, stretched artistic boundaries, and most importantly, committed to sharing their gifts with the world."

Queen Latifah, known as the "First Lady of Hip Hop," has played a pivotal role in shaping and innovating the art form since its early days. Her contributions as a rapper, singer, and actress have left an indelible mark on the music industry and beyond.

In response to her inclusion as an honoree, Queen Latifah expressed her gratitude, stating, "I'm humbled to be included in this incredible list of artists honored by the Kennedy Center. The work the Kennedy Center does is immeasurable, so I'm beyond grateful for this recognition."

Dionne Warwick, the soulful songstress, has captivated audiences worldwide with her signature voice and a trove of hits spanning over six decades. With more than 60 charted hit songs and over 100 million records sold, Warwick has firmly established herself as a music legend.

Reflecting on her honorary title, Warwick shared her joy, saying, "I'm exceptionally happy to be honored by the Kennedy Center. It's very exciting to be recognized for my contributions to the music industry for the past 60 years."

Joining Queen Latifah and Warwick as honorees are actor and comedian Billy Crystal, acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming, and British singer-songwriter, producer, and Bee Gees member Barry Gibb.

Crystal, renowned for his comedic talent, has provided audiences with memorable stand-up moments and hilarious Hollywood scenes for over five decades. Fleming, known as "America's soprano," has brought opera into the mainstream with her luminous voice and artistry. Gibb, along with his late brothers Robin and Maurice, set the music world ablaze in the '60s and continued to define the modern dance era with their distinctive falsetto sound and groovy style.

The 46th Kennedy Center Honors will take place in December. The star-studded celebration, held on the stage of the Kennedy Center Opera House, will feature leading performers from New York, Hollywood, and arts capitals worldwide paying homage to the honorees.

Gloria Estefan, a former Kennedy Center Honoree, will return as the host of this year's ceremony, marking her third time in this role. The awards will air on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on December 3.

Watch: XXL Magazine Unveils 2023 Freshman Class, Defining the Sound of Hip-Hop's Future

XXL has revealed its highly anticipated 2023 freshman class, showcasing 12 emerging stars in the hip-hop genre. The annual list, unveiled on Wednesday, features a diverse group of artists: Finesse2tymes, Lola Brooke, Rob49, Fridayy, GloRilla, 2Rare, SleazyWorld Go, Central Cee, Real Boston Richey, Luh Tyler, TiaCorine and DC The Don.

This year's announcement carries extra significance as it precedes the upcoming 50th anniversary of hip-hop in August. Reflecting on the genre's evolution over the past five decades, the hip-hop magazine compares the birth of hip-hop to the formation of a diamond, with artists selected for the 2023 freshman class embodying the current essence of the genre's sound.

These rising stars stand alongside past XXL freshmen such as J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Future, Travis Scott, Lil Durk, Lil Uzi Vert and Megan Thee Stallion, aiming to make their mark on hip-hop's history. In the coming weeks, XXL will release a series of content, including freestyles, cyphers, and interviews, providing a platform for each freshman to showcase their talent.

Fans eager to dive into the Freshman issue can expect it to hit stands on July 18. In addition to introducing the 2023 class and featuring groundbreaking producer Pi'erre Bourne, who crafted the beats for this year's cyphers, the issue includes interviews with acclaimed artists such as Lil Baby, NLE Choppa, Boosie BadAzz, Toosii, DDG, Saba and others.

Readers will also find insights into the current activities of the 2022 XXL Freshman Class, as well as stories covering hip-hop's affinity for golfing, the emergence of rookie artists and a compilation of the best A.I. hip-hop songs released to date.

ASCAP Announces Dr. Dre as Hip-Hop Icon Award Recipient

Dr. Dre to receive inaugural Hip-Hop Icon Award from ASCAP.

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Rhythm & Soul department will honor multi-platinum-selling producer and artist Dr. Dre with the inaugural ASCAP Hip-Hop Icon Award.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the music licensing group announced that the eight-time Grammy Award winner will receive the award, which recognizes ASCAP members who have made a lasting impact on the art and culture of hip-hop, during Thursday's ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards Celebration of 50 Years of Hip-Hop in Los Angeles.

Paul Williams, ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President, praised the selection, stating, "Dr. Dre's groundbreaking early work laid a foundation for hip-hop as we know it today. As a champion for some of today's biggest artists and a successful entrepreneur, he changed the culture around hip-hop."

Williams added, "Dre continues to be a pivotal figure in the music industry, and we are thrilled to recognize him with the inaugural ASCAP Hip-Hop Icon Award as we mark 50 years of hip-hop."

Dr. Dre, an award-winning artist, producer, founder, and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning decades. He started as a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru before co-founding the groundbreaking group N.W.A.

In 1992, the Compton, California native launched his solo career with the release of his debut album, "The Chronic." The album achieved triple platinum certification from the RIAA, reached the top 10 on the Billboard 200, and earned Dr. Dre a Grammy for Best Rap Solo Performance with the hit track "Let Me Ride."

Dr. Dre's Aftermath Entertainment has played a crucial role in discovering and nurturing hip-hop superstars such as 50 Cent, Kendrick Lamar, Anderson .Paak and Eminem. Additionally, his collaboration with Jimmy Iovine led to the establishment of Beats Electronics in 2008, followed by the launch of Beats Music. Both ventures were acquired by Apple in 2014.

Beyond music, Dr. Dre's accomplishments extend to other creative endeavors. His contributions to the HBO docuseries "The Defiant Ones" earned him a Grammy and an Emmy. Furthermore, the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show, featuring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent secured three Emmy Awards.

In 2013, Dr. Dre collaborated with Jimmy Iovine to establish the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation. Last year, their efforts expanded to the Los Angeles Unified School District with the opening of the Iovine and Young Center (IYC) Integrated Design, Technology and Entrepreneurship (IDTE) Magnet, a high school offering cutting-edge curriculum to students.