Usher paid tribute to the male role models in his life while accepting the Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award at the 2024 Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) Gala.
The event, held Thursday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, recognized Usher’s humanitarian work. In his emotional speech, Usher opened up about his complicated relationship with his name, given to him by his absent father.
Other award recipients included LL Cool J, who received the Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award, and BET Media Group executives, who took home the BMAC Social Impact Award.
Taraji P. Henson presented the BMAC Social Impact Award, emphasizing the importance of representation. “What I want you to know is that representation matters,” she said.
LL Cool J reflected on his 40-year career, citing his motivation for creating a new album as a desire to challenge the perception that hip-hop culture is disposable. “I was tired of people feeling like our music as a whole is disposable,” he said.
The gala featured musical tributes, including a performance by Anthony Hamilton and The Ton3s honoring Frankie Beverly of Maze, and BJ the Chicago Kid singing the Black National Anthem.
An auction to support BMAC raised significant funds, with Usher bidding $7,000 for a signed synthesizer from Jimmy Jam and $30,000 for James Brown’s yellow sunglasses.
