SILVER SPRING, MD – January 9, 2024 – Today, Urban One announced that GRAMMY™ and EMMY Award-winning singer, OSCAR®-nominated actress and legendary Queen of Hip Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige will be recognized as the prestigious Entertainment Icon Honoree at “URBAN ONE HONORS.” The two-hour “URBAN ONE HONORS: Best in Black” event premieres during Black History Month on Sunday, February 25, 2024 at 8p/7c, on TV One and simulcast on CLEO TV.
Mary J. Blige is one of the defining voices of the contemporary music era. With a track record of eight multi-platinum albums, nine Grammy Awards (plus a staggering 32 nominations), an EMMY award, two Academy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, and a SAG nomination, among many other accolades, Blige has cemented herself as a global superstar. Influenced at an early age by the music of Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and Gladys Knight, Blige brought her own gritty, urban-rooted style—fusing hip-hop, soul, and honest, frank lyrics—to the forefront on her 1992 debut album “What’s the 411?” The multi-platinum set quickly spun off several hits, including two No. R&B No. 1s: “You Remind Me” and “Real Love.” Blige helped redefine R&B and began forging a unique niche for herself on the more personal second album, 1994’s “My Life.” She is loved for her passionate, chart-topping hits like “Be Without You,” “No More Drama,” and “Family Affair,” all of which have made her a force in music. Over her career, Blige has released 15 studio albums, in addition to starring in films and television programs such as “Mudbound”, “The Umbrella Academy”, “Respect”, “Power Book II: Ghost” and more.
“Urban One is thrilled to honor the incomparable Mary J. Blige as our 2024 Entertainment Icon. Mary’s immeasurable talent and award-winning music has shaped our culture and has had a profound impact on artists and music across all genres, but most notably the elevation of female artists in both R&B and Hip Hop across generations. She fully personifies the ”Best in Black” theme of this year’s Urban One Honors,” says Michelle L. Rice, President of TV One and CLEO TV.”
Blige joins previously announced esteemed honorees: Dionne Warwick, recognized as the Lifetime Achievement Honoree; Chlöe, celebrated as the Generation Next Honoree; Frankie Beverly, honored as a Living Legend, and Donald Lawrence, acclaimed for his Inspirational Impact.
Teyana Taylor, Bebe Winans, Damon Little, Angie Stone, October London, alongside a reunion featuring KeKe Wyatt, Chanté Moore, and Nicci Gilbert (cast of R&B Divas) round out the star-studded lineup of performers and presenters. GRAMMY™ Award-winning singer and actress LeToya Luckett returns to host the event’s “Backstage Pass,” featuring exclusive interviews with the show’s honorees, performers, and presenters.
Sponsors for Urban One Honors include Ally, P&G, Rocket Mortgage, Subaru, Intuit TurboTax, Walt Disney World® Resort, and Walmart.
“URBAN ONE HONORS” is the ultimate celebration of Black Excellence, acknowledging individuals whose remarkable achievements and significant contributions have left an indelible mark on the arts, media, music, and the community. Presented by TV One, the 2024 “URBAN ONE HONORS” is the official kickoff celebration for TV One’s 20th Anniversary, marking two decades of excellence in entertainment.
“URBAN ONE HONORS” is produced for TV One by James Seppelfrick of The Cheat Code. Marilyn Gill is the Executive Producer. Myriam Leger will serve as Director and Daniel Moore as Music Director. Kashon Powell is the Vice President of Programming for Radio One and Susan Henry is the Executive Producer in Charge of Production for TV One.
ABOUT TV ONE NETWORKS
TV One Networks is the hub of black culture and entertainment with a broad offering of original programming and classic series, serving both diverse audiences for TV One and CLEO TV. Launched in January 2004, TV One currently serves 44 million households and CLEO TV, launched in January 2019, is the sister network with a 41 million household reach. Each network has a unique audience that serves viewers with fan favorites from TV One such as Unsung, Uncensored, Fatal Attraction, Payback, Tough Love: Atlanta, Never Would Have Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story and Urban One Honors. While, CLEO TV, a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color, delivers content that uplifts and inspires today’s modern-day woman. Viewers of CLEO TV can expect award-winning content in both original and acquired series including Boss Girl’s Guide, Culture Kitchen, New Soul Kitchen, Just Eats with Chef JJ, Global Gourmet, Living By Design, Tia Mowry’s Quick Fix and All Things Adrienne House to Home. Both networks are solely owned by Urban One, Inc., formerly known as Radio One, Inc. [NASDAQ: UONE and UONEK, http://www.urban1.com], the largest African-American owned and operated multi-media company.
ABOUT URBAN ONE
Urban One Inc. (urban1.com), together with its subsidiaries, is the largest diversified media company that primarily targets Black Americans and urban consumers in the United States. The Company owns TV One, LLC (tvone.tv), a television network serving more than 44 million households, offering a broad range of original programming, classic series and movies designed to entertain, inform, and inspire a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. As of September 30, 2022, we owned and/or operated 66 independently formatted, revenue producing broadcast stations (including 55 FM or AM stations, 9 HD stations, and the 2 low power television stations) branded under the trade name “Radio One” in 15 urban markets in the United States. Through its controlling interest in Reach Media, Inc. (blackamericaweb.com), the Company also operates syndicated programming including the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and the DL Hughley Show. In addition to its radio and television broadcast assets, Urban One owns iOne Digital (ionedigital.com), our wholly owned digital platform serving the African American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment websites, including its Cassius, Bossip, HipHopWired and MadameNoire digital platforms and brands. We also have invested in a minority ownership interest in MGM National Harbor, a gaming resort located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Through our national multi-media operations, we provide advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to the African American and urban audiences.
