By D. Kevin McNeirSpecial to the AFRO
The previous magic of “Chocolate Metropolis” returned on Tuesday, Jan. 6, on the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. The theatre, positioned within the U Avenue hall referred to as “Black Broadway,” is the place legendary entertainers musicians like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong as soon as showcased their musical prowess to the delight of adoring followers.
However this time, the featured performers represented a unique and more moderen fashion of music than their predecessors of jazz, soul and the blues. In celebration of 5 a long time of D.C.’s homegrown musical style, go-go music took centerstage.
In tribute to the tradition, the historical past and the musical wizards who developed the style, a standing room solely crowd decked out of their finest threads attended the 2026 Go-Go Awards, celebrating 50 years of the unmistakable sound with the theme “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora.”
The occasion was hosted by comic and radio persona Joe Clair, born in Seat Nice, Md., only a stone’s throw from the District, and comic Jay Cole, a local Washingtonian.
Clair stated go-go, first debuted in 1976, has all the time been an integral a part of his life.
“I used to be right here within the District, on stage, when D.C.’s legendary promoter, Darryll Brooks, introduced ‘Go-Go Reside on the Capital Centre’ to the realm and greater than 24,000 followers confirmed as much as hear and vibe to their favourite go-go bands and hip-hop artists,” he stated. “That was one of many biggest exhibits on earth – the epitome of a live performance tour. And I consider tonight will likely be simply as highly effective.”
Clair referred to as the Go-Go Awards a “particular evening,” including that he was “proud to be part of it.”
“Go-go is the heartbeat of D.C. and you’ll see from the big variety of followers who’ve proven up that go-go is alive and nicely,” he stated.
Performers for the night included musicians from the Chuck Brown Band, Doug E. Contemporary, Kurtis Blow and the Go-Go Allstars.
Wiley Brown, the youngest son of Chuck Brown, additionally carried out and mirrored on the contributions of his late father, who’s remembered because the “Godfather of Go-Go.”
“It’s a lovely factor – honoring ‘The Godfather,’” Wiley Brown stated. “Folks nonetheless love him and are doing all they’ll to maintain his child, go-go, going. I’m ensuring I do my half as nicely.”
Wiley Brown serves because the chief of the Chuck Brown Band, persevering with his father’s musical legacy.
Ron Moten, the founding father of the Go-Go Museum, stated it’s essential to protect previous and current go-go musicians and music in addition to go it to the following technology.
“The music and the tradition proceed to convey individuals collectively in love, embracing each other and bringing generations collectively,” he stated. “And it’s all occurring proper right here in D.C. on Black Broadway. What’s most essential is passing it on to our youth. We’ve got to teach them and put together them to step up on stage as we go the torch.”
All through the evening, DJ Kool pumped out the sounds as followers continued to benefit from the get together. He served as one of many first DJs to play go-go in evening golf equipment again in 1979. And even earlier than the awards program started, he had go-go aficionados on their toes.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser acquired a Lifetime Achievement Award for her function in cementing go-go because the official music of D.C. Throughout her remarks she promised to maintain the music alive and nicely within the District.
“I’ve yet one more funds to undergo the Council earlier than I go away workplace and I promise that there will likely be a line merchandise to help the Go-Go Museum,” she stated. “We’ve got to ensure our youngsters know what go-go means to Washingtonians.”
Well-liked radio host and DJ Konan stated he needed to attended the festivities and pay respect to the legends.
“Go-go continues to be right here, we’re nonetheless right here, and we aren’t going anyplace,” stated Konan, who started his profession in D.C. and was one of many first to play each go-go and hip-hop on the radio.
“I nonetheless can’t consider go-go has been round for 50 years,” he stated. “That is D.C. tradition you’re taking a look at and it’s all due to Chuck Brown. If it hadn’t been for him, none of this is able to be occurring.”
