Music royalty is about to receive their flowers.
The Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective announced that three powerhouse artists—Pharrell Williams, Brandy, and Kirk Franklin—will be honored at the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors on January 29, 2026.
Taking place at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles during GRAMMY Week 2026, this star-studded evening celebrates artists whose cultural impact extends far beyond chart positions and streaming numbers.
For those who’ve followed these legends’ careers, this recognition feels long overdue—and perfectly timed.
Three Icons, Two Prestigious Awards
Williams will receive the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, recognizing his multifaceted contributions spanning music production, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and fashion.
With 13 GRAMMY wins and 43 career nominations, the ‘Happy’ hitmaker has amassed over 10 billion combined global streams. He currently serves as Creative Director of Louis Vuitton and recently produced Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out, which garnered five GRAMMY nominations including Album Of The Year.
Both Brandy and Franklin will receive the Black Music Icon Award, honoring Black music creators whose artistry has shaped generations.
Pharrell, Brandy and Kirk are true visionaries and masters of their craft. Each has built a legacy that transcends genre, defies convention and shapes culture. Their artistry continues to inspire generations of artists around the world.
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. expressed his enthusiasm for celebrating these three luminaries.
Pharrell Williams: Beyond Music
Williams’ influence reaches into virtually every corner of creative culture.
His 2024 animated biopic PIECE BY PIECE, directed by Morgan Neville in partnership with Focus Features and LEGO, offered fans an innovative look at his journey. The film featured a 21-track soundtrack with five new original songs alongside 16 catalog classics, earning him another GRAMMY nomination for Best Film Music.
Outside music and film, Williams founded YELLOW in 2019, a nonprofit committed to evening educational odds for youth. He launched Black Ambition to provide pathways for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, created Humanrace—a wellness brand empowering individuals in their pursuit of wellbeing—and established SOMETHING IN THE WATER festival.
His humanitarian efforts demonstrate that cultural impact isn’t measured solely through artistic output.
Brandy: The Vocal Bible
Brandy’s nickname among peers and fans speaks volumes about her technical mastery.
The multi-platinum, GRAMMY-winning artist first captivated audiences in the ’90s with her quadruple-platinum self-titled debut album. Her starring role in hit sitcom Moesha and iconic performance in Disney’s television adaptation of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella solidified her status as a cultural phenomenon.
Her five-time-platinum album Never Say Never featured “The Boy Is Mine,” which earned her a GRAMMY and remains one of music’s most recognizable duets.
Brandy’s acclaimed 2020 album b7 proved her continued evolution, followed by 2023’s Christmas With Brandy. She continues expanding her creative imprint through acting, with roles in A24’s The Front Room, Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red, and the 2025 film I Know What You Did Last Summer.
Currently preparing to release her memoir PHASES, Brandy describes the project as the result of countless hours of reflection, work, and healing.
Kirk Franklin: Gospel’s Revolutionary
Franklin’s innovative fusion of gospel, R&B, hip-hop, and pop has redefined contemporary gospel music for over three decades.
The 20-time GRAMMY winner’s critically acclaimed 2023 album Father’s Day featured the No. 1 single “All Things,” earning him his 20th GRAMMY Award. His 2025 release “Do It Again” continues demonstrating his ability to create uplifting music that resonates across generations.
Franklin recently received the Ultimate Icon Award at the 2025 BET Awards for his enduring influence across music and entertainment. His original series Den of Kings drew over one million views in its first week, showcasing his expanding media presence.
His influence spans generations and genres through collaborations with Chance the Rapper, Demi Lovato, Justin Timberlake, and Mariah Carey.
Beyond music, Franklin broadens his creative footprint through television, film, and his SiriusXM channel, Kirk Franklin’s Praise. He supports emerging talent through initiatives like Camp Lotus and champions organizations such as Compassion International and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Black Music Collective’s Mission
The Black Music Collective serves as an advisory board of music industry leaders dedicated to advancing opportunities in Black music and championing increased representation across the field.
Powered by the Recording Academy’s DREAM Network, the BMC unites visionary voices to set unified goals, foster community, and drive meaningful change within the industry.
In support of its mission to cultivate the next generation of Black leaders in music, the BMC awarded $85,000 in scholarship grants last year to Black college students and HBCU music programs.
GRAMMY Week 2026 Details
GRAMMY Week represents the Recording Academy’s weeklong celebration comprising official events honoring the music community and current GRAMMY nominees leading up to the annual GRAMMY Awards.
GRAMMY Week 2026 culminates with the 2026 GRAMMYS on Sunday, February 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will broadcast live on CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+ from 5-8:30 p.m. PT/8-11:30 p.m. ET.
An hour ahead of the live telecast, the 2026 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 1, at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed live on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.
Past Recording Academy Honors honorees include Alicia Keys, Dr. Dre, JAY-Z, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and Sylvia Rhone.
Award-winning global creative and experiential agency MVD Inc. returns to produce Recording Academy Honors for the fourth consecutive year. Guests will enjoy specialty cocktails by PATRÓN Tequila throughout the star-studded celebration, with Adam Blackstone returning as music supervisor for the evening.