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The 2023 Living Legends Foundation Honored Media, Music, and Entertainment Legends Walt “Baby” Love, Nelson George, Rocky Bucano, Ed Lover, Vernon Brown, Esq., Lionel Ridenour, Jacqueline Rhinehart, Tracey J. Jordan, and Shanti Das at Sold-Out Awards Ceremony
Celebrity Guests Included Ronald “Slim” Williams, Howard Hewett, Kenny Lattimore, Brian Courtney Wilson, and Music Executives L.A. Reid, Jon Platt, and Monte Lipman, Among Others
In celebration of Hip-Hop at 50, The Living Legends Foundation (LLF) honored and celebrated an esteemed group of media, music, and entertainment legends including Walt “Baby” Love, Nelson George, Rocky Bucano, Ed Lover, Vernon Brown, Esq., Lionel Ridenour, Jacqueline Rhinehart, Tracey J. Jordan, and Shanti Das Friday evening, October 6, at Taglyan Cultural Complex in Hollywood, CA.
Hosted by Tammi Mac, KJLH’s afternoon air personality, this year’s awards ceremony opened with remarks by David C. Linton, chairman of the Living Legends Foundation, who shared the organization’s mission to continue moving Black music and culture forward. “The state of the Living Legends Foundation is strong,” Linton declared. Linton then addressed the tremendous loss of so many Black executives over the past few years including the recent passing of LLF President and former music executive Varnell H. Johnson and music icon Clarence Avant. Linton noted that both gentlemen were shining examples of leadership and commitment. He concluded that Avant was the conscience of the industry who always made sure Black Music, Black artists, and Black executives had parity within the industry.
Celebrity guests who attended the awards ceremony included Ronald “Slim” Williams of Cash Money Records, Grammy Award-winning artist Howard Hewett, Grammy-nominated artist Kenny Lattimore, Stellar Award-winning artist Brian Courtney Wilson, along with music executives L.A. Reid, c0-founder of mega with Usher; Jon Platt, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing; and Monte Lipman, founder and current CEO of Republic Records, among numerous others.
Linton also noted that it’s the responsibility of veteran music executives to teach and provide the current generation with guidance, support, and opportunities. One of the organization’s key initiatives is to provide scholarships annually to African American students at HBCUs and PWIs.
