The Weeknd, Motown’s Ethiopia Habtemariam Highlight Emotional Night at Black Music Action Coalition Awards

Civil Rights attorney Ben Crump, who, in representing the family of George Floyd, became a household name and among the most powerful voices in the Black Lives Matter movement, urged guests at the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) Music in Action Awards gala to “raise your voices in beautiful harmony and continue to give voice to those who have no voice.”

Crump joined seven fellow honorees for the inaugural event, recognizing significant contributions to social justice, change, and/or equity over the preceding year. The BMAC Social Impact Award was presented to YouTube Music and Shawn Gee of Live Nation Urban; The Clarence Avant Trailblazer Award was awarded to Motown’s Ethiopia Habtemariam and YouTube’s Tuma Basa; The BMAC Agent of Change Award presented to Aurora James, Dina LaPolt and Ben Crump; and The Quincy Jones Humanitarian Award that was presented to The Weeknd and H.E.R. (Variety was a media partner for the event.)

Jones introduced the Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) via video (after which The Weeknd commented, “Can I get that video?”) and Tesfaye, who’s donated millions of his own dollars to aid COVID response and provide assistance for residents of Lebanon following last year’s Beirut port explosion, went on to recount how he and the legendary music producer met in Las Vegas years ago. During that first introduction, Jones taught him “that giving back is always more important than receiving,” Tesfaye said holding back tears. “This is the best award I’ve ever gotten in my life.”

use rap lyrics as evidence of someone’s guilt in court.” Added LaPolt: “We do not see this in country music.”

Held at the 1 Hotel in West Hollywood, the gala marked a cautious return to industry events for those in attendance, which included such luminaries and VIPs as George Clinton, Weeknd manager Sal Slaiby, Azoff Company co-president Susan Genco, Warner Records co-chairmen Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson, YouTube’s global head of artist services Vivien Lewit, music agents Cheryl Paglierani and Mike G (both at UTA), Jenna Adler (CAA) and Brent Smith (Wasserman), and BMAC board members Damien Smith, Caron Veazey, Willie ‘Prophet’ Stiggers, Ashaunna Ayars, Shawn Holiday and Jamil Davis (pictured below).

BMAC released a Music Industry Action Report Card, a first of its kind assessment of the music industry’s progress towards achieving racial justice and equity, on Juneteenth of this year. Over one year ago, the music industry made promises to take strides in eliminating racial injustices and inequalities that has long pervaded the industry. The Music Industry Action Report Card holds companies to their promises and supports them in their progress.