Swizz Beatz, D Nice and More Honored At 5th Annual Culture Creators Brunch
Life Begins At The End of Your Comfort Zone: Swizz Beatz, D Nice and More Dropped Gems At 5th Annual Culture Creators Brunch
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
“Be true to yourself!” That was every recipients’ advice on Saturday afternoon (June 26) at the 5th Annual Culture Creators Innovators and Leaders Brunch.Culture Creators celebrates the innovators and leaders in Black culture every year during one of Black music’s biggest moments — BET Awards weekend in Los Angeles. Black excellence filled the Beverly Hilton Hotel as honorees, entertainers and attendees reveled in joy at the thought of celebrating one another in real life again.
True cultural pioneers fellowshipped as hip hop legend Swizz Beatz earned one of the biggest honors of the afternoon as this year’s Icon of the Year. We were fortunate to speak with some of the honorees like Innovator of the Year DJ D-Nice, Emmy Award-winning film producer Rikki Hughes who was acknowledged for her work in film and television, and entrepreneur and former all-star athlete Baron Davis who’s business acumen speaks for itself.
The YouTube sponsored show welcomed the best in entertainment, fashion, tech, finance, film, health and social justice. Introduced by his son, Prince Nasir Dean, and a special video from his daughter Nicole Dean, both of his children praised their father’s contributions to music. Prince Nasir acknowledged his many accolades from his Grammy win, becoming a Harvard graduate and creating the Verzuz battle and platform which carried fans and entertainers through quarantine.
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Another shining light took a moment to chat with us on the carpet before the ceremony began. One of hip hop’s most influential visionaries DJ D-Nice talked about receiving the coveted Innovator of the Year award.
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“I am elated,” Hughes added. “The fact that Joy puts this on is incredible, and it just keeps us [Black people] at the forefront. I am honored.”
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Amongst the honorees mentioned were former music executive and philanthropist Shanti Das, athlete JaVale McGhee, financial expert George Wells, tech industry leader and Director of Creator Community at TikTok Kudzi Chikumbu, music leaders and MBK Entertainment’s Jeff Robinson and Jeanine Mclean, and social justice leader Stephanie Brown-James.
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Source: Leon Bennett / Getty
Source: Leon Bennett / Getty
Source: Leon Bennett / Getty
There were countless entertainers and notable celebrities in attendance to support the honorees achievements from singer and songwriter Mya, CEO of Ruff Ryders Waah Dean, super producer Jimmy Jam, actress and artist Ryan Destiny and rapper G Herbo. Artist Yung Baby Tate also shared a special performance as one of YouTube’s Biack Voices class of 2021.
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Singer and songwriter Mya shed light on the pride she feels as a Black woman in a space amongst so many creatives behind the scenes and in front of the camera. She shared her thoughts on the responsibility of being a culture creator, “We have a lot of independent minds and independent companies. That’s what we need because we’ve always owned our own stuff until history has done otherwise. It’s very important for us to come together to change that.”
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“As long as I can pour resources back into my community, I can help change it,” he added.
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Life Begins At The End of Your Comfort Zone: Swizz Beatz, D Nice and More Dropped Gems At 5th Annual Culture Creators Brunch was originally published on globalgrind.com
