Mary J. Blige and Clive Davis to Join Babyface's Apollo Walk of Fame Induction
Induction Ceremony is Free and Open to the Public
Babyface to also receive inaugural LEGACY Award
at Annual Spring Benefit
WHAT: The Apollo—an icon of American culture and a globally recognized national treasure—will honor 13-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds by inducting him into The Apollo’s Walk of Fame. Celebrating and honoring the 90-year lineage of extraordinary artists who have performed on the Historic Theater stage, Babyface joins a cohort of inductees who have influenced generations of musicians, fans, and culture at large, including Prince, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Little Richard, Ella Fitzgerald, The Temptations, and most recently, Mary J. Blige in 2021. Mary J. Blige and award-winning producer Clive Davis will also be in attendance to celebrate the honor.
Babyface has become one of the most respected names in entertainment. The only four-time winner of the GRAMMY’s “Producer of the Year” award and the founder of the label LaFace Records, Babyface has launched the careers of global superstars like USHER, TLC, Toni Braxton, and Outkast, all while putting out his own multi-platinum albums—including Tender Lover (1989), For the Cool in You (1993), Waiting to Exhale (1995), and The Day (1996). He is one of the single most influential artists in music today, shaping culture through his artistry and collaboration with musicians including Beyoncé, Boyz II Men, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Eric Clapton, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, Ariana Grande, Michael Jackson, Lil Wayne, Madonna, George Michael, Whitney Houston, and more. Babyface most recently won a 2024 GRAMMY Award for Best R&B Song (“Snooze”by SZA) and is currently working on his 12th studio album.
The induction ceremony will also include remarks from Babyface, The Apollo’s President and CEO Michelle Ebanks, Apollo’s Executive Producer Kamilah Forbes, Apollo Board Chair Charles Phillips, and Billy “Mr. Apollo” Mitchell. Following the remarks, The Apollo will unveil a permanent plaque for The Apollo’s Walk of Fame under the iconic marquee, recognizing Babyface’s cultural significance, international success, and extraordinary longevity in the entertainment business.
Alongside his induction into the Walk of Fame, Babyface is also the recipient of The Apollo’s inaugural Legacy Award, to be presented at the nonprofit’s annual Spring Benefit on June 11. Also being honored at the Spring Benefit is multi-platinum recording artist USHER, who will be receiving the 2024 Icon Award.
WHEN: Monday, June 10 at 11:30 a.m. Media check-in: 10:30a.m.
WHERE: The Apollo, under the Marquee 253 West 125th Street. New York, NY 10027
MEDIA: Press must RSVP to apollo@resnicow.com for admittance by 8AMMonday, June 10. To receive approved images serviced following the eventplease submit requests to apollo@resnicow.com.
About The Apollo
The Apollo is an American cultural treasure. It is a vibrant non-profit organization rooted in the Harlem community that engages people from around New York, the nation, and the world. Since 1934, The Apollo has celebrated, created, and presented work that centers Black artists and voices from across the African Diaspora. It has also been a catalyst for social and civic advocacy. Today, The Apollo is the largest performing arts institution committed to Black culture and creativity.
The Apollo is a commissioner and presenter; catalyst for new artists, audiences, and creative workforce; and partner in the projection of the African American narrative and its role in the development of American and global culture.
The Apollo envisions a new American canon centered on contributions to the performing arts by artists of the African diaspora, in America and beyond.
