Pharrell Williams, Brandy & Kirk Franklin to Be Honored At Recording Academy Honors 2026

Presented by the Recording Academy's Black Music Collective and taking place days ahead of the 2026 GRAMMYS, the event will honor Williams with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and both Brandy and Franklin with the Black Music Icon Award.

The 2026 GRAMMYS take place Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, broadcasting live on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+. Watch highlights and exclusive GRAMMYS content from the 2026 GRAMMYS all year long on live.GRAMMY.com.

The Recording Academy's Black Music Collective (BMC) will host the fourth  annual Recording Academy Honors, celebrating the illustrious careers of music legends Pharrell Williams, Brandy, and Kirk Franklin. Taking place Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, the event, an official GRAMMY Week 2026 event, leads up to the 2026 GRAMMYS.

Williams will receive the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, recognizing his musical achievements, entrepreneurial innovation, philanthropic efforts, and global cultural influence. Both Brandy and Franklin will each receive the Black Music Icon Award, recognizing Black music creators whose artistry, innovation and service have shaped the industry and inspired generations around the world. Adam Blackstone will return as music supervisor for the evening.

"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. I'm thrilled to join the Black Music Collective in honoring three of music's brightest stars in January and celebrating their immeasurable contributions to the industry," Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. said.

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.

GRAMMY Week is the Recording Academy's weeklong celebration comprising official GRAMMY Week events celebrating the music community and current GRAMMY nominees in the lead-up to the annual GRAMMY Awards. GRAMMY Week 2026 culminates with the 2026 GRAMMYS, which take place live Sunday, Feb. 1, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The 2026 GRAMMYS will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream on Paramount+ at 5-8:30 p.m. PT/8-11:30 p.m. ET. Hour ahead of the live telecast, the 2026 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 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

[grammys.com]

RIAA: Mariah Carey's "Merry Christmas" Album Is Certified Diamond

The Legendary Mariah Carey earns a new certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for her first Holiday album Merry Christmas for 10 million units sold in the US.

Originally released in 1994, Merry Christmas includes production by Carey, Walter Afanasieff & Loris Holland and features the iconic global hit "All I Want for Christmas Is You", which is currently No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100's chart for a record-breaking 20th non-consecutive weeks.

Merry Christmas is now Carey's third Diamond album in America along with Music Box (1993) & Daydream (1995).

JQ Interview: New Single "Don't Go Away", What Sets Him Apart, Creative Process & More

JQ is an Atlanta-based vocalist and record producer. He expresses his emotions and interpretations of the world around him through music. All the care and passion he pours into his music is also apparent in his lifestyle. JQ aspires to be the best person and artist he possibly could be. His new single "Don't Go Away" is available on all digital music platforms via Sirrah Records, LLC.

TERRANCE: Where were you born and raised? 

JQ: Riviera Beach, FL

TERRANCE: When did you realize your passion for music? 

JQ: In middle school, there was a guy playing "Never Would Have Made It" on piano and since then I've been doing music.

TERRANCE: Who are some artists who impacted or influenced you musically? 

JQ: Eric Bellinger, Eric Benet, Ty Dolla $ign.

TERRANCE: What sets you apart from artists today? 

JQ: Style and creativity.

TERRANCE: What's your creative process? 

JQ: It varies depending on the song but putting yourself in the actual position of what you're going for and seeing the performance.

TERRANCE: In your opinion, what do you feel is missing in R&B today? 

JQ: R&B is lacking diversity. There's a formula that worked out in the past and unfortunately became played out.

TERRANCE: The new single "Don't Go Away" is out now. What do you hope to accomplish with it? 

JQ: I hope it gives the person who's in the position the chance to get their point across.

TERRANCE: Where do you see yourself in five years? 

JQ: 5 years from now...collabs with more major artists.

TERRANCE: What motto do you live by? 

JQ: Carpe diam.

TERRANCE: Anything else you would like to share with the fans, followers and listeners?

JQ: Compulses are natural, the more centered you are, the more sensitive you are to their causes. Stay inspired.

Follow JQ on Instagram @ hesuaveq

RIAA: Coco Jones Earns 2 New Certifications for "ICU" 2x Platinum, "Double Back" Gold

Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and actress Coco Jones earns two new certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for her singles "ICU" (2x Platinum) and "Double Back" (Gold).

Both songs appear on her 2023 What I Didn't Tell You album.

Melvin Edmonds Jr. Interview: New Single "Velvet Nights", What's Missing In R&B Today & More

Melvin Edmonds Jr. is a singer, songwriter, producer, and the founder of Edmonds Music Inc. His artistry blends soulful heritage with contemporary R&B, creating music that resonates across generations.

As the son of the late Melvin Edmonds Sr. of After 7, he upholds a celebrated musical lineage while evolving his independent career. His releases “Play” and “Chill with Me” have garnered over 200,000 global streams, capturing audiences who crave authentic lyricism and emotional depth.

His latest single, “Velvet Nights” featuring his wife Briana Edmonds, delivers a rich, nostalgic celebration of love and late-night soul. The track effortlessly blends smooth melodies with heartfelt lyrics, creating an intimate atmosphere that captures the essence of their shared musical journey.

"Velvet Nights" is available on all streaming and digital music platforms.

TERRANCE: What was the concept and thought process behind “Velvet Nights”?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: The concept behind “Velvet Nights” was really about honoring my family roots. My family has been a major force in shaping ’90s R&B—from production to songwriting to vocals—so being born into that legacy naturally influenced me. My wife and I wanted to capture that entire feeling again: the sound, the aesthetic, the metaphors, everything. As my wife Briana Edmonds always says, you can’t have a true ’90s R&B track without its core elements, and she contributed tremendously throughout the entire Velvet Nights process. Believe it or not, the inspiration behind the cover was her reflecting on my Uncle Kenny’s iconic album Tender Lover.

TERRANCE: When did you realize music was something you wanted to pursue?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: Music has been my passion since before I could walk. It’s literally embedded in my DNA. 

TERRANCE: Talk about your company Edmonds Media Empire and what it specializes in.

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: Edmonds Media Empire is actually my wife’s company. Briana Edmonds—if you’re looking for public relations, branding, or artist support, she’s the one to call.

TERRANCE: There’s a lot of conversations about Autotune and Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and their roles in music today. What are your thoughts?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: My thoughts are simple—always utilize the voice you were blessed with. Autotune has been around for decades. If an artist didn’t use it, they relied on background vocals or featured artists to enhance the record. Autotune is still relevant because it can elevate a good project into a great one—but nothing replaces genuine talent.

TERRANCE: As someone from a musical family, what do you feel is missing in R&B today?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: What’s missing is men expressing their feelings—not just in a sexual way toward women, but through metaphors and storytelling. Yesterday’s music and today’s music both use them, but the depth feels different. The true message is always in the lyrics—you just have to listen.

TERRANCE: What’s a fond memory you have of your father, the late Melvin Edmonds, Sr. of the legendary After 7?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: We had countless memories—family trips, gatherings, all of it. One moment that always makes me smile is when a fan recognized him while we were grocery shopping. By the time we checked out, we were being followed to the car. Seeing that kind of influence everywhere we went was priceless.

TERRANCE: What has been a highlight of your musical journey so far?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: A major highlight has been my rebrand—putting in the time, dedication, and work, and then seeing real progress. As an independent artist reaching mainstream audiences, that feeling is unmatched.

TERRANCE: Can we expect any upcoming shows and performances?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: Yes, expect more global shows next year and beyond.

TERRANCE: What do you enjoy most when you’re not working on music?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: I love traveling with my wife and spending quality time with family.

TERRANCE: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received that you actually followed?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: Never forget your “why.” That’s what keeps you going—before, during, and after every chapter.

TERRANCE: Any final words for your fans and supporters?

MELVIN EDMONDS JR: A special shoutout to my wife, Briana Edmonds. Shoutout to my Edmonds Music team, the entire Edmonds family, my fans, and all my supporters. Thank you for the love and encouragement. There’s so much more coming in 2026!

Connect with Melvin Edmonds, Jr:

Website / Instagram / TikTok / Facebook