Brandy Honored At The Recording Academy Honors

In case you are a lover of R&B, particularly the golden age of the 90s, you then already know the way important Brandy is to music. Not solely has she been dubbed “the vocal Bible,” however she has impressed a whole technology of artists who got here earlier than her and cite her as a direct affect.

It was solely becoming that the Grammys, on behalf of the Recording Academy and the Black Music Collective, honored Brandy with the 2026 Black Icon Award on Thursday, January 29, and the star-studded occasion was the right technique to honor her legacy.

The musical tribute to Brandy throughout the occasion featured present R&B fixtures, Coco Jones, Kehlani and FLO, who carried out “Full Moon,” “I Wanna Be Down” and “The Boy Is Mine,” respectively.

Nevertheless, the celebrity additionally took the stage to let everybody know why they had been there within the first place. Whereas performing her 1998 hit, “Virtually Doesn’t Depend,” Brandy paused throughout the tune, as she was visibly emotional at being honored.

Along with Brandy, gospel legend Kirk Franklin additionally obtained the Black Icon Award, whereas Pharrell Williams was offered with the Dr. Dre International Impression Award.

“Pharrell, Brandy and Kirk are true visionaries and masters of their craft. Every has constructed a legacy that transcends style, defies conference and shapes tradition,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. mentioned by way of assertion. 

“Their artistry continues to encourage generations of artists world wide. I’m thrilled to hitch the Black Music Collective in honoring three of music’s brightest stars in January and celebrating their immeasurable contributions to the trade,” he added.

Previous honorees from the Black Music Collective embody: Alicia Keys, Dr. Dre, JAY-Z, John Legend, Lenny Kravitz, Lil Wayne, Mariah Carey, Missy Elliott, and Sylvia Rhone.

Check out Brandy in motion on the occasion, receiving her well-deserved flowers.