Washington, D.C. marked 50 years of Go-Go music at a sold-out Go-Go Music Awards ceremony at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Shaw. The celebration featured performances by the Chuck Brown Band, Kurtis Blow, Doug E. Fresh, and DJ Kool, honoring a genre that has shaped the city’s culture for decades and was officially named D.C.’s sound in 2020.
Organizers emphasized preserving Go-Go’s legacy while passing it on to future generations. Go-Go Museum founder Ron Moten highlighted the importance of honoring artists and supporting businesses across all eight wards. Attendees included Mayor Muriel Bowser and Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie, and honorees included hip-hop producer Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor.
With the theme “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora,” organizers plan to seek funding to expand the awards to a larger venue in coming years.