Today, the NAACP and BET announced GRAMMY® -nominated singing group New Edition will be inducted into the acclaimed NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame during the “55th NAACP Image Awards.” The Hall of Fame Award is bestowed on pioneers in their respective fields and whose influence will shape the profession for generations to come. Previous inductees include Eddie Murphy, Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey, Spike Lee, Carlos Santana, Little Richard, Sidney Poitier, Earth Wind and Fire and Aretha Franklin. GRAMMY® award-winning musician, critically acclaimed Emmy® and Golden Globe®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated actor and producer Queen Latifah (series star/executive producer of The Equalizer, CBS) will return to host the prestigious “55th NAACP Image Awards” airing LIVE on Saturday, March 16, at 8:00 PM ET/PT on BET and the CBS Television Network.
It was also announced that legendary R&B singer and songwriter MAZE frontman Frankie Beverly will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the NAACP Image Awards Dinner, which will be held on Thursday, March 14 in Los Angeles. The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to civil and human rights in addition to their contributions in the entertainment industry.
“It is our distinct honor to celebrate New Edition and Frankie Beverly–musical icons who have been instrumental in shaping our cultural landscape with their remarkable talent and enduring influence,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “We recognize the power of their artistry in showcasing the enduring power of Black excellence in the arts.”
“New Edition and Frankie Beverly’s influence have laid the foundation for modern R&B, shaping the genre’s sonic landscape and resonance in numerous ways. From the acclaimed The New Edition Story on BET to our commemoration of Frankie Beverly at BET Awards 2012, we are thrilled to celebrate these musical luminaries, whose melodies are intricately woven into the very fabric of our culture,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET.
As one of the most successful male singing groups in R&B, New Edition has entertained audiences for more than 40 years. The group has a cumulative 30 million records sold worldwide. The group has also separately launched the breakout careers of many of the members, including Bobby Brown, Ralph Tresvant, and Bell Biv DeVoe. In 2017, the group added an Executive Producer credit to its resumé when they released the ground-breaking, acclaimed biopic The New Edition Story. Premiering on the BET Networks, the 3-night mini-series was viewed by a record 29 million unique viewers. New Edition’s “The Culture Tour” was named the #1 R&B concert of 2022.