Join The Apollo to induct 13-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds 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 iconic list of inductees who have influenced generations of musicians, fans, and culture at large, including Prince, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Little Richard, Ella Fitzgerald, The Temptations, and most recently, Mary J. Blige in 2021.
This event is free and open to the public.
About Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds is a 13-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, producer, and one of the most celebrated creative forces in music history. He is the only producer to win the “Producer of the Year” category four times, three of which were consecutive (1995-1997), and is the co-founder of the legendary record label LaFace, which launched the careers of artists like Usher, Toni Braxton, TLC, Outkast, and Pink. Babyface has written and produced hits for artists like Bobby Brown, Boyz II Men, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Phil Collins, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Lil Wayne, Barbara Streisand, Bruno Mars, and countless others.
Babyface has produced and written 125 Top 10 Hits, 45 number-one R&B hits, and 16 number-one pop hits, with his work boasting over 800 million records sold and over a billion streams. Throughout his career, Babyface has won the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year trophy seven times, and received a total of 51 BMI Awards, as well as 4 American Music Awards, 5 Soul Train Awards, and 5 NAACP Image awards. He has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2017, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Babyface is a passionate philanthropist, actively supporting the Carousel of Hope, which benefits the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Larry Ruvo’s Keep Memory Alive, and Stand Up To Cancer.
Join The Apollo to induct 13-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds 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 iconic list of inductees who have influenced generations of musicians, fans, and culture at large, including Prince, Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones, Smokey Robinson, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Little Richard, Ella Fitzgerald, The Temptations, and most recently, Mary J. Blige in 2021.
This event is free and open to the public.
About Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds
Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds is a 13-time GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, songwriter, producer, and one of the most celebrated creative forces in music history. He is the only producer to win the “Producer of the Year” category four times, three of which were consecutive (1995-1997), and is the co-founder of the legendary record label LaFace, which launched the careers of artists like Usher, Toni Braxton, TLC, Outkast, and Pink. Babyface has written and produced hits for artists like Bobby Brown, Boyz II Men, Eric Clapton, Madonna, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, Aretha Franklin, George Michael, Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Phil Collins, Janet Jackson, Chaka Khan, Jay-Z, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Lionel Richie, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Lil Wayne, Barbara Streisand, Bruno Mars, and countless others.
Babyface has produced and written 125 Top 10 Hits, 45 number-one R&B hits, and 16 number-one pop hits, with his work boasting over 800 million records sold and over a billion streams. Throughout his career, Babyface has won the BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year trophy seven times, and received a total of 51 BMI Awards, as well as 4 American Music Awards, 5 Soul Train Awards, and 5 NAACP Image awards. He has also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2017, was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Babyface is a passionate philanthropist, actively supporting the Carousel of Hope, which benefits the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes, Larry Ruvo’s Keep Memory Alive, and Stand Up To Cancer.
Presented with SummerStage, this evening brings together boundary-pushing voices in R&B and soul.
A foundational member of the loose late-’90s hip-hop/R&B collective the Soulquarians, Bilal has an effortless, understated swag. It oozes from every track of his 2001 debut 1st Born Second, a retro yet fresh take on soul music at the turn of the century. He’s gotten more experimental as he’s grown, collaborating with artists such as Kimbra, Otis Brown III, Kat Dahlia, Slum Village, and Kendrick Lamar on his third album To Pimp a Butterfly. Bilal’s latest release is Live at Glasshaus, a live recording from an intimate, career-spanning performance with Questlove, Robert Glasper, and Burniss Travis as his backing band.
He’s joined by GENA, a new project from the dynamic R&B artist Liv.e and renowned drummer Karriem Riggins; their name stands for God Energy, Naturally Amazing, indicative of their improvisationally ordained approach to making music.
On the ones and twos is DJ Tara, a DJ, urban planner, and co-founder of Donuts are Forever, the annual J Dilla tribute and fundraiser.
Location: 670 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11216
Presented with SummerStage. Mavis Staples has been performing for eight decades. At 86 years old, she’s known as one of the most enduring figures in American music, earning inductions into multiple halls of fame (blues, rock, and gospel), was a Kennedy Center Honoree, and winner of numerous GRAMMY awards, including one for lifetime achievement. With her return to SummerStage, she’s sure to perform the hits alongside new tracks from her 15th solo album Sad and Beautiful World. She’s collaborated with nearly every major figure of her many eras, from Bob Dylan to Prince, Aretha Franklin, and Willie Nelson. Opening the evening is Brother Wallace, a force of modern soul and gospel sound. Most recently, he’s collaborated with The Heavy guitarist Dan Taylor to build a body of work built on his electrifying brand of soul music.
Location: Rumsey Playfield, New York, NY, 10021
Join The Apollo as it kick’s off its Harlem Week at Harlem Summer Nights! Get a sneak peak of what the weekend has in store and grab a bite at Harlem’s biggest food festival!
You like block parties but hate the sweat and mosquitos? Same. We Outsideee brings the whole block party energy, the music, the vibes, the getting sturdy and the people, but off the pavement and in the world-famous Apollo. No heat index, no OFF bug spray required.
Celebrate with The Apollo at HARLEM WEEK! The Apollo will have a table at Theater Row on 135th Street between Adam Clayton Powell Blvd and St. Nicholas ave on Saturday, August 15th and Sunday, August 16th from 12 to 6PM.
We hope to see you all at The Apollo tent on Theater Row and at the Harlem Week Mainstage!
Accessibility
The Apollo is here for everyone. Artists, audiences, and all supporters should be able to experience The Apollo fully and in a way that is comfortable for them.
The Apollo has taken comprehensive steps to ensure that entrances, seating, restrooms, and more are as accessible and compliant as possible. Learn more about accessibility options and support services that might be right for you.
All persons and bags are subject to search. Bags that have passed inspection must fit comfortably under your seat. Oversized bags are prohibited.
No outside food or beverage. Accommodations are made for patrons with medical needs. Please email access@apollotheater.org or call the box office at (212) 531-5305 for assistance.
