By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
The Go-Go Museum and Café will celebrate 50 years of go-go music at the 2026 Go-Go Awards, on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The awards will be hosted at the Lincoln Theatre in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood, historically known as the city’s ”Black Broadway.”
This year’s theme, “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora,” promises to be an unforgettable evening honoring the culture and legacy of Washington, D.C.’s official music.
“Go-go is more than music –it’s the heartbeat of our city. As we honor these trailblazers, we also lift a culture that speaks louder than words and moves deeper than sound,” said Ron Moten, Go-Go Museum and Cafe founder and CEO. “The soul of D.C. lives on through go-go, and it is our great honor to celebrate the people who keep that rhythm alive.”
Co-hosted by D.C. natives and comedians Joe Clair and Jay Cole, the night will feature star-studded performances from the Chuck Brown Band; Kurtis Blow, hip-hop pioneer and the first artist to record a go-go/hip-hop collaboration; Doug E. Fresh and the Go-Go Allstars, a lineup of the genre’s most respected musicians performing iconic go-go hits from the last five decades.
(Photo courtesy of wearegogomusic.com)
Moten said it will be an illuminating blast from the past as well as a program that features emerging youth bands.
“Youth are also being featured with one band playing on buckets like they did in the past in a tribute to the Junkyard Band,” he said. “They will perform the hit song, ‘Sardines.’”
He added that the mayor’s office will also give a souvenir coin marking the 50th anniversary of go-go to everyone who attends the event.
Darryll Brooks, part of the duo whose business, CD Enterprises, Inc., opened the door for many of the legends in hip-hop and go-go will serve as an award presenter. CD Enterprises became known for promoting the talents of go-go artists on stage via concerts.
“Go-go adds to the consciousness and cultural awareness that has long been the foundation of the musical genre,” he said. “And it has a unique relationship with the community. D.C. is the home of Marvin Gaye, Duke Ellington and Roberta Flack. But it’s also the home Chuck Brown, Junkyard Band and so many other legends.
“It all started with youth learning to play instruments in their school bands or in their churches. That’s what we’ve got to get back to if we want our youth to have positive outlets as we continue to pave the way for the next generation of musicians. Youth need to be exposed the way they were 50 years ago. Then, they’ll take the music to even greater heights.”
Go-go icon Sugar Bear, reflecting on the impact that Chuck Brown had on the genre, shared the following views.
“During last summer’s annual birthday celebration in August, which honored the ‘Godfather of Go-Go,’ the crowd showed that Chuck Brown’s legacy lives on and that people are continuing to incorporate his musical genius into new forms of music,” Sugar Bear said. “Personally, he was both a mentor and friend who taught me a lot about the business and the importance of surrounding myself with the right people, the right band – those with the right discipline for this musical journey.”
Sugar Bear continued, adding that “as for the state of go-go music, while we’re not where we need to be, we’re getting more and more recognition from across the U.S. People are embracing our music and for that I’m grateful. But we know it’s going to grow even larger and better in the very near future.”
For more information, visit https://www.gogomuseumcafe.com/. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com.
