By D. Kevin McNeir
Special to the AFRO
The old magic of “Chocolate City” returned on Tuesday, Jan. 6, at the Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. The theatre, located in the U Street corridor known as “Black Broadway,” is where legendary entertainers musicians like Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, and Louis Armstrong once showcased their musical prowess to the delight of adoring fans.
But this time, the featured performers represented a different and more recent style of music than their predecessors of jazz, soul and the blues. In celebration of five decades of D.C.’s homegrown musical genre, go-go music took centerstage.
In tribute to the culture, the history and the musical wizards who developed the genre, a standing room only crowd decked out in their best threads attended the 2026 Go-Go Awards, celebrating 50 years of the unmistakable sound with the theme “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora.”
The event was hosted by comedian and radio personality Joe Clair, born in Seat Pleasant, Md., just a stone’s throw from the District, and comedian Jay Cole, a native Washingtonian.
Clair said go-go, first debuted in 1976, has always been an integral part of his life.
“I was here in the District, on stage, when D.C.’s legendary promoter, Darryll Brooks, brought ‘Go-Go Live at the Capital Centre’ to the area and more than 24,000 fans showed up to hear and vibe to their favorite go-go bands and hip-hop artists,” he said. “That was one of the greatest shows on earth – the epitome of a concert tour. And I believe tonight will be just as powerful.”
Clair called the Go-Go Awards a “special night,” adding that he was “proud to be a part of it.”
“Go-go is the heartbeat of D.C. and you can see from the large number of fans who have shown up that go-go is alive and well,” he said.
Performers for the evening included musicians from the Chuck Brown Band, Doug E. Fresh, Kurtis Blow and the Go-Go Allstars.
Wiley Brown, the youngest son of Chuck Brown, also performed and reflected on the contributions of his late father, who is remembered as the “Godfather of Go-Go.”
“It’s a beautiful thing – honoring ‘The Godfather,’” Wiley Brown said. “People still love him and are doing all they can to keep his baby, go-go, going. I am making sure I do my part as well.”
Wiley Brown serves as the leader of the Chuck Brown Band, continuing his father’s musical legacy.
Ron Moten, the founder of the Go-Go Museum, said it’s important to preserve past and present go-go musicians and music as well as pass it to the next generation.
“The music and the culture continue to bring people together in love, embracing one another and bringing generations together,” he said. “And it’s all happening right here in D.C. on Black Broadway. What’s most important is passing it on to our youth. We have to educate them and prepare them to step up on stage as we pass the torch.”
Throughout the night, DJ Kool pumped out the sounds as fans continued to enjoy the party. He served as one of the first DJs to play go-go in night clubs back in 1979. And even before the awards program began, he had go-go aficionados on their feet.
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser received a Lifetime Achievement Award for her role in cementing go-go as the official music of D.C. During her remarks she promised to keep the music alive and well in the District.
“I have one more budget to submit to the Council before I leave office and I promise that there will be a line item to support the Go-Go Museum,” she said. “We have to make sure our children know what go-go means to Washingtonians.”
Popular radio host and DJ Konan said he had to attended the festivities and pay respect to the legends.
“Go-go is still here, we’re still here, and we aren’t going anywhere,” said Konan, who began his career in D.C. and was one of the first to play both go-go and hip-hop on the radio.
“I still can’t believe go-go has been around for 50 years,” he said. “This is D.C. culture you’re looking at and it’s all because of Chuck Brown. If it hadn’t been for him, none of this would be happening.”
