{"id":2057473,"date":"2025-09-29T13:47:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-29T13:47:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2057473"},"modified":"2025-09-29T13:47:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T13:47:10","slug":"sacramento-music-scene-gets-a-boost-with-new-urban-music-awards-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/sacramento-music-scene-gets-a-boost-with-new-urban-music-awards-show\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacramento music scene gets a boost with new urban music awards show"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>By Neenma Ebeledike<\/strong> | OBSERVER Staff Writer<\/h4>\n<p><iframe title=\"Everlit Audio Player\" width=\"100%\" height=\"130px\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"perfmatters-lazy\" data-src=\"https:\/\/everlit.audio\/embeds\/artl_zPrG2cgWE8Q?client=wp&amp;client_version=2.3.4\"><\/iframe><noscript><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Everlit Audio Player\" src=\"https:\/\/everlit.audio\/embeds\/artl_zPrG2cgWE8Q?client=wp&amp;client_version=2.3.4\" width=\"100%\" height=\"130px\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"><\/iframe><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Sacramento\u2019s music culture runs deep. From jazz and gospel roots to hip-hop, R&amp;B, and soul, this city has always had rhythm. However, for years, many local artists have lacked a stage where they can be celebrated and honored.<\/p>\n<p>That changes with the Greater Sacramento Urban Music Awards.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Greater Sacramento Urban Music Awards at The Sofia Theater on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Sept. 17 show at The Sofia brought together local musicians, community leaders, and fans for a trailblazing celebration of the city\u2019s homegrown talent.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-1    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p>Grammy-winning singer and event founder Jay King described the event as a brand-new tradition honoring the legacy and the future of Sacramento urban music.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe idea is to bring light to the great talent we have right here in Sacramento. If we don\u2019t recognize our talent at the ground level, we should not expect anyone to recognize us anywhere else,\u201d King said.<\/p>\n<p>Show organizer Frances Wright said the event is very important and gives her deep appreciation to Jay King for creating this award show.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"scaip scaip-2    \">\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p>Frances Wright, the show\u2019s organizer, expressed profound gratitude to King for establishing the awards and helping local artists gain notice.<\/p>\n<aside>\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s going to open a lot of doors for local artists,\u201d Wright said.<\/p>\n<p>The evening featured live performances and emotional award moments, and Gold Carpet Glamour.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am humbled to even be here,\u201d said Shawn Raiford, a quadruple nominee whose \u201cMan with a Horn\u201d won for best smooth jazz album. \u201cWe get very little exposure from people around, so having a show organized by the community is simply amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"610\" height=\"407\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=610%2C407&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"Lucky Witherspoon performs at the Greater Sacramento Urban Music Awards on Sept. 17. Neenma Ebeledike, OBSERVER\" class=\"wp-image-113584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=610%2C407&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 610w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349.jpg?w=1600&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/DSC0349-610x407.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lucky Witherspoon performs at the Greater Sacramento Urban Music Awards on Sept. 17. Neenma Ebeledike, OBSERVER<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Event volunteer Marlett Berry said the show was a great way to motivate artists. She also expressed her love for Sacramento\u2019s unique music culture.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe have a plethora of music here in Sacramento. There are so many genres that cater to different audiences,\u201d Berry said.<\/p>\n<p>Attendee Michael Peavy, and local pastor at Purpose Church in Natomas, said the awards add an important element to recognizing the artists in Sacramento\u2019s \u201cpowerful\u201d music scene.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI am glad that the artists get credit for their amazing work,\u201d he said. \u201cSacramento music has something for everybody. Our culture is infused in our music, which creates beauty.\u201d<\/p>\n<aside>\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"610\" height=\"407\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=610%2C407&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1\" alt=\"From left, local music producer Kahlil Broussard, J. Ali of Club Nouveau, and saxophonist Shawn Raiford attend the Greater Sacramento Urban Music Awards. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER\" class=\"wp-image-113585\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=610%2C407&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 610w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=450%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 450w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=768%2C512&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=1536%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1536w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=1200%2C800&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1200w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=1024%2C683&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=780%2C520&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 780w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=400%2C267&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 400w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=706%2C471&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 706w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?resize=150%2C100&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 150w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284.jpg?w=1600&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/sacobserver.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Event_09162025_RobertaAlvarado_MoreliaMx_SisterCity-01284-610x407.jpg?w=370&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 370w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 610px) 100vw, 610px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">From left, local music producer Kahlil Broussard, J. Ali of Club Nouveau, and saxophonist Shawn Raiford attend the Greater Sacramento Urban Music Awards. Roberta Alvarado, OBSERVER<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>King said he plans to add categories beyond R&amp;B and jazz, such as fine arts, theater arts, dance and literature.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe want to make sure that people who do good work are being recognized for the good work they do,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Winners<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Best R&amp;B single: Lucky Witherspoon<\/li>\n<li>New artist of the year (female): Elle Nikole<\/li>\n<li>Best jazz album: Juan Escovedo<\/li>\n<li>Best remake: Tony Mosley<\/li>\n<li>New artist of the year (male): Pete Belasco<\/li>\n<li>Best smooth jazz album: Shawn Raiford<\/li>\n<li>Best inspirational song: Ariel Marin<\/li>\n<li>Best group or duo: Club Nouveau<\/li>\n<li>Best jazz female vocal: Niki Haris<\/li>\n<li>Best jazz vocal single: Jay King<\/li>\n<li>Best smooth jazz single: DL Edwards<\/li>\n<li>Song of the year: Darnell Kendricks<\/li>\n<li>Producer of the year: Derek \u201cDOA\u201d Allen<\/li>\n<li>Best social commentary song: TJ Gibson<\/li>\n<li>Best R&amp;B album: Joe Leavy (Soul On Fire)<\/li>\n<li>Best club record: Sugar High<\/li>\n<li>Lifetime achievement awards: Lenny Williams, Con Funk Shun, Bob Jones and The Chosen Few, Karyn White, Dawn Silva, Collage, Roger Smith.<\/li>\n<li>Brian Porter Humanitarian Award (posthumous): Porter\u2019s daughters Brianna and Brittany received the award on their father\u2019s behalf.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<aside>\n\t\t<\/aside>\n<p><h3 class=\"jp-relatedposts-headline\"><em>Related<\/em><\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script type=\"pmdelayedscript\" data-cfasync=\"false\" data-no-optimize=\"1\" data-no-defer=\"1\" data-no-minify=\"1\">\n\t\t!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n\t\t{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n\t\tn.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n\t\tif(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n\t\tn.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n\t\tt.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n\t\ts.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n\t\t'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n\t\tfbq('init', '4661283417430900');\n\t\tfbq('track', 'PageView', {\"page_title\":\"Sacramento music scene gets a boost with new urban music awards show\",\"user_role\":\"guest\",\"event_url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/sacobserver.com\\\/2025\\\/09\\\/sacramento-music-scene-gets-a-boost-with-new-urban-music-awards-show\",\"post_type\":\"post\",\"post_id\":113580});\n\t\t<\/script><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source sacobserver.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>By Neenma Ebeledike | OBSERVER Staff Writer Sacramento\u2019s music culture runs deep. From jazz and gospel roots to hip-hop, R&amp;B, and soul, this city has always had rhythm. However, for years, many local artists have lacked a stage where they can be celebrated and honored. That changes with the Greater Sacramento Urban Music Awards. Greater [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2057474,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25179],"tags":[353260,383093,383094,383095,383096,383097,379965,383098,383099,362892,383100],"class_list":["post-2057473","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music","tag-carousel","tag-elle-nikole","tag-frances-wright","tag-greater-sacramento-urban-music-awards-gsuma","tag-jay-king","tag-juan-escovedo","tag-lenny-williams","tag-lucky-witherspoon","tag-neenma-ebeledike","tag-sacramento","tag-shawn-raiford"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Sacramento-music-scene-gets-a-boost-with-new-urban-music.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2057473","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2057473"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2057473\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2057474"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2057473"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2057473"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2057473"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}