WHITE PLAINS, NY. (Top40 Charts/ Heineken USA) - Heineken announced today the recipients of the 2007 Heineken Independent Achiever Award, which will be presented during each Heineken Red Star Soul concert event. Heineken created Red Star Soul and the Independent Achiever Award to provide a platform to recognize and celebrate individual achievement in music both on the stage and behind the scenes. The award, established in 2006, honors individuals who demonstrate the hustle, integrity and drive to succeed while inspiring others along the way. Each recipient will be presented with the award at Heineken Red Star Soul concert events headlined by GRAMMY Award winners Alicia Keys, Common,
Erykah Badu and
Raphael Saadiq.
Award recipients represent a host city of the Heineken Red Star Soul concert series. This year's recipients include:
- Antonio "AD the Voice" Delgado - Los Angeles-based Oxford-educated hip hop artist and Co-CEO of Statik Entertainment.
- DJ Jazzy Jeff - DJ and producer who achieved acclaim from his work with the Fresh Prince and has since become synonymous with the soulful sounds of South Philly through his work with Musiq Soul Child, Jill Scott and many others.
- Gerald Levert - the late legendary Cleveland-based R&B artist best known for his work with the trio LeVert as well as LSG, an R&B group comprising Keith Sweat, Johnny Gill and Levert.
- J. Carter - Founder of Atlanta's premier event promotion company, Sol Fusion.
- J. Dilla - the late Detroit producer served as an inspiration to a generation of artists and is considered by many the embodiment of modern music's soulful sound.
- No ID - Innovative Chicago producer who introduced Kanye West to the art of hip-hop production and who himself produced beats for Common and many others.
- Ralph McDaniels - New York-based founder of Video Music Box, the first TV program ever to feature hip-hop videos.
- W. Ellington Felton - a Modern day Renaissance man, Ellington has gained a cult-like following on the D.C. live music circuit.
The award recipients were selected by a distinguished committee featuring three-time Grammy Award winning producer and songwriter, Bryan Michael Cox; Vice President of Writer Publisher Relations at BMI, Catherine Brewton; "industry insider" Kenny Burns; and recipients of the 2006 Heineken Independent Achiever Awards - current musical sensation, Raheem DeVaughn; and founder of Atlanta's FunkJazzKafe, Jason Orr.
"When we met to discuss the nominees for the Heineken Independent Achiever Award, we searched for individuals who have made a significant contribution to music, but who may not have received the public recognition and respect they deserve for their hustle, integrity and dedication," said Cox. "I'm proud to be associated with this program and pleased to be able to recognize guys like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Ralph McDaniels and J. Dilla; true pioneers who have inspired generations."
"Through the involvement of our selection committee, we hope to shine an even greater spotlight on the incredible accomplishments of this year's Heineken Independent Achievement Award recipients. We are honored that these five music luminaries believed in the vision of Heineken Red Star Soul and shared our passion for recognizing on-stage and behind the scenes talent that are have long inspired and rewarded music lovers around the world," said Andy Glaser, Heineken Brand Director.
Heineken Red Star Soul
Heineken Red Star Soul is a series of live musical concerts and events created by Heineken to celebrate and recognize emerging and established artists and individuals who have blazed independent paths to success in soul and R&B music. The 2007 Heineken Red Star Soul experience will feature performances by highly regarded artists Alicia Keys, Common, Erykah Badu and Raphael Saadiq.
