Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame Honors James Brown, More Icons

The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame announced its third class of inductees at Cincinnati’s Hard Rock Cafe on May 30.

New inductees include the R&B group The Deele, gospel composer Louise Shropshire, The Spinners’ Philippe Wynne, and most notably, the "Godfather of Soul" James Brown.

Brown permanently put the historical Cincinnati-grown King Records on the map with hits like “Get On Up” and “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag.” His fame generated a great deal of profit and notoriety for the label. The King Records Legacy Foundation launched in 2021 as a collaboration between City of Cincinnati officials, the neighborhood of Evanston and former King Records recording artists Otis Williams, Philip Paul, Bootsy Collins and others.

The Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame debuted in Summer 2022 at The Andrew J. Brady Music Center and recognizes musicians with roots in Hamilton County and Southeastern Ohio who have greatly impacted funk, opera, hip-hop, gospel, R&B, rock, and more.

Check out scenes from the latest unveiling of stars to be honored in the Black Music Walk of Fame.

Photos by Emory Davis