Trending
Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty
We will always be here for the honoring of Black music icons, especially when it comes to the prestigious honor of receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
That’s why we couldn’t think of a better soul, or soul legend, who’s a more deserving recipient other than the head honcho of Parliament-Funkadelic himself, George Clinton.
RELATED: 20 Black Musicians Who Deserve A Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
The age-defying 82-year-old father of funk was given an official induction ceremony last Friday (January 19) on the iconic Hollywood Boulevard in California. On board to help bestow Clinton with the honorific title was friend and musical contemporary Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, songwriter Janie Bradford and even a handful of fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi. The latter has adopted his hit single, “Atomic Dog,” as the organization’s national anthem for over 40 years.
Take a look below at what George Clinton had to say during his Hollywood Walk Of Fame induction speech, via Billboard:
“Noting to audience laughter that he was going to read his speech ‘because I’m so emotional and ain’t no way in hell I’m going to remember all this s—,’ the newly minted Hollywood Walk of Fame inductee called it an ‘honor to receive a star alongside the many notables from the world of entertainment. The old fans and new fans who let the music move their souls; you all know who I’m talking about [because] I’ve always said it’s the people who make the funk. [Also] thank you to the Omega Psi Phi fraternity] brothers who adopted ‘Atomic Dog’ as their national anthem and keeping it relevant for over 40 years. Damn! 40 years. Now as we drop the star, let it be a symbol not just for George Clinton but for the power of the funk, the power of unity of one nation under a groove. This acknowledgement does not mark a destination or even a pause because we’re still going forward. I was encouraged by [artists] like Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, De La Soul, 2Pac, Kendrick Lamar, Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers and all those who said funk inspired them. They used the DNA of funk and that inspired me to go on in my fight for musical rights — thank you, Ben Crump — and not just for me but for all [artists’] rights that have been mishandled.’”
We can’t begin to describe how long overdue this is, but we’re just delighted to see the OG getting what’s rightfully his. Congrats, king — do that stuff!
RELATED TAGS
An Urban One Brand
Copyright © 2024 Interactive One, LLC. All Rights Reserved.