Davido, Ludacris, Organized Noize Join 2027 BMEWOF Class

Who Is Being Inducted Into the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame in 2027

The Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame (BMEWOF) has announced its Black History Month Class of 2027. The six inductees are Afrobeats artist Davido, Atlanta rapper and actor Ludacris, legendary Atlanta production trio Organized Noize, gospel and church leader Bishop Paul S. Morton, radio and concert promoter Jack the Rapper, and the late Honorable Maynard H. Jackson, Atlanta's first Black mayor.

The BMEWOF is a joint initiative of the Black American Music Association, a 501(c)(6) trade organization founded in 2017, and the Black American Music Foundation. The organization was founded by music industry veterans Catherine Brewton, Demmette Guidry, and Michael T. Mauldin. This marks the Walk of Fame's fifth year of induction ceremonies.

Each inductee receives what the organization calls a Crown Jewel of Excellence emblem, installed permanently at the Walk of Fame's location in downtown Atlanta at the intersection of M.L.K. Jr. Drive and Northside Drive, adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

About the Inductees

Davido, born David Adedeji Adeleke, is a Nigerian-American artist who has become one of the most prominent figures in Afrobeats globally. His inclusion signals the Walk of Fame's reach beyond American-born artists.

Ludacris, born Chris Bridges in Champaign, Illinois, built his career largely out of Atlanta. He is a Grammy-winning rapper and actor known for his work in the Fast and Furious film franchise and albums including Word of Mouf and Chicken-N-Beer.

Organized Noize is the Atlanta-based production collective of Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Sleepy Brown. They are widely credited with shaping the sound of Southern hip-hop, producing foundational work for OutKast and Goodie Mob in the 1990s and beyond.

Bishop Paul S. Morton is a gospel artist, pastor, and founder of the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. He has released numerous gospel albums and is considered a significant figure in the bridge between traditional gospel and contemporary church music.

Jack the Rapper refers to Jack Gibson, a pioneering Black radio DJ and promoter who founded the Jack the Rapper Family Affair convention, an annual gathering that for decades served as a key networking event for Black music industry professionals.

Maynard H. Jackson served three terms as Mayor of Atlanta and is recognized for dramatically increasing minority business participation in city contracts. His inclusion alongside music figures reflects the BMEWOF's stated goal of honoring civic leaders alongside entertainment icons.

When and Where the BMEWOF 2027 Induction Ceremony Takes Place

The induction ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, February 11, 2027, in Atlanta, Georgia. The host hotel for the event is the Signia by Hilton Atlanta, which opened adjacent to Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The ceremony falls during Black History Month, consistent with how the organization has timed previous induction classes.

Previous inductees listed by the organization include Prince, James Brown, Beyoncé, Quincy Jones, OutKast, Missy Elliott, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Stevie Wonder, Berry Gordy, Lil Wayne, Nas, Jermaine Dupri, Mary J. Blige, Usher, and others across music, film, and sports. The full list of past inductees is available at blackwalkoffame.com. The organization can also be followed at @blackwalkoffame on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.

What Independent Artists Can Take From This

The BMEWOF's inductee list this year moves across genres, generations, and national borders, covering production (Organized Noize), live event infrastructure (Jack the Rapper), gospel, Afrobeats, and hip-hop. For independent artists, the range is worth paying attention to. Recognition in this industry does not follow a single lane, and the people who built the systems behind the music, promoters, producers, civic supporters, often get honored alongside the performers themselves.

If you are an independent artist building your own story and want to share your work with our community, [submit your music or project here](/submit). For upcoming events in Atlanta and Los Angeles, check the [events calendar](/events). And if you want to discover what is moving in the culture right now, [Pass the Aux](/pass-the-aux) is a good place to start.