The second annual “iHeartRadio’s Living Black!” celebrated Black Culture and its impact in America with performances from Lizzo, Big Sean, H.E.R., Moneybagg Yo, Ari Lennox and moreatthe iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles and several Black-owned businesses across the country on February 23. Hosted by Donnell Rawlings, the event also featured special appearances from J. Cole, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Saweetie, Bas, Lil Nas X, Mary J.
Blige, Niecy Nash, Chandler Moore and more. The special event streamed exclusively on TikTok and broadcasted on iHeartMedia’s Hip-Hop and R&B stations and the iHeartRadio app. The event will be available via iHeartRadio’s YouTube and Facebook beginning February 24 at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT through March 6.
The special event, produced by Emmy and Grammy award-winning producer Rikki Hughes of Magic Lemonade and a 2022 AT&T Dream in Black Future Maker, and directed by Markel Ringer, paid homage to the culture that sets the trends, creates the moments, and moves the world. The show weaved once-in-a-lifetime performances into a powerful audio and visual celebration of the Black experience featuring artists, actors, creators, and Black leaders who have shaped culture. Many of the artists included in this year’s iHeartRadio Living Black! have made a major impact on the culture by sharing their music and perspective with the world’s most-passionate fans on TikTok.
iHeartRadio’s Living Black! included these special moments:
Big Sean shined bright at iHeartRadio Living Black! as he illuminated the room with his heartwarming performance at the iHeartRadio Theater in Los Angeles.
He performed live renditions of two very inspirational songs including “Light” off his 2017 album I Decided and “Guard Your Heart,” which is a part of his 2020 album Detroit 2. Moneybagg Yo took a different approach to performing his smash hits at the Black History month celebration. The rapper performed from a club in Memphis decked out in graffiti with his DJ and his drummer on each side of him.
He opened his set with a performance of his song “Time Today,” which stems from his 2021 album A Gangsta’s Pain. Midway through his set, Moneybagg Yo slowed things down to perform his latest hit “Scorpio.”
Lizzo reminded us all of the importance of self-love and giving back at iHeartRadio’s Living Black! Celebration.
She opened performance discussing humanitarianism, and how she gives back by saying “It feels so good to help others, especially now more than ever.” She continued, “We have access to the news 24/7 and we’re seeing the state of the world.