The D.C. Go-Go Awards

November 19, 2006. Go-go music, Washington D.C.'s very own unique brand, has long been a staple of the area’s urban community. Go-go is to D.C. what water is to the Potomac River. It’s just that essential.

Many long-time and up-and-coming Go-go artists finally got their due recognition Sunday night with the area’s first ever D.C. Go-go awards, hosted by radio station, 93.9 WYKS. Due to such an overwhelming response, the event, originally scheduled to be held at The Lincoln Theatre, was changed to DAR Constitution Hall in order to accommodate the unsuspected amount of ticket holders.

Go-go, a specific blend of percussion, bass guitar, African rhythms, and an audience call and response set to lyrics and rap is a tempo of music that flows in concession. The music is called go-go because the beat seemingly doesn’t end. It just keeps on go-ing.

Many R&B songs, as well as rap songs, have been transformed into Go-go, offering a slower version of its original beat enabling dancers on the dance floor to keep dancing without having to wait for the beginning of another song.

The music is such a phenomenon in and of it self that it transcends gender, race, age, and demographics. Looking around at the award's audience one could readily see grandparents (many of whom grew up on the music), adults, teens, and young children. From S.E., Washington, its birthplace; to Maryland and Virginia, and across the country, this genre of music has a huge fan base.

D.C.’s newest elected mayor, Adrian Fenty, stopped by the awards show to let the audience know that “The new Mayor of D.C. is a go-go fan".

Previous District mayor, Marion Barry, also made an appearance and said he grew up on go-go music as well.

(Ralph) Anwon "Big G" Glover, D.C.'s own, and cast member of HBO's television series, The Wire, told the audience to celebrate the go-go music awards. "This is our music. This is our night", said the former Backyard Band member.

Live performances featured artists Wale, D.C. bred, Tabi Bonney, The Junkyard Band, and Rare Essence.

DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine caught up with one of Go-go music’s founding artists, Sugar Bear, of the group EU (Experience Unlimited) who told us that “It’s about time we had a go-go awards”. Sugar Bear mentioned that the group's 1970s hit song, Doin' Tha Butt, was the best selling go-go song of all time, selling more than 3.4 million copies. The song, was featured in Spike Lee's 1988 movie, School Daze, which depicted college life at a black university.

DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine also caught up with the evening’s Life Time Achievement Award recipient, the Godfather of Go-go, Chuck Brown. Mr. Brown has long been responsible for creating the Go-go sound.

“I love my trade”, said Chuck, one that started when he was 24 years old and spans over 45 years.

Having played with several different bands over his career, Chuck credits the local artists he’s worked with including Thomas Smith, Joe Manley, ‘Sugarfoot’, Lloyd Pinchback, and drummer, Frank Webber.

Chuck told DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine that he just finished recording a new CD (yet to be titled). Also a jazz artist, DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine asked Chuck if he had any plans to create a jazz CD.

“Yes, perhaps in six months”, he said.

Having celebrated his 70th birthday by performing at the 930 Club this past August, DC Urban LifeStyle Magazine asked the Go-go Godfather if he had any plans to slow down or to retire from music.

Chuck replied, “As long I’m still getting hired, and not fired, there’s no need to be retired”.

Awards also were given for the catergories of Best Go-Go Male Singer, Best Go-Go Band of the Year, Best Go-Go DJ, Best Go-Go Designer, and more.

For the complete list of categories and winners, click here.