2026 Go-Go Awards Celebrate 50 Years of D.C.’s Music and Culture

Washington, D.C. celebrated 50 years of Go-Go music Tuesday night at the Go-Go Music Awards at the historic Lincoln Theatre in the Shaw neighborhood. Although Go-Go was officially named the sound of D.C. in 2020, the genre had been a defining part of the city’s culture for more than five decades. The sold-out event featured performances by the Chuck Brown Band, Kurtis Blow, Doug E. Fresh, and DJ Kool, among others. Organizers said the celebration highlighted the importance of preserving Go-Go’s legacy while passing the music and culture on to future generations.

Go-Go Museum founder Ron Moten emphasized the need to honor both past and present artists and to spotlight businesses across all eight D.C. wards. Several artists and curators were recognized, including legendary hip-hop producer Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor.

Mayor Muriel Bowser and Councilmember Kenyan McDuffie attended the event. With this year’s theme, “Returning to Our Roots and Embracing the Diaspora,” organizers said they plan to seek additional funding to move the awards to a larger venue in future years.