Sylvia Rhone Receives Ultimate Icon Award at 2026 BET Awards, Calls for Protection of Black Creativity

Sylvia Rhone was presented the Ultimate Icon award at the 2026 BET Awards, held at the Peacock Theater, by Kelly Rowland, recognizing her influence in music.

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The music industry is experiencing massive technological change, with new tools altering how music is created and shared.

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Rhone warned that algorithms now shape music discovery, creating both opportunities and risks. She described the era as a time of massive technological change, noting that possibilities are super exciting but urging leaders to stay as active on the tech side of music as on the soulful side, emphasizing that creators make the algorithm, not the reverse. She warned that without active involvement, the algorithm could dictate artistic direction.

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Rhone’s career includes developing Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Stevie Wonder, Lil Wayne, En Vogue, Tracy Chapman, Erykah Badu, Brandy, Kid Cudi, Gerald Levert, Anita Baker, Tamia, MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, Yolanda Adams, Akon, Fabolous, and Ol Dirty Bastard.

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Rhone said Black creativity is a powerful global force that deserves continuous protection. She called for honoring musicians, compensating creators, celebrating music as an art form, and ensuring the next generation of artists has the resources to shape culture.

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Rhone emphasized that Black creativity has historically shaped culture and continues to show the world new ways to see and feel, making its protection both an economic and cultural imperative.

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The source provides no dissenting viewpoints.

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No contradictions or missing data are noted.

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• “We’ve seen musical ideas become movements, and what we know is this: Black creativity is one of the most powerful forces in the world; it has shaped culture and continues to show the world new ways to see and feel,” — Sylvia Rhone, Ultimate Icon award recipient

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• “That creativity deserves one continued protection.” — Sylvia Rhone

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• “Music needs us to stand up for it like never before, because we are living through a time of massive technological change. The possibilities are super exciting, but we must stay as active on the tech side of music as we are on the soulful side. We make the algorithm, the algorithm doesn’t make us.” — Sylvia Rhone

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• “we must compensate the creator,” — Sylvia Rhone

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• “ RELATED: Nia Long Praises Jaafar Jackson For ‘Michael’ Success: “It Was A Joy Watching You Transform Into Your Uncle Right Before Our Eyes” Watch on Deadline Rhone noted that “we must honor the musician” and “we must compensate the creator,” adding, ” Let us celebrate music as the art form it is, and let us make sure the next generation of artists has the opportunity to create the songs that will change the world.” — Sylvia Rhone

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Rhone urged continued industry engagement with technology and sustained protection of creators to enable future cultural impact.

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