One of many highlights of Soul Practice Awards 2023 was Janelle Monae’s highly effective acceptance speech after being introduced with the Spirit of Soul Award in the course of the present’s premiere on BET (Nov. 26).
Delivered earlier than a rapt and cheering viewers, the present Grammy Award nominee’s remarks fervently underscored the core mission of the annual ceremony, launched by Soul Practice dance present creator Don Cornelius in 1987.
Right here’s the complete textual content of Monae’s almost five-minute speech:
“There’s nothing like being acknowledged by your personal household. Thanks, Soul Practice. Thanks, BET, for protecting soul alive. So many individuals have reinvented that phrase. I’m so honored to have one thing like this for us that continues to evolve and showcase so many various types of what soul might be. As I take into consideration this second, [there are these] phrases: ‘I used to stroll into the room head down. I don’t stroll, now I float’ [reciting a lyric from their song “Float”]. Once I take into consideration the place my spirit is right this moment, my spirit is lighter. And as I take into consideration the phrase spirit, I do know y’all have heard this: Let the spirit use you, child. My grandmother would all the time say that. And I’m simply so grateful for her spirit. Her spirit was one in every of humbleness. Her spirit was one in every of caring for our household. She would all the time inform me, ‘Care for your loved ones, child.’
“And that’s what I’ve tried to do for the reason that starting of my profession: maintain my household. Y’all are my household. I needed to shine a light-weight on our neighborhood by way of my storytelling, by way of the artwork that I make by way of music, films, style; bringing it again round to us, to our Blackness, to our magnificence. And I can’t assist however take into consideration the spirit of so many who’ve needed to whisper to me, ‘thanks,’ in my ear as a result of they didn’t really feel seen. They didn’t really feel secure. They usually felt unheard for much too lengthy. I’m grateful to have the ability to present up for you. I’m grateful to point out up for my folks in methods which might be rooted in love. I’m grateful for that.
“I’m grateful for the spirit of so many who’ve come earlier than me. The spirit of Prince, whose spirit taught me ‘I’m not a lady. I’m not a person. I’m one thing that you simply’ll by no means perceive’ [lyric from Prince’s “I Would Die 4 U”]. I’m grateful for the spirit of Nina Simone, who jogs my memory that my job as an artist is to replicate the instances. I’m grateful for the spirit of Grace Jones, who encourages me to stay a free-ass MF. I’m grateful to the spirit of Earth, Wind & Hearth for reminding me if there ain’t no magnificence, make some magnificence. Have mercy [paraphrasing lyric from the band’s “All About Love”]. I’m grateful for the spirit of Stevie Marvel, who jogs my memory that love remains to be in want of affection right this moment [referencing the icon’s “Love’s in Need of Love Today”].
“As we proceed as a folks to combat towards the systemic injustices and abuses of energy which have gone unchallenged for means too lengthy, y’all … we see it world wide. We see what’s occurring. I ask us all to please let the spirit of affection use you. Let the spirit of kindness use you. Let the spirit of empathy use you. Let the spirit of peace be your information, all the time and eternally. And will our spirits information us towards making a secure and equitable area for our folks. Might all of us expertise pleasure, the spirit of true pleasure. I like you. Let the spirit use you, child.”