JANS – The Jackson Music Awards, the premiere music event in the Magnolia State, celebrated its 50th year of recognizing Mississippians making the biggest impact in the music industry. The stellar event, a joint venture by entertainment promoters Jesse Thompson and Lee King, was held July 29, 2024, at the Jackson Convention Complex. To mark the momentous occasion, four music icons were honored – Dorothy Moore, The Bar-Kay’s, Bobby Rush, Lenny Williams, and Benny Latimore.
Official winners for the golden year were:
NATIONAL PRODUCER OF THE YEAR – Omar Cunningham
R&B GROUP OF THE YEAR – The J Morris Group
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR – Omar Cunningham
NATIONAL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR – J’Cenae
NATIONAL MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Cupid
NATIONAL CD OF THE YEAR – Mufassa II – Jeter Jones
SOUL ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Cecily Wilborn
NATIONAL BLUES ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Mr. Sipp
MISSISSIPPI SPOTLIGHT ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Bre Wooten
BEST RECORDING BY A SINGLE ARTIST – “It’s Over” – King George
RECORD OF THE YEAR – “Boot Scoot” – Willie Clayton
KING MOSE MEMORIAL AWARD – Melody Hudson
HIP HOP ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR – DJ Finesse
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR – Dexter Allen
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR (THE JOBIE MARTIN AWARD) – Stefunie
HIP HOP ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR – Meezy
R&B DISC JOCKEY OF THE YEAR – Lady V
JAZZ GROUP OF THE YEAR – The Kimble Funches Quartet
FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Stefunie
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR – Malcolm Shepherd, Jr.
STATEWIDE R&B ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR – D. Brown – WJMG, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
NATIONAL ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR – Bobby Rush
PROMOTER OF THE YEAR – Yolanda Singleton
Forty-six years ago, the Jackson Music Awards added a gospel version of the music awards which was held July 28. Honorees were:
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR – Lillian Lilly
GROUP OF THE YEAR – The Mickens
SONG OF THE YEAR BY A NATIONAL SINGLE ARTIST – Maurice Yancy – “One Foot In”
JACKSON GOSPEL RADIO ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR – Larry Armstrong
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR – Terrance Evans
NATIONAL GROUP OF THE YEAR – The Christianaires
MALE LEAD SINGER OF THE YEAR (THE JIMMIE RAY LEWIS AWARD) – Minister Cornelius Cooley
MISSISSIPPI SPOTLIGHT ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Ben Cone and Worship
ALBUM OF THE YEAR RECORDED BY AN UPCOMING ARTIST – Only 4 Jesus – “New Beginning: A Step up in Faith”
STATEWIDE GOSPEL ANNOUNCER OF THE YEAR – Jonas Ross – WYAD, Yazoo City
THE LINZY “DON” DIXON MEMORIAL AWARD – Kenneth Brown
The latest addition to the Jackson Music Awards, now in its tenth year, City with Soul Awards Show, saw rising star Rita Brent take center stage as Comedian of the Year. Other awardees were:
Night Club of the Year – Hal & Mal’s
BEAUTY SHOP OF THE YEAR – Eva’s Family Hair Care
BARBER SHOP OF THE YEAR – Male Image
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR – Josephine’s Kitchen
CLUB DJ OF THE YEAR – DJ Phingaprint
DANCE GROUP OF THE YEAR – Elite Dance Fitness
