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NAACP Image Awards: 10 People On Our Wish List For DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Afterparty

Who doesn't want to see Dionne Warwick throw it to Anthony Hamilton?

If you witnessed the wildly popular all-star pass the mic jams that were part of the President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris inaugural programs, you’ll love DJ Cassidy’s latest creation: Pass The Mic: The BET After Party.

The event is scheduled to air immediately after the NAACP Image Awards on March 27, and is the first of six specials set to follow the network’s annual awards shows or other major programming.

“When I created Pass The Mic last spring in my living room, I simply wanted to connect people through music and never imagined I would soon be producing it for television on BET,” he said. “I grew up watching my musical heroes on Video Soul and Rap City, shows that defined the deejay I became. I am truly honored to collaborate with visionaries like Connie Orlando, Jesse Collins, and Steve Rifkind and partner with BET to elevate Pass The Mic to an even higher plane of inspiration and celebration.”

The 52nd NAACP Image Awards will air LIVE on BET and simulcast across ViacomCBS Networks including CBS, BET Her, VH1, MTV, MTV2, and LOGO on Saturday, March 27th, 2021 at 8/7c.

Here are 10 all-stars on our wish list of participants in DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic: The BET After Party:

  1. DIONNE WARWICK

    The self-styled queen of Twitter is a living legend, and one of the music industry's most successful talents. We would love to hear the voice of this multiple-Grammy Award winner, and Hall of Famer, at this magnificent celebration of Black talent. 

  2. PATTI LABELLE

    (Photo by Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

    Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET

    (Photo by Paras Griffin/BET/Getty Images for BET)

    LaBelle has been inspiring audiences worldwide with her powerful voice for over 50 years. Born Patricia Louise Holte, we know the former lead singer of Labelle (best known for the soul classic “Lady Marmalade”) can still belt it out.

  3. DIANA ROSS

    (Photo by Michael Caulfield/WireImage for BET Network)

    Michael Caulfield/WireImage for BET Network

    (Photo by Michael Caulfield/WireImage for BET Network)

    Ain't No Mountain High Enough’’ (yes, pun intended) to keep us from watching DJ Cassidy pass the mic to this diva. The singer-actress has been rewriting history since she gained notoriety as the lead singer of iconic Motown girl group the Supremes. We also love how she shows up for her five children: Tracee, Evan, Rhonda, Chudney, and Ross.

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  5. QUEEN LATIFAH

    (Photo by C Flanigan/Getty Images)

    Photo by C Flanigan/Getty Images

    (Photo by C Flanigan/Getty Images)

    Before she became an actress and turned herself into a bankable brand, the Newark, New Jersey native ruled over hip hop. In the 1980s, “she started out beatboxing for the rap group Ladies Fresh before her solo demo, the rockers-laced ‘Princess of the Posse,’ caught the attention of MTV Raps VJ Fab Five Freddy,” according to BET. Yes, please pass the mic to the Queen.  

  6. CHAKA KHAN

    (Photo by Ryan Miller/Getty Images)

    Ryan Miller/Getty Images

    (Photo by Ryan Miller/Getty Images)

    The iconic singer has influenced generations of musicians with her soaring vocals. We would love to hear her belt out one of her singles, including "Sweet Thing," "Ain't Nobody," "I Feel for You," "Through the Fire," "I'm Every Woman" and "Tell Me Something Good." Pass the mic to her again, please!

  7. INDIA ARIE

    (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

    Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards

    (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)

    India Arie is one of the towering figures of neo-soul, according to BET. “Her thoughtful hits like “I Am Not My Hair” challenged beauty norms,” and continues to resonate today. We need more of this as we emerge from the pandemic with our natural hairdos. Pass the mic, please!

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  9. ANTHONY HAMILTON

    (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

    Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

    (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

    Before crooning his way to notoriety in his appearance on the chorus on the Nappy Roots’ single Po’ Folks in 2002, Hamilton was a backup singer on D’Angelo’s Voodoo tour, BET notes. Since breaking out on his own, the soulful infused Gospel singer earned a Grammy in 2009 for his collaboration with Al Green on “You’ve Got the Love I Need.” He has won multiple Grammy nominations, including in 2018 for “What I’m Feelin’,’’ “Charlene” in 2005, and his 2003 album, Comin’ From Where I’m From, which earned three Grammy Award nominations. Pass him the mic, please!

  10. USHER

    (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

    Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

    (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)

    The singer was 13 years old when he was discovered on Star Search by a LaFace A & R rep. Two years later, he released, Raymond, his self-titled debut album, an effort that was led by Sean Combs. Since then, he has released eight studio albums, scoring several Grammy wins, and BET Awards. Pass him the mic, please!

  11. ERYKA BADU

    (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for BET)

    Ethan Miller/Getty Images for BET

    (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for BET)

    Eryka Badu is a definite yes for us! Her “fluttering vocals have been wooing audiences since her triple-platinum debut album, Baduizm, was released in 1997,” BET notes. The star has also won acclaim for her acting skills, garnering a role in the 1998 film, Cider House Rules. Pass her the mic so she can drop the mic.
     

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  13. BRIAN MCKNIGHT

    (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET)

    Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET

    (Photo by Maury Phillips/Getty Images for BET)

    As the nation continues to recover from the COVD-19 pandemic, we need to hear from McKnight who has emerged as R&B’s love doctor. With the 1993 debut of his self-titled LP, “the Grammy-nominated singer solidified his role as the ultimate soul man with 1997’s double-platinum LP Anytime and 1999’s triple platinum Back at One,” BET writes.

  14. Watch the 52nd Annual NAACP awards on BET on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 8/7C

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