Music icon Smokey Robinson will receive the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the 15th Annual BET Awards, the network announced on Wednesday.
The legendary R&B singer, songwriter and record producer will be celebrated for his 50-year career in music, over which Robinson has been credited with more than 4,000 songs. His work has earned him a number of accolades such as the Grammy Living Legend Award, NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award, Kennedy Center Honors and the National Medal of Arts Award.
Robinson has also been inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and served as the Vice President of Motown Records.
Radio icon Tom Joyner will also be honored with the Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic efforts. The host of “The Tom Joyner Show” created his own foundation in 1998 to fund initiatives that have since raised more than $60 million to help keep students in historically black colleges and universities.
Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross will host the show. Chris Brown and Kendrick Lamar are among the performers, with Michael B. Jordan and Zendaya among the presenters.
Stephen G. Hill, Connie Orlando, Jesse Collins and Lynne Harris Taylor will serve as Executive Producers for the BET Awards, which will take place along with the BET Experience at L.A. Live in Los Angeles from June 25-28.
The BET Awards will air live from L.A.’s Microsoft