WASHINGTON — The 2025 Go-Go Awards returned this year with a clear message: Washington’s homegrown sound is alive, evolving and still deeply rooted in community.
Held at the historic Lincoln Theatre, the annual ceremony honored the artists, bands, and cultural stewards who continue to preserve and advance go-go music — a genre born in the District and officially recognized as the city’s music.
The sold-out event blended awards, live performances and tributes, drawing longtime go-go supporters, younger fans and city leaders alike. The night reflected go-go’s dual role as both entertainment and cultural expression — one tied closely to D.C.’s Black history, neighborhoods and activism.
The ceremony was organized by the Go-Go Museum & Cafe, whose leadership emphasized preservation and generational continuity. Organizers said the awards are not only about recognition, but about ensuring go-go remains visible and viable in a rapidly changing city.
Honoring the sound — old and new
Several longtime staples of the go-go scene were recognized for their lasting influence, while newer artists were acknowledged for carrying the genre forward.
Veteran bands, including Rare Essence, Junkyard Band and Backyard Ban,d were among those celebrated, drawing strong reactions from the audience. At the same time, younger bounce-beat acts received recognition, highlighting how go-go continues to adapt while maintaining its core sound.
Awards also extended beyond performers, recognizing managers, promoters and behind-the-scenes contributors whose work sustains the scene year-round — a reminder that go-go’s survival depends on more than just what happens on stage.
Performances and tributes anchor the night
Live performances were the backbone of the ceremony, with multiple sets transforming the theater into a full go-go experience rather than a traditional awards show. Audience members danced, sang along and responded in call-and-response fashion — a hallmark of the genre.
One of the most emotional moments of the night came during a tribute to Chuck Brown, widely regarded as the “Godfather of Go-Go.” Members of Brown’s band and family helped honor his legacy, underscoring his lasting influence on the music and the city itself.
The tribute reinforced a central theme of the evening: go-go’s history is inseparable from its future.
Culture, resistance and community
Speakers throughout the night referenced the role go-go has played beyond music, including its connection to the 2019 Don’t Mute D.C. movement and broader efforts to protect Black culture amid displacement and redevelopment.
Organizers and performers emphasized that go-go remains a living, community-driven art form — one that reflects neighborhood identity, collective memory and resistance.
By the end of the night, the Go-Go Awards functioned less as a ceremony and more as a reaffirmation: go-go belongs to D.C., and its survival depends on continued community investment, visibility and respect.
As the crowd exited onto U Street, many lingered, still talking, still moving to rhythms echoing from inside the theater — a reminder that go-go is not just something to be honored once a year, but something that continues to live wherever the beat is heard.
The Yaptain's Corner 
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