Beyoncé, JAY-Z Highlight Platt Tribute
• Last Thursday evening, City of Hope honored Warner/Chappell Music Chairman & CEO Jon Platt. The annual event, held at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar, was hosted by Pharrell Williams and featured a special performance by Beyoncé, with JAY-Z presenting Platt with the prestigious Spirit of Life® award.
The black-tie gala, which was attended by such luminaries as Dr. Dre, Derek Fisher, Tiffany Haddish, Quincy Jones, Wiz Khalifa, Rita Ora, Bebe Rexha, Kelly Rowland, Timbaland, Justin Tranter and Usher, raised more than $6 million, which will go toward City Of Hope’s ongoing research and treatment of cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
Calling Platt “the Obama of the music industry,” JAY-Z said, “I can’t think of anyone more deserving to be prized in front of their peers, in front of the world, than my brother, Jon Platt.” In his acceptance speech, Platt commended City of Hope’s important work, saying, “At a time in our country when so much is broken, I think it’s important that we focus on those who are doing great in the world. People who devote their lives to fixing what ails us, to the people that are saving lives. And over the last few months I’ve had the privilege to meet with the people of City of Hope, the people that give City of Hope its name.”
Though initially hesitant about taking the spotlight, Platt emphasized how seriously he takes this honor — especially as an opportunity to shine a light on others, “As an African American CEO, I proudly embrace the responsibility to lend a helping hand to people of color who are coming up in this industry, as well as to represent my friends and my colleagues that are already doing good in this game.” Platt also thanked numerous people who he credited for getting him to where he is and helping him along the way, including the songwriters themselves: “I’d like to thank songwriters… songwriters who represent diversity in all its forms, as you continue to prove every day, that genius does not discriminate.”
The star-studded celebration, which kicked off with performances by Mary Mary and Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, culminated with the nonprofit’s first-ever after-party, DJ’d by Jermaine Dupri. [Platt/JAY-Z photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for City Of Hope; Beyoncé photo: Frank Micelotta]
