R&B musician and producer Charles "Express Yourself" Wright will honored today (Feb. 9) for a music career that spans five decades.
Wright, a lyricist noted for being the founder and leader of the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band, will be in good company as honorees include legendary singer/musician Stevie Wonder, former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley and U.S. District Judge Terry J. Hatter, Jr.
The group will be recognized by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Councilwoman Janice Hahn at the event, which takes place at 10 a.m.
in the John Ferrraro City Council Chambers at Los Angeles City Hall.
Music and acknowledgments will also be featured as well as the unveiling of the new Black Heritage Stamp by the Postmaster of Los Angeles.
After the council honors, the event will move to the South Lawn of City Hall. The ceremony marks the official kickoff of Los Angeles’
African-American History Month.
During his career, Wright became known for a string of hits during the ’60s and ’70s, including "Express Yourself," "Do Your Thing,"
"Loveland," "Your Love (Means Everything To Me)" and the underground classic "Ninety Day Cycle People." The entertainer’s music has been covered by variety of rap artists such as N.W.A., A Tribe Called Quest, Gang Starr, Brand Nubian, Naughty By Nature, Silk Da’ Shocker and "Diddy" Combs, in addition to singers Ray Charles, Roger Troutman & Zapp and Musiq Soulchild.
