By: Lennard James

As the beat of Black culture continues to evolve, the stage upon which it performs is undergoing significant shifts. In a move that surprised both artists and fans, BET (Black Entertainment Television) recently announced the indefinite cancellation of two of its widely celebrated cultural staples, the BET Awards and the Soul Train Awards. These ceremonies have long served as important platforms to recognize Black excellence in music, entertainment, and culture. With their absence, a gap has been created in the celebration of urban artistry and the honoring of voices that shape our stories.

But from that gap, something meaningful is beginning to emerge. From the heart of the South—Memphis, Tennessee—the People’s Hip Hop Awards Experience is rising as a potential new center of cultural celebration, offering artists and audiences a genuine, inclusive, and distinctly Southern alternative. Powered by Telecast Media Group and its founder Michael Dockery, the People’s Hip Hop Awards is more than just a new show; it is a platform rooted in purpose, authenticity, and empowerment.

Memphis as a Growing Cultural Hub

Scheduled for August 16–18, 2025, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, the People’s Hip Hop Awards Experience is shaping up to be more than an awards ceremony. It is planned as a three-day celebration of culture, community, and creativity. With over 50 hip hop legends and rising stars coming together in Memphis for this inaugural event, the weekend has the potential to be a significant moment for both the South and hip hop as a whole.

This experience combines performance with purpose—featuring not just concerts, but also artist development workshops, community givebacks, celebrity brunches, and free public showcases. At its core, the mission is clear: to return ownership of the culture to the people who have long shaped it.

Telecast Media Group Steps Forward in the Cultural Space

With BET stepping back from its annual celebrations, the cultural spotlight has become available to those bold enough to step forward and claim it. Michael Dockery, founder and CEO of Telecast Media Group, has taken on that responsibility with intention and vision.

For over a decade, Dockery has worked quietly to build a media company focused on amplifying Black voices across music, film, and digital content. As a Memphis native, Dockery understands the value of community and culture because he was raised in it. His vision for Telecast Media Group is focused on creating national opportunities for independent artists, creators, and storytellers who have often been overlooked by mainstream media.

Where BET’s focus may have shifted to broader commercial interests, Telecast is returning to its roots—investing in creators at the grassroots level and building a platform that allows them to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

“For the Culture” Isn’t Just a Tagline—It’s the Foundation

The People’s Hip Hop Awards Experience was created with the belief that Southern culture—and hip hop specifically—deserves more than just secondary recognition. For too long, Southern artists were seen as regional talents instead of national influencers. But it was the South that birthed the trap movement. It was the South that brought independent hustle into mainstream consciousness. And it is the South that continues to influence the global soundscape.

This awards experience reflects that power and resilience. Hosted by actor Omar Gooding and Memphis vocal talent Lil Rounds, the show will feature performances by Southern icons including Big Boogie, Trillville, Young Buck, Crime Mob, Kin Folks Thug, No Limit Soldiers featuring Silkk the Shocker and Mama Mia X, EastSide Boyz, and Li Chat & Krunchy Black of 3-6 Mafia.
But beyond the stage, the event is building something lasting. On August 16, community-focused pop-up events, panels, and workshops will take place across the city. August 17 will feature the Celebrity Brunch at “Serv” and a free pre-show concert giving emerging artists a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform before industry legends and media outlets. August 18 will close the weekend with community service initiatives including expungement clinics, school supply drives, and scholarships for Memphis youth.

Elevating Black Excellence Through New Opportunities

With the departure of long-standing award shows like BET and Soul Train, there is increasing concern about who will continue to document, reward, and amplify Black cultural achievements. The People’s Hip Hop Awards Experience aims to not only preserve this tradition but to elevate it—with authenticity, grassroots involvement, and a commitment to maintaining the original integrity of the culture.

Michael Dockery and the Telecast Media Group team understand that celebration without impact is hollow. That’s why their mission goes beyond trophies and titles—it’s about empowering the next generation of artists, re-establishing Memphis as a cultural hub, and providing national visibility to creatives who deserve the spotlight.

This isn’t about replacing BET—it’s about returning to the values BET once represented.

The Moment Is Now

As hip hop celebrates 50 years of influence, continuing to shape political movements, fashion, social media, and the global economy, the People’s Hip Hop Awards arrives at a significant moment. It represents a movement that demands recognition for those who built this culture, who have sustained it, and who will lead it forward.

BET may have exited the stage, but Memphis is stepping into the spotlight. And with Telecast Media Group at the helm, the future of Black entertainment—and Black excellence—is not just secure. It is poised for growth.

To learn more, secure tickets, or apply for media credentials, visit ticketmaster.com or contact.