Ledisi, Q-Tip, and Gilberto Santa Rosa to Receive Honorary Doctorates at Berklee 2024 Commencement The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 11.
By
Tori Donahue
April 10, 2024
Ledisi, Q-Tip, and Gilberto Santa Rosa will receive honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music at its 2024 commencement ceremony.
Ron T. Young
Image courtesy of the artist
Jose Perez Mesa from Puro Enfoque
Berklee College of Music will present honorary Doctor of Music degrees to global superstars and Grammy Award-winning artists Ledisi, Q-Tip, and Gilberto Santa Rosa at its 2024 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 11, at 10:00 a.m. at Boston University's Agganis Arena.
Commencement festivities will begin on the evening of Friday, May 10, at 7:30 p.m. with a reception and concert at Agganis Arena. The concert will feature a global cast of over 200 student vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, arrangers, and track producers from the graduating class, who will perform a musical tribute to the work of each of the honorees.
This year's honorary doctorate recipients will be celebrated and recognized for their invaluable contributions to the worlds of music and philanthropy. Past recipients from the college include Duke Ellington (the first, in 1971), Aretha Franklin, Quincy Jones '51, Celine Dion, B.B. King, Joni Mitchell, Chaka Khan, esperanza spalding B.M. '05, Usher, Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott, Ringo Starr, Tito Puente, Gloria Estefan, Roberta Flack, Juan Luis Guerra '82, Rita Moreno, and John Legend.
LedisiLedisi, a Grammy Award-winning artist hailed as one of the most captivating vocalists of her generation, is a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Over the course of her career, Ledisi has continually pushed boundaries and redefined the soul and R&B genres with her electrifying performances and powerful storytelling. Born in New Orleans and raised in Oakland, Ledisis journey to stardom is a testament to her unwavering passion and dedication to her craft. From her early beginnings performing in local clubs to gracing the worlds most prestigious stages, including a sold-out performance at Carnegie Hall, she has captivated audiences with her soul-stirring voice and magnetic stage presence.
Ledisis remarkable talent has earned her critical acclaim and numerous accolades throughout her career. With 15 Grammy nominations, including a win for Best Traditional R&B Performance for Anything for You, her impact on the music industry is undeniable. Her chart-topping singles, including Pieces of Me, have solidified her status as a trailblazer in contemporary soul music. Ledisis commitment to artistic excellence extends beyond the music industry. As an actress, author, and advocate, Ledisi has used her platform to uplift and inspire others. Her notable film roles in Leatherheads and Spinning Gold, along with her acclaimed portrayals of Mahalia Jackson in Remember Me and Selma, have showcased her versatility and talent.
In addition to her artistic endeavors, Ledisi has been inducted into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. and served as past president of the Los Angeles chapter of the Recording Academy, further solidifying her influence and impact in the entertainment industry. Ledisi has advocated many times on Capitol Hill for the rights of writers and performers. She is currently an artist in residence with the Berklee Institute of Jazz and Gender Justice, which she joined in the fall of 2022.
Q-Tip Q-Tip, famously known for cofounding A Tribe Called Quest, has solidified his position as one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history. His innovative fusion of rap, jazz, and various other styles, paired with socially conscious lyrics, has earned him widespread acclaim.
A Tribe Called Quest released their sixth and final album, We Got It from Here...Thank You 4 Your Service, in November 2016, receiving glowing reviews from critics and fans alike. Q-Tips unorthodox approach to hip-hop and his appreciation for diverse genres have propelled him to success as both a solo artist and producer. Collaborating with an array of celebrated musicians including the Beastie Boys, Busta Rhymes, J Dilla, Janet Jackson, Queen Latifah, Pharrell Williams, Mark Ronson, and Mary J. Blige, he has continually pushed the boundaries of artistic expression. His recent collaborations include Solange, Kendrick Lamar, Arcade Fire, and the Chemical Brothers.
His solo albums, including Amplified, the Grammy-nominated The Renaissance, and Kamaal the Abstract, have garnered critical acclaim, showcasing his versatility and innovation. Q-Tip is currently scheduled to release another solo album in late 2024.
Beyond music, Q-Tips artistic exploration extends into acting, film production, advocacy, education, and ambassadorship of hip-hop culture. He brings his industry expertise to the Kennedy Center as an artistic director, curating a full season of hip-hop programming across disciplines, transforming the performing arts center into a beacon of hip-hop culture and history for years to come. Through his multifaceted contributions, Q-Tip continues to shape the landscape of contemporary music and cultural discourse.
Gilberto Santa Rosa Gilberto Santa Rosa's musical elegance and style has made him one of the most prominent figures in popular music. His countless accolades in the recording industry have reaffirmed his validity through the years, among them the 2002 American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers' Latin Heritage Award, five Latin Grammys, and the 2021 Latin Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He has made record sales history as an artist, including a multitude of gold, platinum, and multiplatinum album certifications, and is the Guinness World Record holder for the most number-one hits on Billboard's Tropical Albums chart, making him one of the most successful La
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
07/10/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, today announced the latest Long-Term Supported (LTS) release of Dalet Flex. Build...
06/09/2026
June 9 2026, 23:00 (PDT) Dolby and MagentaTV Bring Fans Closer to the FIFA Worl...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
20/08/2026
IPC Expands Brazilian Presence with New Channel Partner CCATech
Industry veterans Carlos Abrah o and Bruno Lopes strengthen local support and expand IPCs prese...
20/08/2026
Zixi Enters Mauritius Market Through Strategic Deployment with MTC Jockey Club
Worlds Oldest Horse Racing Club in the Southern Hemisphere Selects Zixis Softwar...
20/08/2026
LA JOLLA, CA-Scripps Research assistant professor Tiantian Liu has received a five-year NIAID DP2 award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Di...
20/08/2026
Audiences reveal appetite for multicultural Australia on-screen 20 August 2026
Dr Georgie McClean, Dr Rebecca Huntley (L-R)
By Dr Georgie McClean and Dr Rebec...
20/08/2026
How Mavis Studio Is Expanding Live Production Teaching at Sussex
Brie Clayton August 19, 2026
0 Comments
Hero image displays a student about to mix be...
20/08/2026
Vertical Unscripted Series Legal Queens Captured with Blackmagic Design
Brie Clayton August 19, 2026
0 Comments
Reality TV veteran Eric Gardner create...
19/08/2026
As the cost of IP nears price parity with traditional SDI, Reynolds argues that ...
19/08/2026
A private 5G bubble was chosen instead of traditional broadcast RF for the race ...
19/08/2026
(L-R) Rafael Manuel and Isabel Sicat attend the Filipi ana premiere during the 2026 Sundance Film Festival at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2026, in Park Cit...
19/08/2026
Studio owners invited to have their say on rates cuts
The Music Producers Guild (MPG) are inviting UK-based studios to take part in an in-depth survey that ...
19/08/2026
Vintage-inspired desktop interface revealed
Harrison's latest hardware offering sees them head into the world of audio interfaces, delivering a 10-in/12...
19/08/2026
Granular effect remains locked to scale and tempo
Described as your dream granular effect , Minimal Audio's latest creation is capable of turning any s...
19/08/2026
First polyphonic SWAM instrument incoming
Audio Modeling's latest physical-modelling orchestral instrument is just around the corner, and is now availab...
19/08/2026
World Cup Games Generate 84 Billion Minutes Across FOX, Fox Sports 1 and NBCU...
19/08/2026
July brought typical peak-holiday drops in viewership, driven primarily by viewers stepping away from screens and a visible decline in reach across both traditi...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Henry joins BCE as the company accelerates its commercial strategy and expands its international presence across the media, broadcast and technology markets. He...
19/08/2026
iWedia, a leading provider of software solutions for connected TV devices, today announced a major milestone in Android platform optimization with the successfu...
19/08/2026
NTP Technology announces that ST 2110-30 audio-over-IP connectivity with AES67 and RAVENNA capabilities is now available for the brand's world-class audio i...
19/08/2026
Net Insight has been selected to provide its Nimbra platform by the service provider Big Blue Marble, formerly ORS Group, as the core media transport solution f...
19/08/2026
LiveU has supported Coventry City FC and several other top-flight UK football clubs through one of their most demanding live production challenges of the year, ...
19/08/2026
Nature Seekers Documentary Shot with Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF
Brie Clayton August 18, 2026
0 Comments
Filming endangered turtles required camera...
19/08/2026
Neyrinck Brings D-Control Consoles Back to Life on Apple Silicon with D-Control ...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/08/2026
Riedel Communications today announced that Edith Cowan University (ECU) in Perth, Australia, implemented a comprehensive communications infrastructure that brin...
19/08/2026
QuickLink, a leading provider of award-winning video production and remote guest contribution solutions, will spotlight a major leap forward in remote guest con...
19/08/2026
Integrated platform melds media asset management, playout automation and newsroom workflows
EMAM, PlayBox Neo and SNEWS have officially launched Nuvex, a conne...
19/08/2026
Screen Australia releases the Private Investment Toolkit to strengthen screen in...
19/08/2026
Do Aussies truly value local content? Unpacking Screen Currency 2026 with Deirdr...
19/08/2026
There's an early Christmas gift for Bookish fans, as UKTV confirms the re-commission of the hit U&alibi drama, created by and starring Mark Gatiss. Viewers ...
19/08/2026
Wednesday 19 August 2026
Sky gives sports fans the chance to watch multiple liv...
19/08/2026
On Saturday September 5 Katie Taylor will step into the ring for the fight of her life against Flora Pili in front of 80,000 fans in Croke Park. A legendary fig...
18/08/2026
SportStream 2026, a free three-day virtual event, will take place September 15-17. One registration provides access to all three days of live programming and on...
18/08/2026
BeckTV will introduce BeckFlow to the European market at IBC2026, demonstrated on the Providius stand (10.F53).
BeckFlow is a web-based schematic documentation...
18/08/2026
Boland Communications will introduce a SMPTE ST 2110 input option for its 4K monitors at IBC2026, along with a new 55-inch super-narrow bezel display for video ...
18/08/2026
Dolby Laboratories and the Seattle Seahawks have announced a partnership integrating Dolby OptiView into the Seahawks' live streaming coverage, making the S...
18/08/2026
For BMG Executive Producer of Sports Production, Graham Taylor, producing live s...
18/08/2026
TMRW Sports has appointed Rufus Hack as President of Golf, a newly created role in which he will lead the company's golf businesses including TGL presented ...
Ledisi, Q-Tip, and Gilberto Santa Rosa to Receive Honorary Doctorates at Berklee 2024 Commencement The ceremony will be held on Saturday, May 11.
