Cincinnati is tuning up for a star-studded "Homecoming" as a new class of Black music legends and hometown heroes gets ready to join the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame during Cincinnati Music Festival week. The formal induction is locked in for Saturday, July 25, with organizers saying this year's class was unveiled earlier this month at a kickoff bash at Hard Rock Casino. It is the latest chapter in the city's push to stamp its name into the official history of funk, R&B, gospel, and hip-hop.
Induction ceremony details
Organizers list Saturday, July 25, 2026, as the date for this year's induction ceremony at the Andrew J. Brady Music Center on The Banks, according to the Cincinnati Black Music Walk of Fame website. The induction will land in the middle of Cincinnati Music Festival week, and organizers say more programming details and information on how the public can take part will roll out as the festival gets closer.
Local names revealed at Hard Rock kickoff
At a kickoff event earlier this month at Hard Rock Casino, organizers pulled the curtain back on a group of inductees that includes local standouts Keith Little, Tyrone DuBose, M‑D, and Vickie Vee, according to WLWT. The station reports that this year's theme is "Homecoming" and that some honorees made the trip from places as far-flung as Los Angeles and Japan to accept the recognition.
Big-name class and honorees
The 2026 class is stacked well beyond the local names. Organizers have assembled a headline group that includes The Isley Brothers, Bootsy Collins, Otis Williams, Midnight Star, The Deele featuring L.A. Reid and Babyface, Nancy Wilson, The Ohio Players, and The O'Jays, among others, as reported by the Black Information Network. That outlet also notes that legacy awards will go to artists such as Regina Belle and New Edition, and that the Walk will give special recognition to the funk band Heatwave and longtime local radio station WCIN.
Why it matters
Hamilton County Commissioner Alicia Reece, the Walk's founder, has described the attraction as "More than a walk, it's an amusement attraction," language featured on the official site. Local coverage and an exhibit at the Downtown Main Library say the Walk has quickly become a cultural magnet along the riverfront. Cincinnati Magazine reported that more than 250,000 visitors had already checked it out since opening. Organizers argue that tying the annual induction to the Cincinnati Music Festival helps shine a spotlight on national icons while also giving hometown contributors their flowers in front of a built-in crowd.
How to follow
The Hard Rock Casino kickoff marked the official start of the countdown to the July ceremony, and organizers will roll out the full performance lineup and schedule in the coming weeks, according to WLWT. Fans can watch for updates on the Walk of Fame and Cincinnati Music Festival channels for the latest word on performers, timing, and day-of access details.
