The Isley Brothers News

(7/24/02, 10 a.m. ET) -- The Isley Brothers and Afrika Bambaataa will be honored next month for their contributions to R&B and hip-hop. Both acts will receive Founders Awards at the second annual Billboard-AURN (American Urban Radio Networks) R&B/Hip-Hop Awards in Miami Beach, Florida, on August 9.

LAUNCH asked Isley frontman Ron Isley for his group's secret to success. "Just a lot of prayers, you know, and loving what you do, and just being very competitive," he said. "You know, we've always been a competitive family in this business, and you always want to try to hang there at the top. In order to do that, you know, you have to love what you do, and you have to be blessed--you have to have that gift--and we just thank the lord for letting us have the longevity that we've had."

In March of this year, Bambaataa joined DJ Kool Herc, LL Cool J , Salt-N-Pepa , Queen Latifah , KRS-One , Russell Simmons, the late Notorious B.I.G and Tupac Shakur , and graffiti artist Dondi in the first class of inductees into the Hip-Hop Hall Of Fame when the inaugural ceremonies took place at the Puck Building in New York City.

The same month, the veteran Isley Brothers featuring Ron Isley received a Soul Train Music Award in Los Angeles for best group, band, or duo R&B/soul album for their album, Eternal, beating out youngsters Destiny's Child, 112, and Jagged Edge.

Isley Brothers tour dates through August (subject to change):

July 27- Cincinnati, OH -U.S. Bank Arena

July 28 - Memphis, TN - The Pyramid

July 31 - Saratoga, CA - Villa Montalvo Center For The Arts

August 1 - Santa Fe Springs, CA - Town Center Hall

August 2 - Oroville, CA - Gold Country Casino

August 3 - Tama, IA - Meskwaki Casino

August 4 - New York, NY - Sunken Meadow Park

-- Darryl Morden, Los Angeles and Chiam Chad Dougatz, New York

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