Jay-Z will present City Of Hope's "Spirit Of Life Award," its highest honor recognizing a philanthropic leader in music, film or entertainment, to Jon Platt, Chairman and CEO of Warner/Chappell Music, on Oct. 11.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We're excited to announce that JAY-Z will present the prestigious Spirit of Life award to <a href="https://twitter.com/WarnerChappell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WarnerChappell</a>’s Jon Platt at the October 11 <a href="https://twitter.com/cityofhope?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@cityofhope</a> gala. <a href="https://twitter.com/Pharrell?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Pharrell</a> will host the star-studded L.A. event. <a href="https://t.co/TKrA0P2ns0">https://t.co/TKrA0P2ns0</a> <a href="https://t.co/a7jDgiKu4m">pic.twitter.com/a7jDgiKu4m</a></p>— Warner Music Group (@warnermusic) <a href="https://twitter.com/warnermusic/status/1037011756089004032?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Once a year City Of Hope, a leading research and treatment center for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, celebrates a philanthropist that has impacted music, film or entertainment. This year's award will be presented to Platt, who is also a former vice chairman of the board of directors for MusiCares, at a gala hosted by GRAMMY winner Pharrell Williams. Platt also serves as a board member of the Songwriters' Hall Of Fame, the Living Legends Foundation and the Motown Museum and has launched a scholarship program, which awards scholarships to high school students from his hometown.
From one music industy legend to another, Platt says Jay-Z is a "brother" to him and could not think of a better person to accept the award from.
“Jay is unquestionably one of the most giving and genuine people I know, not to mention one of the greatest songwriters on the planet," Platt said in a statement. "I feel lucky to call him my brother. October 11 is going to be a really special, unforgettable night.”
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The GRAMMY-winning rapper and Platt go way back. Platt signed Jay-Z when he was at EMI Music Publishing and then later signed him to Warner/Chappell. Platt accepted Jay-Z's award when he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
"It’s no secret that I don’t like being the center of attention, that’s for the songwriters, but when I accept the 'Spirit of Life' award this fall, I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather have presenting it to me," Platt said.
