Host committee members Andra Day, Rebecca Ferguson, Janelle Monáe and Questlove joined leaders from across the creative industry to celebrate the multi-hyphenate artist at an intimate luncheon at Soho House West Hollywood
WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Sept. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange presented Common with the 2026 Artist Impact Award at an intimate luncheon on September 24 at The Luckman Club at Soho House West Hollywood. Leaders from across music, film, television and media such as Anthony Anderson, NO I.D., DeRay Davis, and D-Nice gathered to honor the Grammy, Oscar and Emmy-winning musician, actor, producer and entrepreneur.
The Artist Impact Award honors an artist whose work crosses creative boundaries. It recognizes contributions across music, film, television and media that have shaped culture, expanded artistic possibility and inspired new forms of storytelling. Common’s career in music, acting, production and entrepreneurship reflects the cross-disciplinary spirit the award was created to celebrate.
“Common is an artist in the fullest sense, bringing integrity and purpose to everything he creates while lifting up the community along the way,” said SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director & Chief Negotiator Duncan Crabtree-Ireland. “As AI reshapes our industry, honoring him is also a reminder that progress must move forward with artists, not at their expense. Protecting every performer’s voice, likeness and creativity ensures the next generation can build careers as remarkable as his.”
“Common’s creative voice has shaped culture across disciplines and helped expand what is possible for artists who refuse to be defined by a single category. His career reflects the modern creative economy: artists are music makers, storytellers, actors, producers, entrepreneurs, and advocates, often all at once. That range deserves recognition and protection,” said SoundExchange President & CEO Michael Huppe.
In accepting the award, Common shared a few words on the award and the industry today. “As artists, whether through comedy, acting, storytelling, music, songwriting, or playwriting, we bring light and joy into the world. I’m grateful to be here because SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange have stood up for artists, and I’ve seen that firsthand. Paul Robeson called artists ‘the gatekeepers of truth’ and ‘civilization’s radical voice.’ Thank you, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange, for advocating for our voices.”
SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange share a longstanding commitment to artists behind the music; making sure they are recognized, protected and fairly paid for their work. Together, they advocate for policies that strengthen artists’ rights, from securing fair compensation when music is played on AM/FM radio to establishing federal protections against unauthorized AI-generated replicas of performers’ voices and likenesses. Both are working to build a more sustainable music industry, one where creativity and technology can thrive together and every artist shares in the value their work creates.
RED CARPET AND NOTABLE ATTENDEES
Guests walking the red carpet included: Anthony Anderson, NO I.D., Tina Farris, DeRay Davis, Omar Dorsey, Shari Belafonte, Lisa Loeb, Jeff Harleston, Jason George, Fletcher Sheridan, D-Nice, Christian Carino, Michele Ballantyne.
Photos from the event are available HERE courtesy of Shutterstock Images.
About SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at SAGAFTRA.org.
About SoundExchange
SoundExchange is the largest global neighboring rights organization in the world, redefining how creators in the music industry get paid. By turning data into fast, accurate revenue for artists and rights owners, we have collected and distributed more than $13 billion in digital performance royalties to date on behalf of more than 800,000 music creators. As the sole organization designated by the U.S. government to administer the Section 114 sound recording license, SoundExchange seamlessly collects and distributes digital performance royalties from platforms like Pandora, SiriusXM, iHeartRadio, and thousands more, as well as all available international performance royalties through a strong global partnership network. For more information, visit soundexchange.com.
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SOURCE SoundExchange
