NXT Awards to fund $49,000 in scholarships and honor Atlanta music icons

The second annual NXT Awards will take over Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta on Oct. 25, pairing music honors with a $49,000 scholarship initiative for seven community members. The show will celebrate Tameka “Tiny” Harris and pay tribute to five Atlanta hip-hop artists as Now That’s TV expands its live events push.

Why it matters: - The NXT Awards is tying entertainment recognition to direct community investment. - The event will distribute $49,000 in scholarships to seven people, creating an education and career pipeline alongside the show’s music honors. - The ceremony also spotlights Atlanta’s role in shaping hip-hop culture while giving Now That’s TV a bigger live-events platform.

What happened: - The second annual NXT Awards will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, at Coca-Cola Roxy at The Battery Atlanta. - Now That’s TV, an independent Black-owned streaming network, is presenting the event. - The show will honor Tameka “Tiny” Harris with the Icon in Music Award. - The OMG Girlz will present Harris’ honor. - The ceremony will include a tribute called “Legends Live Forever” for Shawty Lo, Trouble, Lil Keed, Young Scooter and Rich Homie Quan. - Tia Kemp will host the event. - The awards show will stream on Now That’s TV and YouTube.

The details: - Now That’s TV and Workforce Career Centers are partnering on the $49,000 scholarship initiative. - The scholarships will go to seven individuals in the community. - Workforce Career Centers is led by Marion Skinner, known as “The King of Education.” - The partnership is intended to link cultural visibility with education and career advancement. - The event will feature more than 20 award categories. - The announced performance lineup includes BossMan Dlow, Saucy Santana, Jhonnie Damnd, Boston Richey, Fatt Smackx, Pluto, Taffy, Pretty Ricky, Soulja Boy, Aakosh Bentley, Vanity Rose and Ivori Babu. - Celebrity and VIP arrivals, red carpet coverage and live performances are part of the program. - Doors open at 6 p.m. - Select tickets are available through Ticketmaster. - Updates will be posted by @thenxtawards and @nowthats_tv.

Between the lines: - The NXT Awards is building a distinct identity rather than positioning itself as a direct replacement for other Atlanta award shows. - The timing matters because BET Hip Hop Awards is on indefinite hiatus and ONE Musicfest is pausing in 2026. - Founder Teleau Belton is using the event to broaden Now That’s TV beyond streaming into talent discovery, interactive entertainment, boxing and live events. - Belton said the goal is to be intentional about recognition and opportunity, not just scale.

What's next: - The Oct. 25 ceremony will be the clearest test of whether the NXT Awards can combine culture, tribute and community investment into a durable annual event. - The show will also serve as a live showcase for Now That’s TV’s expanding brand. - For viewers, the broadcast on Now That’s TV and YouTube will extend the event beyond Atlanta.

The bottom line: - The NXT Awards is trying to be more than a trophy show. It is pairing Atlanta music recognition with scholarship dollars and a broader community message.