The 29th annual Webby Awards just went down at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, and it was a night of celebrating the crème de la crème of the digital world. But the moment that truly had us raising our virtual glasses? When one hip-hop icon, the legendary Ice-T, took the stage to salute another, presenting Snoop Dogg with the prestigious Webby Entrepreneur of the Year Award!
Hosted by the ever-hilarious and insightful Ilana Glazer, the awards ceremony on Monday (May 12th) was a who's who of internet innovators, creators, and celebrities. And when Ice-T stepped up to honor Snoop, the room crackled with respect. Ice-T lauded Snoop not just for his enduring musical legacy but for his savvy leadership in the online cannabis industry space, his successful record label, and his overall digital footprint. "Of course, the internet changed the game, but one thing didn’t change: Snoop Dogg. He’s never gonna change, and Snoop is still on top," Ice-T declared, a powerful testament to Snoop's lasting influence.
True to Webby tradition, the winners delivered their acceptance speeches in a concise five words. We saw gems like Walton Goggins' profound "If it happens, be grateful," after Justin Theroux (who hilariously wondered when Goggins finds time to nap amidst his streaming hits like The White Lotus and Fallout) presented him with the Best Actor Webby.
The night was peppered with star power. Sean Evans, the master of spicy interviews, presented Amelia Dimoldenberg with a special achievement award for her genius in redefining the celebrity interview with her wildly popular Chicken Shop Date. Dimoldenberg's inspiring five-word acceptance? "Don’t wait. Make it yourself."
Comedy king Kenan Thompson graced the stage to present Marcello Hernández with a Webby for outstanding comedic performance, recognizing his sharp, culturally resonant humor on Saturday Night Live and his viral internet impact. Hernández, clearly grateful, simply listed, "Kenan, Mama, Lorne, Domingo, gracias," counting them off on his fingers.
Beyond the laughs and the accolades, the Webbys also celebrated those using the internet for powerful advocacy. Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett accepted the Advocate of the Year Webby, presented by NAACP President Derrick Johnson, for her impactful use of digital platforms to drive national conversations and champion marginalized communities. Her powerful five words? "Only organized outrage overcomes oppression."
And in a moment recognizing groundbreaking contributions to technology, Kara Swisher presented Dr. Fei-Fei Li with the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award for her foundational work in artificial intelligence and her commitment to ethical, human-centered AI. Swisher lauded Dr. Li as a "genius with unimaginable grit," while Dr. Li's acceptance was a poignant reminder: "Artificial intelligence must benefit humanity."
Adding a touch of creative innovation, the Webbys partnered with Adobe this year to honor designer and educator Norman Teague with a special achievement in creative AI. Celebrated for his MoMA exhibition Jam Sessions, where he used Adobe Firefly to reimagine iconic objects through a Black aesthetic, Teague's five-word speech was a call to action: "Respect history. Reimagine futures."
Snoop Dogg's entrepreneurial spirit extends far beyond his legendary music career. His foray into the cannabis industry with Merry Jane, his continued influence in the music world through his label, and his savvy understanding of the digital landscape truly make him a deserving recipient of the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Ice-T's heartfelt salute underscored Snoop's enduring relevance and his ability to consistently stay ahead of the curve, both musically and in the business world.
Jesse Feister, the Webby Awards executive director, perfectly captured the spirit of the night, marking his first Webbys in his new role. "What I love most about the internet is that it gives talented, self-made, creative people a way in. And tonight’s winners are proof of that."
Other notable winners from the music realm included the phenomenal Kendrick Lamar, whose powerful "Not Like Us" snagged the win for Video and Film: Music Video. The incredibly talented Laufey took home a Webby in the Creators, Art, Culture & Music category. And iconic rockers U2 were recognized in the AI, Immersive & Games category for their groundbreaking U2: UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere, winning for Best Performance.
The theme of the night, as jokingly announced by Ilana Glazer, was "All Good," a welcome contrast to a more... realistic, albeit depressing, alternative she quipped about. It was a night to celebrate the bright spots of the internet, the innovation, the creativity, and the individuals who are shaping our digital world. And seeing a true hip-hop icon like Snoop Dogg recognized for his entrepreneurial prowess? That's definitely all good in our book!
