Adriyan Rae to Appear on Mara Brock Akil’s Netflix Series “Forever”

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Adriyan Rae has found her Forever home…

The part-Venezuelan actress has landed a recurring role on Netflix’s Forever.

Created by Mara Brock Akil, Forever is a reimagining of the 1975 novel by Judy Blume and follows the epic love story of two Black teens exploring their identities through the awkward — and moving — journey of being each other’s firsts in 2018 Los Angeles.

Like its inspiration, the show will examine “the idea of your first love being with you forever,” said Brock Akil, who created acclaimed stories of Black love and growth like sitcom Girlfriends and drama Being Mary Jane. She was also a writer on the YA comedy Moesha.

Oscar winner Regina King will serve as executive producer and will direct the first episode.

Rae will portray Brittany, one of Keisha’s older cousins, and is described as a social climber who looks out for Keisha and her well-being like an older sister—even if she usually does it with a sarcastic sense of humor and blunt direct attitude. Brittany is a loyal support system for Keisha and her mom Shelly, and always brings a sense of fun to wherever she goes —including affectionately calling Keisha ‘Urkel’ due to her book smart nature.

Lovie Simone will star as Keisha Clarke and Michael Cooper Jr. will portray Justin Edwards. Karen Pittman, and Wood Harris round out the cast so far.

Within the television sphere, Rae currently stars as ‘Brittany Pitts’ in Paramount+’s reboot of The Game. Additionally, she recently led the cast of SYFY’s series Vagrant Queen, starred in NBC’s Chicago Fire and Hulu’s horror-thriller series Light As A Feather, and has guest starred on various shows including FX’s Atlanta, BET’s American Soul, and FOX’s musical drama Star, from the producers of Empire.

In film, she has had roles in Sony’s Superfly with Jennifer Morrison, Trevor Jackson and Michael Kenneth Williams, and Netflix’s Burning Sands alongside Alfre Woodard and Trevante Rhodes.

Colman Domingo Earns Five NAACP Image Awards Nominations

Posted on January 26, 2024 by Tom Castaneda

Colman Domingo is this year’s NAACP Image Awards all-star…

The nominations for the 55th NAACP Image Awards have been announced, with the 54-year-old Belizean-Guatemalan American actor earning five nods.

The awards, which honor the year’s best in Black excellence in the fields of motion pictures, television, music, books and podcasts and are voted on by the public, will be handed out March 16 in a primetime ceremony to air on BET and CBS.

Domingo scored nominations for his lead role playing civil rights icon Bayard Rustin in Netflix’s Rustin and for playing Mister in Warner Bros’ The Color Purple. He also is up for the Image Awards’ marquee prize, Entertainer of the Year.

Domingo is also nominated twice in the Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture category for his work in The Color Purple and Rustin.

Meagan Good has picked up two nods…

The 42-year-old part-Puerto Rican actress is nominated in the Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series category for her work in Harlem. She’s also up for Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for Buying Back My Daughter.

Ariana DeBose is nominated in the Outstanding Character Voice–Over Performance – Motion Picture category for the 33-year-old half-Puerto Rican Oscar-winning actress and singer’s Wish role.

Zoe Saldaña is nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for her work in Special Ops: Lioness; Micheala Jaé Rodriguez is up for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special for her work in American Horror Story: Delicate; and Scott Mescudi is up for Outstanding Character Voice–Over Performance for Young Love.

Public voting runs through February 24. Winners in non-televised categories will roll out in the week ahead of the March 16 ceremony.

Here are all of this year’s nominees:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Colman Domingo
Fantasia Barrino
Halle Bailey
Keke Palmer
Usher

MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture
American Fiction (Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios)
Origin (Neon)
Rustin (Netflix)
The Color Purple (Warner Bros. Pictures)
They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Colman Domingo – “Rustin” (Netflix)
Denzel Washington – “The Equalizer 3” (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Jamie Foxx – “The Burial” (Amazon MGM Studios)
Jeffrey Wright – “American Fiction” (Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios)
John Boyega – “They Cloned Tyrone” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Aunjanue Ellis–Taylor – “Origin” (Neon)
Fantasia Barrino – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Halle Bailey – “The Little Mermaid” (Walt Disney Pictures)
Teyana Taylor – “A Thousand And One” (Focus Features)
Yara Shahidi – “Sitting in Bars with Cake” (Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Colman Domingo – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Corey Hawkins – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Glynn Turman – “Rustin” (Netflix)
Jamie Foxx – “They Cloned Tyrone” (Netflix)
Sterling K. Brown – “American Fiction” (Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Danielle Brooks – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Da’Vine Joy Randolph – “The Holdovers” (Focus Features)
Erika Alexander – “American Fiction” (Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios)
Halle Bailey – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Taraji P. Henson – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
Back on the Strip (GVN Releasing LLC)
Brother (Vertical Entertainment)
Story Ave (Kino Lorber)
Sweetwater (Briarcliff Entertainment/Universal)
The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster (RLJE Films)

Outstanding International Motion Picture
Anatomy of a Fall (Neon)
Brother (Vertical Entertainment)
Mami Wata (Dekanalog)
Rye Lane (Searchlight Pictures)
Society of the Snow (Netflix)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture
Aaron Pierre – “Brother” (Vertical Entertainment)
Laya DeLeon Hayes – “The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster” (RLJE Films)
Mila Davis–Kent – “Creed III” (Amazon MGM Studios)
Phylicia Pearl Mpasi – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Teyana Taylor – “A Thousand And One” (Focus Features)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
American Fiction (Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios)
Rustin (Netflix)
The Blackening (Lionsgate and MRC)
The Color Purple (Warner Bros. Pictures)
They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)

Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Elemental (Pixar Animation Studios)
Lil’ Ruby (Platige)
Spider–Man: Across the Spider–Verse (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (Paramount Pictures)
Wish (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

Outstanding Character Voice–Over Performance – Motion Picture
Ariana DeBose – Wish (Walt Disney Animation Studios)
Brian Tyree Henry – Spider–Man: Across the Spider–Verse (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Daniel Kaluuya – Spider–Man: Across the Spider–Verse (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Issa Rae – Spider–Man: Across the Spider–Verse (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Shameik Moore – Spider–Man: Across the Spider–Verse (Sony Pictures Releasing)

Outstanding Short–Form (Live Action)
Flower (Life in Motion/Funbomb)
Gaps (Tribeca Studios)
Lucille (QTGEEK)
Rocky Road on Channel Three (Indeed)
The After (Netflix)

Outstanding Short–Form (Animated)
Blueberry (Ace Animation Studios)
Bridges (OHR Media)
Burning Rubber (Reel Black Studios)
Ego’ Curse (Exhibit Treal Studios)
Lil’ Ruby (Platige)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
A.V. Rockwell – “A Thousand and One” (Focus Features)
Blitz Bazawule – “The Color Purple” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Choice Skinner – “A New Life” (Buffalo 8)
Dewayne Perkins – “The Blackening” (Lionsgate and MRC)
Juel Taylor – “They Cloned Tyrone” (Netflix)

Outstanding Youth Performance in a Motion Picture
Aaron Kingsley Adetola – “A Thousand And One” (Focus Features)
Aven Courtnery – “A Thousand And One” (Focus Features)
Calah Lane – “Wonka” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Lennox Simms – “Origin” (Neon)
Mila Davis–Kent – “Creed III” (Amazon MGM Studios)

Outstanding Cinematography in a Feature Film
Kim Miles, Julia Liu, Clair Popkin – “STILL: A Michael J. Fox Movie” (Apple Original Films)
Eric K. Yue – “A Thousand and One” (Focus Features)
Guy Godfree – “Brother” (Vertical Entertainment)
Ken Seng – “They Cloned Tyrone” (Netflix)
Paul Yee – “Joy Ride” (Lionsgate)

TELEVISION + STREAMING

Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Harlem (Amazon Prime Video)
Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)
The Neighborhood (CBS)
UnPrisoned (Hulu/Onyx)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Cedric The Entertainer – “The Neighborhood” (CBS)
Delroy Lindo – “UnPrisoned” (Hulu/Onyx)
Dulé Hill – ” The Wonder Years” (ABC)
Mike Epps – “The Upshaws” (Netflix)
Tone Bell – “Survival of the Thickest” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Kerry Washington – “UnPrisoned” (Hulu/Onyx)
Meagan Good – “Harlem” (Amazon Prime Video)
Michelle Buteau – “Survival of the Thickest” (Netflix)
Quinta Brunson – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Tichina Arnold – “The Neighborhood” (CBS)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Kenan Thompson – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Roy Wood Jr. – “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)
Tyler Lepley – “Harlem” (Amazon Prime Video)
Tyler James Williams – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
William Stanford Davis – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Ayo Edebiri – “The Bear” (FX)
Ego Nwodim – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Janelle James – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Sheryl Lee Ralph – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Shoniqua Shandai – “Harlem” (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Drama Series
Bel–Air (Peacock)
Black Cake (Hulu)
Found (NBC)
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix)
Snowfall (FX)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Damson Idris – “Snowfall” (FX)
Forest Whitaker – “Godfather of Harlem” (MGM+)
Idris Elba – “Hijack” (Apple TV+)
Jabari Banks – “Bel–Air” (Peacock)
Jesse L. Martin – “The Irrational” (NBC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Angela Bassett – “9–1–1” (Fox)
India Ria Amarteifio – “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” (Netflix)
Octavia Spencer – “Truth Be Told” (Apple TV+)
Queen Latifah – “The Equalizer” (CBS)
Zoe Saldaña – “Special Ops: Lioness” (Paramount+)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Adrian Holmes – “Bel–Air” (Peacock)
Amin Joseph – “Snowfall” (FX)
Giancarlo Esposito – “Godfather of Harlem” (MGM+)
LaRoyce Hawkins – “Chicago PD” (NBC)
Wendell Pierce – “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Adjoa Andoh – “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” (Netflix)
Arsema Thomas – “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” (Netflix)
Golda Rosheuvel – “Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story” (Netflix)
Gail Bean – “Snowfall” (FX)
Nicole Beharie – “The Morning Show” (Apple TV+)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Black Girl Missing (Lifetime)
First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story (BET+)
Heist 88 (Showtime)
Lawmen: Bass Reeves (Paramount+)
Swarm (Amazon Prime Video)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Brian Tyree Henry – “Class of “09” (FX)
Courtney B. Vance – “Heist 88” (Showtime)
Keith Powers – “The Perfect Find” (Netflix)
Lance Reddick – “The Caine Mutiny Court–Martial” (Showtime)
Samuel L. Jackson – “Secret Invasion” (Disney+)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Ali Wong – “Beef” (Netflix)
Chlöe Bailey – “Praise This” (Peacock)
Dominique Fishback – “Swarm” (Amazon Prime Video)
Gabrielle Union – “The Perfect Find” (Netflix)
Meagan Good – “Buying Back My Daughter” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Carl Anthony Payne II – “Binged to Death” (MTV)
Damon Wayans – “Cinnamon” (Tubi)
Damson Idris – “Swarm” (Amazon Prime Video)
Don Cheadle – “Secret Invasion” (Disney+)
Jharrel Jerome – “Full Circle” (HBO | Max)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special
Aja Naomi King – “Lessons in Chemistry” (Apple TV+)
CCH Pounder – “Full Circle” (HBO | Max)
Micheala Jaé Rodriguez – “American Horror Story: Delicate” (FX)
Phylicia Rashad – “Heaven Down Here” (Hallmark Movies & Mysteries)
Tisha Campbell – “Every Breath She Takes” (Lifetime)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)
20/20 – Kerry Washington: Thicker Than Water – A Conversation with Robin Roberts (ABC)
The 1619 Project (Hulu)
theGrio with Marc Lamont Hill (theGrio Cable Network)
The Reidout (MSNBC)
Into America (MSNBC)

Outstanding Talk Series
Hart to Heart (Peacock)
Sherri (Syndicated)
Tamron Hall (ABC News/Disney Media Distribution)
The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
Turning the Tables with Robin Roberts (Disney+)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)
America’s Got Talent (NBC)
Barbecue Showdown (Netflix)
Celebrity Family Feud (ABC)
Critter Fixers: Country Vets (Nat Geo Wild)
Wild ‘N Out (VH1)

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)
A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO | Max)
A Grammy Salute to 50 Years of Hip–Hop (CBS)
Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (Netflix)
My Name is Mo’Nique (Netflix)
Wanda Sykes: I’m An Entertainer (Netflix)

Outstanding Children’s Program
Ada Twist, Scientist (Netflix)
Alma’s Way (PBS Kids)
Craig of the Creek (Cartoon Network)
Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
My Dad The Bounty Hunter (Netflix)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited–Series)
Alaya High – “That Girl Lay Lay” (Nickelodeon)
Elisha “EJ” Williams – “The Wonder Years” (ABC)
Jalyn Hall – “The Crossover” (Disney+)
Keivonn Woodard – “The Last of Us” (HBO | Max)
Leah Sava Jeffries – “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” (Disney+)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Bomani Jones – “Game Theory with Bomani Jones” (HBO | Max)
Joy Reid – “The Reidout” (NBC)
Sherri Shepherd – “Sherri” (Syndicated)
Tamron Hall – “Tamron Hall” (ABC News/Disney Media Distribution)
Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, Alyssa Farah Griffin – “The View” (ABC)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble
Anthony Anderson, Cedric The Entertainer – ” Kings of BBQ” (A&E)
DC Young Fly – “Celebrity Squares” (VH1)
Nick Cannon – “The Masked Singer” (Fox)
RuPaul Charles – “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (MTV)
Steve Harvey – “Celebrity Family Feud” (ABC)

Outstanding Guest Performance
Ayo Edebiri – “Abbott Elementary” (ABC)
Garcelle Beauvais – “Survival of the Thickest” (Netflix)
Giancarlo Esposito – “The Mandalorian” (Disney+)
Michael B. Jordan – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Roy Wood, Jr. – “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Animated Series
Big Mouth (Netflix)
Gracie’s Corner (YouTube TV)
Marvel’s Spidey & His Amazing Friends (Disney Junior)
The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney Channel)
Young Love (HBO|Max)

Outstanding Character Voice–Over Performance (Television)
Cree Summer – “Rugrats” (Paramount+)
Issa Rae – “Young Love” (HBO|Max)
Keke Palmer – “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” (Disney Channel)
Kyla Pratt – “The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder” (Disney Channel)
Scott Mescudi – “Young Love” (HBO|Max)

Outstanding Performance in a Short Form Series
Jessica Mikayla – Disney Launchpad Season Two (Disney+)
Kevin Hart – Die Hart 2: Die Harter (Roku)
Leslie Jones – After the Cut–The Daily Show (Comedy Central)
Nathalie Emmanuel – Die Hart 2: Die Harter (Roku)
Seth Carr – Disney Launchpad Season Two (Disney+)

Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama
After the Cut (Comedy Central)
Die Hart 2: Die Harter (Roku)
Disney Launchpad Season two (Disney+)
Doggyland (YouTube)
I Am Groot (Disney+)

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction
Did You Know? (theGrio Cable Network)
I Was A Soul Train Dancer (BET)
Mama Mann’s Kitchen (YouTube TV)
Ritual (PBS)
RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)
Adjani Salmon – “Dreaming Whilst Black” (Showtime)
Kale Futterman – “Ginny & Georgia” (Netflix)
Michelle Buteau – “Survival of the Thickest” (Netflix)
Thara Popoola – “Sex Education” (Netflix)
Troy Hunter – “Sex Education” (Netflix)

RECORDING

Outstanding New Artist
FLO (Uptown Records / Republic Records)
Jordan Ward (Artium/Interscope Records)
Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)
October London (Death Row Records)
Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)

Outstanding Male Artist
Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)
Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Davido (RCA Records/Sony Music UK)
Jon Batiste (Verve Records)
Usher (Mega/Gamma)

Outstanding Female Artist
Ari Lennox (Dreamville/Interscope Records)
H.E.R. (RCA Records)
Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records/Bad Boy/Wondaland)
Tems (RCA Records/Since ’93)
Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album
“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard (RCA Inspiration / Karew Entertainment)
“Father’s Day” – Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Records)
“Impossible” – Pastor Mike, Jr. (Rock City/Black Smoke)
“My Truth” – Jonathan McReynolds (MNRK Music Group)
“The Maverick Way Complete” – Maverick City Music (Insignia & TRIBL Records)

Outstanding International Song
“Amapiano” – Asake feat. Olamide (YBNL Nation / EMPIRE)
“City Boys” – Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)
“Me & U” – Tems (RCA Records/Since ’93)
“People” – Libianca feat. Ayra Starr & Omah Lay (RCA Records/Sony Music UK/5K Records)
“Unavailable” – Davido (RCA Records/Sony Music UK)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album
“Boyfriend” – Usher (Mega/Gamma)
“Cobra” – Megan Thee Stallion (Hot Girl Productions)
“How We Roll” – Ciara (Beauty Marks Entertainment)
“On My Mama” – Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
“Sensational” – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)

Outstanding Album
“Clear 2: Soft Life” – Summer Walker (LVRN/Interscope Records)
“For All The Dogs” – Drake (OVO/Republic Records)
“I Told Them…” – Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)
“Jaguar II” – Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
“The Age of Pleasure” – Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records/Bad Boy/Wondaland)

Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
“Creed III: The Soundtrack” – Michael B. Jordan, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis, Frank Brim (Dreamville / Interscope Records)
“Godfather of Harlem: Season 3 (Original Series Soundtrack)” – Swizz Beatz & Avery Chambliss (Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment)
“Metro Boomin Presents Spider–Man: Across the Spider–Verse (Soundtrack From and Inspired by the Motion Picture/Deluxe Edition)” – Metro Boomin (Republic Records)
“The Color Purple–Original Motion Picture Soundtrack” – Various Producers (WaterTower Music/Gamma)
“The Little Mermaid Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Alan Menken, Mike Higham and Lin–Manuel Miranda (Walt Disney Records)

Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song
“All Things” – Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Records)
“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard feat. Anthony Brown (RCA Inspiration / Karew Entertainment)
“In The Room” – Maverick City Music (TRIBL Records)
“It’s Working” – Todd Dulaney (DulaneyLand / MNRK)
“JOY (Unspeakable) – Voices of Fire feat. Pharrell Williams (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Jazz Album
“Brand New Life“ – Brandee Younger (Impulse! Records)
“Melusine “ – Cécile McLorin Salvant (Nonesuch Records)
“Who Are You When No One is Watching?“ – Braxton Cook (Nettwerk Music Group)
“Phoenix“ – Lakecia Benjamin (Whirlwind Recordings)
“Truth Be Told“ – Angie Wells (Cafe Pacific Records)

Outstanding Soul/R&B Song
“Back To Your Place” – October London
“Good Good” – Usher feat. 21 Savage x Summer Walker
“ICU Remix” – Coco Jones feat. Justin Timberlake
“On My Mama” – Victoria Monét
“Lipstick Lover” – Janelle Monáe

Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song
“All My Life” – Lil Durk feat. J. Cole (Alamo Records)
“Blue Eyes” – Vic Mensa (Roc Nation Records, LLC)
“Cobra” – Megan Thee Stallion (Atlantic/Warner Bros/Mattel and 10K Projects/Capitol Records)
“Palisades, CA” – Larry June & The Alchemist (The Freeminded Records/ALC/EMPIRE)
“Sittin’ On Top of the World” – Burna Boy & 21 Savage (Atlantic Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)
Ciara feat. Chris Brown – “How We Roll” (Beauty Marks Entertainment
Coco Jones feat. Justin Timberlake – “ICU Remix” (Def Jam Recordings)
Dreamville, Bas & Black Sherif feat. Kel–P – “Creed III: Soundtrack” (Dreamville/Interscope Records)
Karen Clark Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, Kierra Sheard – “God Is Good” (Timeless Music Group/Roc Nation Records, LLC)
Voices of Fire – “Joy (Unspeakable)” (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)
Burna Boy & 21 Savage – “Sittin’ On Top of the World” (Atlantic Records)
Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay – “Sensational” (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Lil Durk & J. Cole – “All My Life” (Alamo Records)
Usher, 21 Savage, Summer Walker – “Good Good” (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Victoria Monét feat. Lucky Day – “Smoke” (RCA Records/Lovett Music)

Outstanding Original Score for TV/Film
“American Fiction” – Laura Karpman (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
“Rustin” – Branford Marsalis (Netflix)
“The Color Purple” – Kris Bowers (Warner Bros. Pictures)
“The Other Black Girl” – EmmoLei Sankofa (Hulu)
“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” – Jongnic Bontemps (Paramount+)

DOCUMENTARY

Outstanding Documentary (Film)
American Symphony (Netflix)
Fast Dreams (99 Ways Entertainment)
Invisible Beauty (Magnolia Pictures)
Little Richard: I Am Everything (Magnolia Pictures)
Stamped from the Beginning (Netflix)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)
American Experience (PBS)
Dear Mama (FX)
High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America (Netflix)
Kevin Hart & Chris Rock: Headliners Only (Netflix)
Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip–Hop (Netflix)

Outstanding Short Form Documentary
Alive in Bronze: Huey P. Newton (MTV Documentary Films)
Birthing a Nation: The Resistance of Mary Gaffney (MTV Documentary Films)
Black Girls Play: The Story of Hand Games (ESPN)
Freshwater (Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% FILMS)
Ifine: Beauty (Dirt–Stained Roses)

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Ava Coleman – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Brittani Nichols – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Donald Glover, Janine Nabers – Swarm (Amazon Prime Video)
Michelle Buteau – Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)
Norman Vance, Jr. – Saturdays (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series
Carla Banks–Waddles – Bel–Air (Peacock)
Lee Sung Jin – Beef (Netflix)
Marissa Jo Cerar – Black Cake (Hulu)
Nkechi Okoro Carroll – Found (NBC)
Shonda Rhimes – Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special
Dwayne Johnson–Cochran – Heist 88 (Showtime)
Frank E. Flowers, Tony Rettenmaier, Juel Taylor – Shooting Stars (Peacock)
Marlon Wayans – Marlon Wayans: God Loves Me (HBO | Max)
Sam Jay – Sam Jay: Salute Me or Shoot Me (HBO | Max)
Tina Gordon, Brandon Broussard, Hudson Obayuwana, Jana Savage, Camilla Blackett – Praise This (Peacock)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
A.V. Rockwell – A Thousand and One (Focus Features)
Cord Jefferson – American Fiction (Orion Pictures / Amazon MGM Studios)
Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier – They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)
Maggie Betts, Doug Wright – The Burial (Amazon MGM Studios)
Marcus Gardley – The Color Purple (Warner Bros. Pictures)

DIRECTING

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Amy Aniobi – Survival of the Thickest (Netflix)
Donald Glover – Swarm (Amazon Prime Video)
Neema Barnette – Grand Crew (NBC)
Numa Perrier – UnPrisoned (Hulu/Onyx)
Robbie Countryman – The Upshaws (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series
Alonso Alvarez–Barreda – Snowfall (FX)
Amin Joseph – Snowfall (FX)
Carl Seaton – Godfather of Harlem (MGM+)
Dawn Wilkinson – Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)
Geary McLeod – Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special
Bryian Keith Montgomery Jr. – Cinnamon (Tubi)
Chris Robinson – Shooting Stars (Peacock)
Keke Palmer – Big Boss (YouTube TV)
Numa Perrier – The Perfect Find (Netflix)
Vivica A. Fox – First Lady of BMF: The Tonesa Welch Story (BET+)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
Antoine Fuqua – The Equalizer 3 (Sony Pictures)
Ava DuVernay – Origin (Neon)
George C. Wolfe – Rustin (Netflix)
Juel Taylor – They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)
Michael B. Jordan – Creed III (Amazon / MGM Studios)

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)
Allen Hughes – Dear Mama (FX)
Bethann Hardison, Frédéric Tcheng – Invisible Beauty (Magnolia Pictures)
Dave Wooley, David Heilbroner – Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over (CNN)
Lisa Cortés – Little Richard: I Am Everything (Magnolia Pictures)
Roger Ross Williams – Stamped from the Beginning (Netflix)

LITERARY

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
“Everything Is Not Enough” – Lola Akinmade Åkerström (William Morrow)
“Family Lore” – Elizabeth Acevedo (HarperCollins Publisher)
“House of Eve” – Sadeqa Johnson (Simon & Schuster)
“Let Us Descend” – Jesmyn Ward (Scribner)
“The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store” – James McBride (Penguin Random House, Riverhead Books)

Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction
“Black AF History: The Un–Whitewashed Story of America” – Michael Harriot (HarperCollins Publisher)
“BLK ART: The Audacious Legacy of Black Artists and Models in Western Art” – Zaria Ware (HarperCollins Publisher)
“Iconic Home: Interiors, Advice, and Stories from 50 Amazing Black Designers ” – Black Interior Designers and June Reese (Abrams Books)
“The Art of Ruth E. Carter” – Ruth E. Carter Foreword by Dani Gurira (Chronicle Books)
“The New Brownies’ Book: A Love Letter to Black Families” – Karida L. Brown, Charly Palmer (Chronicle Books)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
“And Then He Sang a Lullaby” – Ani Kayode Somtochukwu (Grove Atlantic)
“Coleman Hill: A Novel” – Kim Coleman Foote (Zando / SJP Lit)
“Rootless” – Krystle Zara Appiah (Ballantine Books)
“The Black Joy Project – Kleaver Cruz (Mariner Books)
“The God of Good Looks” – Breanne McIvor (William Morrow)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography
“Love and Justice: A Story of Triumph on Two Different Courts” – Maya Moore Irons (Andscape Books)
“Lucky Me: A Memoir of Changing the Odds” – Rich Paul (Penguin Random House)
“Nothing Is Missing” – Nicole Walters (Simon & Schuster)
“Our Secret Society: Mollie Moon and the Glamour, Money, and Power Behind the Civil Rights Movement” – Dr. Tanisha C. Ford (Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins)
“Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes” – Stephen A. Smith (Gallery Books/13A)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
“Badass Vegan: Fuel Your Body, Ph*ck the System, and Live Your Life Right” – John Lewis (Avery)
“Everyday Grand: Soulful Recipes for Celebrating Life’s Big and Small Moments” – Jocelyn Delk Adams, Olga Massov (Clarkson Potter)
“Flower Love: Lush Floral Arrangements for the Heart and Home” – Kristen Griffith–VanderYacht (Clarkson Potter)
“Historically Black Phrases: From “I Ain’t One of Your Lil’ Friends” to “Who All Gon” Be There?”” – Jarett Hill, Tre’vell Anderson (Ten Speed Press)
“Livable Luxe” – Brigette Romanek (Chronicle Books)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
“Above Ground” – Clint Smith (Little, Brown)
“So to Speak” – Terrance Hayes (Penguin Books)
“suddenly we” – Evie Shockley (Wesleyan University Press)
“The Ferguson Report: An Erasure” – Nicole Sealey (Alfred A. Knopf)
“Why Fathers Cry at Night” – Kwame Alexander (Little, Brown)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children
“CROWNED: Magical Folk and Fairy Tales from the Diaspora” – Kahran Bethencourt (St. Martin’s Press)
“How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee” – Carole Boston Weathorford, Frank Morrison (Candlewick Press)
“I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots” – Lid’ya C. Rivera, Nina Mata (HarperCollins)
“Is This Love?” – Cedella Marley, Alea Marley (Chronicle Books)
“Like Lava In My Veins” – Derrick Barnes, Shawn Martinbrough (Penguin Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
“Adia Kelbara and the Circle of Shamans” – Isi Hendrix (HarperCollins – Imprint: Balzer + Bray)
“Eb & Flow” – Kelly J. Baptist (Crown Books for Young Readers)
“Everyone’s Thinking It” – Aleema Omotoni (HarperCollins – Imprint: Balzer + Bray)
“Fatima Tate Takes the Cake” – Khadijah VanBrakle (Holiday House)
“Friday I’m in Love” – Camryn Garrett (Knopf Books for Young Readers)

Outstanding Graphic Novel
“Curlfriends: New in Town” – Sharee Miller (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
“Ms Davis: A Graphic Biography” – Sybille Titeux de la Croix, Amazing Améziane (Fantagraphics)
“Queenie: Godmother of Harlem” – Aurelie Levy, Elizabeth Colomba (Abrams Books)
“Stamped from the Beginning: A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America” – Dr. Ibram X Kendi, Joel Christian Gill (Ten Speed Graphic)
“The Talk” – Darrin Bell (Henry Holt & Company)

PODCAST

Outstanding News and Information Podcast
SundayCivics (LJW Community Strategies)
Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn–Grant (PBS Nature)
Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams (Uppity Productions)
Into America with Trymaine Lee (MSNBC)
The Assignment with Audie Cornish (CNN Audio)

Outstanding Lifestyle/Self–Help Podcast
Black Money Tree (Texas Black Expo Inc)
Chile, Please (HONEY CHILE Entertainment)
Is This Going To Cause An Argument (Seven14Seven Media)
The Laverne Cox Show (Shondaland Audio + iHeartMedia)
The Light (Audible)

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast
Higher Learning with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay (The Ringer)
Jill Scott Presents: J.ill the Podcast (iHeart Media)
More Than That with Gia Peppers (Dentsu)
The 85 South Show with Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly and Chico Bean (The Black Effect Podcast Network)
The Bakari Sellers Podcast (The Ringer)

Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast
All the Smoke (Paramount)
Baby, This is Keke Palmer (Wondery)
Being Black: The 80s (TheGrio)
Here’s The Thing (Family Affair Media and Entertainment)
Nightcap with Unc and Ocho (The Volume)

Outstanding Scripted Series Podcast
Crimson Hearts Collide (Hallmark Media and AYR Media)
Small Victories (WGC Productions)
TwentyOne 21: A Black AF Scripted Audio Comedy (TwentyOne 21 Podcast)
Whose Amazing Life? (Wondery)
Yes We Cannabis (Audible)

Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form
I Am Story (AFSCME)
Official Ignorance: The Death in Custody Podcast (Hip Hop Caucus)
Reclaimed: the Forgotten League (ABC Audio)
The Greatest Day: The Epic Story Behind Hip–Hop’s Most Iconic Photograph (Audible)
Wakanda Forever: The Official black Panther Podcast (Proximity Media and Marvel Entertainment)

COSTUME DESIGN, MAKE–UP & HAIRSTYLING

Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film)
Charlese Antoinette Jones – Air (Amazon/MGM Studios)
Dierdra Elizabeth Govan – I’m A Virgo (Amazon/MGM Studios)
Toni–Leslie James, Josh Quinn – Rustin (Netflix)
Francine Jamison–Tanchuck – The Color Purple (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Marci Rodgers, Richard Gross, Paul A. Simmons Jr. – Shooting Stars (Peacock)

Outstanding Make–up (Television or Film)
Cole Patterson, Fabiola Mercado – Bel–Air (Peacock)
Miho Suzuki – Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+)
Beverly Jo Pryor, Eric Pagdin, Quintessence Patterson – Rustin (Netflix)
Carol Rasheed, Saisha Beecham, Ngozi Olandu Young, Manny Davila, Milene Melendez – The Color Purple (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Denise Pugh–Ruiz – UnPrisoned (Hulu/Onyx)

Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film)
Shavonne Brown – A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO | Max)
Carla Joi Farmer – Air (Amazon MGM Studios)
Elizabeth Robinson – Creed III (Amazon MGM Studios)
Melissa “Missy” Forney, Sterfon Demings – A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO | Max)
Lawrence Davis, Tym Wallace, Andrea Mona Bowen, Angela Renae Dyson, Jorge Benitez Villalobos – The Color Purple (Warner Bros. Pictures)

STUNT

Outstanding Stunt Ensemble (TV or Film)
Creed III (Amazon/MGM Studios)
The Continental: From the World of John Wick (Peacock)
They Cloned Tyrone (Netflix)
Titans (The CW)
Warrior (HBO| Max)

OUTSTANDING SOCIAL MEDIA PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Angel Laketa Moore
Druski
Keith Lee
Lynae Vanee
Terrell Grice

Berenice Burgos Starring in VH1’s New Reality Series “The Impact New York”

Posted on December 20, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Bernice Burgos is making an impact in the Big Apple…

VH1 has unveiled the cast, trailer and premiere date for The Impact New York, featuring the 43-year-old Puerto Rican model and entrepreneur.

The reality television series is a spinoff to the BET+ reality series The Impact ATL.

The Impact New York, which premieres at 9:00 pm, Monday, January 22, comes from executive producers eOne and Quality Films. The show follows the lives of New York’s top influencers in business, music, beauty and fashion.

In addition to witnessing their creative processes, preparations, and high-stakes deal-making, viewers will get to go beyond the perfectly curated social media personas within the cast.

Burgos, a native New Yorker from Manhattan, embarked on her modeling journey while working as a bartender in her mid-20s. Her breakthrough came when she starred in Rick Ross’ music video for “Diced Pineapples” in 2012, catapulting her into a significant modeling career and cementing her status as one of the original influencers, empowering women worldwide.

Other Latinx artists set to appear on the series include Ashley Marie Burgos, Ella Rodriguez and Maleni Cruz.

Meet the cast of The Impact New York below and watch the trailer for Season 1 in the video posted above.

Ashley Marie Burgos
Ashley Marie Burgos, a multi-talented 26-year-old model, is making waves in the music industry, following the footsteps of her influential mother, the original mega influencer, Bernice Burgos. Collaborating on Bold and Beautiful and Miracles Fitness, two thriving sleepwear and fitness brands, Ashley boasts a dedicated fanbase nearly one million strong. Fueled by the success of her hit single “Knock Knock,” Ashley is positioning herself as a dynamic force in the industry, carving her distinctive path beyond her mother’s legacy.

Bernice Burgos
All Hail The Queen: Bernice Burgos, a native New Yorker from Manhattan, embarked on her modeling journey while working as a bartender in her mid-20s. Her breakthrough came when she starred in Rick Ross’ music video for “Diced Pineapples” in 2012, catapulting her into a significant modeling career and cementing her status as one of the original influencers, empowering women worldwide. With a fierce legacy and an indomitable pioneering spirit, Bernice Burgos stands as a true legend. Beyond her successful modeling career, she ventured into entrepreneurship, founding Bold & Beautiful, a sleepwear line designed to empower women of all shapes and sizes. Her brand champions confidence and inclusivity.

Chinese Kitty
Chinese Kitty, an influential figure in both music and social media, reaches millions worldwide with her music. Having graced some of the world’s most illustrious stages, including the Rolling Loud festival, she commands attention with her name alone. With an impressive following of nearly 4 million devoted fans, her every move is anticipated by a captivated audience. Renowned for her striking beauty, Chinese Kitty has become a #bodygoals icon. Her unapologetic East Coast intensity infuses every lyric, delivering seductive bars and knockout hooks that amass millions of streams and views. As a rapper, entrepreneur, and Love & Hip Hop Miami star, her debut album SMD epitomizes her uncompromising style, offering a powerful collection of unfiltered hits.

Cleotrapa
Cleotrapa, an undeniable influencer and captivating recording artist from Staten Island, New York, embodies unapologetic charisma and relatability. At 25, she’s evolved into a magnetic online personality, blending inspirational messaging and satirical commentary on everyday life, drawing in her following of well over a million across various platforms. Cleotrapa’s top-tier humor paired with her signature New York swag has catapulted her to becoming one of social media’s most beloved personalities among fans and brand partners alike.

DreamDoll
DreamDoll, a Bronx native, has unequivocally carved her own path over the past few years. She organically built her music following on Instagram, a platform that catapulted her onto prominent TV shows and into partnerships with major brands. Her larger-than-life personality and doll-like appearance harmonize effortlessly with her slick cadence and rhymes, establishing her as a standout among the rising stars in the rap genre. With over 5 million followers, DreamDoll stands tall as one of New York’s finest, effortlessly delivering fiery verses. Notably, her collaborations with industry giants like Lil Kim and French Montana showcase her versatility and acclaim. Her top-tier fashion sense commands attention, making anything associated with DreamDoll an instant hit.

Ella Rodriguez
Known in her hometown of Bronx, NY, as Ella Bands, the soft-spoken powerhouse ascended to become one of New York City’s most prominent social media influencers in 2015. Ella, alongside her longtime partner Artist, better known as rapper A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, embraces the joys of parenthood, raising two beautiful children together. Elevating her social media prominence into a thriving million-dollar empire, she stands as an accomplished entrepreneur, vocalist, and dedicated mother. With an impressive Instagram following of nearly 2.3 million and nearly 10 million overall engagements on TikTok, Ella’s ever-expanding influence is a force to be reckoned with in business and on social media.

Maleni Cruz
Maleni, a viral sensation hailing from Brooklyn, has garnered widespread acclaim with her carefree demeanor and exceptional humor, amassing millions of views, likes, and shares across her viral videos. Alongside her partner Chicklet, she’s gained recognition for being outspoken and assertive, establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with, unafraid to express her opinions and stand her ground. Her Dominican roots and New York upbringing her relatable, endearing to 3 million followers who adore her comedic style.

Scot Louie
Scot Louie, an acclaimed celebrity fashion stylist known for his work with stars like Ryan Destiny, Normani, Victoria Monét, Lil’ Kim, and Keke Palmer, has been a trendsetter influencing millions in the fashion world with his signature hashtag #fashionNEEDSme. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Scot began styling celebrities at the age of 15. While continuing his work in fashion, Scot has also ventured into the culinary space with DinnerPlus, his innovative ‘Food Board’ which features a variety of curated dishes on Instagram, showcasing his artisanal spice blends with carefully curated recipes, Scot’s passion for food has blossomed. Anticipating the release of his upcoming cookbook in Fall 2024, Scot is set to make a flavorful mark beyond the fashion industry.

Yovanna Ventura Signs with Vision Entertainment

Posted on December 16, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Yovanna Ventura has a new vision…

Vision Entertainment has signed the 28-year-old Dominican actress, model, musician, entrepreneur and internet celebrity.

Ventura, whose credits include Tales (BET) and mini-series The New Edition Story, has amassed 11 million followers across social platforms.

She has appeared on screen alongside singers Maluma and Tyga.

Ventura continues to be repped by her manager Louie Diaz of Social Adam LLC alongside Vision Entertainment point managers John Alcaraz (Los Angeles), Julia Watkinson (New York), and Ximena Bustani (Mexico City).

“Given Yovanna’s multi-cultural background and multi-hyphenatedT talent, we are uniquely positioned to provide a 360 level of representation for her. From our Mexico City office that can service her Latin background by providing Spanish speaking opportunities, to our office in NY that specializes in Broadway opportunities to help further her musical skills, down to having Latin managers from similar backgrounds that can properly represent her in all aspects and amplify her voice correctly. We feel we will leave no stone unturned for her,” said point manager Alcaraz.

Swizz Beatz to Perform as Part of Pass The Mic Live! Segment at Spirit of Life Gala

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Swizz Beatz is embracing the spirit of life…

The 45-year-old half-Puerto Rican recording artist, music producer and entrepreneur will perform at next week’s Spirit of Life Gala honoring Lyor Cohen, global head of music at YouTube and Google.

The event will feature a one-time-only edition of DJ Cassidy’s celebrated Pass The Mic Live!, a segment that will showcase more than a dozen hip-hop and R&B artists, including Swizz Beatz.

Others appearing in the showcase include Public Enemy, Big Daddy Kane, Dru Hill, EPMD, Ja Rule, Memphis Bleek and T.I., all of whom have played a part in Cohen’s 40-year legacy spanning Rush Management, The Island Def Jam Music Group, Warner Music Group, 300 Entertainment and beyond.

The sold-out gala is taking place on October 18 at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. It’s a fundraiser for City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States and a leading research center for diabetes and other life-threatening illnesses.

DJ Cassidy’s Pass the Mic series quickly transformed from viral sensation to primetime TV series on BET. Now a live tour, DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live! recently sold out Radio City Music Hall in New York with a one-time-only concert featuring 25 icons of hip-hop’s golden era.

“As a 10-year-old deejay and hip-hop kid growing up in New York City, I idolized Lyor Cohen long before he ever knew my name,” DJ Cassidy said in a statement. “Then, as his Def Jam intern in my high school years, a hero became a mentor. I am truly honored to bring Pass The Mic Live’ to City Of Hope and celebrate Lyor’s commitment to making the best health care available to hip-hop fans and performers by uniting a once-in-a-lifetime lineup of iconic artists who have influenced his massive musical legacy and hip-hop’s global influence as a whole.”

City of Hope is celebrating 50 years of partnership with the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) fundraising group. Over this period, industry executives and influencers have raised nearly $150 million to benefit City of Hope’s mission to transform the future of cancer care.

Fat Joe to Host BET Hip Hop Awards for Second Consecutive Year

Posted on September 14, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Fat Joe is reporting for (hosting) duty again…

The 52-year-old Puerto Rican and Cuban American rapper will host the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards for the second consecutive year,

Set to take place at the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta on October 3, the live broadcast will air the following week on Octpber 10 at 9 p.m. ET on BET.

“We are thrilled to welcome back a true hip-hop legend in Fat Joe as this year’s host! As we round out a banner year of celebrating hip-hop’s landmark half-century of influencing culture, he is the perfect emcee to lead us through what promises to be an iconic night,” Connie Orlando, EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy at BET, tells Billboard. “Throughout his career, he has continued to be a leader within the culture, bridging the gap between generations. We can’t wait to watch what he comes up with for this year’s show.”

“Hip-hop is my life, and I’m extremely proud to return as host of BET Hip Hop Awards 2023,” Fat Joe adds. “We’re going to make this year’s award show even bigger while also celebrating our hip-hop stars and pioneers in a spectacular way. It’s going to be a legendary night of music and entertainment, and you’re not going to want to miss it.”

This year’s nominations include a diverse crowd of proven veterans, rising rookies, thriving producers and international stars. 21 Savage and Cardi B lead the way with 12 nominations, while Drake is right behind with nine. DJ Khaled and Burna Boy each have seven nods, while J. Cole has six. Jay-Z, Coi Leray, and GloRilla follow with five apiece.

Cardi B Leads Pack of BET Hip Hop Awards Nominees with 12

Posted on September 10, 2023 by Tom Castaneda

Cardi B is one of this year’s hip hop artists to beat…

The 30-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar and 21 Savage are the leading nominees for the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards with 12 nominations each.

The two artists are going head-to-head in seven categories – best collaboration, lyricist of the year, hip-hop artist of the year, hustler of the year, best hip-hop video, sweet 16: best featured verse and song of the year.

Drake is next in line with nine nods. He is followed on the leaderboard by Burna Boy and DJ Khaled with seven nods each; J. Cole with six nods; Coi Leray, GloRilla and Jay-Z with five nods each; Lil Uzi Vert with four; and DaBaby, Kendrick Lamar, Latto, Lil Durk, Megan Thee Stallion and Metro Boomin with three nods each.

Meanwhile, Ice Spice has picked up two nods.

The 23-year-old half-Dominican American rapper is up for Best Breakthrough Hip-Hop Artist and Best Collaboration for “Princess Diana,” her track with Nicki Minaj.

Five women rappers rank among the most nominated, with Cardi B followed by Leray, GloRilla, Latto and Megan Thee Stallion.

The show will tape in Atlanta on Tuesday, October 3, and will premiere on BET one week later, on Tuesday, October 10, at 9:00 pm ET/PT.

“This year’s BET Hip Hop Awards will mark the culmination of our yearlong celebration of hip-hop’s storied creation and the art form’s sonic and cultural expansion,” Connie Orlando, BET’s EVP specials, music programming & music strategy, said in a statement. “We are honored by this year’s roster of nominees as they continue to carry the creativity and diversity of hip hop into the future. We congratulate each nominee on their accomplishments as they take hip hop artistry to new heights.”

BET promises that “the telecast will salute 50 years of hip-hop with not-to-be-missed moments and performances.”

Fans can start voting for DJ of the year, producer of the year, and best hip hop platform on Tuesday, September 12, at noon ET on the BET website, where more information about the awards is also available.

Here’s the complete list of 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards nominees:

Hip-hop artist of the year
21 Savage
Burna Boy
Cardi B
Drake
Glorilla
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Uzi Vert

Song of the year
“All My Life,” Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z , John Legend & Fridayy
“Just Wanna Rock,” Lil Uzi Vert
“Players,” Coi Leray
“Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto feat. Cardi B
“Rich Flex,” Drake & 21 Savage
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
“Tomorrow 2,” GloRilla & Cardi B

Hip hop album of the year
Anyways, Life’s Great…, Glorilla
Coi, Coi Leray
God Did, DJ Khaled
Her Loss, Drake & 21 Savage
Heroes & Villains, Metro Boomin
Jackman, Jack Harlow
Pink Tape, Lil Uzi Vert
Traumazine, Megan Thee Stallion

Best hip-hop video
“Just Wanna Rock,” Lil Uzi Vert
“Players” (DJ Smallz 732 – Jersey Club Remix), Coi Leray
“Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto feat. Cardi B
“Shake Sumn,” DaBaby
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World ,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
“Spin Bout U,” Drake & 21 Savage
“Tomorrow 2,” Glorilla & Cardi B

Best collaboration
“All My Life,” Lil Durk feat. J. Cole
“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy
“Players” (DJ Saige Remix), Coi Leray feat. Busta Rhymes
“Princess Diana,” Ice Spice & Nicki Minaj
“Put It On Da Floor Again,” Latto feat. Cardi B
“Sittin’ On Top Of The World,” Burna Boy feat. 21 Savage
“Tomorrow 2,” Glorilla & Cardi B

Impact track
“30,” Nas
“All My Life,” Lil Durk Feat. J. Cole
“Anxiety,” Megan Thee Stallion
“Can’t Win for Nothing,” Symba
“Champions,” NLE Choppa
“God Did,” DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z, John Legend & Fridayy
“Scientists & Engineers,” Killer Mike & André 3000 feat. Future & Eryn Allen Kane
“Therapy Pt. 2,” Robert Glasper feat. Mac Miller

Best duo or group
City Girls
DJ Drama & Jeezy
Drake & 21 Savage
Earthgang
Larry June & The Alchemist
Quavo & Takeoff
Rae Sremmurd

Best live performer
Burna Boy
Busta Rhymes
Cardi B
Coi Leray
Dababy
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Megan Thee Stallion

Best breakthrough hip-hop artist
Armani White
Central Cee
Doechii
Finesse2tymes
Ice Spice
Kaliii
Lola Brooke
Sexyy Redd

Lyricist of the year
21 Savage
André 3000
Burna Boy
Cardi B
Conway The Machine
Drake
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar

Producer of the year
Atl Jacob
DJ Khaled
Dr. Dre
Hit-Boy
Hitmaka
Kaytranada
London On Da Track
Metro Boomin
The Alchemist

Video director of the year
Anderson .Paak
Cole Bennett
Colin Tilley
DaBaby & Reel Goats
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Dave Meyers
Travis Scott

DJ of the year
Chase B
D-Nice
DJ Cassidy
DJ Clark Kent
DJ Drama
DJ Jazzy Jeff
DJ Khaled
Kaytranada
Metro Boomin

Best hip-hop platform
AllHipHop
Caresha Please
Drink Champs
Hiphop Dx
Million Dollaz Worth Of Game
Rap Caviar
The Breakfast Club
The Joe Budden Podcast
XXL

Hustler of the year
21 Savage
50 Cent
Burna Boy
Cardi B
Caresha
DJ Khaled
Drake
Jay-Z

Sweet 16: best featured verse
21 Savage, “Creepin’” (Metro Boomin feat. The Weeknd & 21 Savage)
21 Savage, “Peaches & Eggplants” (Young Nudy feat. 21 Savage)
André 3000, “Scientists & Engineers” (Killer Mike & André 3000 feat. Future & Eryn Allen Kane)
Cardi B, “Tomorrow 2” (Glorilla & Cardi B)
Cardi B, “Put It On Da Floor Again” (Latto feat. Cardi B)
Drake, “Oh U Went” (Young Thug feat. Drake)
J. Cole, “All My Life” (Lil Durk feat. J. Cole)
Jay-Z, “God Did” (DJ Khaled feat. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Jay-Z , John Legend & Fridayy)

Best international flow
Aka (South Africa)
Black Sherif (Ghana)
Central Cee (UK)
Gazo (France)
J Hus (UK)
K.O (South Africa)
Major Rd (Brazil)
Ninho (France)
Sampa The Great (Zambia)
Tasha & Tracie (Brazil)

Bruno Mars’ Silk Sonic Wins Video of the Year at Soul Train Awards for Second Year in a Row

Posted on November 27, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars is a repeat winner…

The 37-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer/songwriter and his Silk Sonic group mate Anderson .Paak came away with one the top prizes at the Soul Train Awards, which aired on BET and BET Her on Saturday (November 27).

Mars’ Silk Sonic won video of the year for the second year in a row with “Smokin’ Out the Window.”

The retro-soul duo took home the award last year for “Leave the Door Open.”

Mars won in that same category for “24K Magic” (2017) and “Finesse” (remix featuring Cardi B, 2018).

The Soul Train Awards took place at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, where the show was taped earlier this month.

Here’s the complete list of 2022 Soul Train Awards winners:

Album of the Year: Renaissance, Beyoncé|
Song of the Year: “Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
Video of the Year: “Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
Best New Artist: Tems
Best R&B/Soul Female Artist: Jazmine Sullivan
Best R&B/Soul Male Artist: Chris Brown
Best Collaboration: “Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers feat. Beyoncé
Certified Soul Award: Mary J. Blige
The Ashford and Simpson Songwriter’s Award: “Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
Best Dance Performance: “About Damn Time,” Lizzo
Best Gospel/Inspirational Award: Maverick City Music X Kirk Franklin
Legend Award: The Time
Lady of Soul Award: Xscape

Television Academy Names Rita Moreno to This Year’s Hall of Fame Class

Posted on October 25, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Rita Moreno is entering a special hall…

The Television Academy has announced its 26th Hall of Fame class, with the 90-year-old Puerto Rican entertainer among the honorees.

Moreno will be joined by choreographer and actress Debbie Allen, documentarian Ken Burns, BET founder Robert L. Johnson, CBS executive Bob Daly and cinematographer Donald A. Morgan.

Moreno, an EGOT winner (Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tony Awards), is a two-time Emmy winner for The Muppet Show and The Rockford Files.

She has starred in series including The Electric Company, Sesame Street, Nine to Five, Oz, Cane, Happily Divorced, Jane the Virgin, and the Latinx reimagining of Norman Lear’s One Day at a Time.

Moreno’s many accolades also include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Arts, the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors and the Peabody Award.

Moreno is among two of the honorees who’ve already received honorary awards from the Television Academy. She was awarded a “Televisionary Award” in 2008. Allen received a Governors Award last year.

The Hall of Fame event will take place on Wednesday, November 16, at the Television Academy’s Saban Media Center in North Hollywood, California.

In addition to the induction of the 2022 Hall of Fame recipients, the event will include the presentation of the Bob Hope Humanitarian Award to actor/director/activist Sean Penn and the unveiling of new busts of four previous inductees.

“These legendary performers, creators, craftspeople and television executives are luminaries in our industry,” Frank Scherma, chairman and CEO of the Television Academy, said in a statement. “Their work has influenced and immeasurably elevated the current television landscape and culture. We are proud to induct these trailblazers into the Hall of Fame and honored to celebrate their extraordinary contributions to our industry.”

“This year’s honorees have told the American story through television in ways that will forever shape our history and culture,” said Rick Rosen, Hall of Fame selection committee chair (who is also WME co-founder and head of television). “Whether they reshaped the industry itself through visionary leadership or created pieces of work that have had a lasting legacy, these individuals will forever be remembered for the impact they’ve had on the medium.”

The 2022 Hall of Fame honorees join more than 150 individuals previously inducted into the Hall of Fame since its inception in 1984. The honors were presented every year from 1984 to 1993, but the Academy has skipped 13 years since then for various reasons. This is the first induction class since 2019.

In addition to Rosen, this year’s Hall of Fame selection committee included Marcy Carsey, Emmy-winning producer; Pearlena Igbokwe, chairman of Universal Studio Group; Peter Roth, former chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group; Nina Tassler, co-chief executive officer of PatMa Productions; and Dana Walden, chairman of Disney General Entertainment Content.

Bruno Mars’ Silk Sonic Earns Three Soul Train Awards Nominations

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Tom Castaneda

Bruno Mars is trackin’…

The Soul Train Awards nominations have been released, with the 37-year-old part-Puerto Rican Grammy-winning singer earning three nods as a member of Silk Sonic.

Mars, a 13-time Soul Train Award winner, and his Silk Sonic group mate Anderson .Paak, are nominated for Video of the Year and Best Dance Performance for “Smokin Out the Window.”

The pair is also nominated for Album of the Year for Silk Sonic’s An Evening With Silk Sonic.

This year’s Soul Train Awards ceremony will take place in Las Vegas on November 13.

Deon Cole will host the night dedicated to celebrating the best in soul, R&B and hip-hop music.

Here’s a complete look at this year’s nominees:

Album of the Year
An Evening With Silk Sonic, Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
Away Message (EP), Ari Lennox
Breezy, Chris Brown
Good Morning Gorgeous, Mary J. Blige
Heaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe, Jazmine Sullivan
R&B Money, Tank
Renaissance, Beyoncé
Special, Lizzo

Song of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox

The Ashford And Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Church Girl,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“I Hate U,” SZA
“Last, Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox

Best Dance Performance
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Persuasive,” Doechii
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown
“Woman,” Doja Cat

Video of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)

Best Collaboration
“Amazing,” Mary J. Blige feat. DJ Khaled
“Be Like Water,” PJ Morton feat. Stevie Wonder & Nas
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Gotta Move On,” Diddy feat. Bryson Tiller
“Hate Our Love,” Queen Naija & Big Sean
“Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers feat. Beyoncé
“Move,” Beyoncé feat. Grace Jones & Tems
“Slow,” Tank feat. J. Valentine

Hispanically Yours

Celebrating the Latino Influence

Tag Archives: BET