Ice Spice Releases Highly Anticipated Debut Album “Y2K!”

Ice Spice has finally released her debut album…

The 24-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-nominated rapper dropped Y2K! on Friday, July 26 via 10K Projects and Capitol Records.

Ice SpiceIce Spice’s 10-song set features previously released singles “Phat Butt,” “Think U the Shit (Fart)” and “Gimmie a Light.”

“Think U the Shit (Fart)” became Ice’s highest charting unaccompanied solo Billboard Hot 100 hit to date, and she performed the song and “Phat Butt” at the 2024 BET Awards, where she was nominated for best collaboration and video of the year for “Barbie World” with Nicki Minaj and Aqua, as well as best female hip-hop artist.

“I think this is some of my best work,” she told Billboard when she was named the 2024 Women in Music Hitmaker Award honoree.

“I’s not going to be too long — it’s going to be sweet and to the point.”

Y2K! also features collaborations with Travis Scott (“Oh Shhh…”), Gunna (“Bitch I’m Packin’”) and Central Cee (“Did It First”), the lattermost of which debuted at No. 62 on the Hot 100 dated July 27.

Scott recently previewed their collaboration during his London tour stop.

Y2K! comes a year and a half after her debut EP Like..?, which reached No. 15 on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and featured hit singles “Munch (Feelin’ U)” and “Princess Diana,” which later got a Hot 100 No. 4 remix with Minaj.

Ice Spice landed at No. 5 on Billboard‘s 10 Hottest Female Rappers Right Now list in June. And she embarked on her Y2K! World Tour earlier this month, which will make its way stateside next week in Washington, D.C., before wrapping on August 31 in Miami, Fla.

Cardi B Reveals Pregnancy During BET Awards Performance

Cardi B is celebrating her latest pregnancy in the limelight…

The 28-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar revealed her pregnancy at the 2021 BET Awards while performing with her husband Offset and Migos.

Cardi B

After the trio finished “Straightenin,” Cardi joined the group for “Type S—.” Appearing on stage in an embroidered Dolce & Gabbana bodysuit, a sheer panel in the abdomen exposed Cardi’s burgeoning belly. The ensemble included matching leggings and shoes.

https://twitter.com/BETAwards/status/1409307133938651140

Later, Cardi B shared two touching images of the couple as well as a mother-daughter moment between her and her nearly 3-year-old daughter Kulture.

“We listened to each other, communicated, prayed and then God blessed us and our family with another little blessing,” she wrote under a picture of Offset caressing her baby bump from behind in the couple shot. “Our home feels so blissful and very busy but we are ready and so happy!! Thank you soo much everyone for the congrats and well wishes.”

For her shoot with Kulture, Cardi pointed her fans to notice the Afro-Caribbean roots in their gowns and headdresses with gold jewelry, which also inspired her outfits in the music video for her 2018 banger “I Like It” with Bad Bunny and J Balvin.

“I just know these two will love each other soo much and argue soo much since they’re 3 years apart…just like me and Henny,” she wrote under the photo of Kulture looking up at her mother while placing her tiny hand on Cardi’s bump. “But one thing for sure is they’ll have each other’s back like no one else ever will.”

And Cardi’s sister Hennessy Carolina, who’s three years younger than the Grammy-winning artist, can attest to that statement. “Being 3 years apart is the best! lol,” she commented on Instagram with a slew of heart eyes and heart emojis.

https://twitter.com/iamcardib/status/1409568208559001601

https://twitter.com/iamcardib/status/1409570830590283779

Cardi B Earns Five BET Awards Nominations

It’s five for fighting for Cardi B

The 21st BET Awards 2021 nominees list has been released, with the 28-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar earning five nods.

Cardi B

Cardi B, a four-time BET Award winner, is nominated for Best Female Hip Hop Artist.

Her chart-topping collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, “WAP,” is nominated for Best Collaboration and the Viewer’s Choice Award, while the music video is up for Video of the Year.

The clip for Cardi B’s chart-topping single “Up” is also nominated for Video of the Year, giving her two nods in the category.

Bruno Mars has picked up four nominations…

The 35-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer is nominated for Best Group for his R&B duo Silk Sonic, composed of Mars and Anderson .Paak.

Silk Sonic’s debut single “Leave the Door Open” is nominated for the Viewer’s Choice Award, while the song’s music clip is up for Video of the Year. The clip also earned Mars a nod for Video Director of the Year alongside Florent Dechard.

Jhene Aiko is celebrating her BET Award nom…

The 33-year-old part-Spanish American singer is up for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist.

Emcida is celebrating his BET Awards callout…

The 33-year-old Brazilian rapper, singer, songwriter and MC, whose real name is Leandro Roque de Oliveira, is nominated for Best International Act.

The awards honor Black excellence across music, television, film, and sports in 21 categories.

The BET Awards 2021 will air live on Sunday, June 27 on BET at 8:00 pm ET/ PT. The show was a virtual event last year during the pandemic.

“We are back and excited to bring culture’s biggest night, the 2021 ‘BET Awards,’ safely back to Los Angeles to celebrate this year’s incredible roster of nominees,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. “We broke ground as one of the first official award shows to move forward during the global pandemic and we are ready to take our pioneer status to the next level with the return of an audience to celebrate the best and brightest creative minds in the entertainment industry.”

Voting for the BET Awards 2021 Viewer’s Choice Award begins on June 7.

Beginning today, vaccinated individuals can register here for consideration to be part of the BET Awards 2021 live show audience.

The complete list of nominees are:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

AFTER HOURS – THE WEEKND
BLAME IT ON BABY – DABABY
GOOD NEWS – MEGAN THEE STALLION
HEAUX TALES – JAZMINE SULLIVAN
KING’S DISEASE – NAS
UNGODLY HOUR – CHLOE X HALLE

BEST COLLABORATION

CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION – WAP
DABABY FT. RODDY RICCH – ROCKSTAR
DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE – POPSTAR
JACK HARLOW FT. DABABY, TORY LANEZ & LIL WAYNE – WHATS POPPIN (REMIX)
MEGAN THEE STALLION FT. DABABY – CRY BABY
POP SMOKE FT. LIL BABY & DABABY – FOR THE NIGHT

BEST FEMALE R&B / POP ARTIST

BEYONCÉ
H.E.R.
JAZMINE SULLIVAN
JHENÉ AIKO
SUMMER WALKER
SZA

BEST MALE R&B / POP ARTIST

6LACK
ANDERSON .PAAK
CHRIS BROWN
GIVEON
TANK
THE WEEKND

BEST NEW ARTIST

COI LERAY
FLO MILLI
GIVEON
JACK HARLOW
LATTO
POOH SHIESTY

BEST GROUP

21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN
CHLOE X HALLE
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG
CITY GIRLS
MIGOS
SILK SONIC

BEST FEMALE HIP HOP ARTIST

CARDI B
COI LERAY
DOJA CAT
MEGAN THEE STALLION
LATTO
SAWEETIE

BEST MALE HIP HOP ARTIST

DABABY
DRAKE
COLE
JACK HARLOW
LIL BABY
POP SMOKE

BOBBY JONES BEST GOSPEL/INSPIRATIONAL AWARD

BEBE WINANS – IN JESUS NAME
CECE WINANS – NEVER LOST
H.E.R. – HOLD US TOGETHER
KIRK FRANKLIN – STRONG GOD
MARVIN SAPP – THANK YOU FOR IT ALL
TAMELA MANN – TOUCH FROM YOU

BET HER AWARD

ALICIA KEYS FT. KHALID – SO DONE
BRANDY FT. CHANCE THE RAPPER – BABY MAMA
BRI STEVES – ANTI QUEEN
CHLOE X HALLE – BABY GIRL
CIARA FT. ESTER DEAN – ROOTED
SZA – GOOD DAYS

BEST INTERNATIONAL ACT

AYA NAKAMURA (FRANCE)
BURNA BOY (NIGERIA)
DIAMOND PLATNUMZ (TANZANIA)
EMICIDA (BRAZIL)
HEADIE ONE (UK)
WIZKID (NIGERIA)
YOUNG T & BUGSEY (UK)
YOUSSOUPHA (FRANCE)

VIEWER’S CHOICE AWARD

CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION – WAP
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG – GO CRAZY
DABABY FT. RODDY RICCH – ROCKSTAR
DJ KHALED FT. DRAKE – POPSTAR
DRAKE FT. LIL DURK – LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
LIL BABY – THE BIGGER PICTURE
MEGAN THEE STALLION FT. BEYONCÉ – SAVAGE (REMIX)
SILK SONIC – LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

CARDI B – UP
CARDI B FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION – WAP
CHLOE X HALLE – DO IT
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG – GO CRAZY
DRAKE FT. LIL DURK – LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
SILK SONIC – LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR

BENNY BOOM
BRUNO MARS AND FLORENT DÉCHARD
COLE BENNETT
COLIN TILLEY
DAVE MEYERS
HYPE WILLIAMS

BEST MOVIE

COMING 2 AMERICA
JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM
ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI
SOUL
THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY

BEST ACTRESS

ANDRA DAY
ANGELA BASSETT
ISSA RAE
JURNEE SMOLLETT
VIOLA DAVIS
ZENDAYA

BEST ACTOR

ALDIS HODGE
CHADWICK BOSEMAN
DAMSON IDRIS
DANIEL KALUUYA
EDDIE MURPHY
LAKEITH STANFIELD

YOUNGSTARS AWARD

ALEX R. HIBBERT
ETHAN HUTCHISON
LONNIE CHAVIS
MARSAI MARTIN
MICHAEL EPPS
STORM REID

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

A’JA WILSON
CANDACE PARKER
CLARESSA SHIELDS
NAOMI OSAKA
SERENA WILLIAMS
SKYLAR DIGGINS-SMITH

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

KYRIE IRVING
LEBRON JAMES
PATRICK MAHOMES
RUSSELL WESTBROOK
RUSSELL WILSON
STEPHEN CURRY

Bruno Mars Earns Five BET Award Nominations

Bruno Mars is serious BET Awards bait…

The 31-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer has picked up five nods for the 2017 BET Awards.

Bruno Mars

Among his nods, Mars is nominated in the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist category, as well as Album of the Year for his critically acclaimed LP 24K Magic and Video of the Year for album’s title track.

Kehlani has picked up a nod. The 22-year-old part-Spanish American singer is nominated in the Best Female R&B/Pop Artist category.

And, Fat Joe is up for Best Group alongside Remy Ma.

The BET Awards will air live on June 25 from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET. The awards ceremony will cap off the annual BET Experience at L.A. Live in Los Angeles from June 22-25.

The BET Awards will also recognize achievements in film, television, sports and international music acts across more than 19 categories.

A complete list of the 2017 BET Awards nominees is available at the BET Awards‘ official website, but take a look at some of the categories below. 

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Kehlani
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna
Solange 

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Bruno Mars
Chris Brown
The Weeknd
Trey Songz
Usher 

Best Group
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
A Tribe Called Quest
Fat Joe & Remy Ma
Migos
Rae Sremmurd 

Best Collaboration
Beyoncé ft. Kendrick Lamar – “Freedom”
Chance the Rapper ft. 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne – “No Problem”
Chris Brown ft. Gucci Mane & Usher – “Party”
DJ Khaled ft. Beyoncé & Jay Z – “Shining”
Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – “Bad and Boujee”
Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane – “Black Beatles” 

Best Male Hip-Hop Artist
Big Sean
Chance the Rapper
Drake
Future
Cole
Kendrick Lamar  

Best Female Hip-Hop Artist
Cardi B
Missy Elliott
Nicki Minaj
Remy Ma
Young M.A. 

Video of the Year
Beyoncé – “Sorry”
Big Sean – “Bounce Back”
Bruno Mars – “24K Magic”
Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert – “Bad and Boujee”
Solange – “Cranes in the Sky”  

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom – Kehlani, “CRZY”
Bruno Mars & Jonathan Lia – Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”
Director X – Zayn Malik, “Like I Would”
Hype Williams – Tyga “Gucci Snakes ft. Desiigner”
Kahlil Joseph & Beyoncé Knowles-Carter – Beyoncé, “Sorry” 

Best New Artist
21 Savage
Cardi B
Chance the Rapper
Khalid
Young M.A. 

Album of the Year
24K Magic – Bruno Mars
4 Your Eyez Only – J. Cole
A Seat at the Table – Solange
Coloring Book – Chance the Rapper
Lemonade – Beyoncé

Smollet to Receive Chairman’s Award at the NAACP Image Awards

Jussie Smollett is the Chairman of the awards…

The 32-year-old Brazilian-America actor/singer, who portrays singer-songwriter Jamal Lyon on Fox’s hit drama Empire, is set as one of eight recipients of the NAACP Chairman’s Award.

Jussie Smollet

The honor, which will be presented at the 47th annual NAACP Image Awards next month, is given in recognition of special achievement and distinguished public service.

Along with his role on Empire, Smollett is a longtime activist on behalf of civil rights, HIV/AIDS awareness and other social justice causes since age 15. He volunteers with such nonprofits as the Black AIDS Institute, Artists for a New South Africa and United Negro College Fund. Recently he interrupted his performance at the BET Awards to speak out about the Supreme Court decision allowing gay marriage.

“It is a rare privilege for me to present the NAACP Chairman’s 2016 Award to an outstanding group of trailblazing leaders all under the age of 50 who have given voice and vision to the mantra that black lives matter,” said Roslyn Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “The five individuals and three organizations have raised awareness of social, educational, and economic injustice from college campuses, church pulpits and the streets, and exemplify what this award symbolizes: ‘Courage Will Not Skip this Generation.’”

The Chairman’s Awards will be presented February 5 during the Image Awards ceremony at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium. A two-hour version of the show will air at 9:00 pm ET on TV One.

Miguel Provides New Track for “BET Presents Music Matters Vol. 1” Compilation

There’s no denying that music matters to Miguel… And, nowhe’s proving it. 

BET Networks and its new artist program Music Matters has partnered with Louder Than Life/Red Associated Labels to launch a compilation album series: BET Presents Music Matters Vol. 1, which features new music from the 28-year-old half-Mexican American singer-songwriter.

Miguel

The compilation, also featuring new music from Big Sean, Mack Wilds, Melanie Fiona and The Internet, will be released June 23 in support of the second annual BET Experience (June 27-29). The three-day music and lifestyle festival culminates with the BET Awards on June 29, hosted by Chris Rock.

Miguel’s track for the 15-track compilation is called “Gravity.”

Now available for preorder at Amazon, the album sports a mix of established acts and rising stars. Music Matters is a multiplatform initiative that provides exposure for groundbreaking talent across BET and Centric, in addition to national tours and monthly showcases.

Miguel, Kendrick Lamar, Elle Varner, J. Cole and Marsha Ambrosius are among the artists who have been spotlighted by Music Matters.

Salaam Remi, who founded Louder Than Life and doubles as executive vice president A&R and production at Sony Music Entertainment, is the executive producer of the BET Presents Music Matters compilation album series. Collaborating with Remi is Kelly G, senior director of music programming for BET Networks.

Here’s the Complete Track List:

1. “Music Matters Theme” — Marsha Ambrosius
2. “Gravity” — Miguel
3. “Prove” — Gabi Wilson
4. “My Crib” (Remix) — Mack Wilds featuring Pusha T
5. “It’s a Man’s World” — Adrian Marcel
6. “Lit” — Bas featuring J. Cole and KQuick
7. “Memories” — Big Sean
8. “Dontcha” — The Internet
9. “Walking Shoes” — Mali Music
10. “Liquid Love” — Chris Turner
11. “Under the Covers” — Curtis Fields
12. “Touch” — Ashley Kimbrae
13. “Cold Case” — Elle Varner
14. “Where It Counts” — Melanie Fiona
15. “Friends and Lovers” — Marsha Ambrosius

Miguel Performing at Montreal’s Osheaga Music Festival

Miguel is heading to the Great White North…

The 27-year-old half-Mexican American singer-songwriter will be making an appearance at the Osheaga Music Festival, which is taking place at Montreal’s Parc Jean-Drapeau this weekend, August 2-4.

Miguel

Miguel will join other acts like Mumford & Sons, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Vampire Weekend and Beck after original performer Frank Ocean pulled out.

Ocean’s cancellation came after he suffered a tear to one of his vocal cords. The rapper’s health issue has also forced him to cancel the rest of his Australian tour dates as well as his headlining set at Drake‘s annual music festival, OVO.

Miguel, who is nominated for a BET Award this year, most recently performed at the Young Hollywood Awards.

Miguel Earns Best Male R&B/Pop Artist at the BET Awards…

This year’s turning out to be a (kaleidoscope) dream for Miguel

Following his career-advancing performance at theGrammys and his #Beautiful” collaboration with Mariah Carey, the 27-year-old half-Mexican American singer-songwriter was named Best Male R&B/Pop Artist at the BET Awards on Sunday night.

Miguel

Miguel, who released his critically acclaimed sophomore album Kaleidoscope Dream in 2012, beat out Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Justin Timberlake and Usher to claim a victory in the category for the first time in his career.

It was the only awad of the night for Miguel, who was nominated in four categories this year, during the show held at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.

Other winners included best female R&B/pop artist Rihanna, best male hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar, best female hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj, best actress Kerry Washington, best actor Jamie Foxx and best movie Think Like a Man.

It’s Miguel’s second BET Award, following his win in the Best Collaboration category last year for his “Lotus Flower Bomb” single with Wale.

Miguel Nominated for Four BET Awards…

Miguel apparently has adorn-ing fans at BET

The 27-year-old half-Mexican American singer-songwriter has earned four BET Awards nods, making him the most nominated Latino artist this year.

Miguel

Miguel, who will be performing at this year’s Billboard Music Awards, is nominated in the Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
category. His single “Adorn” is also nominated for Video of the Year, the Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award
and the Centric Award.

Other Latino nominees include Bruno Mars for Best Male R&B/Pop Artist and New York Giants star Victor Cruz for Subway Sportsman of the Year.

The BET Awards will air live June 30 from the Nokia Theater L.A. Live.

Here’s a look at the full list of nominees:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Beyoncé
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel


Justin Timberlake
Usher

Best Group
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behavior
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Best Collaboration
2 Chainz feat. Drake: “No Lie”
A$AP Rocky feat. Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar: “Fuckin’ Problems”
French Montana feat. Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne: “Pop That”
Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake: “Poetic Justice”
Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z: “Suit & Tie”
Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz: “Mercy”

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye

Video of the Year
2 Chainz feat. Drake: “No Lie”
A$AP Rocky feat. Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar: “Fuckin’ Problems”
Drake: “Started From The Bottom”
Drake feat. Lil Wayne: “HYFR”
Kendrick Lamar feat. Drake: “Poetic Justice”
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz: “Thrift Shop”
Miguel: “Adorn”
Rihanna: “Diamonds”
Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z: “Suit & Tie”
Kanye West feat. Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz: “Mercy”

Best New Artist
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd

Best Gospel Artist
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp

Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington

Best Actor
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhané Wallis

Best Movie
“Beasts of the Southern Wild”
“Django Unchained”
“Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap”
“Sparkle”
“Think Like a Man”

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis

Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award
A$AP Rocky feat. Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar: “Fuckin’ Problems”
Drake: “Started From The Bottom”
Kendrick Lamar: “Swimming Pools (Drank)”
Miguel: “Adorn”

Rihanna: “Diamonds”
Justin Timberlake feat. Jay-Z: “Suit & Tie”

Centric Award
Tamar Braxton: “Love and War”
Fantasia: “Lose To Win”
Miguel: “Adorn”

Nas: “Daughters”
Charlie Wilson: “My Love Is All I Have”