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Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Trevor Noah and Uzo Aduba Score Nominations For 72nd Emmys.

Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Trevor Noah and Uzo Aduba Score Nominations For 72nd Emmys

The 2020 Emmy nominations are in and Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Trevor Noah and Uzo Aduba are repping Africa hard.

The exciting 72nd Emmy Awards nominations have been released and Insecure has scored once again with multiple nominations. The breakthrough show has been nominated for "Best Comedy" while Issa Rae has received a nomination for "Best Actress in a Comedy" and Yvonne Orji, "Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy". Uzo Aduba bags the nomination for "Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Movie or Series", for her radical political role in Mrs America.Additionally, South Africa'sTrevor Noah and The Daily Show with Trevor Noah have also bagged a whopping six nominations in the "Variety Talk Series", "Writing for a Variety Series", "Directing for a Variety Series", "Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special", "Picture Editing for Variety Programming", and "Short Form Nonfiction or Reality Series" categories.


READ:Issa Rae's New Show 'Rap Sh*t' Is Set to Premiere on HBO Max

Insecure's strength is that it deliberately focuses on the intimacies between friends and the difficulties of relationships through the lens of Black, educated and funny women––a rarity in Hollywood. Since it hit the screens, the show has resonated not only with African-Americans but Africans in the diaspora.

Orji's show Momma I Made It has her followers glued to the screen as she boldly and comically documents going back to her roots in Nigeria showing the nuances of Africa. Fellow Nigerian Aduba's role in Mrs America is of the Black feminist who ran for political office in the 1970s and was seemingly erased from the history pages. Aduba remarks that filling in the "blindspots" of history motivated her stellar performance. Aduba's first Emmy win was for her quirky breakout role as "Crazy Eyes" in Orange is the New Black. Breaking into the industry was admittedly difficult for Aduba as she refused to alter both her face and name to get more roles.

Though all actresses have been nominated and won Emmys before, the representation of multidimensional Black women is a quality that is still lacking in Hollywood television productions, the 2020 Emmy nominations clear evidence of that. Variety states, "The Emmys need shows like "Insecure" on the ballot in order to recognize what's best on television, but "Insecure" didn't need the Emmys to be great."

This year's Emmys will take place on September 20th, with popular late-night television host, Jimmy Kimmel, set to host the live ceremony.

Read the rest of the Emmy nominations below:


Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson, black-ish

Don Cheadle, Black Monday

Ted Danson, The Good Place

Michael Douglas, The Kominsky Method

Eugene Levy, Schitt's Creek

Ramy Youssef, Ramy

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Christina Applegate, Dead to Me

Rachel Brosnahan, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Linda Cardellini, Dead to Me

Catherine O'Hara, Schitt's Creek

Issa Rae, Insecure

Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Jason Bateman, Ozark

Sterling K. Brown, This is Us

Steve Carell, The Morning Show

Brian Cox, Succession

Billy Porter, Pose

Jeremy Strong, Succession

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Jennifer Aniston, The Morning Show

Olivia Colman, The Crown

Jodie Comer, Killing Eve

Laura Linney, Ozark

Sandra Oh, Killing Eve

Zendaya, Euphoria

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Helena Bonham Carter, The Crown

Laura Dern, Big Little Lies

Julia Garner, Ozark

Thandie Newton, Westworld

Fiona Shaw, Killing Eve

Sarah Snook, Succession

Meryl Streep, Big Little Lies

Samira Wiley, The Handmaid's Tale

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Nicholas Braun, Succession

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Kieran Culkin, Succession

Mark Duplass, The Morning Show

Giancarlo Esposito, Better Call Saul

Matthew Macfadyen, Succession

Bradley Whitford, The Handmaid's Tale

Jeffery Wright, Westworld

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Alex Borstein, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

D'Arcy Carden, The Good Place

Betty Gilpin, GLOW

Marin Hinkle, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Kate McKinnon, Saturday Night Live

Annie Murphy, Schitt's Creek

Yvonne Orji, Insecure

Cecily Strong, Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Mahershala Ali, Ramy

Alan Arkin, The Kominsky Method

Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Sterling K. Brown, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

William Jackson Harper, The Good Place

Daniel Levy, Schitt's Creek

Tony Shalhoub, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Kenan Thompson, Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Jeremy Irons, Watchmen

Hugh Jackman, Bad Education

Paul Mescal, Normal People

Jeremy Pope, Hollywood

Mark Ruffalo, I Know This Much is True

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Cate Blanchett, Mrs. America

Shira Haas, Unorthodox

Regina King, Watchmen

Octavia Spencer, Self Made

Kerry Washington, Little Fires Everywhere

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie

Uzo Aduba, Mrs. America

Toni Collette, Unbelievable

Margo Martindale, Mrs. America

Jean Smart, Watchmen

Holland Taylor, Hollywood

Tracey Ullman, Mrs. America

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Watchmen

Jovan Adepo, Watchmen

Tituss Burgess, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy Vs. the Reverend

Louis Gossett Jr., Watchmen

Dylan McDermott, Hollywood

Jim Parsons, Hollywood

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series

Jason Bateman, The Outsider

Ron Cephas Jones, This is Us

James Cromwell, Succession

Giancarlo Esposito, The Mandalorian

Andrew Scott, Black Mirror

Martin Short, The Morning Show

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series

Alexis Biedel, The Handmaid's Tale

Laverne Cox, Orange is the New Black

Cherry Jones, Succession

Phylicia Rashad, This is Us

Cicely Tyson, How to Get Away With Murder

Harriet Walter, Succession

Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series

Angela Bassett, A Black Lady Sketch Show

Bette Midler, The Politician

Maya Rudolph, The Good Place

Maya Rudolph, Saturday Night Live

Wanda Sykes, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series

Adam Driver, Saturday Night Live

Luke Kirby, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Eddie Murphy, Saturday Night Live

Dev Patel, Modern Love

Brad Pitt, Saturday Night Live

Fred Willard, Modern Family

Outstanding Limited Series

Little Fires Everywhere

Mrs. America

Unbelievable

Unorthodox

Watchmen

Outstanding Comedy Series

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Dead to me

The Good Place

Insecure

The Kominsky Method

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Schitt's Creek

What We Do in the Shadows

Outstanding Drama Series

Better Call Saul

The Crown

The Handmaid's Tale

Killing Eve

The Mandalorian

Ozark

Stranger Things

Succession

Outstanding Variety Talk Series

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

Full Frontal with Samantha Bee

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Outstanding Variety Sketch Series

A Black Lady Sketch Show

Drunk History

Saturday Night Live

Outstanding Competition Program

The Masked Singer

Nailed It!

RuPaul's Drag Race

Top Chef

The Voice

Outstanding Animated Program

Big Mouth, "Disclosure: The Movie: The Musical"

Bob's Burger's, "Pig Trouble in Little Tina"

BoJack Horseman, "The View From Halfway Down"

Rick and Morty, "The Vat of Acid Episode"

The Simpsons, "Thanksgiving of Horror"

Outstanding Short Form Animated Program

Forky Asks a Question, "What is Love?"

Robot Chicken, "Santa's Dead (Spoiler Alert) Holiday Murder Thing Special"

Steven Universe Future, "Fragments"

Outstanding Television Movie

American Son

Bad Education

Dolly Parton's Heartstrings: These Old Bones

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Kimmy vs. The Reverend

Outstanding Music Composition for a Series (Original Dramatic Score)

The Crown -- Martin Phipps

Euphoria -- Labrinth

The Mandalorian -- Ludwig Göransson

Ozark -- Danny Bensi, Saunder Jurriaans

Succession -- Nicholas Britell

Outstanding Music Composition For A Limited Series, Movie Or Special (Original Dramatic Score)

Hollywood -- Nathan Barr

Little Fires Everywhere -- Mark Isham, Isabella Summers

Mrs. America -- Kris Bowers

Unorthodox -- Antonio Gambale

Watchmen -- Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross

Outstanding Music Composition For A Documentary Series Or Special (Original Dramatic Score)

Becoming -- Kamasi Washington

Home -- Amanda Jones

McMillion$ -- Pinar Toprak, Alex Kovacs

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness -- Mark Mothersbaugh, John Enroth, Albert Fox

Why We Hate -- Lara Karpman

Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics

The Black Godfather, "Letter to My Godfather" -- Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo

Euphoria, "All For Us"' -- Labrinth

Late Week Tonight With John Oliver, "Eat Shit, Bob" -- David Dabbon, Joanna Rothkopf, Jill Twiss, Seena Vail

Little Fires Everywhere, "Build it Up -- Ingrid Michaelson

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, "One Less Angel" -- Thomas Mizer, Curtis Moore

This is Us, "Memorized" -- Siddhartha Khosla, Taylor Goldsmith

Watchmen, "The Way It Used To Be" -- Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross

Outstanding Music Direction

The Kennedy Center Honors -- Rickey Minor

Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince -- Sheila E, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis

The Oscars -- Ricky Minor

Saturday Night Live -- Lenny Pickett, Eli Brueggemann, Leon Pendarvis

Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show starring Jennifer Lopez and Shakira -- Adam Wayne Blackstone

Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music

Carnival Row, Nathan Barr

Defending Jacob, Ólafur Arnalds

Hollywood, Nathan Barr

Unorthodox, Antonio Gambale

Why We Hate, Laura Karpman

Wu-Tang: An American Saga, The RZA

Outstanding Sound Editing for a Nonfiction or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)

Apollo 11, Eric Milano

Beastie Boys Story, Martyn Zub, Paul Aulicino, Pernell Salinas

Cheer, Logan Byers, Kaleb Klinger, Sean Grey

Laurel Canyon: A Place in Time, Jonathan Greber

McMillion$, Ben Freer, Jordan Meltzer, Jody McVeigh-Schultz

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness, Ian Cymore, Rachel Wardell, Steve Griffen

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (One Hour)

Better Call Saul

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Ozark

Star Trek: Picard

Stranger Things

Westworld

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Limited Series Or Movie

American Horror Story: 1984

Devs

El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie

Hollywood

Watchmen

Outstanding Music Supervision

Euphoria, Jen Malone, Adam Leber

Insecure, Kier Lehman

Killing Eve, Catherine Grieves, David Holmes

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Robin Urdang, Amy Sherman-Palladino, Daniel Palladino

Stranger Things, Nora Felder

Watchmen, Liza Richardson

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation

The Mandalorian

Modern Family

The Ranch

Schitt's Creek

Space Force

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special

The Daily Show With Trevor Noah

Dave Chappelle: Sticks & Stones

62nd Grammy Awards

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

The Oscars

Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Nonfiction Or Reality Program (Single or Multi-Camera)

Apollo 11

Beastie Boys Story

Cheer

Laurel Canyon: A Place in Time

RuPaul's Drag Race

Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness

Outstanding Casting For A Reality Program

Born This Way

Love is Blind

Queer Eye

RuPaul's Drag Race

The Voice

Outstanding Choreography For Variety Or Reality Programming

The Oscars

Savage X Fenty Show

So You Think You Can Dance

So You Think You Can Dance

World of Dance

Big Mouth, "How to Have an Orgasm" -- Maya Rudolph

Central Park, Episode One -- Leslie Odom Jr.

Crank Yankers, "Bobby Brown, Wanda Sykes & Kathy Griffin" -- Wanda Sykes

The Mandalorian, "Chapter 8: Redemption" -- Taika Waititi

The Simpsons, "Better Off Ned" -- Nancy Cartwright

The Simpsons, "Frinkcoin" -- Hank Azaria

News Brief
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Trevor Noah To Host Prime Video's First South African Show

Trevor Noah is teaming up with Prime Video to Release the a new South African Show Called ‘LOL: Last One Laughing.'

Trevor Noah is taking his comedic chops to Prime Video with LOL: Last One Laughing, a six-episode stand-up comedy competition series that will be released in 2024.

Noah will be hosting the show, which will feature 10 South African comedians competing to see who can keep a straight face the longest while also trying to make their opponent laugh. The comedians will be given a list of challenges and scenarios in which they must maintain a stoic expression. Each episode will end with the "Last One Laughing" taking home a cash prize of 1 million Rand. LOL: Last One Laughing will be Prime Video’s first South African Original. And with Noah’s sharp wit and comedic acumen at the helm, it will be interesting to see LOL: Last One Laughing come to life in South Africa.

In a statement released to Variety, Noah said:

“I’m excited to be back home to host Prime Video’s first South African Original, LOL: Last One Laughing, and to have a chance to connect with my home audience... I am equally delighted for the opportunity to be working alongside my fellow home-grown comedy stars on a show that not only entertains but gives back to the South African production and charity communities.”

Ned Mitchell, head of Africa and Middle East Originals at Amazon also spoke highly of the upcoming show.

“Comedy, in all its forms, shines among South Africa’s most valuable treasures. Together with an A-list roster of this country’s incredible home-grown comedic talent competing for a great charitable cause,” Mitchell said. “Trevor and Prime Video are demonstrating the depth of our shared ambition to invest and elevate the very best of South Africa for audiences locally and around the world.”
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Photo Credit: Amazon

Watch the Trailer for 'Gangs of Lagos,' Amazon's First African Movie

Amazon's Gangs of Lagos will premiere on April 7th.

Nollywood is coming to Prime Video.

On Monday, the conglomerate announced that it would be releasing Gangs of Lagos, its first original African movie, on April 7th. The project, which is directed by renowned filmmaker Jáde Osiberu, features Nigerian stars like Tobi Bakare, Adesua Etomi-Wellington, Chike Osebuka, Chioma Chukwuka, and Iyabo Ojo.

The movie will follow the lives of a group of friends as they navigate the bustling streets of Lagos.

In a press release, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, head of Nigerian Originals at Prime Video, described the movie as a story that highlights the importance of friendship and family.

"Gangs of Lagos is a unique story about family and friendship, against the action-packed backdrop and striking set pieces of the streets of Lagos,” Mba-Uzoukwu said. “As the first Nigerian Original to launch on Prime Video, Gangs of Lagos sets the tone and standard, with the authentically Nigerian storyline in a genre that is so popular around the globe, making it a movie for our audiences at home and abroad.”

Gangs of Lagos - Official Teaser | Prime Video Naijawww.youtube.com

Located on the country's southwest coast, Lagos is the largest city in Nigeria. Over the years, the vibrant city has become known for its bustling economy, eclectic culture, and rich history. The crime drama promises to showcase the nitty gritty rumble and tumble of Lagos, as well as the authentic elements that make it one of the most renowned cities in the world.

Ned Mitchell, head of African and Middle East Originals, Prime Video said that with the roll out, Prime Video was hoping to connect with original voices.

“At Prime Video, we are looking to work with original voices to create spectacular stories and events that audiences can connect with wherever they may be,”

Mitchell said. "Gangs of Lagos launching will truly be a global cultural moment that marks the beginning of a new era in storytelling, where audiences everywhere can see the full power of Nigerian and African voices and the depths of our continued commitment to the local TV and film industry.”
Photos
Image courtesy of the artist via Usher Nyambi

Spotlight: Prudence Chimutuwah Is Narrating The Rise of the 21st-Century Woman

We spoke with the Zimbabwean contemporary artist on adding color to the rise of female empowerment and commanding attention.

In our 'Spotlight' series, we highlight the work of photographers, visual artists, multimedia artists, and more who are producing vibrant, original work.

In our latest piece, we spotlight Zimbabwean painter and collage artist Prudence Chimutuwah. The mixed media art and collage enthusiast centers her creativity around the empowerment of African and Black women as we continue to make strides toward true freedom. Navigating a patriarchal system and ultimately strengthening their capacity to grant resilience and joy to the world around them, Chimutuwah's artistic depictions of the female form offer a hopeful glimpse into a bright, woman-centric future. In her early years, the artist gained inspiration from prominent and fellow Zimbabwean female sculptors Seminar Mpofu and Colleen Madamombe, choosing to major in painting and sculpture at the National Gallery Visual Arts School in Harare as a result. Chimutuwah's career has taken her to exhibitions in the United Arab Emirates, France, Nigeria, South Africa, and more, winning numerous awards along the way, including from the Zimbabwean National Merit Awards (NAMA) and The Delta Gallery Foundation of Art and Humanities. In 2019, Chimutuwah sold out an entire collection to one sole collector, on her opening night. Since then, the collagist continues to highlight and honor the women around her and the ways in which they choose to exist in the world.

We spoke with Chimutuwah about demanding attention, engaging your audience, and believing in a future worth fighting for.

Responses have been edited for length and clarity.

Can you tell us about the project that first inspired you to create?

The first project that inspired me to create was an exhibition called 'Purple Rhythm' by a Zimbabwean artist named Calvin Chimutuwah -- my husband. It included his paintings and some of my mixed media artworks, and it was about celebrating the streets and people of Harare. It sold out! Which pushed me into exploring my own work further.

What are the central themes in your work?

My work is about the emergence of the 21st-century woman as she steps out, and up to take charge in spaces seemingly dominated by males. My body of work exists to narrate, describe and inform the audience about the evolving world of women, and how we exist in patriarchal societies.

Where do you seek inspiration and how does it find you?

I’m informed and inspired by the everyday lives of women; their economic aspirations, desire for spirituality, need for attention, and energy for hustling. Witnessing all of this around me inspires me to tell their stories through my work.

What do you believe sets African artists apart from the rest of the world?

I believe that African artists mainly draw their inspiration and narratives from their own experiences and stories which then gives their work more depth. It's a form of storytelling.

Can you talk about your use of colors and accessories?

I am fascinated with bright colors. I use neon pigments a lot as they command a presence and compel one to look. Colorful African textiles dominate my women’s attire, as it's where I feel most at home. I paint my subjects in portraiture, fully figured and naturally expressing themselves in engaging looks and poses. I focus my art on the joy of being an African woman.

What’s something you wish someone told you at the beginning of your journey?

I wish I had a better understanding of the fact that being a creative is a full-time job that requires a lot of work and focus.

Image courtesy of the artist via Usher Nyambi

Zimbabwean contemporary artist Prudence Chimutuwah

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Photo by Robert Okine/Getty Images

Davido Releases His Highly-Anticipated ‘Timeless’ Album

Afrobeats megastar Davido has released his highly-anticipated fourth studio album Timeless.

After months of anticipation, Afrobeats superstar Davido has finally released his fourth studio album, Timeless.

The album, which is the first since his 2020 album A Better Time, includes 17 tracks featuring music heavyweights like the legendary Angelique Kidjo, Asake, Skepta, The Cavemen, and more. The album also includes the smash hit “Champion Sound,” which features Amapiano frontrunner Focalistic.

Timeless is Davido’s first album following his long hiatus from the limelight. After the loss of his three-year-old son Ifeanyi Adeleke—and his social media pause—fans poured out love to the artist in droves. In many ways, Timeless is a sonic resurgence of the “FEM” singer, albeit in a more seasoned way. With Timeless, Davido peels back another layer to his artistry, showcasing his ability to evolve as an entertainer.

The album also arrives on the heels of Davido’s revelation that he had married longtime sweetheart Chioma Rowland. During an interview with actress Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, he said:

“Just being away, you know I have had a lot to think about definitely. Time to rest, reflect on a lot of family time and time to make music again. You know, I remade the album. Before I went on a break I actually had an album ready... I had a tour ready. You know we did the album. I traveled. It was crazy. I’m married. A lot of different things but yeah, we are ready now to get back on the road. The album is out, it’s amazing.”

A day before the album’s release, Davido partnered with Spotify to release an exclusive trailer.

In a statement about the album roll out, Victor Okpala, Spotify’s Artist and Labels Partnerships Manager for West Africa, said that the platform was excited to support the album.

“This release is a much anticipated moment for one of African music’s greatest ambassadors of the digital era,” Okpala said. “Spotify is committed to providing a platform for global audiences to connect with African content and we are glad to support Davido as he achieves another milestone.”

Exciting things are in store for the Davido Music Worldwide boss, who also recently signed two new artists, Morravey and Logos Olori, to his DMW record label.

Stream the new album below.

Timeless


Timeless by Davido


Timeless by Davidomusic.apple.com


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