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Nobantu Shabangu
Mar. 29, 2021 02:14PM EST
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Issa Rae.

Viola Davis, Doja Cat, Issa Rae, Wizkid And More Win at the 2021 NAACP Image Awards

Check out the full 2021 NAACP Image Awards winners list spanning the best Black entertainers across television, music, film and literature.

The NAACP Image Awards winners have been announced. This comes after the award show took place virtually this past Saturday. Winners of this year's most acclaimed award for people of colour includes Issa Rae, Doja Cat, Viola Davis, Wizkid,Regé-Jean Page and more.

Read: Here are the 2021 NAACP Image Awards Nominees

Davis bagged the "Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series" for How to Get Away with Murder. On the other hand, Rae took home the "Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series" award for Insecure. The Zimbabwean-born British actor ,Page, won an award for his lead acting performance in the Netflix hit Bridgerton. The Black-ish cast and crew swept through with numerous television award wins. Marsai Martin grabbed two notable wins for "Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series" and "Outstanding Performance by a Youth".

According to Billboard, the music category was dominated by Beyoncé as she was awarded "Outstanding Female Artist" for "Black Parade". She added three more wins with the "Savage remix" with Megan Thee Stallion which won two separate awards. "Brown Skin Girl" featuring WizKid, SAINt JHN and Blue Ivy Carter won "Best Visual Album". The "Outstanding New Artist" award went to rapper and singer Doja Cat for her hit sinlge "Say So".

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom dominated the motion picture category. Chadwick Boseman continues to posthumously receive awards for his outstanding performance in the film. Additionally, he was accoladed for his role in Spike Lee'sDa 5 Bloods. Davis snatched the "Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture" award and the cast collectively won the "Outstanding Ensemble award".

The 52nd NAACP awards were held in Burbank Californa with only a small number of attendees from nominees and the NAACP. Most of the nominees received awards from their homes. Alicia Keys, Swizz Beats, Misty Copeland and Tracy Morgan presented awards virtually. Jasmine Sullivan and Maxwell jazzed up the show with performances of their songs.

Below is the complete list of the 52nd NAACP Awards winners:

Hall of Fame Award
Eddie Murphy

Entertainer of the Year
D-Nice

Chairman's Award
Rev. D. James Lawson

Presidents Award
LeBron James

Social Justice Impact
Stacey Abrams

Motion Pictures

Outstanding Motion Picture
Bad Boys For Life

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Viola Davis – Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Chadwick Boseman – Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Outstanding supporting actor in a motion picture
Chadwick Boseman - Da 5 Bloods

Outstanding supporting actress in a motion picture
Phylicia Rashad - Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Outstanding ensemble cast in a motion picture
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Outstanding breakthrough performance in a motion picture
Madalen Mills - Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Outstanding breakthrough creative (motion picture)
Nadia Hallgren - Becoming

Outstanding independent motion picture
The Banker

Outstanding international motion picture
NIGHT OF THE KINGS

Outstanding writing in a motion picture
Radha Blank - The Forty-Year-Old Version

Outstanding directing in a motion picture
Gina Prince-Bythewood - The Old Guard

Outstanding animated motion picture
Soul

Outstanding documentary (film)
John Lewis: Good Trouble

Outstanding short-film (live action
Black Boy Joy

Outstanding short-film (animated)
Canvas

Outstanding character voice-over performance - motion picture
Jamie Foxx - Soul

Music

Outstanding female artist
Beyoncé - "Black Parade"

Outstanding male artist
Drake - "Laugh Now, Cry Later"

Outstanding duo, group or collaboration (traditional)
Chloe x Halle - "Wonder What She Thinks Of Me"

Outstanding duo, group or collaboration (contemporary)
Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé - "Savage Remix"

Outstanding album
Chilombo -- Jhené Aiko

Outstanding soul/R&B song
"Do It" - Chloe x Halle

Outstanding hip hop/rap song
"Savage Remix" - Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé

Outstanding new artist
Doja Cat - "Say So"

Outstanding producer of the year
Hit-Boy

Outstanding music video/visual album
"Brown Skin Girl" - Beyonce' feat WizKid, SAINt JHN, Blue Ivy Carter

Outstanding soundtrack/compilation album
Soul original motion picture soundtrack - Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross, Jon Batiste and Tom MacDougall

Outstanding gospel/Christian song
"Touch From You" - Tamela Mann

Outstanding gospel/Christian album
The Return - The Clark Sisters

Outstanding jazz album - instrumental
Music from and Inspired by Soul - Jon Batiste

Outstanding jazz album - vocal
Holy Room - Live at Alte Oper - Somi

Outstanding international song
"Lockdown" - Original Koffee

Television

Outstanding drama series
Power Book II: Ghost

Outstanding comedy series
Insecure

Outstanding talk series
Red Table Talk

Outstanding reality program/reality competition or game show
Celebrity Family Feud

Outstanding variety show (series or special)
VERZUZ

Outstanding news/information (series or special)
The New York Times Presents The Killing of Breonna Taylor

Outstanding children's program
Family Reunion

Outstanding animated series
Doc McStuffins

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Regé-Jean Page – Bridgerton

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Viola Davis – How To Get Away With Murder

Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series
Clifford "Method Man" Smith - Power Book II: Ghost

Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series
Mary J. Blige - Power Book II: Ghost

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Issa Rae – Insecure

Outstanding actor in a comedy series
Anthony Anderson - black-ish

Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series
Deon Cole - black-ish

Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series
Marsai Martin - black-ish

Outstanding performance by a youth (series, special, television movie or limited-series)
Marsai Martin - black-ish

Outstanding writing in a comedy series
Michaela Coel - I May Destroy You - Ep. 112 "Ego Death"

Outstanding writing in a drama series
Attica Locke - Little Fires Everywhere - Ep. 104 "The Spider Web"

Outstanding writing in a television movie or special
Geri Cole - The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special

Outstanding directing in a comedy series
Anya Adams - black-ish - Ep. 611 "Hair Day"

Outstanding directing in a drama series
Hanelle Culpepper - Star Trek: Picard - Ep. 101 "Remembrance"

Outstanding directing in a television movie or special
Eugene Ashe - Sylvie's Love

Outstanding short form series - comedy or drama
#FreeRayshawn

Outstanding performance in a short form series
Laurence Fishburne - #FreeRayshawn

Outstanding short form series - reality/nonfiction
"Between The Scenes" - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

Outstanding documentary (television - series or special)
The Last Dance

Outstanding character voice-over performance (television)
Laya DeLeon Hayes - Doc McStuffins

Outstanding television movie, limited-series or dramatic special
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

Outstanding actor in a television movie, limited-series or dramatic special
Blair Underwood - Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

Outstanding actress in a television movie, limited-series or dramatic special
Octavia Spencer - Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

Outstanding host in a talk or news/information (series or special) – individual or ensemble
Trevor Noah - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah

Outstanding host in a reality/reality competition, game show or variety (series or special) – individual or ensemble
Steve Harvey - Celebrity Family Feud

Outstanding guest performance - comedy or drama series
Loretta Devine- P-Valley

Outstanding breakthrough creative (television)
Raynelle Swilling - Cherish the Day

Television or Motion Picture

Outstanding directing in a documentary (television or motion picture)
Keith McQuirter - By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem

Outstanding writing in a documentary (television or motion picture)
Melissa Haizlip - Mr. SOUL!

Outstanding literary works

Fiction
The Awkward Black Man - Walter Mosley

Nonfiction
A Promised Land - Barack Obama

Debut author
We're Better Than This - Elijah Cummings

Biography/autobiography
The Dead Are Arising - Les Payne, Tamara Payne

Instructional
Vegetable Kingdom - Bryant Terry

Poetry
The Age of Phillis - Honorée Jeffers

Children
She Was the First!: The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm - Katheryn Russell-Brown, Eric Velasquez

Youth/teens
Before the Ever After - Jacqueline Woodson

Special Awards

Activist of the year
Reverend Dr. Wendell Anthony

Youth activist of the year
Madison Potts

Spingarn medal
Misty Copeland

Founder's
Toni Vaz

Sports award I
Stephen Curry

Sports award II
WNBA Player's Association (Nneka Ogqumike accepting on behalf of WNBAPA)

Key of life
Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett

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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.”
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Trevor Noah Wins Prestigious Erasmus Prize

Trevor Noah is the first comic to win the prestigious Erasmus Prize since Charlie Chaplin in 1965.

Famous South African comic Trevor Noah has won the prestigious Erasmus Prize from The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation. The award is named after Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus' most famous piece of work.

According to a statement from The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation, Noah was receiving the prize “for his inspired contribution to the theme ‘In Praise of Folly,’ named after Erasmus’s most famous book, which is filled with humor, social criticism, and political satire.” (Desiderius Erasmus was an influential Dutch philosopher from the northern Renaissance era.)

Noah is the first comic since 1965 who has been awarded the honor. The last comic to win the prize was Charlie Chaplin, who received the recognition in 1965. Since 1958, The Erasmus Prize has been awarded to recipients recognized for many achievements, including literature, music, philosophy, and social activism. Some notable recipients who have received the award in the past include Jorge Luis Borges, Isaiah Berlin, Ingmar Bergman, and Amartya Sen.

The panel that selects awardees for the prize includes a committee of scholars and cultural experts who review nominations and recommend to the board of the Praemium Erasmianum Foundation after weighing in on the strength of each candidate. After the recommendation, it is up to the board to make the final decision on the award recipient. The prize is typically awarded in the fall during a ceremony in the Dutch royal palace in Amsterdam.

Beyond his work as a comic, the former Daily Show host has been vocal about his social justice advocacy and has been a strong advocate for human rights issues on a broad scale. While a host on The Daily Show, he consistently used his voice to highlight other prominent Africans. It is safe to say that the 39-year-old has indeed made South Africa proud.

Photo by Alex Wong via Getty

‘Hotel Rwanda’ Hero Paul Rusesabagina to Be Released From Prison

Paul Rusesabagina, who became renowned for his heroic portrayal in ‘Hotel Rwanda’, has received a presidential-ordered prison commute and will be released.

Paul Rusesabagina, the former hotel manager who saved over 1,200 Rwandans during the 1994 genocide and who was the inspiration behind the 2004 Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda, will be released from prison on Saturday (March 25th). Following a request for clemency, Rwanda’s government commuted the prison sentence of Paul Rusesabagina, who is now 68.

In 2020, the Rwandan government arrested Rusesabagina in Dubai and later transferred him to Rwanda, where he faced charges of terrorism related to his alleged involvement in a rebel group. Following the charges, the Rwandan court sentenced him to 25 years in prison. His sentencing triggered controversy, with some supporters alleging he had been unfairly targeted. In 2022, Rusesabagina’s family sued the government of Rwanda for $400 million, stating that they had "abducted" and illegally imprisoned him. Following Rusesabagina’s conviction, several people speculated that he had been detained because he had previously criticized Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame’s politics.

During Rwanda’s genocide, Rusesabagina worked as a hotel manager at the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda. Despite the violence and chaos surrounding him, Rusesabagina used his influence and resources to protect and shelter over 1,200 Tutsi and moderate Hutu refugees from the Hutu extremists carrying out the genocide. Hotel Rwanda was based on Rusesabagina’s experiences during the genocide, and the film's release catapulted him to fame. In the movie, Rusesabagina was portrayed by Hollywood actor Don Cheadle.

According to spokesperson Yolande Makolo, the sentences of 19 others convicted alongside Rusesabagina will also be released.

"Under Rwandan law, commutation of the sentence does not extinguish the underlying conviction," Makolo told Reuters. “Rwanda notes the constructive role of the US government in creating conditions for dialogue on this issue, as well as the facilitation provided by the State of Qatar."

As reported by Reuters, Rwanda’s ministry of justice also stated that the commutation could be revoked if any released prisoners repeated the offenses.

"If any individual benefiting from early release repeats offenses of a similar nature, the commutation can be revoked, and the remainder of the prison sentence will be served," Rwanda's justice ministry said.
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Photo by Matt Crossick

Davido Is Bringing ‘Timeless’ to These Cities

The Nigerian superstar has announced ‘A Timeless Night with Davido’ in Lagos, London and New York.

Davido has shared on social media that he will be bringing his Timelessalbum to New York, London, and Lagos, dubbing the mini-tour “A Timeless Night With Davido.”

In the post, the singer wrote: “The support for Timeless over the last few days has been incredible! Thank you for the love. I'm so excited to bring this album to life and share it with you in person. London, New York City, Lagos join me for ‘A Timeless Night,' a special live event, where we'll make memories that will last forever!”

The DMW boss shared dates for the events; noting that in the first week of April, he will take the stage in New York and London, at Irving Plaza and Koko London, respectively, before returning to Lagos to perform at Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Lagos later that month.

In a viral social media post on Tuesday, the Nigerian singer announced that he will be releasing his latest studio album Timeless on March 31. The announcement spurred a lot of excitement and expectation from fans, who had been curious about the singer’s well-being after the extended hiatus that followed the tragic loss of his son, three year old Ifeanyi Adeleke.

Throughout Davido's 11-year career, he has become a staple in Afrobeats and has contributed significantly to pushing the sound, helping it resonate with fans globally. The singer has released several studio albums throughout his career, including Omo Baba Olowo (2012), A Good Time (2019), and A Better Time (2020).

Timeless will be his fourth studio album.

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