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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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The Best Afrobeats Songs Right Now

Featuring tracks from Joeboy, Amaarae, Odumodublvck, Wande Coal, Wizkid, Ckay, and more.

Afrobeats is one of the biggest cultural movements in the world. Influencing everything from fashion to sports, the music acts as the adhesive, catching on to listeners of all demographics and shaping the scene in Africa with great potential. With the growing number of new Afrobeats releases every month, it becomes necessary to round up the best of the bunch. From singles to new music videos, the continent’s vast expanse will be covered in our "Best Afrobeats Songs Out Right Now" column. Get started below.

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Events
Photo by Mohau Mannathoko for Unsplash

Fun Places in Accra, Ghana to Visit This Weekend

From Karaoke at The Woods to Outmosphere Festival, Accra is packed with places to have fun.

Gather your squad for some midweek karaoke, go Kizomba dancing at Afrikiko, or drive down to Prampram for Outmosphere Festival.

Whatever your choice of fun is, here is a list of places to visit this weekend in Accra, Ghana.

Karaoke at The Woods

The Woods is a bar and lounge located at Osu that features a cozy and charming space for events perfect for an intimate night out with your partner or a hangout with friends. On Thursday, The Woods will be hosting their Karaoke Night, and it’s the perfect excuse to sing covers of your favorite hits, while enjoying good food and drinks from The Woods’ delectable menu.

Date: Thursday, 1st June, 9pm

Venue: The Woods, Osu

Cost: Free

Kizomba Night at Afrikiko

Afrikiko is one of those must-visit places while in Accra. It’s a restaurant and bar well known for their midweek events—the most notable being their popular Kizomba dancing event hosted by Kizomba Ghana. Participate, learn, or just watch others dance the night away, led by an experienced Kizoma dance tutor.

Date: Thursday, 1st June, 7pm

Venue: Afrikiko

Cost: Free

Movies at Silverbird Cinemas

Silverbird Cinemas is West Africa's biggest cinema chain, with two locations in the premier malls of Accra. You can catch your favorite actors from Hollywood, Nollywood, and even Bollywood on the big screen, or watch local Ghanaian productions from top movie houses in the country. Box office hits like Fast X,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and The Little Mermaid are currently screening as well, so if you haven’t seen them yet Silverbird is the place.

Date: Friday 2nd June - Sunday 4th June, 10am – 9pm

Venue: Accra Mall, West Hills Mall

Cost: Tickets starting from GHS50

Grand Opening of Mad Club

If you’re looking for a club event to go to this weekend, Mad Club Accra will be having its grand opening this Friday. On the bill to provide sounds is renowned Nigerian disk jockey and afrobeats hitmaker DJ Neptune, among others. Accra is a city that takes its nightlife seriously, so you can trust that Mad Club’s event will be an epic affair.

Date: Friday 2nd June, 12am

Venue: Mad Club, East Legon

Rooftop Sip & Paint

Sip & Paint Ghana will be hosting an event this Saturday, 3rd June. Participate in a fun painting class while enjoying complimentary wine, finger foods, and art supplies.

Date: Saturday, 3rd June, 8pm

Venue: Arrital Ghana, Airport Residential

Cost: GHS200

Pickup Soccer at Lizzy’s Sports Complex

Lizzy Sports Complex is an all-in-one sports facility comprising four top quality grass and astro turf soccer pitches, and other facilities including a swimming pool, a spacious lounge, a sports bar and grill. It was founded by renowned Ghanaian born French soccer player Marcel Desailly, and it’s the go-to location for friends who are looking to play a few quick games of five-aside pick up soccer.

Date: Saturday, 3rd June - Sunday 4th June, 9am-9pm

Venue: Lizzy Sports Complex, East Legon

Cost: Call to book

Wine Tasting at Vinakoper Wine Festival

For the wine lover, Vinakoper will be hosting the Vinakoper Wine Festival this weekend. Try out 15 different wines from Slovenia and participate in a wine tasting and pairing workshop, for an affordable flat rate.

Date: Saturday, 3rd June - Sunday, 4th June, 10am-11pm

Venue: Accra Polo Court

Cost: Tickets for GHS50

Outmosphere Festival

Outmosphere is an eco-friendly festival designed to empower and connect a generation of hybrid thinkers, self-starters and innovators with shared culture and passion for community driven agenda and creativity. The event is held at a different location each time, and this time around it’s taking place at Prampram, a coastal town 45 minutes away from Accra, known for its beautiful beaches and rich cultural heritage.

Date: Saturday, 3rd June - Sunday 4th June, 1pm-3am

Venue: Prampram, exact venue TBA

Cost: Tickets for GHS100-250



Music
Photo by Joshua Okocha.

Burna Boy is the First African Artist to Sell Out London Stadium

The Nigerian superstar became the first African artist to sell out London’s 80,000-capacity stadium, during his June 3rd performance. The U.S. is next, where he'll be the first African artist to headline a stadium, at New York's Citi Field.

Africa’s Giant is showing no signs of slowing down on his mission to dominate stages across the globe. This weekend, Grammy-Award-winning singer-songwriter Burna Boy became the first African artist to sell out the U.K.’s London Stadium – the city’s 80,000-capacity multi-purpose arena. “I told them I’m a genius”, the singer said as he made the incredible feat with no warm-up acts and continues to take his Love, Damini tour beyond his wildest dreams.

The three-hour show seemed to be an event to remember. A fan-posted video showed the singer’s reaction to the massive crowd singing his hit single "It’s Plenty" back to him. The 60,000-strong audience joined Burna in celebrating how far African music, more specifically Afrobeats, has soared in the last few years. Offering a delicious career-spanning collection of hits, the singer and the crowd were in agreement on how much energy was needed to truly appreciate the moment. Burna’s latest accomplishment has seemingly become his modus operandi as he’s previously sold out London’s Wembley and O2 Arenas, and earlier this year he set himself up to be the first African artist to headline a U.S. Stadium.

London Stadium took to their official Twitter account to announce the singer’s historic occasion saying, “NOW SOLD OUT @burnaboy’s RECORD-BREAKING concert has now officially SOLD OUT. What an incredible achievement for the first-ever African artist to solo headline a U.K. stadium. For those lucky enough to make it, enjoy the show.” The star replied, in a now edited Tweet, “I told them I’m a genius.” However, sweet words still made available to his Twitter fans read, “Believe. Sold Out Business. Thank you, London and love to everyone that supported me in making history. Till the next one.”

Burna brought out a host of fellow global hitmakers to make the most of his and the fans’ experience. The singer brought out British rappers Stormzy, and Jhus to perform ‘Real Life’ with the former, and Jamaican artist Popcaan got his chance to deliver a stellar performance of their collab ‘Aboboyaa’ with the man of the evening. Burna was also sure to pay tributes to his former collaborator, the late Indian rapper ‘Sidhu Moose Wala’ as he gave a heartwarming rendition of their single ‘Mera Na’, which was released after the artist’s passing.

London Stadium did its due diligence in awarding the singer with a prestigious plaque, solidifying his amazing accomplishment and the indescribable success Burna Boy has created for himself.

Fans took to social media to help celebrate the artist’s achievement:






Music
(YouTube)

The Best Nigerian Songs Right Now

Featuring new Nigerian music from Asake,Olamide, CKay, Wande Coal, Teni, Oxlade, Joeboy and more.

Every month, Nigerian music artists release new songs in hopes of momentarily owning the hearts and ears of current and new fans amidst a barrage of new Nigerian releases.

Here’s a list of the latest songs from Nigeria this month for your viewing and listening pleasure.

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Places in Lagos to Have Fun this Weekend

From Plantain People’s Party by Dodo Gang to Sunday Drunch at 355 Ikeja, here’s where to spend the weekend in Lagos.