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Victoria Monet, Killer Mike and Usher were among the big winners at the 2024 BET Awards, which took place Sunday night.

Tyla won the first award of the night, for best international act, and later collected the award for best new artist. Usher, who was honored with a lifetime achievement award during the show, was named best male R&b/pop artist, while Sza (who was not in attendance) won the award for best female R&b/pop artist. Killer Mike won album of the year for Michael. Monét won the BET Her award and video of the year for “On My Mama.” Regina King (who also was not present) was named best actress.

The BET Awards ceremony created some big moments, with performances by Will Smith, who performed his new song “You Can Make It”; the aforementioned tribute to Usher; and a passionate speech by Killer Mike.

Taraji P. Henson hosted the 2024 BET Awards,...

BET honored Black excellence in music, television, film, and sports across more than 20 categories at the BET Awards 2024 on Sunday, June 30 (8Pm Et/Pt). The star-studded lineup of performers at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles included Lauryn Hill & Yg Marley, Tanner Adell, GloRilla, Ice Spice, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, Will Smith, Tyla and Victoria Monét, alongside presenters Andra Day, Colman Domingo, DC Young Fly, Devale Ellis, Jay Ellis, Jessica Betts, Ms. Pat, Niecy Nash-Betts, Saucy Santana and more.

Oscar nominee and Golden Globe winner Taraji P. Henson returned to host “Culture’s Biggest Night,” and Grammy-winning global icon Usher was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award. Drake led all nominees with seven bids and Megan Thee Stallion opened up the ceremony. See the full list of nominees and winners below.

Album of the Year

Chris Brown, “11:11”

Gunna, “A Gift & A Curse”

21 Savage, “American Dream”

Usher,...

Drake may be losing his rap battle with Kendrick Lamar, but he is leading the field at the 2024 BET Awards with seven nominations.

The rapper is up for Album of the Year for For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition), as well as nods for Best Male R&b/Pop Artist, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, the Viewers Choice Award, and the Video of the Year for his “First Person Shooter” featuring J. Cole.

Drake and Lamar will face off in two categories: Best Male Hip-Hop Artist, as well as Best Collaboration,...

BET announced the 2024 BET Awards nominees today. Drake leads the nominations with seven, while Nicki Minaj has six.

BET also announced “BET Awards” 2024 performance lineup, which includes GloRilla, Latto, Muni Long, Sexyy Red, Shaboozey, and Victoria Monét.

The BET Awards 2024, will air live on BET on Sunday, June 30, 2024, at 8 pm Et/ Pt.

Here are the nominees:

Album Of The Year

11:11, Chris Brown

A Gift & A Curse, Gunna

American Dream, 21 Savage

Coming Home, Usher

For All The Dogs (Scary Hours Edition), Drake

Jaguar Ii, Victoria Monét

Michael, Killer Mike

Pink Friday 2, Nicki Minaj

Best Female R&b/Pop Artist

Beyoncé

Coco Jones

Doja Cat

H.E.R.

Muni Long

Sza

Tyla

Victoria Monét

Best Male R&b/Pop Artist

Brent Faiyaz

Bryson Tiller

Burna Boy

Chris Brown

Drake

Fridayy

October London

Usher

Best Group

¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $Ign

2 Chainz & Lil Wayne

41

Blxst & Bino Rideaux

City Girls

Flo

Maverick City Music

Wanmor...

The Drake-Kendrick Lamar showdown will continue — at the 2024 BET Awards.

The rappers will compete in two categories at the June 30 show: best male hip-hop artist and best collaboration. In the latter category, Drake is nominated for “Rich Baby Daddy” with Sza and Sexyy Red, while Lamar is nominated for his guest verse on the remix of Beyoncé’s “America Has a Problem.”

Drake is the show’s top contender with seven nominations, thanks to his album For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition). Lamar didn’t release an album that was eligible this year. The Canadian rapper’s other nominations include album of the year, best male R&b/pop artist and viewer’s choice for “Rich Baby Daddy.” He’s nominated twice in the video of the year category: “Rich Baby Daddy” and his guest verse on J. Cole’s “First Person Shooter,” the late 2023 track that reignited his feud with Lamar.

The National Music Council of the United States will honor music and event producers Ray Chew and Vivian Scott Chew at the organization’s 39th annual American Eagle Awards on Sunday, June 25 at the American Federation of Musicians Convention in Las Vegas.

The honors are presented each year in recognition of those who have made career-long contributions to American musical culture, to promoting the ideal of music education for all children, and to supporting the protection of creators’ rights both locally and internationally.

This year’s presenter will be Academy Award and multi-Grammy-winning artist Regina Belle.

Music director, producer and composer Ray Chew’s work has been celebrated for excellence over the course of decades. His resume includes Dancing With the Stars, Showtime at the Apollo, and American Idol, as well as the Primetime Emmy Awards, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremonies, the 2008 Democratic National Convention, President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Ball,...

Alexander Hamilton, who died Jan. 28 at age 77, was a conductor and arranger who was able to add “movie star” to his credits in the last years of his life. His work on Aretha Franklin’s 1972 “Amazing Grace” album — certified as the bestselling album of her career — was heard by millions over a period of almost five decades before Franklin fans actually got to see as well as hear Hamilton’s handiwork as the arranger and conductor of that music. When the film rendering of that recording finally came out in 2018, Hamilton loomed as nearly as large a personality on-screen as its ostensible stars, James Cleveland and Franklin herself.

The producer of the “Amazing Grace” film, Alan Elliott, shares his memories of Hamilton with Variety.

Until the discovery of the film of “Amazing Grace,” the genius of the work of Alexander Hamilton was not as well known as it is now.

Two powerhouse vocalists brought the house down during the final battle round on last night's all-new episode of Clash of the Cover Bands. Performing the music of Aretha Franklin was Elaine Gibbs, who's previously shared the stage with some of the biggest names in R&b, pop and gospel, from Justin Timberlake to Shirley Caesar. Then there was Elisa Furr, a long-time Las Vegas headliner whose original songs have been featured in more than 8,000 TV shows and five feature films, covering the music of Céline Dion. The show's judges Meghan Trainor, Adam Lambert and Ester Dean watched as the two went head-to-head for a chance to win $10,000—plus a $25,000...

A few years ago, Cedric Burnside was sitting with his acoustic guitar on the front porch of his home in Ashland, Mississippi, listening to the birds and thinking about grief and perseverance. For Burnside, the prior decade had been one of mourning and recovery; in 2012 he’d lost his brother, fellow musician Cody Burnside, at the age of 29, before losing his father, drummer Calvin Jackson, in 2015, and his mother, Linda Burnside, two years later.

“When my mom passed, I cried,” says Cedric. “When my brother passed, I cried. That’s...

Willow's Mother's Day Surprise

Willow pulls off a top secret Mother’s Day gift for Jada when the Red Table salutes amazing moms! Witness incredible surprises, emotional reunions and meet seven children who survived the horrific car crash that killed their parents. Plus a special performance by The Queen of Gospel Music, Shirley Caesar. Grab your tissues for our annual Rtt Mother’s Day special!

Posted by Red Table Talk on Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Red Table Talk celebrated Mother's Day with a special episode on Wednesday, and it included a sweet surprise from Willow Smith. Following last week's conversation about polyamory, the group dedicated their recent episode to a number of incredible moms. However, what they didn't know was that Willow was secretly planning a special tribute to her own mom, Jada Pinkett Smith. Rather than giving Jada a lavish gift, the 20-year-old went the meaningful route by paying tribute to her mom's rock-star past.

The Black church has been, and continues to be, one of the most influential institutions created by Africans in the Americas. PBS’ two-part documentary series, “The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song,” preaches about the role of the church in the post-civil rights era, from the African continent to North America.

The role of the Black church continues to be the subject of lively debate even among those who consider themselves “unaffiliated.” Some argue that it has lost its oracular voice and its ability to mobilize for reform. Others say that the church is very much alive, pointing to the 2008 presidential election, when then-leading Democratic contender Barack Obama from Chicago’s Trinity Church had to publicly denounce what was perceived to be inflammatory language from parishioner Rev. Jeremiah Wright, whose now infamous “God damn America!” speech genuinely shocked voters. (Although African Americans were especially less bothered.

“The Black Church: This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song” is a soul-stirring two-part, four-hour documentary series from executive producer, host and writer Henry Louis Gates Jr. It traces the centuries old story of the Black church in America, all the way down to its foundational role as the site of African American survival, freedom, solidarity and speaking truth to power.

The upcoming PBS documentary reveals how Black people have worshipped and, through their spiritual journeys, improvised ways to bring their faith traditions from the African continent to the New World while interpreting them into a form of Christianity that was truly their own, in a nation whose original sin was the enslavement of their ancestors across the Middle Passage.

“The Black church is the oldest, the most continuous and most important institution created in the history of Black people in this country, and I’m honored that we have made this series,...

HBO’s latest blockbuster drama effort, Lovecraft Country, is a unique Lovecraftian beast. As adapted by Matt Ruff’s novel of the same name, the show takes classic horror, sci-fi, and adventure tropes and adapts them into a timely story of American racism.

Though the series is certainly timely, it’s also timeless. As evidenced by our helpful explainer article, it wasn’t immediately clear when Lovecraft Country even took place. That’s partly because the Jim Crow era of American institutionalized racism was a lengthy one. And the fact that Atticus “Tic” Freeman was a war veteran didn’t help out much. Which war coincided with “whites only” restaurants and sundown towns? World War II, The Korean War, The Vietnam War – take your pick, really. That pleasant disorientation is enhanced by an equally disorienting soundtrack.

Rest assured, Lovecraft Country takes place in the mid 1950s. But the show’s...

PBS has announced a new programming slate consisting of two new series, two documentaries, a children’s special and a new Prime Video channel, all set to roll out between Fall 2020 and Winter 2021.

The network released the plans during its virtual press tour in lieu of this summer’s Television Critics Association press tour, which was canceled due to the coronavirus.

On August 4, PBS will launch a new Prime Video channel called PBS Documentaries, which will include a library of programs including the entire Ken Burns collections and films from “Nova,” “Frontline,” “American Masters,” “Nature, “American Experience,” “Independent Lens,” “Pov” and other independent producers.

Also Read: 'Wishbone' Feature Film in the Works From Universal Pictures and Mattel

PBS also announced two new series, including “Tell Me More With Kelly Corrigan,” an interview program featuring the New York Times bestselling author, and “The Black Church: This Is Our Story,...

Almost 57 years later, James Herndon can still remember the first time he appeared on TV. On June 9th, 1963, the singer-pianist made his television debut on Chicago’s Jubilee Showcase as a member of influential gospel group the Caravans. Many artists of that era can say the same thing: The half-hour program, hosted by civil-rights activist Sid Ordower, aired on local television in Chicago for more than 20 years and provided a staging ground for some of the most exciting gospel collaboration and artistry in the genre’s post-war history.

“It was real exciting,...

The Grammys are tonight, but there are too many awards to hand out in one primetime telecast, especially with so many performances scheduled for the event. Most of the awards were handed out during the Premiere Ceremony in the afternoon. So who took home prizes, and what does it mean for the evening’s telecast? Find out below in our live blog with winners and analysis throughout the show. And follow along with the complete list of winners here.

Two-time Grammy winner Imogen Heap hosted the pre-ceremony, which took place from 12:30pm-3:30pm Pacific Time (3:30pm-6:30pm Eastern) and were streamed live around the world on Grammy.com.

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Heap was a nominee herself this year: Best Musical Theater Album for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.” And so were the performers slated for the pre-show: Classical violinist Nicola Benedetti,...

For the final day of the second weekend of this year’s Coachella, Kanye West hosted a special edition of his “Sunday Service” series atop “The Mountain,” a hillside campsite at the festival, where he debuted a new song called “Water.”

Joined by collaborator Ant Clemons and Ty Dolla $ign, West sang, “We are water / Clean us like the rain in spring / Take the chlorine out of conversation.” It’s uncertain whether the track will appear on West’s forthcoming album Yandhi.

Kanye previews new song called “Water”...

Booking anyone at all to appear in an Aretha Franklin tribute is an act of nerve, since she was arguably the one performer in pop music history who can be said to have had no real peers as a singer, even in her day, much less ours. With that as a given, “Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul,” airing tonight on CBS, is about as good as these things get, which is a good thing, considering how flagrantly embarrassing it’d be if the show had had to settle for even the B+ list of contemporary singers. The guest list here is a grade above that.

You could make a top 10 list just of your favorite sustained high notes struck during the two-hour telecast. For myself, I’d have to top that list with whatever gritty stratosphere it is that Patti Labelle is entering at the climax of the 1970 hit “Call Me,...

Taylor Swift only has one Grammy nomination this year, but that’s all she needs to make history. If she claims Best Pop Album for “Reputation,” she will become one of the top 10 solo female artists in Grammy history.

Swift isn’t even 30-years-old, but she has already accumulated 10 Grammys, and among those she has already broken records. When she claimed Album of the Year for “Fearless” (2010) at age 20 she became the youngest winner in that category’s history; she was almost two years younger than the previous record-holder, Alanis Morissette, who was almost 22 when she prevailed for “Jagged Little Pill” (1996). Then in 2016 Swift won Album of the Year again for her official crossover into pop music, “1989,” which made her the first woman to win the top prize twice as a lead artist.

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Those 10 trophies tie her with a trio...

Janelle Monáe, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, Alessia Cara and Patti Labelle will perform at an all-star tribute concert honoring Aretha Franklin. Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul will be filmed January 13th at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California and air as a TV special on CBS later in 2019, Variety reports.

Jennifer Hudson, Common, Brandi Carlile, H.E.R., Sza, Chloe X Halle, BeBe Winans, Yolanda Adams and Shirley Caesar will also perform at the event. Filmmaker Tyler Perry will host the tribute, a joint venture between CBS,...

Tyler Perry will host a tribute special for Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin set to air later next year on CBS.

Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul hails from CBS, the Recording Academy, Aeg Ehrlich Ventures and Clive Davis. It will feature songs from Franklin’s legendary repertoire performed by Grammy winners olanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti Labelle and BeBe Winans as well as current Grammy nominees Brandi Carlile, Chloe X Halle, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, and Sza. Additional performances will be announced in the coming weeks.

The live concert will be taped Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, at 6 Pm Pt at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The special, hosted by Perry, will be broadcast later in 2019 on the CBS network.

“This special will celebrate Aretha Franklin’s numerous accomplishments as an entertainment icon, singer, songwriter, pianist,...

Filmmaker Tyler Perry is set to host a concert tribute to Aretha Franklin that will air as a special next year on CBS.

“Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul” will be taped Jan. 13 at the Shrine Auditorium. Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti Labelle, BeBe Winans, Brandi Carlile, Chloe X Halle, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe and Sza are among the performers set to take part.

Franklin, an 18-time Grammy winner, died in August at age 76. “Aretha!” is a joint effort of CBS, the Recording Academy, Aeg Ehrlich Ventures and music mogul Clive Davis.

“This special will celebrate Aretha Franklin’s numerous accomplishments as an entertainment icon, singer, songwriter, pianist, actress and civil rights activist,” said Jack Sussman, CBS’ exec VP of specials, music and live events. “Aretha had an incredible effect on humanity and music with her indomitable spirit and grace.

The Recording Academy, Aeg Ehrlich Ventures, Clive Davis, and CBS will pay tribute to the legendary career of 18-time GRAMMYwinner and 2008 MusiCaresPerson of the Year honoree Aretha Franklin by presenting 'Aretha A Grammy Celebration For The Queen Of Soul.' Performing songs from her legendary repertoire are Grammy winners Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti Labelle, and BeBe Winans as well as current Grammy nominees Brandi Carlile, Chloe X Halle, H.E.R., Janelle Mone, and Sza. Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry will host the unforgettable night. Additional unique performances to be announced in the coming weeks.

The stars are coming together to honour the late Aretha Franklin. Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson and Faith Hill are just some of the performers expected to take the stage at Franklin’s Celebration of Life on Friday, Aug. 31, at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Michigan. Ronald Isley, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters, Jennifer Holliday, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, Bishop...

Jennifer Hudson – Aretha Franklin’s personal choice to play her in a biopic – is just one of the performers set to pay tribute at the Queen of Soul’s private funeral in Detroit next Friday.

Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, Faith Hill, various gospel stars and Franklin’s son Edward are also on the list released today by Aretha’s longtime publicist Gwendolyn Quinn. See the full roster below.

The Aug. 31 service is planned for 10 a.m. at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple. A public viewing will be held Tuesday and Wednesday at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and a public concert is set for the Chene Park amphitheater Thursday.

The line-up for the funeral service is: Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar, Ronald Isley, Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Holliday, Edward Franklin, and gospel stars Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, The Williams Brothers, Marvin Sapp,...

Aretha Franklin‘s funeral will feature performances by many of the biggest stars in soul and gospel, including Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams and more, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Franklin’s estate later confirmed that Faith Hill, Ronald Isley and Shirley Caesar will also perform at the funeral.

The event will feature singers whose remarkable voices made them stars alongside Franklin in the Sixties and Seventies such as Stevie Wonder, a longtime friend who also co-wrote Franklin’s hit “Until You Come Back to Me...

The recording academy will pay tribute to this year’s lifetime achievement honorees with a concert at New York’s Beacon Theater on July 11. Each of the six artists being feted are — Shirley Caesar, Ahmad Jamal, Charley Pride, Jimmie Rodgers, Nina Simone, Sly Stone, and the Velvet Underground — will be honored by others whom […]...

The recording academy will pay tribute to this year’s lifetime achievement honorees with a concert at New York’s Beacon Theater on July 11. Each of the six artists being feted are — Shirley Caesar, Ahmad Jamal, Charley Pride, Jimmie Rodgers, Nina Simone, Sly Stone, and the Velvet Underground — will be honored by others whom […]...

Acrophobics, hit the back button now. Because this sneak peek from the premiere of NBC’s Little Big Shots offshoot features an 81-year-old woman seeking 85-foot-high thrills.

RelatedNBC’s The Night Shift, Midnight, Texas Get Summer Dates

In Little Big Shots: Forever Young (premiering Wednesday, June 21 at 8/7c), seniors ranging in age from 60 to 103 showcase “hidden talents, vibrant personalities and incredible wisdom.” The first hour’s guests include a 72-year-old plumber-turned-opera singer, an 80-year-old tap dancer/Lawrence Welk Show alum (who gets a surprise visit from the great Betty White, who back in the day gave him his first big break) and,...

Kim Burrell has been tuned out by Texas Southern University. Gospel singer Burrell’s radio show with Texas Southern University, “Bridging the Gap,” has been cancelled following a homophobic sermon given by Burrell surfaced, the Associated Press reports. “The Kim Burrell show is no longer airing as part of Ktsu Radio programming,” a statement from the university said. Also Read: Shirley Caesar Thinks Kim Burrell Should've Spoken Up About Gays Years Ago (Video) The show launched in June. Burrell has come under fire in recent days, after a tape of her speaking at the Love & Liberty Fellowship Church began making the rounds.

Lots of people are criticizing gospel singer Kim Burrell for her anti-gay rant, but pastor Shirley Caesar has a different take: Burrell should have made her comments years ago. After video surfaced last week of Burrell saying gay people are “perverted in spirit,” Ellen Degeneres cancelled Burrell’s invitation to appear on “Ellen” alongside Pharrell Williams, with whom Burrell collaborated on the “Hidden Figures” soundtrack song “I See a Victory.” On Wednesday, a video emerged showing Caesar, star of the viral U Name It Challenge, saying in a sermon that Burrell should have “said something four years ago when our president made that stuff alright.

Ladies and gentlemen, there’s a new challenge on the block — the #UNameItChallenge. This one falls somewhere between the Mannequin Challenge and the Trump Is Coming Challenge — you don’t have to stand still, but you don’t run away either. For the U Name It Challenge, you dance (on beat). It all started with a legendary gospel singer by the name of Shirley Caesar. Someone — Remix God Suede — took it upon himself to retool Caesar’s song “Hold My Mule,” specifically the part where she sings that she’s got “beans, greens, potatoes, tomatoes, lamb” and a variety of other foods.

[[tmz:video id="0_5l5jjgxo"]] Shirley Caesar is floored her gospel performance has turned into a Thanksgiving theme -- largely thanks to Chris Brown -- but wants all her fans to know, she ain't down with the twerking. The clip from the gospel singer belting out "Hold My Mule" years ago ... has gone viral as the #unameitchallenge. It's pretty simple ... dance your ass off to the remix of Shirley singing about the perfect Turkey Day feast. Check out what she...

It was announced today that George A. Romero, the legendary filmmaker and godfather of the modern zombie, will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of a Class of 2017 that also includes Chris Pratt, Amy Adams, and Ryan Reynolds.

The date for Romero's star ceremony has not been revealed yet, but we'll keep Daily Dead readers updated on future announcements. In the meantime, we have the official press release with full details, as well as a video (via Variety) of the Class of 2017 announcements:

Press Release: Hollywood, CA. June 28, 2016 —A new group of entertainment professionals in Motion Pictures, Television, Live Theatre, Radio and Recording have been selected to receive stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it was announced today, Tuesday, June 28, 2016 by the Walk of Fame Selection Committee of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. These honorees were chosen from among hundreds of nominations to the...

Among those famous folks to be feted with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame are three of the most recent Best Actor nominees -- Steve Carell, Bradley Cooper and Michael Keaton -- and two-time Oscar winner Quentin Tarantino. The other bold-faced names being honored for their movie work are: Ashley Judd, Kurt Russell and Toshiro Mifune. -Break- Watch dozens of video chats with 2015 Emmy contenders Those being tapped for their TV roles include Emmy champs Barbara Bain, Kathy Bates, Allison Janney, Debra Messing and Gary Sinise. Also on the roster are Roma Downey, David Duchovny, Rob Lowe, Tracy Morgan and the late William S. Paley. Each of the music honorees -- Shirley Caesar, LL Cool J, Cyndi Lauper, Adam Levine, Bruno Mars, Itzhak Perlman and the late 'Mama' Cass Elliot -- has at least one Grammy. Those drawn from the live theatre and live performance category are Angelica M.

The 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards went off without a hitch earlier this evening (February 22) with "12 Years a Slave" continuing to make waves snagging the biggest prize of the night.

Before her film won Outstanding Motion Picture, the gorgeous Lupita Nyong'o added another piece of hardware to her already impressive collection taking home a trophy for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture, while Kerry Washington snagged up her second Image Award with a win for Best Actress in a Dramatic Series. Kerry's show "Scandal" also won Outstanding Drama Series.

In addition, the hilarious Kevin Hart took home Entertainer of the Year, while Oprah Winfrey paid tribute to the late Nelson Mandela with a touching speech and musical dedication.

"He was everything we have all have heard and more. He was humble and he was unscathed by any kind of bitterness after all that we know he's been through," Winfrey said.

The 45th NAACP Image Awards were presented Saturday night (Feb. 22), with names like Kevin Hart, Kerry Washington, "12 Years a Slave" director Steve McQueen and Lupita Nyong'o being honored.

The Image Awards pay tribute to the best in film, TV, writing, music and literature. Take a look at the full list of winners below.

Winners are in bold.

Entertainer of the Year

Kevin Hart

Film

Outstanding Motion Picture

"12 Years A Slave" "Fruitvale Station""Lee Daniels' The Butler""Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom""The Best Man Holiday" 

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Forest Whitaker - "Lee Daniels' The Butler"Chadwick Boseman - "42"Chiwetel Ejiofor - "12 Years A Slave"Idris Elba - "Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom"Michael B. Jordan - "Fruitvale Station"

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Angela Bassett - "Black Nativity"Halle Berry - "The Call"Jennifer Hudson - "Winnie Mandela"Kerry Washington - "Tyler Perry Presents Peeples"Nicole Beharie...

Adding their picks to the awards season deluge, the 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards unveiled the official list of nominees.

Not surprisingly, “The Butler” will compete in categories including Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Actor, Outstanding Supporting Actor & Actress and Writing.

Meanwhile, Kerry Washington’s “Scandal” is up for Outstanding Drama Series, and Ms. Washington herself received a nod for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series.

NAACP Chairman Roslyn M. Brock gushed, “This has been an incredible year from the artistic community, with phenomenal contributions across the board from the music, television, motion picture, and literature genres that have the power and impact to drive social change.”

The 45th Annual NAACP Image Awards will go live on Friday, February 21st.

And the nominees are:

Television

Outstanding Comedy Series

"House of Lies" (Showtime)

"Modern Family" (ABC)

"Real Husbands of Hollywood" (Bet)

"The Game" (Bet)

"The Soul Man" (TV Land)

Outstanding Actor in...

The Academy of Country Music Awards wasn't the only music special on the air on Sunday (April 1). Bet aired their 12th annual "Celebration of Gospel."

The Steve Harvey-hosted show featured a "Who's Who" of gospel greats including Ricky Dillard & New G, Kirk Franklin and Marvin Sapp. It also offered a few guest stars including Faith Evans and Johnny Gill.

The event even drew "Glee" star Amber Riley. Riley performed during a tribute to Mahilia Jackson alongside Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar and Jennifer Holliday.

Riley was impressed with Adams, writing on Twitter, "She is always flawless."

Here's a little video from what you may have missed...

Taped at the historic Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles on March 16, the two-hour Celebration of Gospel — Rise Up! Renew! Rejoice! will premiere on television this Sunday, April 1, at 8pm Et/Pt on Bet. Steve Harvey once again serves as host of the telecast, which brings mainstream artists and gospel greats together. Among the performances: Ricky Dillard and New G Choir join R&B sensation Johnny Gill to open the show with a performance of “He Turned It”; original Dreamgirl Jennifer Holliday and Glee star Amber Riley join gospel legends Pastor Shirley Caesar and Yolanda Adams to pay tribute to [...]...

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (Tmcf) 24th Anniversary Awards Dinner, themed “Developing Minds…Delivering Dreams” is scheduled for Monday, October 24, 2011 at The Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers in New York City.

The almost 2000 Attendees include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Hbcu) Students, Hbcu Alumni, and leaders of the community, corporate, and government sectors. Multi-Award Winning Gospel Music Artist, Pastor Shirley Caesar will be hosting the event.

Musical performances include Marsha Ambrosius, Maya Azucena, Soloist Reverend Mishael Miller, DJ R-wan, and the Soul Play Band. Scheduled honorees include Russell Simmons, Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, John Esposito, and Ban Ki-moon. Special celebrity guest slated to make appearances include Blair Underwood, Cuba Gooding Jr., Tichina Arnold, Rockmond Dunbar, Lamman Rucker, Terrence J and Carl Lewis.

Read more...

Night's highlights included performances by Brown, Wayne, Bey and Alicia Keys.

By Rob Markman

Chris Brown at the Bet Awards on Sunday

Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images

Music and Hollywood's biggest and brightest stars all came out to the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles for the 2011 Bet Awards Sunday (June 26) night. Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Trey Songz, host Kevin Hart, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith were all in attendance as Bet celebrated the year in music.

The ceremony kicked off in royal fashion as the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul, Mary J. Blige, took the stage wearing an all-white jumpsuit performing "Mary Jane (All Night Long)" and "You Bring Me Joy" from her 1994 My Life album. Mjb didn't stop there, bringing out Anita Baker so the two could sing Baker's 1986 classic "Caught Up in the Rapture."

Chris Brown came up big, winning the first award of the night,...

We don't know about you, but when we think of gospel greats, we think of The Clark Sisters, Shirley Caesar and CeCe Winans. Mrs. Winans spoke to Essence.com about being honored at the 2011 Essence Music Festival during the Essence Empowerment Experience, her new album, and her fifth annual Always Sisters, Forever Brothers youth conference. Held in Nashville, the summit brings together youth from 13-26 years old, and aims to remind the boys and girls not only who they are, but whose they are.

With Independence Day as its backdrop, there was plenty to celebrate on Sunday at this year's Essence Music Festival in New Orleans. Thousands gathered for an All-Star Gospel Fest which honored Kirk Franklin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, and Bishop Paul and Pastor Debra Morton and featured stellar performances from Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary, The Clark Sisters, Tye Tribbett, Juanita Bynum, Brian Courtney Wilson, Ted Winn, Judge Penny Brown Reynolds and so many others...Here's what you had to say: Miiz commented via Facebook: "Gospel Fest was great. can't wait till next year." Stacy wrote via Facebook: "All of them were wonderful and uplifting. I'm still full...Thanks everyone."...

Six  was the magic number for NAACP Image Awards nominations announced Wednesday (Jan. 6).

ABC's "Grey's Anatomy," the film "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' by Sapphire" and the TNT's telepic "Gifted Hands: The Ben Carson Story" led with six nominations apiece.

In music, however, Jay-z and Maxwell led the way with five nods each.

The nominations were announced at a press conference that featured Tay Diggs, comedian Wanda Sykes, "Brothers Star" Michael Strahan, Tatyana Ali and Kyle and Chris Massey.

The 41st NAACP Image Awards will air live beginning at 8 p.m. Et on Friday, Feb. 26 on Fox.

Check out the nominees:

Television

Outstanding Comedy Series

"30 Rock" (NBC)

"Everybody Hates Chris"(CW)

"Glee"(Fox)

"Tyler Perry's House of Payne"(TBS)

"Ugly Betty"(ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Daryl "Chill" Mitchell - "Brothers"(Fox)

Donald Faison - "Scrubs"(NBC)

Dulé Hill - "Psych"(USA Network)

Lavan Davis - "Tyler Perry's House of Payne...

"Precious" leads the nominations for the 41st annual NAACP Image Awards earning eight noms including Best Director for Lee Daniels, Best Actress for Gabourey Sidibe, Supporting Actress for Mariah Carey, Monique, and Paula Patton, and Best Supporting Actor for Lenny Kravitz.

"Precious" also got nods for Outstanding Motion Picture and Outstanding Independent Film. Other films nominated were "Invictus," "Michael Jackson's This Is It," "The Blind Side," and "The Princess and the Frog."

Winners will be announced Feb. 26 on Fox.

Here's the complete list of nominees for the 41st annual NAACP Image Awards:

Motion Picture Categories

Outstanding Motion Picture

. "The Blind Side" (Warner Bros. Pictures)

. "Invictus" (Warner Bros. Pictures)

. "Michael Jackson's: This Is It" (Columbia Pictures)

. "Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire" (Lionsgate)

. "The Princess and the Frog" (Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

. Denzel Washington , "The Taking of Pelham 123" (Columbia Pictures...

Nomination recipients for this year's Bet Awards have been announced at "106 & Park" on May 12, and grabbing the most nods were rappers Lil Wayne and T.I.. The two musicians received five nominations each.

Among the five gongs, Weezy and T.I. are set to face off against each other in two fields, Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Viewer's Choice. In those categories, they are joined by such contenders as Rick Ross, Kanye West, Young Jeezy, Beyonce Knowles, Keri Hilson, Soulja Boy, Rihanna and T-Pain.

Lil Wayne and T.I.'s domination in the nominations list aside, newcomer Kid Cudi got one gong for Best New Artist. He will go head-to-head with such singers as Ryan Leslie, M.I.A., Jazmine Sullivan and Keri Hilson.

2009 Bet Awards will be conducted at Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 28, at 8 P.M. Est/Pst. Jamie Foxx is billed as its host,...

Opens

Friday, Sept. 19

Director Jonathan Lynn plants the spotlight firmly on the singing in "The Fighting Temptations". It would be a waste to do otherwise, with such powerhouses of R&B, gospel and hip-hop on board as Beyonce Knowles, the O'Jays, Melba Moore, Faith Evans, the Rev. Shirley Caesar, Montell Jordan and T-Bone. Exuberant musical numbers and comic characters bolster the film's time-honored premise: Small-town native reconnects with his roots after a spell in the big, cold city.

This culture-clash romantic comedy, scripted by Elizabeth Hunter and Saladin K. Patterson, goes exactly where you'd expect, but helmer Lynn, a comedy vet, gets it there with such infectious energy that you don't much mind the story's predictability. The pairing of Cuba Gooding Jr. and Knowles, who is natural and confident in a more down-to-earth role than her screen debut as Foxxy Cleopatra in "Austin Powers in Goldmember", generates a believable friction/attraction. Gooding makes a credible linchpin to the shenanigans -- and his dance moves are a joy to behold. His marquee clout and the draw of the many musicians on hand will ensure harmonious, if not chart-busting, boxoffice returns for Paramount.

Gooding plays Darrin, an up-and-coming New York ad exec saddled with credit card bills. His rise through the corporate ranks has rested in part on a loose way with the facts. Yes, he attended Yale -- but he was kicked out for faking an Andover diploma. And yes, he grew up in Monte Carlo -- that being the name of the Georgia town where he spent the first five years of his life. He and his mother (Evans) hit the road when she was forced out of the church choir for her "secular" R&B singing.

Darrin finds himself on the train back to the Southern burg and that very same Beulah Baptist Church. At loose ends after being fired for his fabrications ("We're in advertising!" he responds with deadpan amazement), he's summoned back for the funeral of his Aunt Sally, his only relative since his mother died.

After a rousing musical tribute at the funeral, led by Caesar, Darrin learns that he'll inherit his great-aunt's stock holdings, worth $150,000, if he assumes her work as director of the Beulah choir and leads it to a victory in the regional Gospel Explosion. Debt-strapped Darrin has all the motivation he needs. And the Rev. Lewis (Wendell Pierce) could sure use the $10,000 contest prize to make desperately needed repairs on the church.

Challenging Darrin every step of the way is the bossy, universally despised Paulina (LaTanya Richardson), the woman who instigated Darrin's mother's ejection from the church back in 1980. Now she has turned her jealous attention to Lilly (Knowles), single mother, soulful singer and, in Paulina's eyes, an "unrepentant sinner." Lilly's a woman of strong inner resources, and she's on to Darrin every step of the way as he woos her to join the choir and rekindle their childhood romance.

It turns out the choir that raised the roof at Sally's funeral was just visiting, and Darrin, who's passing himself off as a record producer but doesn't know an upbeat from a downbeat, has six weeks to shape the town's singers into a competition-worthy gospel group. Auditions produce a string of astoundingly bad performers, and eventually the call goes out even to atheists. The final lineup includes a trio of prison inmates, among them the falsetto-voiced Jordan and the speed-rapping T-Bone, and the town's barbers (the O'Jays, who perform a swinging version of "Loves Me Like a Rock").

Among the many colorful residents of Monte Carlo, Mike Epps and Steve Harvey deliver standout comic turns. Production and costume design capture the feel of a real community while underscoring the spirited playfulness of the material. It will surprise no one that comeuppance and reward are delivered to the appropriate parties or that Darrin learns the errors of his deceptive ways and find true happiness -- that is "The Great Gatsby" he's reading in an early scene.

THE FIGHTING TEMPTATIONS

Paramount Pictures

MTV Films

Credits:

Director: Jonathan Lynn

Screenwriters: Elizabeth Hunter, Saladin K. Patterson

Producers: David Gale, Loretha Jones, Jeff Pollack

Executive producers: Van Toffler, Benny Medina

Director of photography: Affonso Beato

Production designer: Victoria Paul

Music: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright

Executive music producers: Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, James "Big Jim" Wright, Loretha Jones

Co-producers: Susan Lewis, Momita Sengupta

Costume designers: Mary Jane Fort, Tracey A. White

Editor: Paul Hirsch

Cast:

Darrin Hill: Cuba Gooding Jr.

Lilly: Beyonce Knowles

Lucius: Mike Epps

Maryann Hill: Faith Evans

Miles Smoke: Steve Harvey

the Rev. Lewis: Wendell Pierce

Paulina: LaTanya Richardson

Bill: Dave Sheridan

Alma: Angie Stone

Nancy: Rue McClanahan

Bessie: Melba Moore

Aunt Sally: Ann Nesby

Homer: Lou Myers

Scooter: Mickey Jones

Johnson: Montell Jordan

Bee-Z Briggs: T-Bone

Lightfoot: Chris Cole

Rosa: Lourdes Benedicto

Mr. Fairchild: Dakin Matthews

Frank: Walter Williams Sr.

Samuel: Eric Nolan Grant

As Themselves: the Rev. Shirley Caesar, the Blind Boys of Alabama

Running time -- 123 minutes

MPAA rating: PG-13...