Over the weekend, the NAACP Awards celebrated it’s 50th year and per usual, people of color were recognized, from Maxine Walters and many more. Artists an Actors were awarded such as:
Chadwick Boseman for winning Outstanding Actor in a Film for “Black Panther”
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Taraji P Henson for Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for the show Empire
variety.com
Anthony Anderson Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for the ABC Show Blackish
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Tracee Ellis Ross Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for the ABC Show Blackish
usatoday.com
Jay-Z received the President Award and Beyonce received the Entertainer of the Year Award.
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I think it is important for black award shows like this to be in a category of their own peers. I understand that being in a category with other peers of difference genres of music and different movie categories, that it is more important to win because you beat out a wider range of nominees, but “competing” against your own peers and being positively recognized for it is definitely a plus. I think that us as an audience and others as a creative should be more thankful and appreciative of these kind of awards.
So much good talk, make sure you tune into the video below and SUBSCRIBE to my channel, thumbs up my video, comment, share it and most importantly SUPPORT.
It’s only June and the number of albums released this year have been genius and anticipated and some I didn’t care for or listen to. Breaking it down Month by Month, here’s the album releases up until June:
January:
Migos- Culture 2
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Dave East- Paranoia 2
hiphopdx.com
February:
Kendrick Lamar- Black Panther Soundtrack
npr.org
Money Bagg Yo- Heartless 2
genius.com
Nipsey Hussle- Victory Lap
hotnewhiphop.com
March:
Tory Lanez: Memories Don’t Die
hotnewhiphop.com
Jeremih- The Chocolate Box
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The Weeknd: My Dear Melancholy
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XXXTentacion : ?
April:
Cardi B- Invasion of Privacy
wikipedia
J. Cole- KOD
genius.com
Janelle Monae- Dirty Computer
albumoftheyear.com
May:
Rae Sremmurd- SR3MMlife 3
genius.com
Wale- Self Promotion EP
RAP-UP.COM
ASAP ROCKY- Testing
DJBOOTH.NET
Pusha T- Daytona
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June:
Kanye West: Ye
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Kids See Ghosts- Kids See Ghosts (Kanye & Kid Cudi)
Yesterday Philly rapper Meek Mill was released from a Philadelphia prison, after serving 5 months.
I’d be the first to say that I’m not a huge Meek fan, but I like a few of his songs but have yet to listen to a full album of his. Dreams & Nightmares is my shit tho!
A judge, who denied his request for bail, decision was overturned by the Philadelphia Supreme Court. If you haven’t been keeping up, he was sentenced to 2-4 years in prison for a probation violation, which stemmed from him being convicted of drug & gun charges back in 2008.
credit: nbcphiladelphia.com
Overall, the judge had it out for Philly rapper. Reports came out that the female judge who convicted him of the 2-4 years, was trying to persuade him to sign under her friend’s record label, then wanted him to sing a Boys 2 Men song pleading for his freedom. Of course he didn’t and BOOM he’s been in jail every sense. The public has been very supportive of the injustice that’s he’s faced while this whole situation has prolonged. Celebrities from Jay-Z to T.I. to Kevin Hart have been advocates for him since the beginning and luckily they used their platforms to bring awareness of his situation, a black man being “overly” charged for unnecessary reasons.
When Meek was released, his friend Mike Rubin, who is co-owner of the Philadelphia 76ers, picked him up in a private helicopter and whisked him away to the 76ers playoff game against the Miami Heat, and coincidentally THEY WON! Even Kevin Hart silly ass was there with him, sitting court side. Meek was even able to ring the ceremonial Liberty Bell replica.
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Not only did the the 76ers win the playoff, but they won first round, and on top of that, it’s been 5 years since they’ve been in the playoffs, so it looks like it’ll be a great year for Philly. They already won the Superbowl and if they get even further in the playoffs and not win, it’ll still be a win for them overall.
What was very meaningful to me was seeing Meek with his son on the court. I think it’s beautiful to see him reunited with one of his sons.
credit: culturecustodian IG
credit: nj.com
I’m glad that an innocent black man is free and he says he’ll be using his platform to shed light on situations like this. Social injustice is real and Meek says:
“I understand that many people of color across the country don’t have that luxury and I plan to use my platform to shine a light on those issues”
GO MEEK!
Comment below your thoughts on the whole Meek Mill situation.
This year was a great year for music. I’ve been more in tune with music than any other years It’s like, the albums that people had been waiting for were released this year, such as Jay Z, Kendrick and J.Cole. Here is the break down of the Hip Hop albums were released this year.
DAMN by Kendrick Lamar
photo credit: Hiphopdx
More Life by Drake
photo creditL Complex
I Decided by Big Sean
photo credit: Genius
Pretty Girls Like Trap Music by 2Chainz
(I seen him in concert back in August and commend him for performing while sitting in a wheelchair because he tore his ACL. That’s commitment.)
Photo credit: 2chainzshop
4:44 by Jay-Z
Photo credit: Variety
ISSA Album by 21 Savage
Photo Credit: Complex
Rather You Than Me by Rick Ross
Photo credit: hiphopdx
Droptopwop by Gucci Mane
Photo credit: deadendhiphop
Culture by Migos
Photo credit: Genius
Gotti Made It by Yo Gotti
Photo Credit: DatPiff
Plato O Plomo by Remy Ma and Fat Joe
Photo credit: HipHopdx
The Autobiography by Vic Mensa
Photo Credit: HipHopauth
and last by not least Pressure by Young Jeezy, that was release Friday December 15
photo credit: youtube
Personally, I didn’t listen to the whole list but 70% I did and my favorites were Pressure, Culture, I Decided, More Life, 2Chainz, Gotti, Remy & Fat Joe and even catch a snippet of Vic’s album, which wasn’t bad.
Now, the R&B albums this year were so LIT! I was more in tune with these albums than anything else. I actually did listen to all of them, minus Keyshia Cole’s 11:11 Reset
CTRL by SZA
(I seen this pretty lady in concert just a few days ago, Dec 19, and she was awesome!!!)
photo credit: uproxx
SweetSexySavage by Kehlani
photo credit: Singersroom
Tremaine by Trey Songz
(Seen Trey in convert back in April and he literally sung every song who put out, no money was wasted on his ticket)
photo credit: hiphopdx
Heartbreak on a Full Moon by Chris Brown
photo credit: rap-up
War & Leisure by Miguel
Trip by Jhene Aiko
photo credit: genius
True to Self by Bryson Tiller
photo credit: genius
Beach House 3 by Ty Dolla $ign
photo credit: xxlmag
Girl Interrupted by Sevyn
photo credit: thatgrapejuice.net
H.E.R. Vol 1 by H.E.R
photo credit: genius
Morning After by DVSN
photo credit: rapradar
Freudian by Daniel Caesar
photo credit: thefader
11:11 Reset by Keyshia Cole
photo credit: vibe
(I haven’t had a chance to listen to her, but I’ve always loved her and Imma give her her credit)
For me, it’s been a great year to listen to music and I’m excited to see what’s coming next year. I heard Cardi B should be coming with an album, Nicki Minaj, I wouldn’t be surprised if Drake came out with something.
Check out my next post on the artists that you may have slept on this year who may start shining bright next year!
If I missed anyone, call me out on it but more than likely if I didn’t list them then I don’t listen to their music orrrr I haven’t listened to it yet.
So I know I’m a little bit late but let’s talk about the Billboard Awards 2015!
Rapper Ludacris and model Chrissy Teigan did an awesome job with hosting and being themselves.
The fashion was something to look at especially Chrissy Teigan, rocking three different outfits; a Balmain black and gold stripe jump suit she wore on the red carpet, a red tube top jump suit she wore while hosting the awards with rapper/actor Ludacris, along with with a white low cut dress and a white sweater low cut dress. Mariah Carey rocked a black To Ford dress, Jennifer Lopez wore a gorgeous Charbel Zoe couture silver and brown see through dress. And that Taylor Swift got sexy on us and wore a Balmain white jump suit that was cut out under the boobs. Balmain was clearly a hot commodity because Kendall Jenner wore the brand as well as her younger sistr Kylie Jenner. Andddd lastly that Iggy Azalea wore a powder blue and nude color crop top and skirt that I wasn’t a fan of, especially with her pink tipped ends on her hair but to each is own.
photo credit: cambio.com
photo credit: eonline.com
photo credit: aceshowbiz.com
Moving along, there were some intense categories with some great nominees in them and some were just obvious on who should win.
Taylor Swift won EIGHT awards, she better get it. She won: top artist, Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard Artist 200, Top Billboard 200 Album for her 1989 album, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Digital Song Artist, and Top Streaming Video for “Shake It Off”. She also premiered her action filled music video ‘Bad Blood.”
Sam Smith took home the top male artist award, top new artist and top radio song artist award. Iggy Azalea took home the top rap song for “Fancy” (bi**h wheet), Top Streaming Artist, and Top Rap Artist (what in a Sam Hell). So clearly I have an issue with that, Honestly I think Nicki Minaj should have won for Ananconda. She is an actually rap artist, not because she is a black woman but because lyrically she spits the real.Yes Iggy is a rapper I guess but she doesn’t speak the real, it’s all mumbo jumbo, TO ME PERSONALLY. I think she won because majority rules, more white people support Iggy than Nicki and of course majority of them are in charge of the awards. As far as top rap artist, J. Cole or Drake should have won, J.Cole lyrically speaks greatness, Drake lyrically speaks his words with emotion which catches fans attention but again majority rules and I think that the Billboard Awards wanted a white artist to win. Last year Eminem won Top Rap Artist in 2014 In a category with Drake and the GREAT Jay-Z. No shade towards Eminem at all because he is a good artist. He also won top Top Rap Album for The Marshall Mathers, and Macklemore &Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton won top Rap song in 2014 for “Can’t Hold Us. No shade to these artists but I think it’s a visual game. Maybe these artists won based off numbers and rating but to me it seems a little off.
photo credit: celebzz.com
Moving along, the magical John Legend won three awards, which was well-deserved. Another great recognition was J.Cole winning Top Rap Album.
Performance wise, Chris Brown performed a pop-ish song in a red Michael Jackson type suit, with Pitbull in a new song titled Fun. Wiz Khalifa hit the stage with Charlie Puth and Lindsey Stirling in the heart-felt song “See You Again” dedicated to actor Paul Walker, who died in a car crash in November 2013. Britney Spears made a come back song with Iggy Izalea in a song called Pretty Girls. Nick Jonas performed one of my favorites “jealous” Kanye West performed “All Day” with a lot of fire, literally. His sister in laws Kendall & Kylie Jenner were booed when presenting his performance…was the crowd hating or in the right?? Hmmm, and of course the Empire crew Jussie Smollett & Bryshere Gray had to make an appearance, performing “You’re So Beautiful” and “Conquerer” with Estelle. There were many more performances but I just had to speak on those.
photo credit: billboard.com
photo credit: zimbio.com
photo credit: zimbio.com
Welp that’s all I got for y’all today.
Until next time.
Sources: E! News Online, and Entertainment Tonight!
Danii Gold 