Suite 411 » Awards

Tupac’s ‘Dear Mama’ inducted into Library of Congress

allison — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:06:22 +0000

Tupac Shakur’s song, “Dear Mama,” was inducted into the Library of Congress’ Recording Registry, which preserves “culturally, historically or aesthetically significant” recordings that are at least 10 years old. The Library of Congress called the 1995 hit “a moving and eloquent homage to both the murdered rapper’s own mother and all mothers struggling to maintain a family in the face of addiction, poverty and societal indifference.”

“Dear Mama” marks only the third hip-hop recording in the Library of Congress following Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s “The Message” and Public Enemy’s album, Fear of a Black Planet. Little Richard’s 1955 hit “Tutti Frutti” and bluesman Howlin’ Wolf’s 1956 single “Smokestack Lightning” were also among the 25 recordings inducted into the Library of Congress.

Jay-Z, Will and Jada win at the Tony Awards

allison — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 18:11:42 +0000

On Sunday night, Jay-Z, Will and Jada Smith won three Tony Awards as executive producers of the Broadway musical, “Fela!” The play about ’70s Nigerian musician and political activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was nominated for 11 Tony Awards. The three categories in which “Fela!” won were Best Sound Design of a Musical, Best Choreography, and Best Costume Design of a Musical.

Denzel Washington won his first Tony award for his performance in August Wilson’s “Fences.” Viola Davis, also won a Tony for her role as his wife in the play.

Washington won his first Tony for his portrayal of Troy, a one-time baseball star turned sanitation worker who struggles to reconcile his past and present. Davis garnered a lead actress award for her role as his wife, Rose. Both reprised the roles originated by James Earl Jones and Mary Alice in the 1987 Broadway version.

Kerry Washington was also at the award ceremony. She recently made her Broadway debut in the play, “Race,” in which she plays a lawyer who has to defend a White client accused of assaulting a Black woman.

Mo’Nique wins Oscar for ‘Precious’ best supporting actress

allison — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:24:03 +0000

Mo’Nique takes home her first Academy Award for best supporting actress in the movie, “Precious.” She thanked her husband, Sidney during her acceptance speech by saying: “Thank you for showing me that sometimes you have to forgo doing what’s popular in order to do what’s right. And baby…you were so right.”

NAACP Image Awards Red Carpet Pictures

allison — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:08:28 +0000

The 41st NAACP Image Awards aired Friday night from the Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium. Several celebrities came out for the event.

Lance Gross (House of Payne) and his fiancee Eva (America’s Next Top Model)

Gabrielle Union

Regina King

Wendy Raquel Robinson

Sherri Shepherd

Garcelle Beauvais

Keke Palmer

Keri Hilson

Video: Jay-Z, Alicia Keys and Lady Gaga perform at the Brit Awards

allison — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:04:07 +0000

Across the pond, American artists performed Tuesday at the Brit Awards. Jay-Z and Alicia Keys performed “Empire State of Mind” and Lady Gaga sang “Telephone” and “Dance in the Dark.”

Grammy Award Highlights

allison — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:02:16 +0000

The Grammys were chocked full of appearances by artists such as Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z, Toni Braxton and the Jackson children. Maxwell also won his first Grammy for best R&B Male Vocal Performance for “Pretty Wings.” Beyonce marches on stage as she begins her “If I Were A Boy/ You Oughta Know” performance. Check out performances by Beyonce and Jamie Foxx and other Grammy pics …

Jamie Foxx, T-Pain and Slash perform "Blame It on the Alcohol"

Michael Jackson's children accepted the performer's Lifetime Achievement award presented by Lionel Richie.

Maxwell performed "Pretty Wings" and then "Where is the Love" with Roberta Flack

Tony Braxton and Celine Dion

Jay-Z and Beyonce hang out with her nephew Juelz

Lil' Wayne and Eminem performed "Forever" with Drake

Grammy Fashion on the Red Carpet

allison — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 02:56:50 +0000

Maya and Usher were spotted on the red carpet Sunday night at the 52nd annual Grammy Awards. See photos of a slimmer Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce and Mary J. Blige as they arrive to the event below the cut.

India Arie

Jennifer Hudson

Beyonce

Rihanna

Mary J. Blige

Halle Berry to present at Golden Globes

allison — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:18:18 +0000

Halle Berry will be a presenter Jan. 17 at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards, announced the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Monday. Berry will join presenters, which include: Colin Ferrell, Jennifer Aniston, Julia Roberts and Mickey Rourke.

Robert De Niro and Leonardo Di Caprio will present Martin Scorsese with the Cecil B. DeMille Award and British comedian Ricky Gervais will host the event.

Janet Jackson to kick off American Music Awards

allison — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:10:01 +0000

After a opening tribute to her late brother Michael Jackson at the MTV Video Awards, Janet Jackson is now set to kick off the American Music Awards Nov. 22. at 7 p.m. central time.

“We’re thrilled about having Janet Jackson open this year’s show,” said American Music Awards producer Larry Klein in a news release. “She is an incredibly dynamic performer, and I think the audience will be excited to see what she has in store.”

She is also set to release a greatest hits two-CD set, “Number Ones,” before the awards show. She will also release a new single, “Make Me.”

Wendy Williams inducted into Radio Hall of Fame

allison — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:31:23 +0000

How you doing?! Talk show host Wendy Williams was in Chicago this past weekend to be inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame. Before debuting her daytime talk show this year, Williams was a New York radio personality for more than 20 years.

“Women, I scored one for us!” said Williams on her talk show Tuesday after noting that there are few women or African Americans in the Radio Hall of Fame.