NAACP Image Awards
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Victoria Monét and Usher received the most nominations in the music/recording categories for the 2024 NAACP Image Awards, earning six and five nods, respectively. RCA Records received 20 nominations, the most across record labels.
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Winners will be revealed during a two–hour live TV special, airing Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS.
Usher is nominated for entertainer of the year, where he is competing with Colman Domingo, Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey and Keke Palmer.
Usher is also nominated for outstanding male artist, where he is squaring off against Burna Boy, Chris Brown, Davido and Jon Batiste.
Monét is competing for outstanding female artist with Ari Lennox, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe and Tems.
The awards recognize excellence across a broad range of categories. Here, we focus on the nominees in 15 recording categories, as well as two general categories, but the full list also includes 30 TV/streaming categories, 16 in motion pictures, nine in literary, six in podcasts, five in directing, four in writing, three in documentaries, three in costume design/make-up/hairstyling, one in stunt work.
Nominees for outstanding motion picture are American Fiction, Origin, Rustin, The Color Purple and They Cloned Tyrone. Of these five films, only American Fiction was nominated for an Academy Award for best picture.
Domingo leads the nominations across the motion picture categories with three nominations: outstanding actor in a motion picture for Rustin and two nods for his work in The Color Purple — supporting actor in a motion picture and outstanding ensemble cast in a motion picture.
Ayo Edebiri received the most nominations in the television and streaming categories with two for Abbott Elementary and The Bear.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of this year’s nominees, whose outstanding contributions across film, television and streaming, music, literature, podcasts, and more have inspired us all,” Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, said in a statement.
“As we reflect on the rich legacy of the NAACP, we take pride in honoring the artistic brilliance of this year’s nominees. We are excited to illuminate and celebrate the extraordinary talent within our community,” said Scott Mills, President and CEO, BET Media Group.
By visiting NAACPImageAwards.net, the public can vote to determine the winners of the 55th NAACP Image Awards in select categories. Voting closes Feb. 24 at 9 p.m. Winners will be revealed during the 55th NAACP Image Awards telecast on March 16, on BET and CBS. NAACP will also recognize winners in non–televised Image Awards categories March 11–14, which will stream via NAACPImageAwards.net.
Here are all the nominees in the 15 recording categories, preceded by the nominees in two general categories.
General categories
Entertainer of the year
Colman Domingo
Fantasia Barrino
Halle Bailey
Keke Palmer
Usher
Outstanding social media personality of the year
Angel Laketa Moore
Druski
Keith Lee
Lynae Vanee
Terrell Grice
Recording categories
Outstanding album
Clear 2: Soft Life – Summer Walker (LVRN/Interscope Records)
For All the Dogs – Drake (OVO/Republic Records)
I Told Them… – Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)
Jaguar II – Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
The Age of Pleasure – Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records/Bad Boy/Wondaland)
Outstanding soul/R&B song
“Back to Your Place” – October London
“Good Good” – Usher feat. 21 Savage x Summer Walker
“ICU Remix” – Coco Jones feat. Justin Timberlake
“On My Mama” – Victoria Monét
“Lipstick Lover” – Janelle Monáe
Outstanding hip hop/rap song
“All My Life” – Lil Durk feat. J. Cole (Alamo Records)
“Blue Eyes” – Vic Mensa (Roc Nation Records, LLC)
“Cobra” – Megan Thee Stallion (Atlantic/Warner Bros/Mattel and 10K Projects/Capitol Records)
“Palisades, CA” – Larry June & The Alchemist (The Freeminded Records/ALC/EMPIRE)
“Sittin’ on Top of the World” – Burna Boy & 21 Savage (Atlantic Records)
Outstanding male artist
Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)
Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Davido (RCA Records/Sony Music UK)
Jon Batiste (Verve Records)
Usher (Mega/Gamma)
Outstanding female artist
Ari Lennox (Dreamville/Interscope Records)
H.E.R. (RCA Records)
Janelle Monáe (Atlantic Records/Bad Boy/Wondaland)
Tems (RCA Records/Since ’93)
Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
Outstanding duo, group or collaboration (contemporary)
Burna Boy & 21 Savage – “Sittin’ on Top of the World” (Atlantic Records)
Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay – “Sensational” (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Lil Durk & J. Cole – “All My Life” (Alamo Records)
Usher, 21 Savage, Summer Walker – “Good Good” (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Victoria Monét feat. Lucky Day – “Smoke” (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
Outstanding duo, group or collaboration (traditional)
Ciara feat. Chris Brown – “How We Roll” (Beauty Marks Entertainment
Coco Jones feat. Justin Timberlake – “ICU Remix” (Def Jam Recordings)
Dreamville, Bas & Black Sherif feat. Kel–P – “Creed III: Soundtrack” (Dreamville/Interscope Records)
Karen Clark Sheard, Hezekiah Walker, Kierra Sheard – “God Is Good” (Timeless Music Group/Roc Nation Records, LLC)
Voices of Fire – “Joy (Unspeakable)” (Columbia Records)
Outstanding new artist
FLO (Uptown Records / Republic Records)
Jordan Ward (Artium/Interscope Records)
Leon Thomas (EZMNY Records/Motown Records)
October London (Death Row Records)
Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
Outstanding gospel/Christian album
All Yours – Kierra Sheard (RCA Inspiration / Karew Entertainment)
Father’s Day – Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Records)
Impossible – Pastor Mike, Jr. (Rock City/Black Smoke)
My Truth – Jonathan McReynolds (MNRK Music Group)
The Maverick Way Complete – Maverick City Music (Insignia & TRIBL Records)
Outstanding international song
“Amapiano” – Asake feat. Olamide (YBNL Nation / EMPIRE)
“City Boys” – Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)
“Me & U” – Tems (RCA Records/Since ’93)
“People” – Libianca feat. Ayra Starr & Omah Lay (RCA Records/Sony Music UK/5K Records)
“Unavailable” – Davido (RCA Records/Sony Music UK)
Outstanding music video/visual album
“Boyfriend” – Usher (Mega/Gamma)
“Cobra” – Megan Thee Stallion (Hot Girl Productions)
“How We Roll” – Ciara (Beauty Marks Entertainment)
“On My Mama” – Victoria Monét (RCA Records/Lovett Music)
“Sensational” – Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Outstanding soundtrack/compilation album
Creed III: The Soundtrack – Michael B. Jordan, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis, Frank Brim (Dreamville / Interscope Records)
Godfather of Harlem: Season 3 (Original Series Soundtrack) – Swizz Beatz & Avery Chambliss (Epic Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment)
Metro Boomin Presents Spider–Man: Across the Spider–Verse (Soundtrack From and Inspired by the Motion Picture/Deluxe Edition) – Metro Boomin (Republic Records)
The Color Purple–Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Various Producers (WaterTower Music/Gamma)
The Little Mermaid Original Motion Picture Soundtrack – Alan Menken, Mike Higham and Lin–Manuel Miranda (Walt Disney Records)
Outstanding gospel/Christian song
“All Things” – Kirk Franklin (Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Records)
“All Yours” – Kierra Sheard feat. Anthony Brown (RCA Inspiration / Karew Entertainment)
“In The Room” – Maverick City Music (TRIBL Records)
“It’s Working” – Todd Dulaney (DulaneyLand / MNRK)
“JOY (Unspeakable) – Voices of Fire feat. Pharrell Williams (Columbia Records)
Outstanding jazz album
Brand New Life – Brandee Younger (Impulse! Records)
Melusine – Cécile McLorin Salvant (Nonesuch Records)
Who Are You When No One is Watching? – Braxton Cook (Nettwerk Music Group)
Phoenix – Lakecia Benjamin (Whirlwind Recordings)
Truth Be Told – Angie Wells (Cafe Pacific Records)
Outstanding original score for TV/film
American Fiction – Laura Karpman (Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios)
Rustin – Branford Marsalis (Netflix)
The Color Purple – Kris Bowers (Warner Bros. Pictures)
The Other Black Girl – EmmoLei Sankofa (Hulu)
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Jongnic Bontemps (Paramount+)
The 2024 NAACP Image Awards will include eight new categories, including original score for TV/film. The show will broadcast live from Los Angeles on Saturday, March 16, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS. Nominations will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 25.
NAACP will also recognize winners in non-televised categories March 12-14, which will stream on www.naacpimageawards.net and during the NAACP Image Awards Dinner, which will be held on Friday, March 15, in Los Angeles.
The NAACP Image Awards celebrates outstanding achievements and performances across more than 80 competitive categories spanning film, television and streaming, music, literature and podcasts. The 55th NAACP Image Awards will include these eight new submission categories:
Motion Picture: Outstanding youth performance; outstanding cinematography in a motion picture; outstanding short form documentary
Recording: Outstanding original score for TV/film
Podcast: Outstanding scripted series podcast; outstanding limited series/short form podcast
Literature: Outstanding graphic novel
Stunt: Outstanding stunt ensemble
“We are thrilled to bring back the Image Awards along with our partner BET and CBS once again,” Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, said in a statement. “With such a significant year in achievement among African-Americans in all areas in 2023, we know the show will celebrate and inspire our community once again.”
“BET Media Group is honored to continue our long-standing partnership with the NAACP to celebrate Black excellence and the countless contributions made by the Black community,” said BET President and CEO Scott Mills. “We are thrilled CBS is joining us to bring viewers this powerful awards program, honoring the many talented individuals and our diverse stories of humanity and resilience.”
All entries are evaluated and narrowed to the top five in each category by members of the NAACP Image Awards nominating committees, which are comprised of individuals within the entertainment industry and NAACP board members, NAACP Foundation trustees, staff, partners and others. The submission deadline is Nov. 3.
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Source: Amy Sussman / Getty / Angela Bassett
The 54th NAACP Image Awards went down last night live for the first time in front of an audience for the first time in three years, and it was an evening full of Black excellence.
Queen Latifah held down the hosting duties during the 2-hour special that aired on BET and was held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, California.
Understandably, the awards show has not had a live component since the coronavirus pandemic came and shut every damn thing down. Last year’s show was a hybrid presentation because it was partially virtual and featured live appearances from live presenters, award winners, and honorees.
As expected, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever took home the big honor of winning the Image Award for Outstanding Motion Picture.
Wakanda Forever star Angela Bassett took home three awards: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture for emotional performance as Queen Ramonda in the MCU film, Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for 911, and night’s biggest honor Entertainer of The Year.
During her speech, Bassett showed love to Ariana DeBose, who was ridiculed for her BAFTA Awards rap featuring the lyric “Angela Bassett Did The Thing.”
DeBose wound up deleting her Twitter account following the ridicule she received. Bassett did reveal she reached out to the West Side Story star to see if she was okay following the “ridicule.”
Other Notable NAACP Image Award Winners
Will Smith, who was not in attendance, won the Outstanding Actor award for his performance in the AppleTV+ film Emancipation.
Viola Davis, the most recent person to reach EGOT status, won Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture for her performance in The Woman King.
Beyoncé didn’t get the recognition she deserved at The Grammys, but her latest project, Rennaissance, was appreciated at the Image Awards, winning Outstanding Album.
It was a night of celebrating nothing but Black Excellence in many different categories.
You can see some of the winners from the night below and here for the complete list.
Motion Picture Categories
Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Motion Picture
Tenoch Huerta Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
The Inspection
Outstanding International Motion Picture
Bantú Mama
Outstanding Breakout Performance In A Motion Picture
Jalyn Hall, Till
Outstanding Ensemble Cast In A Motion Picture
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Wendell & Wild
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture
Keke Palmer, Lightyear
Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action)
Dear Mama…
Outstanding Short-Form (Animated)
More Than I Want to Remember
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Ericka Nicole Malone, Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story
Television Categories
Outstanding Comedy Series
Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Cedric The Entertainer, The Neighborhood
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Janelle James, Abbott Elementary
Outstanding Drama Series
P-Valley
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Nicco Annan, P-Valley
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Power Book II: Ghost
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Loretta Devine, P-Valley
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special
The Best Man: The Final Chapters
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Photo: Amy Sussman / Getty
Angela Bassett and Beyoncé were the top individual winners at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards on Saturday (Feb. 25), with three awards each. Bassett took the top award — entertainer of the year — and opened her speech by having a little bit of fun with Ariana DeBose’s much-maligned rap at last weekend’s BAFTAs, where the young star rapped, “Angela Bassett did the thing.”
“I guess Angela Bassett did the thing,” Bassett said, to much laughter. This marked the first time all five entertainer of the year nominees were women. The other nominees were Mary J. Blige, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis and Zendaya.
Bassett also won outstanding supporting actress in a motion picture for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and outstanding actress in a drama [TV] series for 9-1-1 on FOX.
All three of Beyoncé’s categories were presented prior to Saturday and she wasn’t present on the telecast. She took outstanding album for Renaissance, outstanding soul/R&B song for “Cuff It” and outstanding female artist.
Chris Brown, Brunson, Ryan Coogler and Davis each won two awards. (Some of their shows also won awards; this counts only awards presented to individuals.)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won outstanding motion picture, just as the original Black Panther did four years ago. This marks the second time in three years that a franchise film has won in this category. Two years ago, the award went to Bad Boys for Life, the third film in that franchise.
In television awards, ABC’s Abbott Elementary won outstanding comedy series, while Starz’s P-Valley took outstanding drama series.
The 54th annual NAACP Image Awards were presented in nightly ceremonies last week, culminating in a live broadcast on Saturday from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. The show, hosted by Queen Latifah, aired on BET and was also simulcast across a dozen Paramount Global networks including CBS, MTV, VH1 and CMT.
Here’s the complete list of winners for the 54th NAACP Image Awards:
Entertainer of the Year
Angela Bassett
Recording Categories
Outstanding New Artist: Coco Jones – “ICU” (Def Jam Recordings)
Outstanding Male Artist: Chris Brown – Breezy (Deluxe) (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Outstanding Female Artist: Beyoncé – Renaissance (Columbia Records/ Parkwood Entertainment)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album: Kingdom Book One – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin (Tribl Records, Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Inspiration)
Outstanding International Song: “No Woman No Cry” – Tems (Def Jam Recordings)
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album: “Lift Me Up” – Rihanna (Roc Nation/Def Jam Recordings)
Outstanding Album: Renaissance – Beyoncé (Parkwood/Columbia Records)
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By – Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan (Def Jam Recordings/Hollywood Records)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song: “Positive” – Erica Campbell (My Block Inc.)
Outstanding Jazz Album – Instrumental: JID014 (Jazz is Dead) – Henry Franklin, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge
Outstanding Jazz Album – Vocal: The Evening: Live at Apparatus – The Baylor Project (Be A Light)
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song: “Cuff It” – Beyoncé (Columbia Record/ Parkwood Entertainment)
Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap Song: “Hotel Lobby” – Quavo, Takeoff (Motown Records/Quality Control Music)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional): Silk Sonic – “Love’s Train” (Atlantic Records)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary): Chris Brown feat. Wizkid – “Call Me Every Day” (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)
Motion Picture Categories
Outstanding Motion Picture: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture: Will Smith – Emancipation (Apple)
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture: Viola Davis – The Woman King (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture: Tenoch Huerta – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture: Angela Bassett – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture: The Inspection (A24)
Outstanding International Motion Picture: Bantú Mama (ARRAY)
Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture: Jalyn Hall – TILL (United Artists Releasing/Orion Pictures)
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture: Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture: Wendell & Wild (Netflix)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture: Keke Palmer – Lightyear (Walt Disney Studios)
Outstanding Short Form (Live Action): Dear Mama… (Film Independent)
Outstanding Short Form (Animated): More Than I Want to Remember (MTV Entertainment Studios)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture): Ericka Nicole Malone – Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story (Hulu)
Television + Streaming Categories
Outstanding Comedy Series: Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series: Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood (CBS)
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series: Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Janelle James – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Outstanding Drama Series: P-Valley (Starz)
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series: Nicco Annan – P-Valley (Starz)
Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series: Angela Bassett – 9-1-1 (FOX)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Cliff “Method Man” Smith – Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Loretta Devine – P-Valley (Starz)
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special: The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)
Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special: Morris Chestnut – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)
Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special: Niecy Nash-Betts – Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (Netflix)
Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special): ABC News 20/20 Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry, A Conversation with Robin Roberts (ABC)
Outstanding Talk Series: Sherri (Syndicated)
Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series): Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (Amazon Studios)
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special): The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Children’s Program: Tab Time (YouTube Originals)
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited–Series): Ja’Siah Young – Raising Dion (Netflix)
Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Jennifer Hudson – The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)
Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Tabitha Brown – Tab Time (YouTube Originals)
Outstanding Guest Performance: Glynn Turman – Queen Sugar (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
Outstanding Animated Series: The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)
Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television): Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney+)
Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama: Between The Scenes – The Daily Show (Comedy Central)
Outstanding Short Form Series – Reality/Nonfiction: Daring Simone Biles (Snap)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television): Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special: Keith David – From Scratch (Netflix)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited–Series or Dramatic Special: Nia Long – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)
Writing Categories
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: Brittani Nichols – Abbott Elementary – “Student Transfer” (ABC)
Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: Marissa Jo Cerar – Women of the Movement – “Episode 101” (ABC)
Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special: Scott Mescudi (Story By), Ian Edelman, Maurice Williams – Entergalactic (Netflix)
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
Directing Categories
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series: Angela Barnes – Atlanta – “The Homeliest Little Horse” (FX)
Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: Giancarlo Esposito – Better Call Saul – “Axe and Grind” (AMC)
Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special: Anton Cropper – Fantasy Football (Paramount+)
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture: Gina Prince-Bythewood – The Woman King (Sony Pictures Releasing)
Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture): Reginald Hudlin – Sidney (Apple TV+)
Documentary Categories
Outstanding Documentary (Film): Civil (Netflix)
Outstanding Documentary (Television): Everything’s Gonna be All White (Showtime)
Literary Categories
Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction: Take My Hand – Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Penguin Random House)
Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction: Finding Me – Viola Davis (HarperCollins Publishers)
Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author: Illustrated Black History: Honoring the Iconic and the Unseen – George McCalman (HarperCollins Publishers)
Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Autobiography: Scenes from My Life – Michael K. Williams, Jon Sternfeld (Penguin Random House)
Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional: Black Joy: Stories of Resistance, Resilience, and Restoration – Tracey Lewis-Giggetts (Gallery/Simon and Schuster)
Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry: To the Realization of Perfect Helplessness – Robin Coste Lewis (Alfred A. Knopf)
Outstanding Literary Work – Children: Stacey’s Remarkable Books – Stacey Abrams, Kitt Thomas (HarperCollins – Balzer + Bray)
Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens: Cookies & Milk – Shawn Amos (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Podcast Categories
Outstanding News and Information Podcast: Beyond the Scenes – The Daily Show (Central Productions, LLC)
Outstanding Lifestyle / Self-Help Podcast: Therapy for Black Girls (Therapy for Black Girls)
Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast: LeVar Burton Reads (SiriusXM’s Stitcher Studios)
Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast: Two Funny Mamas (Mocha Podcasts Network)
Costume Design, Make-Up & Hairstyling Categories
Outstanding Costume Design (Television or Film): Ruth Carter – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
Outstanding Make-up (Television or Film): Debi Young, Sandra Linn, Ngozi Olandu Young, Gina Bateman – We Own This City (HBO Max)
Outstanding Hairstyling (Television or Film): Camille Friend – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (Marvel Studios)
Social Media Category
Outstanding Social Media Personality: @KevOnStage – Kevin Fredericks
Special Awards
Jackie Robinson Sports Award: Serena Williams
Chairman’s Award: Congressman Bennie Thompson.
Youth Activist of the Year: Bradley Ross Jackson
Activist of the Year: Derrick Lee Forward
Social Justice Impact Award: Benjamin Crump
President’s Awards: Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade
Angela Bassett and Beyoncé were the top individual winners at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards, with three awards each. Bassett took the top award – entertainer of the year – and opened her speech by having a little bit of fun with Ariana DeBose’s widely-mocked rap at last weekend’s Brit Awards, where the young star rapped, “Angela Bassett did the thing.”
“I guess Angela Bassett did the thing,” Bassett said, to much laughter. This marked the first time all five entertainer of the year nominees were women. The other nominees were Mary J. Blige, Quinta Brunson, Viola Davis and Zendaya.
Bassett also won outstanding supporting actress in a motion picture for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and outstanding actress in a drama [TV] series for 9-1-1 on FOX. The veteran actress is considered the front-runner to win an Oscar in the Oscar for best supporting actress on March 12. (DeBose won in that category last year for the reboot of West Side Story.)
All three of Beyoncé’s categories were presented prior to Saturday and she wasn’t present on the telecast. She took outstanding album for Renaissance (her third win in the category), outstanding soul/R&B song for “Cuff It” and outstanding female artist (her record-extending seventh win in the category).
Chris Brown, Brunson, Ryan Coogler and Davis each won two awards. (Some of their shows also won awards; this counts only awards presented to individuals.)
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever won outstanding motion picture, just as the original Black Panther did four years ago. This marks the second time in three years that a franchise film has won in this category. Two years ago, the award went to Bad Boys for Life, the third film in that franchise.
ABC’s Abbott Elementary won outstanding comedy [TV] series. The show was nominated for a Primetime Emmy in that same category last year and while it didn’t win, it’s practically a foregone conclusion that it will win this year.
That doesn’t mean there were no surprises at the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards, which were presented at nightly ceremonies this past week, culminating in a live broadcast on Saturday (Feb. 25) from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. The show, ably hosted by Queen Latifah, aired on BET and was also simulcast across a dozen Paramount Global networks including CBS, MTV, VH1 and CMT.
One of the biggest surprises is that Kendrick Lamar didn’t win a thing. The acclaimed rapper received five nominations, which put him in a tie with Beyoncé for the most nods by anyone in the music categories. But where she won three awards this year, he was shut out.
Another hip-hop superstar, Drake, went 0-3 this year.
Without further ado, here are 14 Snubs & Surprises at the 2023 NAACP Image Awards.
Snub: Kendrick Lamar
Lamar lost outstanding male artist (which he has yet to win) to Chris Brown (who won it for the third time). In addition, Lamar’s Billboard 200-topping Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers lost outstanding album to Renaissance; “Die Hard” (featuring Blxt & Amanda Reifer) lost outstanding duo, group or collaboration (traditional) to Silk Sonic’s “Love’s Train”; and “The Heart Part 5” lost twice. It lost outstanding hip hop/rap song to “Hotel Lobby” by Quavo and Takeoff and outstanding music video/visual album to Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up.”
Surprise: Will Smith
It both is and isn’t a surprise that Smith won outstanding actor in a motion picture for Emancipation. This was his first nomination here since The Slap on last year’s Oscar telecast, which tarnished his image and imperiled his career. Smith also won here last year for King Richard, the role that brought him his first Oscar. Smith is the first actor to win back-to-back Image Awards in this category since Denzel Washington scored in 2002-03 with Training Day and John Q, respectively. Smith wasn’t on hand to receive his award. Instead, presenter Janelle Monáe simply accepted it on his behalf.
Snub: Samara Joy
Joy won two Grammys on Feb. 5 – best new artist and best jazz vocal album for Linger Awhile. So you might think she’d be a shoo-in to win here for outstanding jazz album – vocal. Nope. The award went to Adam Blackstone’s Legacy. Blackstone is also coming off a major award win. He won his first Primetime Emmy in September for outstanding music direction for The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent.
Surprise: Coco Jones
Jones took outstanding new (recording) artist for “ICU” over Steve Lacy for Gemini Rights, among others. Lacy’s album won a Grammy for best progressive R&B album and spawned the smash “Bad Habit,” which topped the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks.
Snub: Future’s “Wait for U”
The hit by Future featuring Drake and Tems topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won a Grammy for best melodic rap performance. But it came up short in both categories in which it was nominated here. It lost outstanding hip hop/rap song to “Hotel Lobby” by Quavo and Takeoff and outstanding duo group or collaboration (contemporary) to Chris Brown featuring Wizkid’s “Call Me Every Day.”
Surprise: Gina Prince-Bythewood
Prince-Bythewood won outstanding directing in a motion picture for The Woman King (Sony Pictures Releasing). She beat Ryan Coogler, the director of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, among others. This is Prince-Bythewood’s record-setting third win in the category, following The Secret Life of Bees (2009) and The Old Guard (2021). Coogler has won twice in the category for Creed (2016) and Black Panther (2019). Coogler won two awards on the night – outstanding writing in a motion picture and outstanding soundtrack/compilation album, both for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Snub: Jerrod Carmichael
Jerrod Carmichael won his first Primetime Emmy in September for outstanding writing for a variety special for his HBO Max special, Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel, but he lost in the equivalent category (outstanding writing in a television movie or special) here. The winner? Netflix’s Entergalactic, with a story by Scott Mescudi (better known as Kid Cudi) and written by Ian Edelman and Maurice Williams.
Surprise: Keke Palmer
Palmer won outstanding character voice-over performance – motion picture. She beat out a pair of past Oscar nominees – Angela Bassett (nominated for Wendell & Wild) and Taraji P. Henson (nominated for Minions: The Rise of Gru).
Snub: Sheryl Lee Ralph
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Ralph won her first Primetime Emmy in September for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series for her role in Abbott Elementary, but lost here to her castmate Janelle James. Both were vying here for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series. The two actresses presented the first award on the telecast. Ralph warmly congratulated James on her win the previous night.
Surprise: Tabitha Brown
The host of Tab Time on You Tube Originals won outstanding host in a reality/reality competition, game show or variety (series or special) – individual or ensemble. (That category name is longer than the show!) Her win was sweet because she was up against four major names – Lizzo for Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls, Trevor Noah for The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Taraji P. Henson for hosting the 2022 BET Awards and Keke Palmer for NBC’s revival of Password. Tab Time also won outstanding children’s program.
Snub: ‘Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio’
Guillermo del Toro’s film is the front-runner to win the Oscar for best animated feature film, but it lost outstanding animated motion picture here to Wendell & Wild. The latter film wasn’t even nominated for an Oscar.
Surprise: Nicco Annan
The star of Starz’ P-Valley won outstanding actor in a drama [TV] series, beating, among others, Sterling K. Brown of NBC’s just-wrapped This Is Us (who won in this category twice). Annan stars as Uncle Clifford Sayles, the non-binaryowner and proprietor of a strip club called The Pynk in the fictional city of Chucalissa, Miss. P-Valley also won outstanding drama series.
Not a Surprise: Michelle Obama
Image Award voters seem to prefer the real Michelle Obama to a dramatized version. ABC News 20/20 Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry, a Conversation with Robin Roberts won outstanding news/information (series or special). But Viola Davis’ portrayal of the former first lady on The First Lady (Showtime) lost in the category of outstanding actress in a television movie, limited-series or dramatic special. (The winner there was Niecy Nash-Betts, playing the suspicious neighbor on Netflix’s Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.)
Not a Surprise, but Really?: Jennifer Hudson
Hudson took outstanding host in a talk or news/information (series or special) – individual or ensemble for the first season of her syndicated The Jennifer Hudson Show. That’s not a surprise. Hudson is an EGOT, after all. Her competition included Lester Holt for NBC Nightly News. These shows – a resolutely positive daytime talk show and an evening news broadcast – should not be in the same category. It’s not really fair to either.
Queen Latifah will host the 2023 NAACP Image Awards, which is set to air live on Saturday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET. The show will also simulcast across Paramount Global networks including BET HER, CBS, CMT, Comedy Central, LOGO, MTV, MTV2, Paramount Network, POP TV, Smithsonian, TV Land and VH1.
“It’s an honor to host the 54th NAACP Image Awards, especially in the year we are celebrating 50 years of hip-hop,” Queen Latifah said in a statement. “This is a night to celebrate Black excellence and Black contribution to our industry and beyond. Celebrating one another, lifting each other up and you know we’ll have fun doing it!”
Latifah is the first woman to serve as solo host of the NAACP Image Awards since Diana Ross in 2000. Anthony Anderson, who starred in ABC’s Black-ish alongside Ross’ daughter, Tracee Ellis Ross, hosted the show the last nine years.
Latifah, a Grammy and Primetime Emmy winner, hosted the Grammy Awards telecast in 2005.
“Queen Latifah is one of our generation’s most influential and iconic voices,” Connie Orlando, EVP specials, music programming and music strategy at BET, said in a statement. “We are excited to collaborate with the groundbreaking megastar as she hosts the 54th NAACP Image Awards.”
Presenters on the show include Brian White, Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Damson Idris, Taye Diggs, Harold Perrineau, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Janelle James, Jonathan Majors, Kerry Washington, Letitia Wright, Morris Chestnut, Ms. Pat, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Terrence Howard, Tracee Ellis Ross and Zendaya, as well as NAACP president Derrick Johnson and NAACP chairman Leon W. Russell.
The Activist of the Year Award will be presented to Dr. Derrick Lee Foward, president of the Dayton unit of the NAACP and a vice president of the Ohio NAACP.
Previously announced 54th NAACP Image Awards honorees include U.S. Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) who will receive the Chairman’s Award. Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump will receive the Social Justice Impact Award. Gabrielle Union-Wade and Dwyane Wade will receive the President’s Award.
NAACP is recognizing winners in non-televised categories virtually Feb. 20-23 on naacpimageawards.net and at an awards dinner on Feb. 24.
Actress Bresha Webb will host the awards dinner. Presenters include Coco Jones, Dominique Thorne, Tichina Arnold, Amber Riley, Paula Newsome, April Ryan, Skai Jackson, Alaya “That Girl Lay Lay” High, Angie Martinez, Niecy Nash-Betts, Tobe Nwigwe, Tye Tribbett, Armani White, Wendell Pierce, Harlem cast members Meagan Good, Tyler Lepley, Jerrie Johnson, and Shoniqua Shandai and writer/director Tracy Oliver.
For more on the 54th NAACP Image Awards, visit BET.com.
The 54th NAACP Image Awards will broadcast live on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at 8 p.m. (live ET/PT on delay) on BET from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Pasadena, Calif. Nominees will be announced on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. Online voting opens on that date and extends through Friday, Feb. 10, 2023.
This will mark the first in-person Image Awards since the show was hosted in February 2020, also at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
The host has not been announced. Black-ish star Anthony Anderson hosted the last nine NAACP Image Awards, but several previous hosts or co-hosts came from the world of music, including Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, Vanessa Williams, Mariah Carey, Diana Ross and LL Cool J.
Jennifer Hudson was named entertainer of the year at last year’s show. Jazmine Sullivan and Anthony Hamilton won outstanding female and male artist, respectively. Sullivan’s Heaux Tales took outstanding album. Saweetie took outstanding new artist.
The 54th NAACP Image Awards will include three new categories within the motion picture, television + streaming categories — outstanding hairstyling, outstanding make-up and outstanding costume design.
“Throughout the past year, we’ve witnessed Black artists showcasing our history and uplifting values of progressive change, while redefining genres and bringing our stories to the forefront of entertainment in so many innovative ways,” Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the NAACP, said in a statement. “Black voices are necessary to continually inspire audiences around the world. We’re proud to once again provide a platform that both elevates and celebrates these voices through the 54th NAACP Image Awards.”
“BET is extremely proud to continue our long-standing partnership with the NAACP and magnify their endeavors to honor the incredible contributions made by the Black community,” added BET president and CEO Scott Mills. “We’re looking forward to celebrating Black excellence at next year’s Image Awards on all of our platforms, honoring those who help tell our diverse stories in powerful ways.”