Denzel Washington and Viola Davis stars in the movie Fences. The movie is nominated for an Academy Award.
For the Oscars, it's going to be a tad bit diverse. After two consecutive years of all-White nominees, the Academy Awards has decided to get things right.
The Academy nominated 10 black actors and filmmakers. It also has six-African American themed films, an Indian adventure, and Pacific Islander-themed movie.
Name recognition goes to Barry Jenkins, who scored a nomination for Moonlight. Ava DuVernay's 13th was nominated for her documentary as well as Raoul Peck's I Am Not Your Negro and OJ: Made In America from Ezra Edelman.
The black themed movies for Best Picture include Moonlight, Fences and Hidden Figures.
Denzel Washington, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, Ruth Negga, Mahershala Ali, and Naomie Harris were nominated for an Oscar.
Birth of Nation was snubbed. Nate Parker's hit movie was scarred by allegations of rape being brought to light.
Hollywood is trying to make strives in diversity. Of course, during the 2014-15 session, #OscarsSoWhite became a lightening rod in the entertainment industry. Many actors of color denounced the awards for not advocating diversity.
"It amazes me, to convince Black people that Donald Trump cares about them, he takes pictures with celebrities," said Hughley. "If Donald Trump cared about Black people, he wouldn't have denigrated the president with those claims of birtherism. He wouldn't have stoked fears and racist fears saying this man is less than or not one of us to become president. If Donald Trump, cared about Black people, he wouldn't have, in the debates, talked about stop and frisk."
He slammed entertainers who decided to make it their business to "lecture" Black folks about Trump.
"Donald Trump takes pictures with Black people. --- You rather have Black people be football players, comedians and rappers than the president. You rather see us run the ball than run the country. That's why you do it."
He also called King, a "Gator of the King family". He said that King tried to sell his dad's bible and Nobel Peace Prize for money.
He pointed out Trump's nominee for Attorney General, the squinty eyed bigot Jeff Sessions.
Now The Hughleys is on Bounce TV. King is the co-founder and co-chairman of the network.
Hughley may lose syndication rights to his show for that comment.
Drizzy is sticking it to Diddy. It seems like Jenny from the Block caught a buzz from the 6 God.
The 47 year old actress/singer/model/media mogul got the net buzzing with a candid shot of her and the 6 God.
Jennifer Lopez who recently broke up with her longtime boyfriend Casper Smart was spotted with Drake making out.
Drake is 30 years old. He has dated notable celebrities. His list includes the likes of Rihanna, Serena Williams, Tyra Banks, Taylor Swift and Tika Sumpter. And to have J-Lo on the list means that he's truly a god when it comes to women.
The two are admitting that they're together but "they aren't serious just yet."
Lopez was previously married to Latin pop singer Marc Anthony and has two children with him.
We lost a great entertainer. It was confirmed tonight that Ricky Harris passed away at the age of 54.
According to ComedyHype, Ricky Harris has reportedly passed away after suffering a heart attack.
Reports on the his now reported death are few but we have seen several of Harris’s friends confirm the unfortunate news. Harris’s resume extends to productions like Poetic Justice, Moesha, Tales From The Hood, and several projects with Snoop Dogg including film Boss’N’Up and the iconic voice-character DJ Eaz-E-Dick on Snoop’s previous albums. Harris has had his share of health scares; a few years ago he suffered a heart attack which came sudden as well. Comedians shocked by the news have took to social media to pay their respects to the comedy veteran.
Tributes come from some of the country's most notable entertainers and musicians who were friends with Ricky.
My favorite comic passed today! He never got his just due! But if u ever saw him gig u knew he was as good as it gets!#RIpRickeyHarris
Steve Harvey will host a reboot of It's Showtime at The Apollo.
The comedian/game show host/media mogul Steve Harvey hasn't stopped the success. The Original King of Comedy is a busy man. He's taking the title from the disgraced Black everyman Bill Cosby.
Harvey is heading back to hosting duties for special run It's Showtime at The Apollo.
It's a special event on Fox and it's set air on December 5 at 8pm. It will air another hour special in early 2017.
Steve Harvey is the host of Family Feud (and ABC's Celebrity Family Feud). Family Feud is the game show in which two families compete in a series of questions for big prizes. He has hosted the show for six years and still the host. He tapes the shows in Atlanta.
He is the host of Steve Harvey, a daytime syndicated talk show. The show is on many CW and Fox affiliates. He tapes his syndicated show in Chicago.
He is the host of The Steve Harvey Morning Show which is heard on many radio stations across the country. He does his show live from Chicago. He occasionally heads to Atlanta to his radio show when he is doing Family Feud. He has a home in both Chicago and Atlanta.
He is the host of Little Big Shots on NBC. He team up with Ellen DeGeneres to make a youth talent show. It's been greenlight for another season in the summer.
He is the host of Miss Universe pageant. This is the most prestige beauty pageant. He will continue hosting duties until 2019. The next one will be hosted by the Philippines. The pageant was sponsored by the controversial billionaire/racist/sexist/pussy grabbing/reality television star who will be your next president.
Steve Harvey is the author of wildly popular books Act Like a Lady and Think Like a Man. The books were greenlighted into a motion picture.
The movie Think Like a Man became a successful movie and sequel. A third sequel is in the works.
Will Kiki Sheppard and the Sandman return to give Steve a hand?
As protest continue against President-elect Donald Trump, SNL had an opportunity to address the situation.
Who could address a controversial figure like Donald Trump while at least building up dispirited progressives?
Call upon legendary comedian Dave Chappelle to do guest hosting.
Chappelle hits it off. He first address the unrest in Portland, Oregon and compare it to the fatal police encounters of Black men in Charlotte, Milwaukee, Baltimore and Ferguson. He says it is sort of a double standard for Whites when it comes to protesting injustices.
Dave Chappelle opening monologue went viral. I mean it's touched nerves and it gave an honest truth about the election in the Black and White prospective.
"I didn't know that Donald Trump was going to win the election. I did suspect it. Seemed like Hillary [Clinton] was doing well in the polls and yet .... I know the whites. You guys aren't as full as you used to be. America has done it. We've actually elected an internet troll as our president."
As he addressed the Portland protests, he remarked the following: " I watched the white riot in Portland on television the other night. The news said they did $1 million worth of damage. Every black person was watching it like, 'Amateurs'," said Chappelle.
In regards to 1/3 of Clinton supporters saying they will not respect President Trump, he said:
"I'm staying out it. I'm just going to take a knee like [Colin] Kaepernick and let the whites figure this out amongst themselves".
Classic.
Chapelle even brought out his inspiration, Chris Rock to perform in a skit involving angry Clinton supporters.
The memorable scene where Andre Lyon was close to ending his life. Trai Byers is threatening to leave hit drama Empire.
Empire already is a go for season three on Fox. But the rumor mill has been buzzing about a key actor planning on bouncing from the hit hip-hop drama. Trai Byers who plays Andre Lyon may leave the show after the season finishes.
Andre Lyon is the oldest son and is just as ruthless as his father Lucious Lyon. He is married to Rhonda and their expecting a child in show. He is bipolar and struggling to find a way to deal with the business and the cutthroat tactics of his father.
Empire Cast:
Terrance Howard: Lucious Lyon
Taraj P Henson: Cookie Lyon
Jussie Smollett: Jamal Lyon
Trai Byers: Andre Lyon
Bryshere Y. Gray: Hakeem Lyon
Grace Gealey: Anika Calhoun
Kaitlin Doubleday: Rhonda Lyon
Gabourey Sidbie: Becky Williams
TaRhonda Jones: Porsha Taylor
Serayah McNeill: Tiana Brown
He felt that Lee Daniels and Danny Strong have ignored him as a main character. They focused on the breakout stars Terrance Howard, Jussie Smollett, Bryshere Y. Gray and Taraj P. Henson.
Page Six of the tabloid The New York Post said that the actor was frustrated that he's not getting more screen time and felt that the show isn't worth his time. He's a thespian not a gangsta, says the sources.
Byers with girlfriend, co-star Grace Gealey.
The report says that "Trai threw a temper tantrum during filming in the past weeks saying, 'I don't get do enough, I might leave'. But producers called his bluff and said, 'Fine, if you're not happy, we don't need you.'"
Sources also added, "He thinks he is a brilliant guy who deserves a better role, but he's hardly one of the most popular or dynamic actors on the show. He also fired out the cannon his reps for not getting him big movie roles."
But Byers shot down the rumors quickly. The reasons unknown.
Of course, I know! Daniels and Strong told him about Mo'Nique. The comedian won an Academy Award for supporting actress in the blockbuster drama Precious. She was on top of the world until she found out that her services weren't needed.
She was blackball'd out of Hollywood. Mo'Nique blames Lee Daniels for ruining her career. She is currently feuding with the producer. Gabourey Sidibe, also stars in Empire.
I see the cracks at the bottom on the series. Ratings have taken a downturn. I mean at debut premiere it took in 18 million viewers. Throughout season one, it was clocking 9 to 15 million viewers (including DVR).
Byers said that he's happy to be on the show and he's not leaving. But a cryptic message from Taraj kind of says that he's could be written out of the show if he acts a fool. So if Byers want to get fired out the cannon, would it hurt the show?
Empire is going to hit ABC and CBS where it hurts, Once Empire comes back on, ABC sitcoms Modern Family and Black-ish will take a slight drop in the ratings.
Empire is a success.
The show has dominated in ratings since its premiere in January 2015. The show was granted a second season after the third episode by the Fox executives. Fox has already green lights The Simpsons, Gotham, Bob's Burgers and Empire. Bones was green lighted for a final season.
New Girl, Lucifer, Rosewood, Brooklyn Nine-9, Family Guy, The Last Man on Earth, Sleepy Hollow, Last Chance, The Grinder, Grandfathered, Barrett Cooper's Guide.... are on the bubble. Some may survive the cut.
I predict the other survivors would be Family Guy, Rosewood, Brooklyn Nine-9, The Grinder, Last Man on Earth and Lucifer.
I think New Girl will be cut. But it could survive if the show would crossover to MTV or TBS in the coming.
No disrespect to Chris Rock, I choose to not watch the 88th Academy Awards show. I am not interested in that stuff. I don't find no interest in watching entertainers show off their dresses, their new relationships, their new baby bumps or the social media buzzing about what happened.
I tend to be very reclusive when it comes to the social media and what people do. I get jealous of people bragging about their successes. Hollywood is a part of that.
Many others who struggle to get acting roles are often shunned because of their race, gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, political and disability. Some say it's the talent that judges you!
But given that some of the most critically acclaimed movies being shunned, I figured that I wouldn't watch this regardless. Even if a Black comic who addresses racial issues hosted it, I find no interest in awards shows. I just going to summarize it and give an honest take to what happened.
The country's most notorious racial agitator splashed this on his conservative Criagslist today.
Chris Rock's performance at the Academy Awards was good. I mean it was brutally honest. It opened up a discussion to why no person of color being nominated for an Oscar for a second time in a row.
The comedian's monologue and skits were so funny and yes really straight to the point.
The junk food media was talking about it all morning. They were picking apart every skit. They had praised Rock for being upfront about the Academy Awards being inclusive.
He took on #OscarsSoWhite.
He took jabs at fellow comedians such as Kevin Hart.
He took jabs at Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. The Smiths were boycotting the event after Jada took to the internet to protest the nomination. She and Spike Lee became the most visible faces of the #OscarsSoWhite controversy.
Leonardo DiCaprio won an Academy Award for the first time.
"What happened this year? People went nuts. Spike [Lee] got mad. Jada went mad. Will [Smith] went mad. Everyone went mad!" Rock said about all the celebs wanting to protest the Oscars. "Jada said she's not coming. I was like, ‘isn't she on TV show?' Jada's gonna boycott the Oscars? Jada boycotting the Oscars is like me boycotting Rihanna's panties. I wasn't invited!"
People gasped and laughed at the joke. But when Rock when back to monologue, he sympathizes with Jada and Spike Lee's grievance.
"Her man Will was not nominated for Concussion. I get it. You get mad. It's not fair that Will was this good and didn't get nominated. You're right," he said. "It's also not fair that Will was paid $20 million for Wild Wild West!"
Chris opened his monologue with a jab at the montage that played at the beginning of the show, featuring all the movies the Academy is celebrating during the show.
"I counted at least 15 black people in that montage!" he laughed. "Well, I'm here at the Academy Awards, otherwise known as the White Peoples Choice Awards."
"You realize if they nominated hosts, I wouldn't even get this job. Y'all be watching Neil Patrick Harris right now….I thought about quitting. I thought about it real hard. But I realized, they're going to have the Oscars anyway. They're not going to cancel the Oscars because I quit," Rock reasoned. "And the last thing I need is to lose another job to Kevin Hart!"
Rock was also quick to point out that a lack of diversity among nominees has always been a problem, long before this year's Oscars.
"Why this Oscars? It's the 88th Academy Awards, which means this whole 'no black nominee' has happened like 71 other times. You gotta figure it happened in the ‘50s, in the ‘60s...and black people didn't protest. You know why? Because black people had real things to protest at the time. Too busy being raped and lynched to care about who won Best Cinematographer. You know, when your grandmother is swinging from a tree, it's hard to care about Best Documentary Foreign Short."
"This year, things are going to be a little different at the Oscars," he promised. "This year in the In Memoriam package, it's just going to be black people who were shot by the cops on their way to the movies."
He also had a pretty easy solution for getting more nominations for black actors.
"If you want black people every year at the Oscars, just have black categories, like 'Best Black Friend.' And the winner for the 18th year in a row is Wanda Sykes!" Rock quipped, before finally turning serious. "What I'm trying to say is, it's not about boycotting. We want opportunity. We want the black actors to get the same opportunities as white actors. That's it! Not just once."
Chris Rock brought on Girl Scouts to sell cookies to some of the entertainers. That drew high the biggest applause of the night.
Well I heard that Leonard DeCaprio finally got his Oscar for the performance in The Reverent. From the days of being a teen actor, Leo has dreamed that day would come. He was nominated over five times and never earned an Oscar for them. Today, he is finally an award winner.
Leo's is a devoted environmentalist who believes that the time is now to get things done about climate change. And yes, he devoted his Oscar to those who struggled for this opportunity.
Vice President Joe Biden was there in attendance. He had an opportunity to introduce Grammy award winning/Oscar nominated singer/actress Lady Gaga.
Vice President Joe Biden gives message to America about sexual abuse.
Biden was pressing the audience to address sexual abuse on college campuses. This was a prime issue among the vice president and President Barack Obama.
“Despite significant progress over the last few years, too many woman and men on and off college campuses are still victims of sexual abuse,” the Veep told industry power players and the tens of millions watching on TV. “Tonight, I’m asking you to join millions of Americans including me, President Obama, the thousands of students I’ve met on college campuses and the artists here tonight to take the pledge.”
“The pledge says I will intervene in situations where consent has not or can not be given,” Biden said. “Let’s change the culture, we must and we can change the culture.”
Lady Gaga’s performance of the performance of Best Original Song nominee “Til It Happens To You” from the documentary The Hunting Ground.
Whoopi Goldberg was mistaken for Oprah Winfrey by Total Beauty.
She performed the song with victims of sexual and child abuse.
Total Beauty did the digital dash. Of course, they couldn't tell the difference between Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey.
Goldberg is an Oscar award winning actress who is the host of The View. The beauty brand company noticed that Whoopi is heavily tattooed. They expressed surprise that the person who they thought was in the photo, talk show host and actress Oprah Winfrey, had tattoos.
They said: “We had no idea @Oprah was #tatted and we love it.”
Social media went brutal on Total Beauty. The Independent reports that the hashtag “ThatsNotOprah” quickly went viral.
The mix-up prompted anger and frustration on twitter, with one user saying: “Are you fucking kidding me?!? The ONE black woman at the #Oscars and you fuck it up.”
Many people also took to social media to jokingly post pictures of white actors and deliberately name them incorrectly.
Total Beauty quickly went to social media to apologize for the error.
We’d like to apologize to Oprah and Whoopi, as well as everyone we’ve offended. It was our error, and there are no excuses. We’re sorry.
Goldberg will likely address this controversy on The View as well as her former friend who turned into a conservative agitator.
Washed up actress Stacey Dash puts her two cents into the Chris Rock performance. The actress who is also political commentator came onto stage shocking many in the audience. People didn't even recognize her. She was a part of the Rock skit for "minority outreach".
"I cannot wait to help my people out," Dash announced to a baffled audience. "Happy Black History Month!"
The reaction, both in the live audience where even Oscar nominated/Grammy award winning singer The Weeknd was like "What the fuck!"
While many panned her for even showing up, Dash basically laughed it off. "When they added ME to increase the diversity, I'm sure many Black people rolled their eyes. I'm not 'Black enough', they say. But guess what? I've heard that all my life. I would rather be a free thinking Black than a cookie cutter Black who thinks and votes---just like all my friends".
Well here's a clue for the "Clueless". Dash, you're the cookie cutter and you're baked!
Anyway when the Nielsen ratings come out, we'll find out if the viewership is high or low!
The rapper is seeing more than bars. He's been seeing hospital rooms. Earl Simmons, Sr. known to the world as DMX was found unconscious after he was allegedly taking a powdery substance.
He was sent to the local hospital in Yonkers, where he's being treated.
The rapper who was found in a Ramada Inn parking lot without a pulse. The 45-year old rapper who was big in the late 1990s with hits such as "Ruff Ryder's Anthem", "What These...Want!" and "Where The Hood At" admitted he was addicted to cocaine and alcohol.
The paramedicals gave DMX, CPR and Narcan to revive the "lifeless body" up.
While the junk food media can't disclose his situation, it's known to the hip-hop community that the rapper is bipolar. He's also the father of 10 or more children. He's been on the watch list of celebrities possibly having the HIV virus.
Representatives for DMX says the rapper wasn't having a drug binge. They called it a severe asthma attack.
X flipping out.
DMX nearly found Damien when he took a control of a 4-wheeler. He ended up getting a bad headache after falling off the ride.
DMX has been through the bars when he was driving without the license. Allegedly robbing a fan of his properties. Not paying for them puppies he's raising. Brawling in the streets. Getting caught with his girl Mary Jane while he's in his whips. He was even humiliated by Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio made DMX wear pink underwear and bow ties.
Hollywood conservatives speak out against #OscarsSoWhite and Jada Pinkett Smith's boycott of the Oscars.
Did you know that some entertainers in Hollywood are conservative?
Chuck Norris, Ted Nugent, Patricia Heaton, Kelsey Grammer, Clint Eastwood, Jenna Jameson, Rob Schneider, LL Cool J, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Shannen Doherty, Adam Corolla, Dennis Miller, Vince Vaughn, James Woods, Jon Voight, Adam Sandler, Stacey Dash, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Melissa Joan Hart are notable Republicans celebrities.
Hollywood does have celebrities who are dye in the wool Republicans. They happened to be some on the A-list all the way down to the D-list.
Many of these celebrities have spoken on the boycott against the Academy Awards.
Even some in the nomination committee sparked a tad bit of outrage.
Lionel Chetwynd a member of the Academy board said, "It's shortsighted that people are making these accusation and, frankly it's insulting. He added, "I'm quite capable of judging and marveling at a performance without being conscious of the actor's skin color, What's wrong with you all? It's not the Academy of Diversity."
Chetwynd, believes that the votes weren't inspired by bigotry.
"Sometimes it takes a long period of time for culture change to be reflected the time, and they're going to be replaced by a new generation of artists But that doesn't happen overnight. And it shouldn't," said Chetwynd.
Actor Michael Caine an Oscar winner himself found himself catching some heat. The British actor said that Black actors should be "patient" for Oscar nominations and that he wouldn't vote for a Black actor solely based on his race.
"There's are loads of black actors; I think in he end you can't vote for an actor (just) because he's black. You can't say, 'I'm going to vote for him, he's not very good but he's Black, (so) I'll vote for him.' You've got to give a good performance."
British actress Charlotte Rampling fought back tears when she went on record to say that the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag and the boycott was "racist to White people." She went as far to say that Black actors aren't good enough for a nomination. By the way, Rampling is nominated for an Oscar for the movie 45 years.
"One can never really know, but perhaps the Black actors did not deserve to make the final list," said Rampling. Asked if the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences should introduce quotas, a proposal which no current advocate of increased diversity has mooted, Rampling responds with this tepid response: "Why classify people? These days everyone is more or less accepted. People will always say 'Him, he's less handsome'; 'Him, he's too Black', 'He is too White'.... someone will always be saying 'You are too [this or that] ... But do we have to take from this that there should be lots of minorities everywhere?"
Truly sad and pathetic that we have people who continue to undermine the real message to why the Academy Awards have to change. When will they realize that this issue has been active for years.
The civil war within the Cash Money camp seems to be over.
Lil' Wayne and Birdman patched things up for the time being. The two were on some bitter shit for almost a year now. They were trading insults online, in the studio and inside the courtroom.
Weezy claims that Cash Money stalled Tha Carter V from being released and he threatened to sue for royalties and a full release off the Cash Money/Young Money label. Mind you the Young Money label is Lil' Wayne's label but its a subsidiary of Cash Money and its under contract as well.
There's reports that Mack Maine arranged a meeting with Bryan "Birdman" and Ronald "Slim" Williams.
MTV News report that the two were spotted at a Cash Money reunion event. Back on New Year’s Eve, the pair reunited for a photo with the entire Cash Money squad hanging at a Drake show, which prompted some speculation that the troubles in their relationship — which includes lawsuits, thrown drinks and a tour bus shooting — had been settled.
This week, its confirmed that Birdman and Weezy stood on stage together, right next to each other, as Birdman explained the current state of their relationship.
"This is my motherf–king son," Birdman says in a video taken Sunday night, pointing to Weezy. "I'd die for him, I'ma live for him and I'll motherf–king kill for him. You heard me? That ain't gonna never change…it's YMCMB for life."
On Drake's social media page, the Champagne Papi posted a simple confirmation of the feud settling down.
A photo posted by Mack Maine (@mackmaine4president) on
According to TMZ, Young Money president Mack Maine arranged for a phone call between Wayne and Birdman just hours before they met up at Drake’s New Year’s Eve party in Miami. They reportedly discussed their issues including the millions Birdman allegedly owes Wayne.
The two have “strong feelings” about squashing their beef. However, Wayne is not willing to dismiss his $51 million lawsuit against Cash Money Records unless they reach an agreement.
Mack Maine is being credited for initiating the idea of a settlement and brought Weezy and Baby together at Drake’s NYE party.
You know the trolls of the racist right are out! Ever since Jada Pinkett Smith made the call to boycott the Oscars after another year of no Black nominees, conservatives have jumped on the bandwagon to attack her, Spike Lee and President Barack Obama.
The concern trolls, the White extremists and the flagrant flamers are working overtime in trying to undermine the message.
The most common theme among conservatives is "BET gave awards to Black people, what's the big deal?" or "You guys should stop complaining, the movies sucked!".
The creator of the #OscarsSoWhite hashtag April Reign praises Jada's boycott. She believes the time is now to address the controversy and keep pressure on the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences to change course, fast.
The Drudge Report (which I refer to as the conservative Craigslist) spotlighted the washed up celebrity Janet Hubert's vicious rant on Jada Pinkett Smith and her husband Will Smith.
Hubert, who once played Aunt Vivian on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was fired out the cannon. She blames Smith for getting her blackballed in Hollywood. She jumped on the concern troll wagon telling stories about how Will's refusal to stick up for her during a contractual dispute lead to the bitter feud. Hubert says that Blacks have more concerns than some statue. I happen to agree with her only in that sense. But unfortunately, if this is swept under the rug, we condone this and that's what Hubert is missing.
Michael B. Jordan in the movie Creed.
Conservatives have seen Aunt Viv's rant as a way to denounce the boycott.
But it hasn't stopped many others from rallying to her defense. George Clooney, Snoop Dogg, Lupita Nyong'o, Idris Elba, Michael Moore, David Oyelowo, Whoopi Goldberg, and even Oscars host Chris Rock have spoken in favor of Jada's boycott.
Spike Lee appeared on Good Morning America to say that he'll be watching a New York Knicks game instead of watching or going to the Oscars. Lee said that he supports his brother Chris [Rock] and his decisions are his to own. He also said that Academy's president Cheryl Isaacs Boone is a sister of the cause but in a dilemma of her own creating.
A British film critic agitated the controversy even more. Mediaite reports that Jason Solomons basically said that Blacks should be snubbed if they're playing minstrel characters. He said that black people shouldn't win covet nominations for playing "gangster rappers" like the Straight Outta Compton cast, or an "African savage" like Idris Elba‘s Beasts of No Nation character.
Now this probably a member of the Academy voting committee basically saying that Black talent isn't valued.
Jada Pinkett Smith went to social media to protest the Oscars. Will Smith hasn't commented on his wife's decision to boycott the ceremony.
Entertainer Jada Pinkett Smith, had call upon Black entertainers in Hollywood to do a boycott of the Oscars in February. It's sparked by the anger of many who believe the Oscars deliberately snubbed Black and Hispanic actors and actresses.
On her official social media pages, Pinkett Smith remarks about the Oscars once again leaving talent of color off the table. She also said that she asks entertainers who are upset over the situation to join her in the boycott.
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Pinkett Smith decided the time is now to address this.
At the Oscars...people of color are always welcomed to give out awards...even entertain, (pt. 1)
"Today is Martin Luther King's birthday, and I can't help but ask the question: Is it time that people of color recognize how much power, influence, that we have amassed, that we no longer need to ask to be invited anywhere?" Pinkett Smith said on her video.
She added, "Begging for acknowledgement, or even asking, diminishes dignity and diminishes power. And we are a dignified people, and we are powerful. So let's let the Academy do them, with all grace and love. And let's do us, differently".
Janet Hubert took to social media to slam on Jada Pinkett Smith's boycott. Hubert blames Will Smith for her being fired out the cannon from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. She's hasn't done much since and she faults him.
One person isn't supporting Jada's boycotts is Janet Hubert. Hubert was the original "Aunt Vivian" on The Fresh Prince of Bel Air. She took to social media to slam her down.
Hubert took a shot at her husband, entertainer Will Smith for not being nominated in the movie Concussion.
"First of all, Miss Thing, does your man not have a mouth of his own with which to speak?" Hubert said in a video message. "Second thing is, girlfriend, there's a lot of s—t going on in the world that you all don't seem to recognize. People are dying, our boys are being shot left and right, people are hungry, people are trying to pay bills, and you're talking about some…actors and Oscars. It just ain't that deep." Hubert said that the Smiths are asking people to jeopardize their careers, and she finds it "ironic" that Pinkett Smith has made "millions and millions of dollars from the very people that you're talking about boycotting."
Hubert was fired out the cannon after she got into confrontations with Will Smith and Alfanso Ribeiro, the show's breakout stars.
To this day, Hubert is blackballed from Hollywood and she blames Smith for her shortcomings.
Hubert is often criticized by her former castmates as being a "drama queen". Hubert says that Will Smith is an ego-driven asshole who throws temper tantrums when he can't get his way.
Jada Pinkett Smith got a friend in Spike Lee.
Jada got one supporter. Filmmaker Spike Lee decided to join her boycott. After his controversial movie Chiraq got snubbed, Spike Lee decided to make it clear that he's not attending or watching the Oscars as well.
"We cannot support it and I mean no disrespect.... But, how is it possible for the second consecutive year all 20 contenders under the acting category are white? And let's not even get into the other branches, said Spike Lee.
The Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts & Sciences president is Cheryl Isaacs Boone. She is a woman of color herself. Boone is truly disappointed that Black entertainers are upset. She said that she promises that she'll get to the bottom of this.
The members of a nearly 7,000 voting committee are mostly White, older, male and pretty much out of touch with the movie trends.
Reminds me of those conservative agitators Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Mark Levin and Bill O'Reilly. They're old, white, and out of touch with reality.
Jada also blessed her friend Chris Rock on a great performance. She hopes him the best but she said that she'll sit this one out.
By the way Chris Rock went to social media to address this.
Again, the Academy Awards is facing harsh scrutiny over nominating only White actors, directors and producers over the Black and Hispanic talent.
None of the 20 main spots were given to any actors of color. Especially the Black ones.
The Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is about to be boycotted.
Straight Outta Compton, Creed, Concussion, Beasts of No Nation and The Hateful Eight were snubbed.
Me and S. Baldwin see this as a disgrace of talent and deliberate attempts to undermine the great feats of Black, Hispanic and Asian actors and actresses.
If this is supposed to be LIBERAL HOLLYWOOD, wondering who's in charge of the nominating committee?
There are four acting categories with 20 slots each. Not one of those categories have a Black actor or director nominated for the award.
Will the #BlackLivesMatter activists try to convince Chris Rock bow out of hosting duties?
Will Chris Rock address the controversy?
Does The Academy Awards Nominations Deliberately Shut Out Black Entertainers?
There's talk about Eminem reissuing his rare debut album Infinite.
Infinite is raw uncut and underground Detroit hip-hop.
Eminem, basically known as M&M at the time release his debut album out the trunk of his car.
The album is hard to find (unless you get it off the torrents). The album is just a cassette tape.
The album had 11 tracks. It is a decent album. Raw hip-hop. Em wanted to make the album "radio friendly" and try to push it into Detroit radio stations. He couldn't make a break because he was a White rapper.
Before he signed to Interscope and became the world's best rapper, Eminem was Marshall Bruce Mathers III, a struggling single parent trying to find a place.
In 1996. Em was working a fast food joint in Detroit and doing freestyle rapping on the side. He decided to use his skills as a lyricist and save enough of his paychecks to release an album. He teamed up with the Bass Brothers and Denaun Porter (aka Mr. Porter/Kon Artis) to release the raw Em.
Em cites the album's influence to AZ, a Queens based rapper who told stories about the struggle. The album received mixed reviews. Many said while his style was true, it wasn't unique.
Rare album may be released this year.
Em would recruit his friend Paul Rosenberg who was working at Goliath Artists to help him get his music out into the mainstream.
So he would release The Slim Shady EP and that ended up landing in Jimmy Iovine's office.
Iovine wanted to create a superstar. He asked Dr. Dre if he was interested in working with Eminem.
The good doctor said "let get to work!."
Eminem would sign to Aftermath in 1998 and release the commercial debut The Slim Shady LP in 1999. That album would sell 8 million copies and launched his career as one of the most famous rappers in the genre.
And of course, his legacy as the greatest rapper comes with controversy. Many critics think Em's lyrics encouraged drug use and criminal deviancy. Some complained that his lyrics were homophobic, sexist, misogynistic, anti-cop, anti-establishment. Even some rappers were concerned that his music destroys hip-hop.
Em ignored the critics and kept the music going. And for that he's earned that success.
Denaun Porter was on a radio show recently. This interview with “The Cypher,” Porter was asked about whether the album will ever be re-released.The only thing that stops the release is the ongoing feud with his former record label.
“That might have a lot to do with the Bass Brothers,” Porter said, citing Mark and Jeff Bass who released the effort through their Web Entertainment imprint in the mid-’90s. “If they were to release that right now, they would have to pay me a grip. I got screwed around way early messing around with them dudes. I don’t know what they’re doing right now, but it seems like it’s something that should happen.”
While Porter said he’d be down for a reissue, he also explained that he’d prefer if Em’s manager, lawyer and friend Paul Rosenberg handled it.
WEB Entertainment still owns the rights to most of Eminem's albums and they are the ones who can clear Infinite for a full release.
“Paul is more creative when it comes to how to do that sh-t,” he explained. “If [the Bass Brothers] did it themselves, they would have to do it in a special way because that’s a special project. For whatever reason, a lot of these younger kids, I think they gravitate towards that retro sound. It was a dope album.”
If you're interested in more Em, don't forget to get the soundtrack to the movie Southpaw. It is executive produced by Eminem and it's released on Shady/Interscope.
Also The Marshall Mathers LP 2 is out on Aftermath/Shady/WEB Entertainment/Interscope.
Donald Trump is a business mogul and reality television star. Now you can add a presidential candidate to his roster.
Trump declared his intentions to run face first into the clown car.
Today at the Trump Enterprises, the mogul decided the time is now for him to jump into the clown car.
"Our country needs a truly great leader," says Trump. He added, "We need a leader that wrote The Art of the Deal". That was plug for his book.
He declared that the Republican candidates are worthless. He said that the Democrats and Republicans are not doing enough for America and he said that he would love to "fire" them.
The Donald wants to fire everyone in Washington.
He saved his best for President Barack Obama. He banned the president from his properties after Obama mocked him during the White House Correspondence Dinner. Since the president takes up time doing the golf courses, Trump went right into him.
He would lift the ban only if Obama would leave office effective immediately.
He took a populist form. He told that the need to save Medicare and Medicaid are essential. He said that the ACA (Obamacare) is a disaster and he wants it repealed. He declared that China is a threat.
Trump also made it clear: "If I get elected president, I will bring it back, bigger and better than ever".
Trump is a notorious birther. He has attack the president on this for years. He was a headache for the Republicans. They were looked upon as a joke. And now this carnival barker is in the race.
It's going to be a real cabal of candidates now that Trump is in.
The news is confirmed that Blues legend B.B. King has passed away. He was interned into hospice a few weeks ago. He was suffering from heart failure and type II diabetes.
His family and management team have confirmed that he passed away tonight.
The remaining tours were cancelled upon hearing the Blues legend was admitted to the hospital.
No word from the White House yet, but expect it.
World News Today send our condolences to the family of B.B. King.
Brief summary from Wikipedia.
B.B. King (born Riley B. King) was an American blues musician, singer, songwriter, and guitarist.
Rolling Stone magazine ranked him at No. 6 on its 2011 list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time (previously ranked No. 3 in the 2003 edition of the same list), and he was ranked No. 17 in Gibson's "Top 50 Guitarists of All Time".
According to Edward M. Komara, King "introduced a sophisticated style of soloing based on fluid string bending and shimmering vibrato that would influence virtually every electric blues guitarist that followed."
King was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. King was also inducted into 2014 class of the R&B Music Hall of Fame. He is considered one of the most influential blues musicians of all time, earning the nickname "The King of Blues", and one of the "Three Kings of the Blues Guitar" (along with Albert King and Freddie King).
Godfather of Soul and the King of the Blues.
King is also known for performing tirelessly throughout his musical career, appearing at 250–300 concerts per year until his seventies. In 1956 it was noted that he appeared at 342 shows. King continued to appear at 100 shows a year through the end of his career.
Over the years, King has developed one of the world's most identifiable guitar styles. He borrowed from Blind Lemon Jefferson, T-Bone Walker and others, integrating his precise and complex vocal-like string bends and his left hand vibrato, both of which have become indispensable components of rock guitarists' vocabulary. His economy and phrasing has been a model for thousands of players.
King has mixed blues, jazz, swing, mainstream pop and jump into a unique sound. In King's words,
"When I sing, I play in my mind; the minute I stop singing orally, I start to sing by playing Lucille."
black-ish deals with a family member coming out as a Republican.
ABC sitcom featuring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross takes on Black conservatism.
black-ish is a go for a second season. The show is one of the very few Black sitcoms on right now.
It was created by Anderson, Kenya Barris, Laurence Fishburne and Larry Wilmore.
black-ish, Fresh off the Boat and Cristela were ABC freshman sitcoms that featured a diverse family.
In the end, two survived the cut. Cristela was cancelled.
black-ish is still strong despite a slight drop in ratings. Mostly due to the Fox juggernaut Empire hitting the 9pm spot. Modern Family and black-ish had strong lead ins before Empire took to the scene.
The cast of black-ish, a hit comedy on ABC.
In this episode, it certainly pokes fun at the Republican Party and Black conservatives. Even a jab at that cable news channel that scares White folks.
It also gives you an idea of Black voters and their support of the Democratic Party. The Republican Party still has trouble cracking over 20% of the vote. The party is struggling to pull in Black and Hispanic voters.
Stallmigos Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Benjamin Carson are non-White candidates.
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal may declare his intentions. Another non-White candidate.
Carly Fiorina is a woman. A woman who is running besides Hillary Clinton.
But yet, they're not even appealing to Black voters.
In the words of black-ish: Republicans! We Just Don't Do That!
Reason you may ask!
The Republican Party comes off as condescending assholes. They don't understand the struggle. Even though many Black Americans are struggling with jobs, education and a sense of pride, the Black community continues to put their trust in the Democratic Party. The Democrats believe in the middle class, fairness and a leg up. They encourage hard work for equal pay and time off.
Many believe that the rich should pay a little more in taxes because it's the driving factor to why the middle class is shrinking. That's probably why Obama mentioned this during his Georgetown University speech.
Dre and Bow meet Junior's girlfriend's parents. They find out they're Black Republicans.
Republicans can say that Obama hasn't done anything for Black America. They are right. I mean he's got the My Brother's Keeper policy and it's hardly being mentioned by the junk food media.
He's proposed many ideas that would certainly help the middle class. The minimum wage, fair labor practices, banning non-gender/sexuality/criminal history hiring policies and an infrastructure bill were on the docket.
This stuff is stalled with a Republican congress. They're too busy trying to ban late term abortion and allowing a Canadian conglomerate to build a pipeline through the Midwest.
Republicans will say Obama's doing too much for Black America whenever he speaks on issues facing Black America. And for the record, it's been going on for over 50 years, it doesn't seem like it's going to change in the seven years of Obama's presidency nor in the years to come.
The first thing that comes out of the mouth of a Republican is the past. They can't admit that the Democratic Party changed its ways. The political party nominated twice the first Black candidate for president.
Second, many successful and failed Democratic nominees pull over 90% of the Black vote.
Republicans make race an issue now that Barack Obama wanted to run. They believe that passing restrictive voting measures may prevent those from voting on race, gender, and political affiliations.
They believe that Blacks are committing voter fraud and the such.
Yeah, Blacks are proud that we got the first and we're not ashamed to vote for Obama.
Republicans offer nothing of interest to the Black community.
In the minds of most Republicans and conservatives, they see Black people as criminals, lazy, immoral and believe race is over in America. Conservatives expects us to owe them for 159 years of their past Republican policies. Note the Republicans of yesterday are the Democrats today. The Democrats of yesterday are the Republicans now.
The Republican Party is like cocaine. It's 90% WHITE 10% EVERYTHING else.
This episode, Elephant in the Room is dealing with Dre (Andre) and (Rainbow) Bow's oldest son Junior joining the Young Republicans club. This revelation shocks the family.
Junior joins a political party club because of his views on issues and he's trying to win affection from a hot girl who is a member. Dre and Bow meet Junior's new girl's family. And things gone terribly wrong.
Bumper Robinson plays a Black Republican father.
In a separate segment, oldest daughter Zoey gets a pair of glasses. And her younger siblings Jack and Diane hate the fact that she's getting more attention for wearing them.
It also features a clip of Real Time with Bill Maher.
The comedy series will rile up conservatives. Because of the liberal views of the characters and it certainly mocks Republicans notably Benjamin Carson, the only Black candidate so far running in the clown car.
The cast of black-ish was there for the White House Corespondents Dinner.
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