Thursday, October 20, 2022

BET Announces 2022 Soul Train Award Nominees

BET revealed the host and nominees for the 2022 Soul Train Music Awards on Thursday.

Actor and comedian Deon Cole will handle emcee duties for the event, which will be filmed on Nov. 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and broadcast on Nov. 27 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on BET and BET Her.

“Hosting the ‘Soul Train Awards’ is a dream come true. I grew up watching Soul Train and ‘til this day, I’ve never met a Soul Train Line I didn’t bless with my skilled two step,” Cole said in a statement. “It is truly a privilege to be given this opportunity to celebrate Don Cornelius’ legacy, all of the amazing Black talent that illuminated our screens on the iconic TV show, and my favorite genres of music: Soul, R&B and Hip Hop.”

Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead all nominees with seven nods apiece. Ari Lennox has six. Chris Brown and Lizzo are tied at five apiece and Burna Boy, Muni Long and Steve Lacy each have four nominations to round out the top contenders.

See the complete list of nominations below:

Best New Artist
CKay
Coco Jones
Dixson
Doechii
Fireboy DML
Muni Long
Steve Lacy
Tems

Certified Soul Award
Chaka Khan
Charlie Wilson
Diana Ross
Mary J. Blige
Maxwell
PJ Morton
Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers
T-Pain

Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
CeCe Winans
Erica Campbell
Fred Hammond
Major.
Marvin Sapp
Maverick City Music X Kirk Franklin
Tamela Mann
Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Best R&B/Soul Female Artist
Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
H.E.R.
Jazmine Sullivan
Lizzo
Mary J. Blige
SZA
Tems

Best R&B/Soul Male Artist
Babyface
Brent Faiyaz
Burna Boy
Charlie Wilson
Chris Brown
Giveon
Lucky Daye
PJ Morton

Album of the Year
An Evening With Silk Sonic, Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
Away Message (EP), Ari Lennox
Breezy, Chris Brown
Good Morning Gorgeous, Mary J. Blige
Heaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe, Jazmine Sullivan
R&B Money, Tank
Renaissance, Beyoncé
Special, Lizzo

Song of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
The Ashford And Simpson Songwriter’s Award
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé
“Church Girl,” Beyoncé
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“I Hate U,” SZA
“Last, Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox

Best Dance Performance
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Persuasive,” Doechii
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown
“Woman,” Doja Cat

Video of the Year
“About Damn Time,” Lizzo
“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy
“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige
“Have Mercy,” Chlöe
“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long
“Last Last,” Burna Boy
“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)

Best Collaboration
“Amazing,” Mary J. Blige feat. DJ Khaled
“Be Like Water,” PJ Morton feat. Stevie Wonder & Nas
“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
“Gotta Move On,” Diddy feat. Bryson Tiller
“Hate Our Love,” Queen Naija & Big Sean
“Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers feat. Beyoncé
“Move,” Beyoncé feat. Grace Jones & Tems
“Slow,” Tank feat. J. Valentine

Motown Legends Named 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year

Berry Gordy (left) and Smokey Robinson are the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year.

When it first arrived on the scene the “Motown Sound” redefined popular music and transformed a small record company in Detroit into one of the titans of the industry.

Over sixty years later the legacy of Motown Records — the label that popularized the distinctive blend of R&B and precision pop — continues to grow.

So, it only makes sense that the two men most synonymous with its success will be honored together next year during Grammy Week as the 2023 MusiCares Persons of the Year.

Motown founder Berry Gordy and the label’s original signee, Smokey Robinson, will share the spotlight at the annual benefit. It marks the first time in the event's 32-year history that two recipients have shared the honor.

“Wow! How honored I am to be named the MusiCares Persons of the Year, and together with my best friend of over 65 years, the great Smokey Robinson,” said Gordy in a statement. “How special is that! I am grateful to be included in MusiCares' remarkable history of music icons. The work they do is so critical to the well-being of our music community, and I look forward to a most exciting evening."

Robinson added, "I have supported MusiCares for many years and know what great work they do for our creative community who need our help. Recently, when no one could tour, they were a lifeline to those in the touring industry for monetary help and mental health services. I am honored that they have chosen me and my best friend and Motown founder Berry Gordy to share this beautiful honor and celebrate with you all together."

The MusiCares Persons of the Year Gala raises funds for MusiCares programs and services that assist the music community including physical and mental health, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, unforeseen personal emergencies and disaster relief.

It will be held on Feb. 3, 2023, at the Los Angeles Convention Center two nights before the 65th Annual Grammy Awards. A range of popular musicians and other artists will pay homage to the two men with a tribute concert.

Tuesday, October 18, 2022

BET+ Announces Return of 'College Hill: Celebrity Edition'

Photo courtesy Alabama State University

Some of hip-hop culture's biggest names are pulling a Rodney Dangerfield, and going back to school.

Like the legendary comedian did in his hit movie of the same name, these stars are headed to college to pursue their higher education dreams after forsaking them for their careers earlier in life.

Celebrities Amber Rose, Joseline Hernandez, Tiffany "New York" Pollard, Parker McKenna Posey, Iman Shumpert, Kwaylon "BlameItOnKway" Rogers, and O'Ryan Browner join returning star Ray J for the second of BET+'s "College Hill: Celebrity Edition."

For the show, the entertainment luminaries will live together at Alabama State University, a historically Black college founded in 1867. There they are expected to complete a "rigorous, tailor-made academic certificate program to cross the graduation stage," according to a joint statement released Tuesday (Oct. 18) by BET+ and the school.

ASU President Quinton Ross shared the institution's excitement to welcome the show to campus.

"I want to thank Tracey Edmonds, Sean Rankine, Mark Seliga, and BET+ for selecting ASU as the location for the popular reality show that gives a global stage to the academic excellence, rich history and unique culture of the nation's HBCUs," he said.

Tiffany Lea Williams, Executive Vice President of BET Unscripted Programming, added, "We couldn't be prouder to film on the campus of HBCU, Alabama State University (ASU), which is steeped in a rich legacy of producing academic excellence within the Black community. We have a new class of celebrities ready to hit the books and embrace campus life."

The new season will premiere on BET+ in 2023.

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