String of awards for ‘Black Panther’ at NAACP Awards
Jay-Z praises the ‘beautiful women’ in his life
THE 99 Problems hitmaker took to the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood and, watched by his wife Beyoncé – who was wearing a white suit – he paid tribute to his spouse, his beloved mother, Gloria Carter, and his elderly grandmother, Hattie White, as he accepted the prestigious accolade at the NAACP Image Awards.
After being praised by NAACP President Derrick Johnson as someone who had “changed the very fabric of culture of America”, Jay joked he wanted to quote a “kind-hearted president”and, after the audience laughed, quipped: “I was talking about Donald Glover”.
But he then said: “Abraham Lincoln had a quote that said, ‘It’s not the amount of years in your life, it’s the amount of life in your years that count in the end.’That embodied my beautiful grandmother who I would like to dedicate this award to, Hattie White.
“She is so full of life and, among other accomplishments, being super great and very tough. She raised seven kids, one little walk-up in Brooklyn. 615 Lexington, started my life. On top of that, her kids had kids and we all were raised in the same house. One household.”
The 49-year-old rapper – who has daughter Blue Ivy, seven, and twins Rumi and Sir, 21 months, with Beyoncé – admitted he had changed his speech after recently speaking to his 93-yearold grandma.
He explained he’d asked Hattie how much she made and she told him: “$20 a week. It was fine. You could do a lot with $20 in those
days.”
He then praised his mom, Gloria, and said: “I grew up knowing that I could accomplish anything because of those strong women in my house. I would like to dedicate this award to those beautiful women
“I’d like to dedicate this award to a beautiful woman in my life, Ms Beyoncé ... . Just because of the white suit.
“Thank you to the NAACP for allowing me to forward this so she can put it on her mantle next to her favourite grandson. And then when she’s sneaking pork and her legs swell up, she can remember how much of a G she is.”
Jay’s wife also picked up an award, with the Formation hitmaker taking home Entertainer of the Year, and praised her fellow nominees LeBron James, Regina King, Chadwick Boseman and Ryan Coogler in her speech.
But Ryan and Chadwick didn’t go home empty-handed, as their movie Black Panther won a string of awards.
The film-maker received both Outstanding Direction in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (film), the 41-yearold actor was named Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for his performance in the movie.
THANK GOD
Taking to the stage, Chadwick thanked Ryan in his speech as he said: “Black people always thank God when they win and I’m not gon’ let you down. My director, you are a genius.”
The movie also scooped Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture and the award for best soundtrack, while Letitia Wright won Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture, and Michael B. Jordan – who also won Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special for Fahrenheit 451 – and Danai Gurira took the supporting actor and actress honours.
Kendrick Lamar and SZA’s song for the movie All the Stars, saw them take Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration.
Black-ish was another big winner, taking Outstanding Comedy Series, and acting nods for Tracee Ellis Ross, Anthony Anderson, Marcus Scribner, and Marsiai Martin, the latter of whom took both Outstanding Supporting Actress and Outstanding Performance By a Youth.
Ella Mai won both Outstanding New Artiste and Outstanding album for her eponymous LP, but lost out on Outstanding Female Artiste to H.E.R., while Bruno Mars was recognised with the male artiste honour.