Tyler, the Creator at the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta on October 1, 2021 (Photo by Leon Bennett/2021 BET Hip Hop Awards/Getty Images)
The following is a press release from BET:
The 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards brought the hottest names in Hip Hop back to Atlanta, for the annual taping. Comedy supergroup 85 South (Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly, and Chico Bean) hosted this year’s awards from The Cobb Energy Centre which premiered on Tuesday, October 5 on BET, BET Her, MTV2 and VH1. Watch an encore airing of the award show Tuesday, October 7 at 9 PM ET/PT on BET. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion ruled the night by jointly snagging three wins each including Song of the Year, Best Hip Hop Video and Best Collaboration for their smash hit “WAP.” [Editor’s note: Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion did not attend the ceremony.] Tyler, The Creator took home two wins for Hip Hop Album of the Year and Best Live Performer in addition to his Rock the Bells Cultural Influence Award presented by LL Cool J. Jay Z scored double wins in the Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse and Impact Track [cagtegories] for his Nipsey Hussle collaboration “What It Feels Like.” Newcomer Yung Bleu was crowned Best New Hip Hop Artist while rap sensation Saweetie took home Hustler of the Year. Music icon Missy Elliott was voted Video Director of the Year and Lyricist of the Year went to J. Cole. UK rapper Little Simz took home the Best International Flow award.
Young Thug kicked off the night with an explosive performance of “Tick Tock” followed by Gunna with “Too Easy” before coming together with their hit collaboration “Ski.” Hot new rapper Bia performed her smash single “Whole Lotta Money,” then brought out Atlanta icon Lil Jon for “Bia Bia” to close it out. Baby Keem made his award show debut with “Family Ties.” Hip Hop sensation Latto brought the house down with a sparkling, high energy performance of “SoufSide” and new song “Big Energy” while Tobe Nwigwe made it a family affair with Fat and Nell on their song “Fye Fye.” Isaiah Rashad performed alongside Doechii and Kal Banx for “Wat U Sed” before ending the set with his solo single “From the Garden.” The hotly anticipated cyphers were hosted by DJ Hed and featured a bevy of emcees dropping hot sixteens including Grip, D Smoke, Smino, Tierra Whack, Rico Nasty, Sleepy Hallow, Erica Banks, Fivio Foreign, Toosii, Lakeyah, Kidd Kenn and Symba. Presenters for the evening included a trio of Hip Hop powerhouses Trina, Remy Ma, and Rapsody. “I Am Hip Hop Award” recipient Nelly closed out the show with a performance of his greatest hits including “Country Grammar,” “Hot In Herre,” “Air Force Ones,” “Dilemma,” “Grillz” with an appearance by Paul Wall and more.
The following is the complete list of nominees and winners of the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards:
*=winner
HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A GANGSTA’S PAIN MONEYBAGG YO
CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST TYLER, THE CREATOR*
CULTURE III MIGOS
GOOD NEWS MEGAN THEE STALLION
KHALED KHALED DJ KHALED
SAVAGE MODE II 21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN
THE OFF-SEASON J. COLE
SONG OF THE YEAR
BACK IN BLOOD PRODUCED BY YC (POOH SHIESTY FEAT. LIL DURK)
LATE AT NIGHT PRODUCED BY MUSTARD (RODDY RICCH)
LAUGH NOW CRY LATER. PRODUCED BY G. RY, CARDOGOTWINGS, ROGET CHAHAYED & YUNG EXCLUSIVE (DRAKE FEAT. LIL DURK)
UP PRODUCED BY YUNG DZA, SEAN ISLAND, DJ SWANQO (CARDI B)
WAP PRODUCED BY AYO & KEYZ (CARDI B FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION)*
WHOLE LOTTA MONEY (REMIX) PRODUCED BY LONDON JAE, BEATGODZ, TEE ROMANO (BIA FEAT. NICKI MINAJ)
HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
CARDI B
DRAKE
J. COLE
LIL BABY*
MEGAN THEE STALLION
TYLER, THE CREATOR
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
CARDI B UP
CARDI B FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION WAP*
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG GO CRAZY
DRAKE FEAT. LIL DURK LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
LIL NAS X MONTERO (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME)
SAWEETIE FEAT. DOJA CAT BEST FRIEND
BEST NEW HIP HOP ARTIST
BLXST
COI LERAY
DON TOLIVER
MORRAY
POOH SHIESTY
YUNG BLEU*
BEST COLLABORATION
21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN FEAT. DRAKE MR. RIGHT NOW
BIA FEAT. NICKI MINAJ WHOLE LOTTA MONEY (REMIX)
CARDI B FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION WAP*
DJ KHALED FEAT. LIL BABY & LIL DURK EVERY CHANCE I GET
DRAKE FEAT. LIL DURK LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
POOH SHIESTY FEAT. LIL DURK BACK IN BLOOD
BEST DUO OR GROUP
21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG
CITY GIRLS
FUTURE & LIL UZI VERT
LIL BABY & LIL DURK*
MIGOS
BEST LIVE PERFORMER
BUSTA RHYMES
CARDI B
DABABY
DOJA CAT
MEGAN THEE STALLION
TYLER, THE CREATOR*
LYRICIST OF THE YEAR
BENNY THE BUTCHER
DRAKE
J. COLE*
LIL BABY
MEGAN THEE STALLION
NAS
BEST INTERNATIONAL FLOW
LADIPOE (NIGERIA)
NASTY C (SOUTH AFRICA)
XAMÃ (BRAZIL)
LAYLOW (FRANCE)
GAZO (FRANCE)
LITTLE SIMZ (UK)*
DAVE (UK)
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
COLE BENNETT
COLIN TILLEY
DAVE MEYERS
DIRECTOR X
HYPE WILLIAMS
MISSY ELLIOTT*
DJ OF THE YEAR
CHASE B
D NICE
DJ CASSIDY
DJ DRAMA
DJ ENVY
DJ JAZZY JEFF
DJ SCHEME*
KAYTRANADA
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
DJ KHALED
HIT-BOY*
METRO BOOMIN
MUSTARD
THE ALCHEMIST
TYLER, THE CREATOR
HUSTLER OF THE YEAR
CARDI B
DRAKE
LIL BABY
MEGAN THEE STALLION
SAWEETIE*
YUNG BLEU
BEST HIP HOP PLATFORM
COMPLEX
GENIUS*
HIP HOP DX
HOT NEW HIPHOP
THE BREAKFAST CLUB
THE SHADE ROOM
WORLDSTAR HIPHOP
XXL
SWEET 16: BEST FEATURED VERSE
CARDI B TYPE SHIT (MIGOS FEAT. CARDI B)
DRAKE HAVIN’ OUR WAY (MIGOS FEAT. DRAKE)
JAY-Z WHAT IT FEELS LIKE (NIPSEY HUSSLE FEAT. JAY-Z)*
LIL DURK BACK IN BLOOD (POOH SHIESTY FT. LIL DURK)
MEGAN THE STALLION ON ME (REMIX) (LIL BABY FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION)
For more information about the BET Hip Hop Awards, including the digital red carpet livestream powered by Bulldog DM, the latest news and updates, visit bet.com/hiphopawards and follow the conversation @BETAwards
Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, VP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy serving as Co-Executive Producer for BET. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, to serve as Executive Producer of the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awardsalong with Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jeannae Rouzan–Clay and Dionne Harmon.
Megan Thee Stallion in “Legendary” (Photo by Zach Dilgard/HBO Max)
September 9, 2021
The following is a press release from BET:
BET announces the nominees for the 16th annual BET Hip-Hop Awards honoring the past year in hip hop music across 17 categories, selected by a voting academy of esteemed music industry insiders. With the theme of unity as expressed by its tagline In Hip Hop We Stand, the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards will tape from the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre in Atlanta, GA, on Friday, October 1 and will premiere Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 9 PM ET/PT on BET, and simulcast internationally on BET Africa on Wednesday, October 6 AT 3 AM CAT. BETwill work closely with Fulton County to support community vaccination efforts and ensure adherence to COVID-19 protocols.
Cardi B, Lil Durk, and Megan Thee Stallion lead this year’s nominations with an impressive nine nods each. Cardi B’s nods include Song of The Year, Hip Hop Artist of The Year, Best Hip Hop Video, Best Collaboration, Best Live Performer, Hustler of The Year, and Sweet 16: Best featured Verse. Lil Durk’s nods include Song of the Year, Best Hip Hop Video, Best Collaboration, Best Duo or Group, and Sweet 16: Best featured Verse. Megan Thee Stallion’s nods include Hip Hop Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Hip Hop Artist of the Year, Best Hip Hop Video, Best Collaboration, Best Live Performer, Lyricist of the Year, Hustler of the Year, and Sweet 16: Best featured Verse. Drake takes second place with an impressive eight nods. Tyler, The Creator and Metro Boomin tied for third-most nominations securing four nods each.
Other notable nominations include 21 Savage, DJ Khaled, J. Cole, and Pooh Shiesty, who received three nominations each. Bia, Chris Brown, Doja Cat, Jay Z, Lil Nas X, Migos, Nicki Minaj, Roddy Ricch, Saweetie, Young Thug, and Yung Bleu received two nominations each.
Additionally, the Best New Hip Hop Artist Award nominees include Blxst, Coi Leray, Don Toliver, Morray, Pooh Shiesty, and Yung Bleu.
“Our 2021 ‘BET Hip Hop Awards’ nominees span generations and are a representation of the talented individuals who elevate hip hop culture in creative and diverse ways. We congratulate each of them on these sought-after accolades,” said Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy for BET. “We can’t wait to join forces with the best in hip hop and deliver a one-of-a-kind show in Atlanta.”
Voting for the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards DJ of the Year and Best Hip Hop Platform is now open: https://www.votehiphopawards.com
Connie Orlando, EVP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy will oversee the annual show, with Jamal Noisette, VP Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy serving as Co-Executive Producer. Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, to serve as Executive Producer of the 2021 “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” along with Jesse Collins Entertainment’s Jeannae Rouzan–Clay and Dionne Harmon.
For more information about the 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards including the latest news and updates, visit bet.com/hiphopawards.
See below for the complete list of 2021 BET Hip Hop AwardsOfficial Nominees:
HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
A GANGSTA’S PAIN MONEYBAGG YO
CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST TYLER, THE CREATOR
CULTURE III MIGOS
GOOD NEWS MEGAN THEE STALLION
KHALED KHALED DJ KHALED
SAVAGE MODE II 21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN
THE OFF-SEASON J. COLE
SONG OF THE YEAR
BACK IN BLOOD PRODUCED BY YC (POOH SHIESTY FEAT. LIL DURK)
LATE AT NIGHT PRODUCED BY MUSTARD (RODDY RICCH)
LAUGH NOW CRY LATER. PRODUCED BY G. RY, CARDOGOTWINGS, ROGET CHAHAYED & YUNG EXCLUSIVE (DRAKE FEAT. LIL DURK)
UP PRODUCED BY YUNG DZA, SEAN ISLAND, DJ SWANQO (CARDI B)
WAP PRODUCED BY AYO & KEYZ (CARDI B FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION)
WHOLE LOTTA MONEY (REMIX) PRODUCED BY LONDON JAE, BEATGODZ, TEE ROMANO (BIA FEAT. NICKI MINAJ)
HIP HOP ARTIST OF THE YEAR
CARDI B
DRAKE
J. COLE
LIL BABY
MEGAN THEE STALLION
TYLER, THE CREATOR
BEST HIP HOP VIDEO
CARDI B UP
CARDI B FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION WAP
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG GO CRAZY
DRAKE FEAT. LIL DURK LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
LIL NAS X MONTERO (CALL ME BY YOUR NAME)
SAWEETIE FEAT. DOJA CAT BEST FRIEND
BEST NEW HIP HOP ARTIST
BLXST
COI LERAY
DON TOLIVER
MORRAY
POOH SHIESTY
YUNG BLEU
BEST COLLABORATION
21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN FEAT. DRAKE MR. RIGHT NOW
BIA FEAT. NICKI MINAJ WHOLE LOTTA MONEY (REMIX)
CARDI B FEAT. MEGAN THEE STALLION WAP
DJ KHALED FEAT. LIL BABY & LIL DURK EVERY CHANCE I GET
DRAKE FEAT. LIL DURK LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
POOH SHIESTY FEAT. LIL DURK BACK IN BLOOD
BEST DUO OR GROUP
21 SAVAGE & METRO BOOMIN
CHRIS BROWN & YOUNG THUG
CITY GIRLS
FUTURE & LIL UZI VERT
LIL BABY & LIL DURKMIGOS
BEST LIVE PERFORMER
BUSTA RHYMES
CARDI B
DABABY
DOJA CAT
MEGAN THEE STALLIONTYLER, THE CREATOR
LYRICIST OF THE YEAR
BENNY THE BUTCHER
DRAKE
J. COLE
LIL BABY
MEGAN THEE STALLION
NAS
BEST INTERNATIONAL FLOW
LADIPOE (NIGERIA)
NASTY C (SOUTH AFRICA)
XAMÃ (BRAZIL)
LAYLOW (FRANCE)
GAZO (FRANCE)
LITTLE SIMZ (UK)
DAVE (UK)
VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
COLE BENNETT
COLIN TILLEY
DAVE MEYERS
DIRECTOR X
HYPE WILLIAMS
MISSY ELLIOTT
DJ OF THE YEAR
CHASE B
D NICE
DJ CASSIDY
DJ DRAMA
DJ ENVY
DJ JAZZY JEFF
DJ SCHEME
KAYTRANADA
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
DJ KHALED
HIT-BOY
METRO BOOMIN
MUSTARD
THE ALCHEMIST
TYLER, THE CREATOR
HUSTLER OF THE YEAR
CARDI B
DRAKE
LIL BABY
MEGAN THEE STALLION
SAWEETIE
YUNG BLEU
BEST HIP HOP PLATFORM
COMPLEX
GENIUS
HIP HOP DX
HOT NEW HIPHOP
THE BREAKFAST CLUB
THE SHADE ROOM
WORLDSTAR HIPHOP
XXL
SWEET 16: BEST FEATURED VERSE
CARDI B TYPE SHIT (MIGOS FEAT. CARDI B)
DRAKE HAVIN’ OUR WAY (MIGOS FEAT. DRAKE)
JAY-Z WHAT IT FEELS LIKE (NIPSEY HUSSLE FEAT. JAY-Z)
LIL DURK BACK IN BLOOD (POOH SHIESTY FT. LIL DURK)
MEGAN THE STALLION ON ME (REMIX) (LIL BABY FT. MEGAN THEE STALLION)
Join the conversation on social media by logging on to multiple BET social media platforms: On Twitter by using the hashtag: #HipHopAwards; follow @HipHopAwards and @BET On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/HipHopAwards.
ABOUT BET
BET, a subsidiary of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African American audience. The primary BET channel is in 125 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom, sub-Saharan Africa and France. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions including BET+, the preeminent streaming service for the Black audience; BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American Woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
ABOUT BET HIP HOP AWARDS
BET Hip Hop Awards is an annual celebration that pays homage to a culture that changed the world while highlighting the best in hip hop music. Year after year, BET delivers the best in hip-hop for an unforgettable night of performances, cyphers and tributes honoring hip-hop legends that have and continue to make hip-hop culture a global force.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT
Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service television and film production company and has played an integral role in producing many of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment. The Emmy® nominated company has a multi-year overall agreement with ViacomCBS Cable Networks. On the theatrical film side, the company also has a first look on JCE’s film development projects which could include Viacom’s film entities such as Paramount Players. The award-winning and critically acclaimed television that JCE has produced includes miniseries—”The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story;” scripted series—”American Soul” and “Real Husbands of Hollywood;” unscripted series – “Cardi Tries;” children’s series—”Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices;” award shows—”BET Awards,” “Black Girls Rock!,” “BET Honors,” “UNCF’s An Evening of Stars,” “BET Hip Hop Awards,” “ABFF Honors” and “Soul Train Awards;” specials—”John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero,” “Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration,” “Change Together: From The March On Washington To Today,” “Stand Up for Heroes,” “Dear Mama,” “Amanda Seales: I Be Knowin’,” “Def Comedy Jam 25” and “Leslie Jones: Time Machine;” as well as competition/game shows—”Sunday Best,” “Hip Hop Squares,” “Nashville Squares” and “Rhythm & Flow.” Jesse Collins, founder and CEO of the company, is the executive producer of all programming. He is also a co-executive producer for the iconic Grammy Awards. Most recently, he was executive producer of The 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show and produced The 2021 Academy Awards. He will next executive produce the 2021 American Music Awards. Go to jessecollinsent.com for more information on the company.
Mateo Arias, Wilmer Valderrama, Diane Guerrero and Moises Arias in “Blast Beat” (Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Culture Representation: Taking place in 1999 and 2000 in Colombia and Atlanta, the dramatic film “Blast Beat” features a racially diverse cast of characters (Hispanic, African American, white and Asian) representing the working-class, middle-class and upper-middle-class.
Culture Clash: Two teenage brothers, who have opposite views of the American Dream, emigrate with their mother from Colombia to reunite with the brothers’ father, who is living in Atlanta.
Culture Audience: “Blast Beat” will appeal primarily to people who are interested in well-acted and sometimes melodramatic depictions of Hispanic immigrant stories in the United States.
Moises Arias in “Blast Beat” (Photo courtesy of Vertical Entertainment and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment)
Is the American Dream a worthy life goal? It depends on who’s answering that question. In the dramatic film “Blast Beat,” two teenage bothers have contrasting opinions of the American Dream, not only because they have polar opposite personalities but also because their lives are going in different directions. Directed by Esteban Arango (who co-wrote the movie’s screenplay with Erick Castrillon), “Blast Beat” has some pacing issues, but the last third of this 105-minute movie is the best part. The credible acting performances of real-life brothers Mateo Arias and Moises Arias also make “Blast Beat” worth watching for people who are interested in gritty family dramas. (“Blast Beat” is based on Arango’s short film of the same name, which also starred Mateo Arias and Moises Arias.)
The “Blast Beat” feature film starts off a little cliché and uninteresting, as viewers are introduced to the two brothers who are at the center of the story. The year is 1999, and brothers Carlos “Carly” Restrepo (played by Mateo Arias) and Mateo “Teo” Restrepo (played by Moises Arias) are living with their mother Nelly Restrepo (played by Diane Guerrero) in an unnamed city in Colombia. Carly is about 17 years old, while Mateo is about 16. The Arias brothers are a lot older than the teenage characters that they portray in this movie, but this noticeable age difference isn’t much of a distraction from the story.
It’s revealed later in the movie that the Restrepo brothers’ father/Nelly’s husband Ernesto (played by Wilmer Valderrama) has been living in Atlanta for about six months. During this time, Colombia has been experiencing increasing political unrest and crime-related violence. Drug lords have been extorting money from private citizens with this ultimatum: “Pay us or we won’t protect you from being assaulted or murdered.”
Ernesto wants his wife and sons to join him in Atlanta, where he has been working menial jobs, such as painting buildings, to make a living. Relocating to Atlanta would mean that Nelly, Carly and Mateo would have to leave behind their middle-class lives and the rest of their family for a more financially unstable lifestyle in the United States, where they don’t know anyone else. The other option would be to stay in Colombia and pay off the local extortionist drug dealers for protection.
Because it’s in the “Blast Beat” movie trailer, it’s not spoiler information to reveal that Nelly makes the choice to move to Atlanta with Carly and Mateo. Nelly says that the family’s immigration lawyer (who’s never seen in the movie) has taken care of all of their asylum paperwork, so that the family can legally immigrate as refugees. She’s willing to start a new life in the United States because she thinks that their Atlanta neighborhood will be safer than in Colombia, and she wants her children to have access to American education.
Carly is excited about the move because he’s an aspiring space engineer whose goal is to graduate from the Georgia Space Institute and eventually work at NASA. Carly is in his last year of high school, so when he moves to Atlanta, he applies to the Georgia Space Institute, and will find out in this story if he has been admitted to the school or not. Mateo, who prefers to live in Colombia, doesn’t have any specific life goals, but he loves to draw and paint, especially graffiti art. He hates the idea of moving away from Colombia to a country where he won’t know anyone but his brother and parents.
Needless to say, Carly and Mateo are complete opposites in almost every possible way. Carly is a dedicated and intelligent student, who excels in math and science the most. He has long hair and loves heavy metal, especially a band called Emperor. Mateo is completely bald (his head is shaved), prefers Colombian pop music, and is a rebellious student who despises school. Mateo shows an inclination and talent to be in the creative arts rather than in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.
Mateo loves skateboarding, while Carly prefers BMX bike riding. Carly has a steady girlfriend named Mafe (played by Kali Uchis), who likes to make homemade videos of Carly doing BMX stunts. Mateo is socially awkward around girls and doesn’t have any romantic prospects in Colombia. And later in the movie, when Mateo is living in Atlanta, it’s strongly implied that he’s a virgin until he ends up having a romance with a schoolmate.
“Blast Beat” spends most of the first third of the film showing Mateo’s and Carly’s lives in Colombia. Young men in Colombia are being recruited to join the military to combat the increasing civil unrest. Mateo’s best friend is a guy around the same age named Norby (played by Cristian Madrigal), who has told Mateo that Norby’s father has paid off people so that Norby doesn’t have to serve in the Colombian Army and will be able to focus on his school studies.
Mateo has already confided in Norby that he doesn’t want to move to the United States. “Fuck the American Dream,” Mateo says bitterly. Norby asks, “Why couldn’t your brother graduate and leave by himself?” Mateo replies, “Because he’s a selfish fucking asshole.”
Mateo and Norby have this conversation outside while Mateo has been spraypainting graffiti on street walls. Predictably, a security guard (played by Jeffrey Hans) sees this illegal graffiti activity and tries to stop it. Mateo and Norby run away, while the security guard chases after them. Mateo has a skateboard for his getaway, while Norby has to flee on foot. The security guard catches up to them, but Norby and Mateo end up assaulting the security guard to get away, and then they hide at Norby’s house.
Their mischief making isn’t over though. Mateo sets off a firecracker in a room, which causes an explosion that happens shortly after Mateo and Norby leave the building. The two pals don’t get in any real trouble over it, but this incident is apparently one of many that has convinced Mateo’s mother Nelly that the family should move to the United States, so that they can start a new life somewhere else.
Nelly fears that Mateo will eventually get himself in too much trouble in Columbia. But she does what many loved ones of troublemakers tend to do when they’re in denial about a problem: They misplace a lot of blame on the troublemaker’s environment instead of seeing that the real issues are with the troublemaker, not where they live. Mateo’s rebellious streak and violent anger aren’t going to go away just because he’s living in another country.
Carly is obviously the favored child in the Restrepo family, because he’s considered to be the obedient brother who’s most likely to succeed. And that’s caused some hard feelings and sibling rivalry between Carly and Mateo. At a family get-together with other relatives, Nelly says that she will never pay extortion money. She also brags that her husband Ernesto will always take care of her, and that he found a “beautiful home in a nice and safe neighborhood” in Atlanta.
Because it takes a while (about 20 minutes) in this 105-minute movie before the story gets to Carly, Mateo and Nelly moving to Atlanta, the Colombian backstory of Carly and Mateo tends to drag for a little too long. There’s a lot of repetition over how much Carly is the “good son” who is eager to move to the United States, while Mateo is the “bad son” who wants to to stay in Colombia.
Before they move to Colombia, Carly tries to tactfully distance himself from Mafe, by telling her that they don’t need to have an exclusive relationship while they’re living in two different countries. She starts to cry because she wants more of a commitment from Carly, even if it’s in a long-distance relationship. Carly isn’t willing to give her that commitment, but he doesn’t want to outright break up with Mafe either. Later in the story, Carly finds out how much he really wants this “non-exclusive” status to apply to his relationship with Mafe.
When Carly, Mateo and Nelly first arrive in Atlanta, the two brothers are polite but emotionally distant with their father. The six months that Ernesto was away has taken an unspoken toll on the relationship that Ernesto has with his sons. Eventually, Carly begins warming up to Ernesto, but Mateo’s relationship with Ernesto is still filled with tension and resentment.
And the “beautiful home” that Nelly thought she would have in Atlanta is anything but that: It’s actually a run-down fixer-upper house, which Ernest says that he plans to renovate, with help from Carly and Mateo. However, Mateo ends up doing more of the physical work than Carly does, because Carly is allowed to spend more time on his schoolwork.
Because Mateo is treated like a second-class citizen in his own family, his resentment comes out in various ways. He gets angry at Ernesto, who gave Mateo a scooter bike instead of the “cool” bike that Carly has. Mateo gripes about the scooter bike: “I’ll look like an idiot on that thing.” Carly has been building a homemade satellite, which he has brought with him to Atlanta. Soon after moving to Atlanta, Mateo destroys the satellite’s solar panels in a fit of anger and jealousy.
When Ernesto asks Mateo what his goals are after high school, he warns Mateo that it better not be anything in the arts, because Ernesto doesn’t think being in the arts is a practical career choice. The only real complaint that Ernesto has about favored son Carly is that he doesn’t like Carly’s taste in heavy metal music, which Ernesto thinks is “satanic” music. Carly has a tendency to play his music too loud, which is why Ernesto doesn’t want Carly to have the bedroom that’s closest to Ernesto and Nelly’s bedroom.
In their American high school, Carly and Mateo have culture shock in different ways. The two brothers also both experience racism and ignorance about Colombian culture, such as people who think that Colombia is part of Mexico, or they don’t like hearing Carly and Ernesto talking to each other in Spanish. Carly and Mateo give polite corrections when people misidentify the brothers’ Colombian nationality, but these corrections are often dismissed or ignored.
Carly is an outstanding student, but his math teacher Mr. Stephens (played by Njema Williams) doesn’t like it when Carly outshines him in the classroom. When Carly suggests a shortcut to a math solution, Mr. Stephens is quick to tell Carly that shortcuts that might have been acceptable where Carly came from, but it’s not acceptable in America. It won’t be the last time that Carly hears variations of the condescending lecture “You’re in America now, and we do things better than other countries.”
As for angry and rebelllious Mateo, it doesn’t take long for him to get in trouble at his new school. In his first day at the Atlanta school, a spoiled and snobby student named Jared (played by Sam Ashby), who looks like a blonde Ken doll, accidentally bumps into Mateo in the boys’ locker room. Mateo calls Jared an “idiot,” while Jared explodes with anger, by getting up in Mateo’s face and calling Mateo a “bitch” and a “chili shitter.” Things calm down before it escalates into a full-on brawl.
A fellow student named Byron (played by Jaime Matthis), who witnessed this argument, warns Mateo not to mess with Jared, because Jared’s father is a lawyer. (It’s at this point in the movie that viewers can easily predict that Mateo is going to run into more problems with Jared.) Byron introduces himself to Mateo in a friendly manner. And later, Mateo ends up becoming friends with Byron and a fellow student named Nessa (played by Ashley Jackson), when they all first bond with each other while smoking marijuana in one of the school’s bathrooms.
“Blast Beat” has a subplot of Carly taking the initiative to visit Georgia Space Institute, where he sits in on a class led by Dr. Michael Onitsuka (played by Daniel Dae Kim), who has connections with people at NASA. Carly is so impressed with Dr. Onitsuka and what’s being taught in the class, that after the classroom session, Carly asks Dr. Onitsuka if he can audit the class. Dr. Onitsuka asks Carly if he’s a registered Georgia Space Institute student. Carly lies and says that he’s a first-year student. Carly has a big space engineering idea that he eventually shares with Dr. Onitsuka, and this idea could make a major impact on Carly’s future career.
Carly and Mateo also find new love interests with fellow classmates in their Atlanta high school. Carly has a mutual attraction to a brainy student named Alana (payed by Ava Capri), who’s in his math class. (Carly doesn’t tell Alana about Mafe.) Meanwhile, Mateo and Nessa become closer and start dating each other. It’s implied that Nessa is Mateo’s first real girlfriend.
But this wouldn’t be a drama if things went smoothly. The rest of the story continues through the school year in 2000. During this school year, Mateo gets into more trouble, and Carly has a lot of resentment over having to look after Mateo and clean up the messes that Mateo makes. And there are some other issues that could threaten the futures of Mateo and Carly. The last third of the movie gets a little melodramatic, but there’s nothing unrealistic that happens in this story.
What makes “Blast Beat” so different from many other stories about Hispanic immigrants in America is that it presents two very different sides of what the American Dream can mean in the same family. Carly represents the view that’s usually presented in movies: The immigrant who wants to move to America to succeed and make a better life. Mateo has a perspective that’s not as commonly seen in American-made movies: An immigrant who unwillingly moved to America and doesn’t see the United States as a “promised land” but as a place that makes him deeply unhappy, with a deep desire to go back to his original country.
It’s this immigrant dichotomy—rather than the somewhat formulaic high school squabbles—that makes “Blast Beat” an interesting movie to watch. It’s impossible to know how differently Mateo Arias and Moises Arias would’ve played these roles if they weren’t brothers in real life, but their brotherly chemistry with each other obviously comes from a place of genuine experiences. The rest of the cast members handle their roles capably, but “Blast Beat” largely depends on the authentic way that the two brothers portray this volatile fraternal relationship.
This emotional truth is why “Blast Beat” is effective on most levels. The movie has some flaws (including an ending that’s just a little too rushed), but “Blast Beat” overall will make a memorable impression on viewers of this unique immigrant family story. The conflicts that these two brothers exeprience have more to do with what they want for themselves and how they want to live on their own terms, rather than based on other people’s expectations.
Vertical Entertainment released “Blast Beat” in select U.S. cinemas and on TV VOD on May 21, 2021. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment released “Blast Beat” on digital and Internet VOD on May 21, 2021.
Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi is crowned Miss Universe at the 2019 Miss Universe competition in Atlanta. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Fox)
Miss South Africa Zozibini Tunzi was crowned Miss Universe 2019, in a ceremony that took place December 8 at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta. Fox had the U.S. telecast of the show, which was hosted by Steve Harvey. Former beauty-pageant queens Olivia Culpo and Vanessa Lachey provided commentary, while Ally Brooke (of Fifth Harmony fame) was the show’s musical performer. The annual Miss Universe ceremony (now in its 68th year) is produced by the Miss Universe Organization.
The new Mouawad Power of Unity crown made its debut at the ceremony this year. According to Mouwad, the crown was created with 18-karat gold and handset with more than 1,770 white diamonds and three golden canary diamonds. The crown’s centerpiece is a shield-cut golden canary 62.83 carat diamond.
Contestants from 90 countries and territories were at the pageant, including Swe Zin Htet of Myanmar, who was the first openly lesbian contestant to compete for the Miss Universe title. Ultimately, she did not place in the Top 20. Bangladesh and Equatorial Guinea made their Miss Universe debuts this year.
The all-female panel of Miss Universe 2019 judges were:
Gaby Espino, Venezuelan actress
Sazan Hendrix, American businesswoman and social media personality
Riyo Mori. Miss Universe 2007 from Japan
Cara Mund, Miss America 2018[39]
Bozoma Saint John, American businesswoman and marketing executive
Crystle Stewart, American actress and Miss USA 2008
Paulina Vega, Miss Universe 2014 from Colombia
Olivia Jordan (only as preliminary judge). American actress, model, and Miss USA 2015
Internet voting from the public returned after a two-year absence. The public Internet voting was for the contestants who placed in the Top 20.
Here are the Top 20 contestants of the 2018 Miss Universe pageant:
Zozibini Tunzi, Miss South Africa — Winner
Madison Anderson, Miss Puerto Rico — First runner-up
Sofía Aragón, Miss Mexico — Second runner-up
Gabriela Tafur, Miss Colombia — Top 5
Paweensuda Drouin, Miss Thailand— Top 5
Maëva Coucke, Miss France — Top 10
Birta Abiba Þórhallsdóttir, Miss Iceland — Top 10
Frederika Alexis Cull, Miss Indoensia — Top 10
Kelin Rivera, Miss Peru— Top 10
Cheslie Kryst, Miss USA — Top 10
Cindy Marina, Miss Albania — Top 20
Júlia Horta, Miss Brazil — Top 20
Mia Rkman, Miss Croatia — Top 20
Clauvid Dály, Miss Dominican Republic — Top 20
Vartika Singh, Miss India — Top 20
Olutosin Araromi, Miss Nigeria — Top 20
Gazini Ganados, Miss Philippines — Top 20
Sylvie Silva, Miss Portugal — Top 20
Thalía Olvino, Miss Venezuela — Top 20
Hoàng Thùy, Miss Vietnam — Top 20
Cardi B at the 19th annual BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 23, 2019. (Photo courtesy of BET)
The following is a press release from BET:
The BET “Hip Hop Awards” will return to the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta, GA, on Saturday, October 5, 2019, and the broadcast premiere is Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 8:00PM ET/PT.
Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum artist, Cardi B leads this year’s nominations with an impressive 10 nods. Following the impressive four wins at the 2018 Awards, Cardi B’s 10 nods includes ‘MVP of the Year,’ ‘Hot Ticket Performer,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ ‘Best Collabo,’ ‘Single of the Year,’ ‘Made-You-Look Award,’ and two nods for the ‘Best Hip-Hop Video,’ & ‘Sweet 16’ categories.
DJ Khaled, Travis Scott, and J.Cole, who all had chart-topping success this year, follow closely with an astonishing 8 nominations each. Drake, who lead the 2018 nominations, falls to third most nominations this year with 7 nods including ‘MVP of the Year,’ ‘Single of the Year,’ ‘Hot Ticket Performer,’ ‘Lyricist of the Year,’ ‘Best Collabo’ and two nods in the ‘Best Hip-Hop Video’ category.
Other notable nominations include Nipsey Hussle who posthumously receives 5 nominations, along with new-comer Megan Thee Stallion. 21 Savage, DaBaby Meek Mill & labelmate Rick Ross all received 4 nods.
Additionally, ‘Best New Hip-Hop Artist’ Award nominees include Blueface , DaBaby, Lil Nas X , Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, and YBN Cordae.
Jesse Collins, CEO of Jesse Collins Entertainment, will serve as Executive Producer of the BET “Hip Hop Awards” 2019 along with Connie Orlando, BET Head of Programming and Jeannae Rouzan–Clay, Vice President of Specials, Jesse Collins Entertainment.
“Best International Flow” is a new category that will recognize artists from around the world for the first time, with nominees from Nigeria, UK, France, South Africa, Ghana and Canada. Internationally, the BET “Hip Hop Awards” 2019 will air on BET Africa October 9, 2019, at 7:00PM CAT; BET UK on October 10, 2019, at 9PM BST; BET France on October 10, 2019 at 8:45PM CEST; and BET South Korea October 10, 2019 at 9:00PM KST.
See below for the complete list of BET “HIP HOP AWARDS” 2019 Official Nominees:
Best Hip-Hop Video
21 Savage featuring J. Cole, “A Lot”
Cardi B, “Money”
City Girls featuring Cardi B, “Twerk”
DaBaby, “Suge”
Meek Mill featuring Drake, “Going Bad”
Travis Scott featuring Drake, “Sicko Mode”
Hot Ticket Performer
Cardi B
The Carters
DaBaby
Drake
Megan Thee Stallion
Travis Scott
Album of the Year
Travis Scott, “Astroworld”
Meek Mill, Championships”
Lizzo, “Cuz I Love You”
DJ Khaled, “Father of Asahd”
Tyler, the Creator, “Igor”
Dreamville, “Revenge of the Dreamers 3”
Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Bruno Mars, Florent Dechard
Calmatic
Dave Meyers
Elf Rivera
Travis Scott
Cardi B
DJ Khaled
Drake
J. Cole
Megan Thee Stallion
Nipsey Hussle
Producer of the Year
DJ Khaled
London On Da Track
Metro Boomin
Mustard
Swizz Beatz
Tay Keith
Best Collab, Duo or Group
21 Savage featuring J. Cole, “A Lot”
Cardi B & Bruno Mars, “Please Me”
DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend. “Higher”
Lil Baby & Gunna, “Drip Too Hard”
Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road” (Remix)
Single of the Year
City Girls, “Act Up” (Produced by EarlThePearll)
Megan Thee Stallion, “Big Ole Freak” (Produced by LilJuMadeDaBeat)
Cardi, “Money” (Produced by J. White Did It)
Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road” (Remix) (Produced by YoungKio)
Travis Scott featuring Drake, “Sicko Mode” Produced by Rogét Chahayed, CuBeatz, OZ, Hit-Boy & Tay Keith
DaBaby, “Suge” (Produced by Pooh Beatz & JetsonMade)
Best New Hip-Hop Artist
Blueface
DaBaby
Lil Nas X
Megan Thee Stallion
Roddy Ricch
YBN Cordae
21 Savage, “Wish Wish” (DJ Khaled featuring 21 Savage & Cardi B)
Cardi B, “Clout” (Offset featuring Cardi B)
Cardi B, “Twerk” (City Girls featuring Cardi B)
J. Cole, “A Lot” (21 Savage featuring J. Cole)
Rick Ross, “Money in the Grave” (Drake featuring Rick Ross)
Rick Ross, “What’s Free” (Meek Mill featuring Rick Ross & Jay-Z)
Impact Track
21 Savage featuring J. Cole. “A Lot”
DJ Khaled featuring Nipsey Hussle & John Legend, “Higher”
J. Cole, “Middle Child”
Kap G, “A Day Without a Mexican”
Lizzo featuring Missy Elliott, “Tempo”
Youngboy, “Never Broke Again”
I Am Who They Say I Am featuring Kevin Gates, “Quando Rondo”
DJ of the Year
Chase B
DJ Drama
DJ Envy
DJ Esco
DJ Khaled
Mustard
Made-You-Look Award (Best Hip-Hop Style)
Cardi B
DJ Khaled
French Montana
Meek Mill
Rick Ross
Travis Scott
Best Hip-Hop Online Site/App
All Hip Hop
Complex
Hot New Hip Hop
The Shade Room
Worldstar
XXL
Hustler of the Year
Cardi B
DJ Khaled
Jay Z
Nipsey Hussle
Rick Ross
Travis Scott
Best International Flow
Falz (Nigeria)
Ghetts (U.K.P)
Kalash (France)
Little Simz (U.K.)
Nasty C (South Africa)
Sarkodie (Ghana)
Tory Lanez (Canada)
Join the conversation on social media by logging on to BET’s multiple social media platforms:
On BET.com: http://www.bet.com/shows/hip-hop-awards.html
On Twitter by using hashtag: #HipHopAwards; follow us @HipHopAwards and @BET
On Facebook by liking the fan page at facebook.com/HipHopAwards
*Note: BET “Hip Hop Awards” is a private event and tickets are not available for purchase to the public. Talent tickets are reserved for BET “Hip Hop Awards” show talent and nominees.
ABOUT BET NETWORKS:
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation’s leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 90 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of business extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for black entertainment, music, culture and news; BET HER, a 24-hour entertainment network targeting the African-American woman; BET Music Networks – BET Jams, BET Soul and BET Gospel; BET Home Entertainment; BET Live, BET’s growing festival business; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET around the globe.
ABOUT JESSE COLLINS ENTERTAINMENT:
Jesse Collins Entertainment (JCE) is a full-service television and film production company founded by entertainment industry veteran Jesse Collins. For more than a decade, the company has played an integral role in producing some of television’s most memorable moments in music entertainment including groundbreaking and award winning television programming including the BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, BET Honors, UNCF An Evening of Stars, ABFF Awards and the BET Hip Hop Awards. On the scripted side, JCE has produced numerous shows for BET including Real Husbands of Hollywood starring Kevin Hart as well as the critically acclaimed The New Edition Story, a biopic on the boy band that aired as a 3-part mini-series. It posted record ratings for the network and attracted nearly 30 million viewers. It was followed by The Bobby Brown Story, which chronicled the talented but troubled singer’s exit from the popular ’80s boy band through his solo success and was the highest rated non-tentpole program on the network since The New Edition Story. The company’s second season of American Soul, the critically-acclaimed period drama based on the untold rise of the iconic music and dance program Soul Train, will debut in 2020. Go to http://www.jessecollinsent.com/ for more information on the company.
ABOUT BET “HIP HOP AWARDS”:
BET “Hip Hop Awards” is an annual celebration that pays homage to a culture that changed the world while highlighting the best in hip hop music. Year after year, BET Networks delivers the best in hip-hop for an unforgettable night of performances, cyphers and tributes honoring hip-hop legends that have and continue to make hip-hop culture a global force.
W Atlanta – Midtown Living Room (Photo courtesy of Marriott International)
The following is a press release from Marriott International:
Georgia is on our mind. W Hotels Worldwide is excited to reveal major upgrades to each of the city’s three W hotels (W Atlanta – Midtown, W Atlanta – Buckhead and W Atlanta – Downtown). Through the vision of talented design partners and the W brand’s own globally renowned design team, a collective of 750+ guestrooms, multiple bars and restaurants and more than 50,000 square feet of innovative meeting space will soon be revealed. These exciting changes in Atlanta are the first of several renovations expected to be completed at W Hotels across North America, as hotel owners are poised to invest $200+ million on renovations showcasing the next generation of W design.
“Atlanta is exploding with culture, creativity and more visitors than ever before,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “From Superbowl LIII to the Peach Drop, Atlanta has solidified its place as a must-go destination for both domestic and international travelers. From its music and culture to its cuisine and architecture, it’s a city that is so diverse and unique we are able to have three distinct hotels within its parameters. We are excited to showcase our bold design with stunning new rooms, restaurants and upgrades to the hot spots our guests love.”
W Atlanta – Midtown As the first W hotel to open in Atlanta in 2009, the 466-room renovation at W Atlanta – Midtown is the first major revamp of the hotel in a decade. As one of the largest W locations in the world, this project marks one of the brand’s biggest single-hotel renovation projects in its 20-year history. The renovation – which just made its debut earlier this month – sits alongside new culinary, retail and entertainment concepts coming to Colony Square, which is connected to the hotel.
Inspired by one of Atlanta’s best-known nicknames – the city in the woods – W Atlanta – Midtown now sports a floral motif with a mod twist across its public spaces that includes the Living Room (W’s energetic & social take on the lobby/bar), Welcome Desk (Check-In) and patio. The open flow of the renovated spaces expands the hotel’s indoor and outdoor seating, ready to welcome locals and travelers to this bustling neighborhood.
Each of the hotel’s reimagined guestrooms (including 33 specialty suites) features playful décor, unique murals by Imaggo Production that are a nod to Atlanta as an epicenter of music and entertainment.
W Atlanta – Buckhead In partnership with Atlanta’s own C+TC Studio (who is designing the guest rooms and iconic rooftop bar, Whiskey Blue), interior designer STUDIO 11 (the visionaries behind the new Living Room), and the brand’s own design team, W Atlanta – Buckhead is showing off its edgy, luxe look as of February 2019.
Celebrating the city’s passions for fashion, design, art and culture, the new design incorporates splashy artwork from local artists throughout the hotel including guestroom art by Lela Brunet, WET Deck (pool deck) mural by Greg Mike, Living Room and Whiskey Blue murals by Chris Veal.
The full-scale renovation of W Atlanta – Buckhead adds a Welcome area, open layout and café-style seating (complete with DJ booth by night) to the Living Room. Here the eye-catching custom mural installation by artist Chris Veal is designed to be an Insta-worthy hit and photos taken in front of it are linked to the hotel’s Instagram account and displayed on the adjacent Polaroid-style screen to make guests and visitors a part of the art in real time.
Enhanced with vibrant colors, headboards, armoires, damask wallcoverings, 55-inch TVs, in-room Nespresso machines, expanded MIX Bars (W’s take on the minibar) and inspiring artwork, the hotel’s 286 guestrooms redefine comfort and playful luxury in the city. All specialty suites (four WOW Suites and one E-WOW Suite) also get special treatment with new artwork and lounge areas, chaises and cocktail cubbies.
The first phase of this renovation project saw the iconic rooftop bar Whiskey Blue reimagined in November 2018. Now the hotel is bringing a new spin to its signature restaurant, Cook Hall, which will re-open fall 2019. In addition, all 11,000 square feet of indoor/outdoor meeting space and FIT (gym) feature new furnishings, lighting, artwork and faster connections.
Local Motives Debuts at W Atlanta – Downtown In a brilliant mash up of art, history and culture, Local Motives, the new restaurant at W Atlanta – Downtown, combines Atlanta’s BeltLine Project, a newfound symbol of revitalization in the city, with beloved street art and flavors as bold as the new look. To capture Atlanta’s creative spirit, local artist and Georgia native Eric Randall collaborated with Puccini Group’s designers to ground the project in an unmistakable sense of place. Randall was tasked with designing and painting large-scale graphics, including the 69’3″ x 9’6″ mural which spans six walls. The restaurant includes a buzzing bar, dining area, café with ample workspace and private dining room with an entrance inspired by Marta train doors. Each area is crafted with stone and concrete, reflecting the neighborhood’s storied industrialization, juxtaposed with pink pastels and vibrant blue hues.
Local Motives lives up to its name with Atlanta staples like Geechie Boy Red Grits and Cheddar (breakfast bowl) as well as luxe-modern indulgences like Beet Tartare, Charred Octopus and curated local selections of meats from Pine Street Market and ingredients from Pure Bliss Organics. Coffee blends are brewed at Docent Coffee, which roasts each batch right on Edgewood Avenue. Handcrafted concoctions at the bar give guests the option to detox or retox with fresh-pressed juices alongside decadent, spiked milkshakes.
These three projects are part of a collective $200 million+ in renovations across the W brand portfolio that is taking place across North America. Other projects include W Washington DC, W Boston, W San Francisco, W Miami and W Montreal.
About W Hotels Worldwide Born from the bold attitude and 24/7 culture of New York City, W Hotels, part of Marriott International, Inc., has disrupted and redefined the hospitality scene for nearly two decades. Trailblazing its way around the globe, with over 50 hotels, W is defying expectations and breaking the norms of traditional luxury wherever the iconic W sign lands. With a mission to fuel guests’ lust for life, W ignites an obsessive desire to soak it in, live it up and hit repeat. The brand’s provocative design, iconic Whatever/Whenever service and buzzing Living Rooms create an experience that is often copied but never matched. Innovative, inspiring and infectious, the brand’s super-charged energy celebrates guests’ endless appetite to discover what’s new/next in each destination, to see more, feel more, go longer, stay later. For more information on W Hotels, visit whotels.com/theangle or follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. W Hotels Worldwide is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the new name of Marriott’s travel program replacing Marriott Rewards®, The Ritz- Carlton Rewards®, and Starwood Preferred Guest® (SPG). The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including earning points toward free hotel stays and nights toward Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com.
Adam Levine and James Valentine of Maroon 5 at One Voice: Soma Live! A Concert for Disaster Relief on October 14, 2017. (Photo by Jordan Althaus/NBC)
Travis Scott at the Maxim Super Bowl Party in Houston on February 5, 2017. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for Maxim)
Gladys Knight at the 2018 American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, on Octobt 9, 2018. (Photo courtesy of ABC/Image Group LA)
The NFL and CBS have now officially announced that rock band Maroon 5 and rappers Travis Scott and Big Boi will perform at the Super Bowl LIII, which will take place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on February 3, 2019. In addition, Gladys Knight will perform the National Anthem at the beginning of the game. CBS will have the U.S. telecast of Super Bowl LIII.
The news that Maroon 5 (whose lead singer is “The Voice” coach Adam Levine) would be headlining the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show leaked out in September 2018, but the official announcement didn’t come until months later. The news resulted in considerable controversy, as critics said that anyone performing at the Super Bowl this year essentially agreed with the NFL’s policy against NFL players taking one knee to kneel during the National Anthem as a sign of protest of police brutality against black and brown people. Former NFL player Colin Kaepernick, who many say was ousted from the NFL because of his Black Lives Matter activism, has been named as a poster child for the “take a knee” movement. Several black and brown artists, such as Jay-Z, Rihanna and Cardi B said they turned down offers to perform at the 2019 Super Bowl because they want to stand in solidarity with Kaepernick, who has since signed a lucrative spokesperson deal with Nike. Entertainers such as Jay-Z, Amy Schumer and Rihanna also publicly urged artists to boycott the Super Bowl halftime performance until the NFL changed its policy to allow NFL players to “take a knee” during the National Anthem.
Before it was announced that Scott and Big Boi would be performing, the NFL received immense backlash for choosing Los Angeles-based Maroon 5 (a band whose members are all white except for a black keyboard player) to headline the Super Bowl halftime show instead of choosing a black artist or an artist from Atlanta. However, it seems many of the major black artists who were approached to perform at Super Bowl LII turned down the gig. Jay-Z, Rihanna and Cardi B are just the ones who went public with their rejection of the Super Bowl halftime show. Many more could have been asked and said no to the gig, but have not gone public about it. Big Boi, a former member of OutKast, is a native of Atlanta, and so is Knight.
The following is a press release from the American Film Institute:
The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the honorees of AFI AWARDS 2018, celebrating the year’s most outstanding achievements in the art of the moving image — with 10 films and 10 television programs deemed culturally and artistically significant.
In addition to the 20 honorees, AFI also recognizes ROMA with an AFI Special Award, designated for a work of excellence outside the Institute’s criteria for American film.
AFI AWARDS honorees are selected based on works that advance the art of the moving image, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America’s art form, inspire audiences and artists alike and make a mark on American society.
AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR
BLACKKKLANSMAN
BLACK PANTHER
EIGHTH GRADE
THE FAVOURITE
FIRST REFORMED
GREEN BOOK
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
MARY POPPINS RETURNS
A QUIET PLACE
A STAR IS BORN
AFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
THE AMERICANS
THE ASSASSINATION OF GIANNI VERSACE: AMERICAN CRIME STORY
ATLANTA
BARRY
BETTER CALL SAUL
THE KOMINSKY METHOD
THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL
POSE
SUCCESSION
THIS IS US
AFI SPECIAL AWARD
ROMA
Marking the 19th chapter in the American Film Institute’s ongoing almanac of the moving image, the 2018 entries join a notable group of previous AFI AWARDS honorees — works of significance that contribute to the rich cultural legacy and define the state of the art form. View all past AFI AWARDS honorees here.
AFI AWARDS selections are made through a jury process where AFI Trustees, scholars, artists and critics determine the year’s most outstanding achievements and provide contextual rationales for each selection.
This year’s juries — one for film and one for television — were chaired by AFI Board of Trustees Vice Chairs Tom Pollock (former Vice Chairman of MCA, Chairman of Universal Pictures) for film and Richard Frank (former Chairman of Walt Disney Television, President of Walt Disney Studios, President of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences) for television. The juries featured acclaimed artists such as David Benioff, Joan Chen, Courtney B. Vance and Alfre Woodard; renowned authors and scholars representing prestigious universities with recognized motion picture arts and television programs; film historian Leonard Maltin; the AFI Board of Trustees; and film and television critics from media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, NPR, Rolling Stone, TV Guide, Vanity Fair, Variety and The Washington Post.
Honorees will gather on January 4, 2019, for recognition at the annual AFI AWARDS private luncheon in Los Angeles, CA — an event favored by the entertainment community for its informal intimacy and its inclusive acknowledgement of excellence. At the luncheon, AFI will present jury rationales providing artistic and cultural context for the selection of each honoree.
The AFI AWARDS luncheon will be sponsored by Audi, a supporter of AFI and its programs for the past 15 years. The AFI AWARDS luncheon is also sponsored by American Airlines, the official airline of AFI.
About the American Film Institute The American Film Institute was established by presidential proclamation in the White House Rose Garden, and launched its national mandate on June 5, 1967 — to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI’s founding Trustees included Chairman Gregory Peck, Vice Chairman Sidney Poitier, Francis Ford Coppola, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., Jack Valenti and George Stevens, Jr., as Director.
About Audi Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands, delivering about 1.878 million vehicles globally in 2017. In the U.S., Audi of America sold nearly 227,000 vehicles in 2017 and broke all-time company sales records for the eighth straight year. Visit audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.
The following is a press release from ONE Musicfest:
ONE Musicfest, the Southeast’s premier urban progressive music and arts festival – has announced the lineup for its 2018 festival. Now a two-day experience taking place Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9 at Central Park in Atlanta, GA, ONE Musicfest will feature Nas, Cardi B, Miguel, T.I., Jeezy, Big Sean, Kelis, Brandy, August Greene, Big KRIT, George Clinton & Parliament and more.
Hailed as one of the nation’s “Can’t Miss Festivals,” ONE Musicfest returns for its ninth year with an unforgettable weekend of high-energy performances and unique cultural experiences. Over 20,000 attended last year, generating over 1.8 billion impressions and rave reviews from USA Today, Associated Press, Huffington Post and VIBE.
This year, ONE Musicfest has curated a diverse lineup of music powerhouses, radio chart-toppers and icons. From the rap god Nas to hip-hop it-girl Cardi B to the legendary George Clinton & Parliament, the festival offers something for music lovers of all kinds.
“We are all super excited about OMF2018,” says founder Jason “J” Carter. “Growing into a two-day festival allows us to expand our roster, highlight more of the music that we love and give our audience an experience unlike any!”
Complete List of Currently Announced Performers for ONE Musicfest 2018 (in alphabetical order):
August Greene featuring Common, Robert Glasper and Karriem Riggins
Big KRIT
Big Sean
Brandy
Cardi B
Davido
DJ Nabs’ ATL Crunk Set featuring YoungBloodz, Ying Yang Twins, Eastside Boyz, Trillville, Kilo Ali and DJ Taz
DVSN
George Clinton & Parliament
Goldlink
Jeezy
Jessie Reyez
Kelis
Miguel
Nas
Rapsody
St Beauty
T.I.
Teedra Moses
About ONE Musicfest ONE Musicfest is the Southeast’s largest annual urban progressive music festival, featuring a diverse range of music, including classic and next generation hip-hop, soulful R&B, alternative, and rock. Started in 2010, ONE Musicfest is now recognized as one of the most highly-anticipated celebrations of the arts in the Southeast, with this year’s festival expecting an attendance of 20,000 music lovers from throughout the country.
Oprah Winfrey and “The Handmaid’s Tale” Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Veep,” “Big Little Lies,” “Atlanta,” “Saturday Night Live,” “Black Mirror: San Junipero” and “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” were among the shows that won multiple awards in major categories at the 69th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, which took place at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles September 17, 2017. “The Handmaid’s Tale” won five awards, including Outstanding Drama Series. “Big Little Lies” won five awards, including Outstanding Limited Series or Movie. “Saturday Night Live” won four prizes, including Outstanding Variety Sketch Series. “Atlanta” won two prizes, including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for show creator/star Donald Glover. “Veep” received two Emmys, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Julia Louis-Dreyfus. It was her sixth consecutive win of this award, making her the record for the most wins by an actor or actress for the same TV show. Meanwhile, “Black Mirror: San Junipero” won two Emmys, including Outstanding Television Movie.
“Westworld” and “Saturday Night Live” went into the ceremony with the most nominations (22 each), but “Westworld” was ultimately snubbed and did not win in the major categories. However, “Westworld” was one of the top winners (taking five awards) at the 69th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which were presented on September 9 and September 10.
CBS had the live U.S. telecast of the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards, which was hosted by Stephen Colbert who spent much of his on-stage time making jokes about President Donald Trump. Eligible shows were those that had first-run prime-time or late-night (8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Eastern Time) airings on U.S. television or U.S. streaming services from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2017.
Highlights of the show included former White House press secretary Sean Spicer making a surprise appearance on stage to poke fun at his widely mocked claim that Trump’s inauguration was the most-attended presidential inauguration in U.S. history. Colbert later addressed Spice as Melissa McCarthy, who won an Emmy for the first time she her parody of Spicer on “Saturday Night Live.” Other highlights included the reunion of “9 to 5” stars Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda, as well as TV comedy legends Norman Lear and Carol Burnett presenting an award together.
The following are the winners and nominees for the 2017 Primetime Emmy Awards:
*=winner
Drama Series
“Better Call Saul” (AMC)
“The Crown” (Netflix) “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)*
“House of Cards” (Netflix)
“Stranger Things” (Netflix)
“This Is Us” (NBC)
“Westworld” (HBO)
Drama Actress
Viola Davis (“How to Get Away with Murder”)
Claire Foy (“The Crown”) Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)*
Keri Russell (“The Americans”)
Evan Rachel Wood (“Westworld”)
Robin Wright (“House of Cards”)
Drama Actor Sterling K. Brown (“This Is Us”)*
Anthony Hopkins (“Westworld”)
Bob Odenkirk (“Better Call Saul”)
Matthew Rhys (“The Americans”)
Liev Schreiber (“Ray Donovan”)
Kevin Spacey (“House of Cards”)
Milo Ventimiglia (“This Is Us”)
Comedy Actor
Anthony Anderson (“Black-ish”)
Aziz Ansari (“Master of None”)
Zach Galifianakis (“Baskets”) Donald Glover (“Atlanta”)*
William H. Macy (“Shameless”)
Jeffrey Tambor (“Transparent”)
Comedy Actress
Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”)
Tracee Ellis-Ross (“black-ish”)
Jane Fonda (“Grace and Frankie”)
Allison Janney (“Mom”)
Ellie Kemper (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep”)*
Lily Tomlin (“Grace and Frankie”)
Limited Series “Big Little Lies” (HBO)*
“Fargo” (FX)
“Feud: Bette and Joan” (FX)
“The Night Of” (HBO)
“Genius” (National Geographic)
Limited Series Actor Riz Ahmed (“The Night Of”)*
Benedict Cumberbatch (“Sherlock: The Lying Detective”)
Robert De Niro (“The Wizard of Lies”)
Ewan McGregor (“Fargo”)
Geoffrey Rush (“Genius”)
John Turturro (“The Night Of”)
Limited Series Actress Carrie Coon (“Fargo”)
Felicity Huffman (“American Crime”) Nicole Kidman (“Big Little Lies”)*
Jessica Lange (“Feud”)
Susan Sarandon (“Feud”)
Reese Witherspoon (“Big Little Lies”)
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Jonathan Banks (“Better Call Saul”)
David Harbour (“Stranger Things”)
Ron Cephas Jones (“This Is Us”)
Michael Kelly (“House of Cards”) John Lithgow (“The Crown”)*
Mandy Patinkin (“Homeland”)
Jeffrey Wright (“Westworld”)
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Uzo Aduba (“Orange Is the New Black”)
Millie Bobby Brown (“Stranger Things”) Ann Dowd (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)*
Chrissy Metz (“This Is Us”)
Thandie Newton (“Westworld”)
Samira Wiley (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Louie Anderson (“Baskets”) Alec Baldwin (“Saturday Night Live”)*
Tituss Burgess (“Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”)
Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”)
Tony Hale (“Veep”)
Matt Walsh (“Veep”)
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Vanessa Bayer (“Saturday Night Live”)
Anna Chlumsky (“Veep”)
Kathryn Hahn (“Transparent”)
Leslie Jones (“Saturday Night Live”)
Judith Light (“Transparent”) Kate McKinnon (“Saturday Night Live”)*
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Bill Camp (“The Night Of”)
Alfred Molina (“Feud: Bette and Joan”) Alexander Skarsgård (“Big Little Lies”)*
Stanley Tucci (“Feud: Bette and Joan”)
David Thewlis (“Fargo”)
Michael K. Williams (“The Night Of”)
Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie
Judy Davis (“Feud: Bette and Joan”) Laura Dern (“Big Little Lies”)*
Jackie Hoffman (“Feud: Bette and Joan”)
Regina King (“American Crime”)
Michelle Pfeiffer (The Wizard of Lies”)
Shailene Woodley (“Big Little Lies”)
Variety Talk Series
“Full Frontal With Samantha Bee” (TBS)
“Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (ABC) “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” (HBO)*
“Late Late Show With James Corden” (CBS)
“Real Time With Bill Maher” (HBO)
“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” (CBS)
Television Movie “Black Mirror: San Junipero”*
“Dolly Parton’s Christmas Of Many Colors: Circle Of Love”
“The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks”
“Sherlock: The Lying Detective (Masterpiece)”
“The Wizard Of Lies”
Variety Sketch Series
“Billy On The Street” (truTV)
“Documentary Now!” (IFC)
“Drunk History” (Comedy Central)
“Portlandia” (IFC) “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)*
“Tracey Ullman’s Show” (HBO)
Directing for a Comedy Series Donald Glover (“Atlanta”)*
Jamie Babbit (“Silicon Valley”)
Morgan Sackett (“Veep”)
David Mandel (“Veep”)
Dale Stern (“Veep”)
Directing for a Drama Series
Vince Gilligan (“Better Call Saul”)
Stephen Daldry (“The Crown”) Reed Morano (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)*
Kate Dennis (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)
Lesli Linka Glatter (“Homeland”)
The Duffer Brothers (“Stranger Things”)
Jonathan Nolan (“Westworld”)
Directing for a Variety Series
Derek Waters & Jeremy Konner (“Drunk History”)
Andy Fisher (Jimmy Kimmel Live”)
Paul Pennolino (“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”)
Jim Hoskinson (“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”) Don Roy King (“Saturday Night Live”)*
Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special
Ron Howard (“Genius”)
James Marsh (“The Night Of”) Jean-Marc Vallée (“Big Little Lies”)*
Ryan Murphy (“Feud: Bette and Joan”)
Steve Zaillian (“The Night Of”)
Writing for a Comedy Series Aziz Ansari & Lena Waithe (“Master of None”)*
Alec Berg (“Silicon Valley”)
Donald Glover (“Atlanta”)
Stephen Glover (“Atlanta”)
Billy Kimball (“Veep”)
David Mandel (“Veep”)
Writing for a Drama Series
The Duffer Brothers (“Stranger Things”)
Lisa Joy & Jonathan Nolan (“Westworld”)
Peter Morgan (“The Crown”) Bruce Miller (“The Handmaid’s Tale”)*
Gordon Smith (“Better Call Saul”)
Joe Weisberg & Joel Fields (“The Americans”)
Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or Drama
David E. Kelley (“Big Little Lies”) Charlie Brooker (“Black Mirror: San Junipero”)*
Noah Hawley (“Fargo”)
Ryan Murphy (“Feud: Bette and Joan”)
Jaffe Cohen, Michael, Michael Zam & Ryan Murphy (“Feud: Bette and Joan”)
Richard Price & Steven Zaillian (“The Night Of”)
Writing for a Variety Series
Jo Miller, Samantha Bee, Ashley Nicole Black, Pat Cassels, Eric Drysdae, Mathan Erhardt, Travon Free, Joe Grossman, Miles Kahn, Melinda Taub & Jason Reich (“Full Frontal with Samantha Bee”) Kevin Avery, Tim Carvell, Josh Gondelman, Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeff Maurer, John Oliver, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Jill Twiss & Juli Weiner (“Last Week Tonight with John Oliver”)*
Jermaine Affonso, Alex Baze, Bryan Donaldson, Sal Gentile, Matt Goldich, Dina Gusovky, Jenny Hagel, Allison Hord, Mike Karnell, John Lutz, Seth Meyers, Ian Morgan, Seth Reiss, Amber Ruffin, Mike Scollins, Mike Shoemaker & Ben Warheit (“Late Night with Seth Meyers”)
Barry Julien, Jay Katsir, Opus Moreschi, Stephen Colbert, Tom Purcell, Matt Lappin, Michael Brumm, Nate Charny, Aaron Cohen, Cullen Crawford, Paul Dinello, Ariel Dumas, Glenn Eichler, Django Gold, Gabe Gronli, Daniel Kibblesmith, Michael Pielocik, Kate Sidley, Jen Spyra, Brian Stack & John Thibodeaux (“The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”)
Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider, Kent Sublette, Bryan Tucker, Pete Schultz, James Anderson, Kristen Bartlett, Jeremy Beiler, Zach Bornstein, Joanna Bradley, Megan Callahan, Michael Che, Anna Drezen, Fran Gillespie, Sudi Green, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Erik Kenward, Rob Klein, Nick Kocher, Dave McCary, Brian McElhaney, Dennis McNicholas, Drew Michael, Lorne Michaels, Josh Patten, Katie Rich, Streeter Seidell, Will Stephen & Julio Torres (“Saturday Night Live”)
“Big Little Lies” Emmy winners Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“This Is Us” Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“Veep” Emmy winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
Norman Lear and Carol Burnett at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
Viola Davis at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
Emmy Awards host Stephen Colbert at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“The Handmaid’s Tale” Emmy winner Ann Dowd at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“9 to 5” stars Lily Tomlin, Dolly Parton and Jane Fonda at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“Big Little Lies” Emmy winner Alexander Skarsgård at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“Mom” stars Anna Faris and Allison Janney at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“Atlanta” Emmy winner Donald Glover at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“Saturday Night Live” Emmy winners Dave Chappelle and Melissa McCarthy at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“Saturday Night Live” Emmy winner Kate McKinnon at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“The Crown” Emmy winner John Lithgow at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)
“Big Little Lies” Emmy winner Laura Dern at the 69th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on September 17, 2017 (Photo by Trae Patton/CBS)