At 50-years-old, Billy Porter‘s success narrative continues to prove his age “aint nothing but a number.”
Evidence of this could be found at the 71st Emmy Awards on Sunday (September 22) when the ‘Pose’ star walked away with the Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as ballroom emcee Pray Tell on the FX series. Making him the first openly gay Black man in history to nab the honor, Porter made sure the audience knew it was one he didn’t take lightly.
“It took many years of vomiting up all the filth that I had been taught about myself, and half-believed, before I was able walk on the earth as though I had a right to be here,” Porter said, quoting James Baldwin. “I have the right, you have the right ― we all have the right!”
The 2019 Emmy Awards certainly provided many-a-notable moment courtesy of the host of television stars who took to the stage to be honored.
Now, after upsets, heart-warming accepting speeches, and jaw-dropping fashion ensembles, see who walked away with the show’s biggest star – its coveted trophies!
Jharrel Jerome‘s won an Emmy for “Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie” for his portrayal of Korey Wise in the Ava Duvernay-directed Netflix mini-series ‘When They See Us.’
Based on the real life events surrounding the 1988 Central park jogger case that saw five men of color falsely prosecuted for charges related to sexual assault, Jerome’s performance in the four part streaming event was lauded by critics and viewers alike.
Now, the Emmy academy have echoed those sentiments.
Besting fellow nominees Mahershala Ali (True Detective), Benicio Del Toro (Escape at Dannemora), Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal), Jared Harris (Chernobyl), Sam Rockwell (Fosse/Verdon) on Sunday’s awards show (September 22), Jerome – at just 21-years-old – becomes the youngest Black actor in the ceremony’s history to nab the trophy.
Black Hollywood showed up and out for TV’s biggest night – the 71st annual Primetime Emmy Awards (which aired live tonight from Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater).
Host-less this year, the FOX-showing celebrates the excellent efforts of some of TV’s best and brightest, in front of and behind the lens. Before the telecast began handing out its coveted trophies, some of the night’s most talked about moments had already happened on the red carpet.
With an eclectic lineup that featured R&B, Pop, Rock, Hip Hop, Country, and Alternative acts, the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival left no genre ignored.
Boasting performances from Miley Cyrus, Backstreet Boys, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Chance the Rapper, and many more, this year’s edition of the annual outing – held at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena – could easily rank as one of its best.
Did you miss any of the action over the weekend? Highlights await inside:
Today’s From The Vault is sung by an artist who’s name you definitely know.
This week’s pick is ‘You Don’t Know My Name’ by 15-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys.
After the colossal success of her debut LP ‘Songs In A Minor,’ all eyes were on Keys to see whether she could once again satisfy the critics and dominate the charts, simultaneously, with her sophomore set ‘The Diary Of Alicia Keys.’
And the answer in short was a resounding…”yes.”
Issued as album’s lead single, ‘Name’ was released in late 2003 and became an instant classic. Telling the tale of a waitress who daydreams about one of her clients, the Kanye West-produced gem was a Top 3 hit in the US and reached the Top 20 in Canada and the UK among other territories. It also won a Grammy for Best R&B Song in 2005
Using the lyric’s narrative, the song’s video – directed by Chris Robinson – follows Alicia as she falls for a client played by Mos Def. Later on they end up attending the same party, but never actually meet. After imagining getting the courage to call him and profess her love, we are left wondering if she will ever take that step or not.
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With a new project on the horizon, we’re hopeful Keys has unlocked the juice (again); because although it housed some great moments, her last effort ‘Here’ never actually reached the standards she has set with her previous projects qualitatively.
Also on our wish-list : a team that is willing to do whatever it takes to facilitate her crossover into the streaming era. It’s a very different world from when Alicia last released and while it’s won’t be an easy task – it’s a necessary one.
Either way, we are ready for new music and are liking the initial taste she gave this week. Bring it on the rest.
With a performance roster that includes the likes of Alicia Keys, Backstreet Boys, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, French Montana, Green Day, and many more, the iHeartRadio Music Festival is the talk of the weekend for music lovers.
Yet, despite the plethora of heavy hitters on board to deliver blazing live renditions of their signature hits, one name that’s still ringing on attendees lips is none other than Camila Cabello. The former Fifth Harmony darling dazzled the iHeartRadio festival crowd with a short, but sweet set chock full of high octane choreography and impassioned vocals. Gliding her heels across the T-Mobile Arena stage to the sounds of her sophomore chart-topper, ‘Señorita’ (sans the song’s co-star Shawn Mendes), Cabello also gave ‘Shameless’ and ‘Liar’ – the two leading singles from her second album, ‘Romance’ – their first live treatment.
Azealia Banks is barking again and this time her woof is aimed at Rihanna.
Ever treading the line between outspoken and uncouth, the rapper – who hasn’t released charting music in almost seven years – took to social media to lay into RiRi.
Unprovoked, Banks blasted the Bajan belle’s body – branding her “fat and bald headed” – and claimed the latter is some form of marketing campaign helmed by… Jay-Z.
Confused? We thought so.
Head below to see and hear the rapper unpack her thoughts…
Welcome to Retro Rewind, the original TGJ feature carved out to celebrate TV and Film’s glorious past.
Today, we’re revisiting the movie ‘Son of Ingagi’….the very first horror movie to be led by an African-American cast.
Released in 1940, the picture (which has nothing to do with the repulsive and racist movie ‘Ingagi’), ‘Son’ tells the tale of a couple who inherits the home of a doctor who recently returned with Africa with a dangerous “souvenir”.
Little does she know that her souvenir and the power it will come to possess which change her life…forever.
This week is seeing Janet Jackson and her legions of fans celebrate the 30th of her groundbreaking ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’ album.
Released in 1989, the landmark set generated seven top 5 hits, four #1 singles, and charted #1 songs in three separate calendar years. Beyond its commercial success, it’s widely hailed for its powerful socially conscious rooting.
In honor of its undeniable impact, Jackson has poured a massive remix collection onto streaming services.
Comprised of over 80 tracks, ‘Rhythm Nation 1814: The Remixes’ blends rare mixes with even rarer B-Sides and bonus bops – such as ‘The Skin Game.’
