5 Categories We’re Most Excited To See Honored At This Year’s NAACP Image Awards
The 53rd Annual NAACP Image Awards is set to take place on Feb. 6 and will be virtually. The distinguished ceremony honors some of the biggest and brightest in Hollywood in over 40 different categories, including “Outstanding Comedy Series”, “Outstanding New Artist”, and many more.
Ahead of what is slated to be an unforgettable celebration of Black excellence, we are looking at some of the categories awarded over the years we are most excited to see honored at this year’s ceremony. Check them out below.
Entertainer of the Year
DJ D-Nice took home the “Entertainer of the Year” award at the 2020 ceremonies. During the pandemic, the veteran DJ and producer kept at one point, more than 100,000 people entertained on Instagram Live with DJ sets ranging from classic hip hop, soul, and R&B. “Club Quarantine” drew music fans all over including our forever first lady Michelle Obama, Rihanna, Oprah, Drake and Joe Biden.
President’s Award
In 2020 Grammy-Award-winner Rihanna gave a moving acceptance speech. She called for racial, religious, and cultural unity during her speech. “If there’s anything that I’ve learned, it’s that we can only fix this world together,” Rihanna said. “We can’t do it divided.” She pressed on the topic of saving and improving lives but noted that much more has to be done by everyone.
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Soul won “Outstanding Animated Motion Picture” at the 2021 NAACP Image Awards. The film made history by becoming the first Pixar film to feature an African-American protagonist played by Academy award-winning actor Jamie Foxx, and it also featured a majority Black leading cast, including Phylicia Rashad (voice of Libba), Questlove (voice of Curley), and Angela Bassett (voice of Dorothea).
- advertisement
Hall of Fame
Legendary comedian Eddie Muphy was inducted into the 52nd Annual NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame, presented by his best friend and long-time collaborator, Arsenio Hall.
Actress in a Motion Picture
In 2021, Viola Davis accepted the award for “Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture” for her Oscar-nominated performance in the 2020 film Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.
Watch the NAACP Image Awards on Saturday, February 26, 2022, at 8/9c.
