Tag: BET Awards

List of 2013 BET Award Nominees:

Full list of 2013 BET Award Nominations:

Best Female R&B/Pop Artist:
Beyoncé
Tamar Braxton
Alicia Keys
Rihanna
Elle Varner

Best Male R&B/Pop Artist:
Chris Brown
Bruno Mars
Miguel
Justin Timberlake
Usher

Best Group:
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Mary Mary
Mindless Behaviour
Slaughterhouse
The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Best Collaboration:
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
French Montana f/ Rick Ross, Drake and Lil Wayne – Pop That
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Best Male Hip Hop Artist:
2 Chainz
A$AP Rocky
Drake
Future
Kendrick Lamar

Best Female Hip Hop Artist:
Azealia Banks
Eve
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Rye Rye

Video of the Year:
2 Chainz f/ Drake – No Lie
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Drake f/ Lil Wayne – HYFR
Kendrick Lamar f/ Drake – Poetic Justice
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis f/ Wanz – Thrift Shop
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie
Kanye West f/ Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz – Mercy

Video Director of the Year:
A$AP Rocky & Sam Lecca
Benny Boom
Director X
Dre Films
Hype Williams

Best New Artist:
Azealia Banks
Joey Bada$$
Kendrick Lamar
Trinidad Jame$
The Weeknd

Best Gospel Artist:
Deitrick Haddon
Lecrae
Tamela Mann
Mary Mary
Marvin Sapp

Best Actress:
Angela Bassett
Halle Berry
Taraji P. Henson
Gabrielle Union
Kerry Washington

Best Actor:
Don Cheadle
Common
Jamie Foxx
Samuel L. Jackson
Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award:
Gabrielle Douglas
Jacob Latimore
Keke Palmer
Jaden Smith
Quvenzhané Wallis

Best Movie:
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Django Unchained
Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Sparkle
Think Like A Man

Subway Sportswoman of the Year:
Gabrielle Douglas
Brittney Griner
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year:
Victor Cruz
Kevin Durant
Robert Griffin III
LeBron James
Ray Lewis

Coca-Cola Viewers Choice Award:
A$AP Rocky f/ Drake, 2 Chainz and Kendrick Lamar – Problems
Drake – Started From The Bottom
Kendrick Lamar – Swimming Pools (Drank)
Miguel – Adorn
Rihanna – Diamonds
Justin Timberlake f/ Jay-Z – Suit & Tie

Centric Award:
Tamar Braxton – Love and War
Fantasia – Lose To Win
Miguel – Adorn
Nas – Daughters
Charlie Wilson – My Love Is All I Have

Best International Act, Africa:
2Face Idibia (Nigeria)
Toya Delazy (South Africa)
Donald (South Africa)
Ice Prince (Nigeria)
R2Bees (Ghana)
Radio and Weasel (Uganda)

Best International Act UK:
Marsha Ambrosius
Estelle
Labrinth
Rita Ora
Emeli Sandé
Wiley

Watch the Lira Captured Tour Trailer

One week to go until Lira’s Captured film and DVD concert hits music stores around the country. Check out the promo above and for more information on the lovely Lira go to:

http://www.misslira.com/

Lira on Facebook

Lira on Twitter

She’ll be back in SA in a few weeks for a few gigs. I’ll be there, will you? 😉

Chris Brown’s Fortune debuts at #1

Chris Brown continues to win back his fan base with something that he is really good at… his music! The star’s latest album is called Fortune and it’s currently this week’s number one album in the US. The album debuted at number one, selling over 174 000 copies in its week of release. Now this isn’t as big as Bieber, who sold over 370 000 of his new album Believe, but Brown still has reason to celebrate. Well done to him.

Let me tell you this album is amazeballs. I was expecting a lot of ‘dancy’, electro vibes on the album, in light of the first two singles, Turn Up The Music and Don’t Wake Me Up, but let me tell you it’s quite the opposite. Those two songs are rad, but the rest of the album is oozing with R&B classics. In fact I’m just going to say it. This album will make an awesome make-out album 😉 Look out for songs like Please Don’t Judge Me,  Mirage (which features Nas) and the absolute cracker of a song called 2012.

Other good songs: Strip, which features Kevin McCall and Till I Die. This monster of a song is good, not my best but it works. Brown has enlisted the help of Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean on the track. I actually can’t fault Brown on the album at all. The packaging is great. The fans will love it and should this be his last album, as her alluded to at the recent BET Awards, then he bows out in true style.

Have a listen to Please Don’t Judge Me below:

In the space of two weeks I’ve received the new Justin Bieber, Usher and Chris Brown albums and the one that stands out from the rest definitely is this one. Bieber starts off well with a more grown up sound, but then he slips back into that teeny bopper; my dear fans lets sing along together vibe. That isn’t a bad thing but I’m just not the demographic he is targeting and that is fine. Plus he’s rocking the charts and the album scored him his fourth number one at the tender age of 18, so I’ve got mad respect for him. Usher’s album I’m going to need to listen to again to make more of a judgement, but then that would require that I take Brown’s album out of my CD player 🙂

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Winners at the 2012 BET Awards

And just like that, the BET Awards are done for another year. If you don’t have Top TV in SA you were like me in that we couldn’t watch the show sadly. I’m hearing that Cissy Houston‘s tribute to the late Whitney Houston was incredibly moving and fantastic. I also hear that Mariah’s performance was on point. Anyone reading this who did manage to catch the awards, please enlighten those of us in the dark.

What I can do is provide a list of the winners for this year:

Best Group – The Throne (Kanye West & Jay-Z)

Best Actor – Kevin Hart

Best New Artist – Big Sean

Best Male R&B Artist – Chris Brown

Best Female R&B Artist – Beyoncé Knowles

Best Collaboration – Wale ft. Miguel

Best Gospel Artist – Yolanda Adams

Sportsman of the Year – Kevin Durant

Sportswoman of the Year – Serena Williams

Best Female Hip Hop Artist – Nicki Minaj

Lifetime Achievement Award – Maze featuring Frankie Beverly

Video of the Year – Otis by Kanye West & Jay-Z

Centric Award – Common

Best International Act: Africa: Wizkid (Nigeria) and Sarkodi (Ghana)

Best International Act: UK: Emeli Sandé

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Best of luck to the lovely Lira

If you know me, you’ll know I’m a big fan of South African superstar Lira. She is one of the most talented vocalists I have ever had the privilege of seeing perform. You might say that is quite the statement but it’s true. Every performance she gives is unique, fresh and it’s clear she puts her heart and soul into each of them.

One of my favourite Lira moments was from the South African Music Awards back in 2008. It was the pre-party at The Palace. Jazz icon Jimmy Dludlu was performing in the banquet area while the guests were hobnobbing and mingling. Just before the end of his set he surprised the multiple SAMA winner by calling her to the stage. She could have chosen to say no, nice chance but instead she rose to the challenge and blew us all away. It was such an incredible moment. She was totally caught off guard but when you love what you do, it isn’t much of an effort and that sentiment was proved to me when Lira performed.

During one of my interviews with Lira, I also asked her to for an impromptu performance. The song I asked her to perform was called Believer off her album Soul in Mind. Just when I thought she couldn’t do better than the time she performed in Sun City, she had to go and blow me away again. Without any warm-ups or rehearsals, Lira managed to do what a lot of artists can’t. Simply perfection. Check it out below:

She is one of the most in demand stars in SA. She’s gracing the covers of magazines, doing radio and TV interviews all over the place and she manages to do all of this with a genuine smile on her face. She remains one of the most humble, friendly and approachable people I know in the industry. Trust me, when you work in entertainment you see how egos are inflated, personalities change and people become rude and unapproachable. Not Lira. She is always willing to assist where she can; she is the consummate professional and a pleasure to deal with.

Audio interview with Lira:

Tonight the star will be walking the red carpet at the BET Awards in Los Angeles.  She has been nominated in the  Best African Act category alongside Sarkodi, Wizkid, Camp Mulla and Ice Prince. While the competition is stiff and we’re hoping for the best, Lira has made us (her fans) proud. I have a feeling that something big will come out of this tour and I can’t wait to see it all play out. She deserves all the success in the world and I hope she gets that Grammy she has always wanted.

So to Lira, may you continue to shine, wow us with your talents. May your success grow, soar and may your Grammy dreams become a reality sooner rather than later. Much love, respect and success to you.

Watch more interviews with Lira here

Lira scores a BET nomination, Kanye dominates with 7

The nominations for this year’s BET Awards have been announced. Kim’s BF otherwise known as Kanye West leads the pack with seven nominations. The lovely Beyoncé follows closely behind with an impressive six nods and her hubby Jay-Z has five nominations.

It’s great to see these three leading the pack, but I’m particularly happy with our lovely Lira. She has been nominated in the Best International Act: Africa category, alongside a whole host of rad artists like Wizkid, Ice Prince and Camp Mulla. Such rad news!!! Big up Africa, but a particular big up to Miss Lira. Love her work. The awards are set to take place on the 1st of July in Los Angeles, with Samual L. Jackson serving as host. Check out a full list of this year’s nominees below:

Best Female R&B Artist: Marsha Ambrosius, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige, Melanie Fiona, Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist: Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Miguel, Trey Songz, Usher

Best Group: Bad Meets Evil, Diddy-Dirty Money, Maybach Music Group, Mindless Behavior, The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West)

Best Collaboration: Beyonce f/ J. Cole – “Party,” Big Sean f/ Kanye West & Roscoe Dash – “Marvin & Chardonnay,” DJ Khaled f/ Drake, Rick Ross & Lil Wayne – “I’m On One,” Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – “The Motto,” The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – “Otis,” Wale f/ Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb”

Best Male Hip Hop Artist: Big Sean, Drake, J. Cole, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy

Best Female Hip Hop Artist: Diamond, Nicki Minaj, Brianna Perry, Trina

Video of the Year: Beyonce – “Countdown,” Beyonce – “Love On Top,” The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) – “N***as in Paris,” The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – “Otis,” Usher – “Climax”

Video Director of the Year: Beyonce & Alan Ferguson, Benny Boom, Chris Brown & Godfrey Tabarez, Kanye West, Hype Williams

Best New Artist: A$AP Rocky, Big Sean, Diggy Future, Meek Mill

Best Gospel: Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, James Fortune & FIYA, Fred Hammond, Trin-I-Tee 5:7

Best Actress: Angela Bassett, Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Regina King, Zoe Saldana

Best Actor: Don Cheadle, Common, Idris Elba, Kevin Hart, Denzel Washington

YoungStars Award: Astro, Diggy, Jacob Latimore, Keke Palmer, Willow Smith

Best Movie: Good Deeds, Jumping The Broom, Laugh At My Pain, Red Tails, The Help

Subway Sportswoman of the Year: Skylar Diggins, Brittney Griner, Candace Parker, Serena Williams, Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year: Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Victor Cruz, Kevin Durant, LeBron James

Coca-Cola Viewer’s Choice Award: Beyonce – “Love On Top,” Chris Brown – “Turn Up the Music,” Drake f/ Lil Wayne & Tyga – “The Motto,” Mindless Behavior – “Hello,” The Throne (Jay-Z & Kanye West) f/ Otis Redding – “Otis,” Wale f/ Miguel – “Lotus Flower Bomb”

Centric Award: Common, Estelle, Robert Glasper, Robin Thicke, Tyrese

Best International Act: AfricaCamp Mulla (Kenya), Ice Prince (Nigeria), Lira (South Africa), Mokobe (Mali), Sarkodie (Ghana), Wizkid (Nigeria)

Best International Act: UK: Estelle, Labrinth, Emeli Sande, Sway, Wretch 32

Chris Brown suits up for ‘She Ain’t You’



R&B star Chris Brown has bounced back with a vengeance this year. Having hit the top of the charts with his new album F.A.M.E and scoring several top ten hits from there, the star is set to continue on that path with the release of his new track “She Ain’t You”. Last year at the BET Awards, Brown paid tribute (landed up in tears actually) to the late King Of Pop, Michael Jackson and in this video he continues to do that. The track samples MJ’s ‘Human Nature’ which is one of my personal favourite tracks. He is dressed in a white suit, which is very similar to what you will see in one of the greatest videos of all time, “Smooth Criminal“. The video is directed by Colin Tilley and it features his Seven from Richgirl. What do you think about the song and the video?

Janet Jackson speaks fondly of her big bro

mike3
Janet Jackson broke her silence since the sudden death of her older brother Michael Jackson at last night’s BET Awards. This is what she said, “To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family and he will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much, thank you so much.” Here is what she had to say:

Another moving tribute came from Jamie Foxx and Ne-Yo, when they sang a version of “I’ll Be There” as you can see in the above video. Powerful! Foxx hosted the awards and said it wasn’t a time to be sad, but rather a time to celeb the greatness that is and will always be Michael Jackson, “We are going to celebrate this black man – this black man. He belongs to us, and we shared him with everybody else.”

Winners at this year’s BET Awards include:
* Video of the Year: Beyonce Knowles – “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”
* Best Male R&B Artist: Ne-Yo
* Best Female R&B Artist: Beyonce Knowles
* Best Male Hip-Hop Artist: Lil Wayne
* Best Female Hip-Hop Artist: M.I.A.
* Best Group: DAY26
* Best New Artist: Keri Hilson
* Viewer’s Choice: T.I. feat. Rihanna – “Live Your Life”
* Best Collaboration: Jamie Foxx feat. T-Pain – “Blame It”
* Video Director of the Year: Benny Boom
* Centric Award: Jazmine Sullivan
* Best Gospel Artist: Mary Mary
* Best Actor: Will Smith
* Best Actress: Taraji P. Henson
* Best Male Athlete: LeBron James
* Best Female Athlete: Serena Williams
* Humanitarian Award: Alicia Keys and Wyclef Jean
* Lifetime Achievement Award: The O’Jays

Celebrating Keri Hilson

This lady is wicked and I don’t think she gets as much credit she deserves… So here I am doing my bit, showcasing the lovely, the super-talented, Keri Hilson. She started out in the game back in 2001. She has since gone on to produce tracks for the likes of Britney, Ciara, Xzibit, Usher and Ludacris, among many others. Keri has been nominated for 4 BET awards including:

– BEST FEMALE R&B ARTIST
– BEST COLLABORATION – “TURNIN ME ON” FT LIL WAYNE
– BEST NEW ARTIST
– VIEWERS CHOICE AWARD – “TURNIN ME ON” FT LIL WAYNE

The awards air on the 28th of June at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Check out the full list of nominees here

So what are some of her favourite tracks? Check out this video as Keri talks about writing songs:

Here’s a track she did with Timbaland. It’s called “Return The Favour”.


You can also see her with Timbaland and Nicole Scherzinger in the song called “Scream”

This is the latest track from Ms Hilson called “Knock Me Down”. It features Kanye West and NeYo:

Check out Keri on the web:
On Youtube- http://www.youtube.com/user/KeriHilson
On Twitter- http://twitter.com/MissKeriBaby
On her site- http://www.kerihilsonmusic.com/