The nominations for the 88th Academy Awards were announced earlier today (January 14th). Aside from the fact that they have, always have, and will continue to, snub urban artists and actors/actresses of color until the day we all die, there was one pleasant surprise throughout it all: The Weeknd. The Canadian pop star received a nod for “Earned It,” his contribution to the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack, and will go up against the likes of Lady Gaga and Dianne Warren, Sam Smith and Jimmy Napes, David Lang, and J. Ralph and Antony Hegarty. Unfortunately, Wiz Khalifa – who many considered to be a lock for the Oscars for his chart-topper “See You Again” with Charlie Pugh – was left off of the list (he also lost his Golden Globe nod as well, to Sam Smith).
On the other hand: the GRAMMY Awards.
With Kendrick Lamar already setting the record for the most nominations for a rapper with 11, the organization will present Run-DMC with their Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award during the proceedings on February 15th. Rev. Run, DMC, and the late Jam Master Jay will be the first-ever rappers to receive the honor. Ironic, considering that the GRAMMY Awards have received flak for years decades for not airing any of the rap categories. Either way, congrats are in order to both Abel and Run-DMC.
