The second night of the NAACP Image Awards virtual ceremonies celebrated some of the biggest names in entertainment, with Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, and Kendrick Lamar taking home top honors. The prestigious event, hosted by Angel “ThatChickAngel” Laketa Moore and Marcus Tanksley, recognized outstanding achievements in music, film, television, and podcasts, setting the stage for the main broadcast on February 22.
Beyoncé, a long-time favorite at the Image Awards, added two more accolades to her already impressive collection, bringing her career total to 17 wins. She secured the Outstanding Female Artist award and also took home the Outstanding Album prize for her country-inspired project Cowboy Carter. Meanwhile, her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, continued to carve her own path in the industry, winning Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance for her role as Kiara in Mufasa: The Lion King.
Fresh from his Grammy triumph and an electrifying Super Bowl halftime performance, Kendrick Lamar won the Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song award for Not Like Us, his viral diss track that became a cultural phenomenon. In the film category, Netflix’s The Six Triple Eight, featuring an ensemble led by Kerry Washington, took home two awards: Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture and Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture, won by Ebony Obsidian.
Music and Podcast Winners Shine
In the music categories, Doechii was named Outstanding New Artist, solidifying her status as one of the industry’s rising stars. Chris Brown claimed Outstanding Male Artist, while his collaboration with Davido, Hmmm, won Outstanding International Song. Other winners included:
• Adam Blackstone & Fantasia– Summertime(Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration – Traditional)
• Wizkid & Brent Faiyaz– Piece of My Heart(Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration – Contemporary)
• Samara Joy– Portrait(Outstanding Jazz Album)
• Tamela Mann– Live Breathe Fight(Outstanding Gospel/Christian Album)
In the podcast categories, Ryan Michelle Bathé and Sterling K. Brown’s We Don’t Always Agree with Ryan & Sterlingwon Outstanding Podcast – Lifestyle/Self-Help, while Strandedwon Outstanding Podcast – Limited Series/Short Form.
Looking Ahead to the Main Event
The 56th NAACP Image Awards will air live on February 22 from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on BET and CBS. The ceremony will honor Vice President Kamala Harris with the Chairman’s Award, comedian Dave Chappelle with the President’s Award, and the Wayans family, who will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame.
Additionally, the broadcast will spotlight community support efforts for Altadena, Pacific Palisades, and Pasadena residents affected by recent wildfires. BET Media Group, NAACP, and various local organizations have launched the Altadena Community Preservation Fund, aimed at preventing displacement and preserving cultural heritage.
With the final night of the awards promising more surprises and high-profile honorees, the 56th NAACP Image Awards continues its tradition of recognizing Black excellence across entertainment and culture.
