I think I might have been the only person watching the 40th NAACP Image Awards last night. Too bad, because those of y’all who skipped over it missed out. The show started off way better than the Grammys with Beyonce opening up and getting all teary eyed as pictures chronicling the NAACP’s last 100 years and other moments in black history filled screens behind her.

 

Halle Berry had both of her girls out in the beginning of the show and Tyler Perry’s suit was too small but they did a good job as hosts.

 

All kinds of people starting crying their eyes out during the Muhammad Ali tribute and I almost stood up in my living room and started clapping my damn self when they brought him on stage. Parkinson’s has definitely taken a toil on his body, but you can see in his eyes that he still has that killer fighters’ instinct. He actually mustered up the strength to clap after Jennifer Hudson’s searing song dedication to him.

 

 

By far, my favorite part of the night was Russell Simmons receiving the Vanguard Award.  I didn’t hear a word of what he said during his acceptance speech because I was too busy paying attention to his adorable little girls, but I’m sure he was talking about all of the projects he’s involved with and community activism. Simmons has his hands on everything. I love it.

 

Rather than give him the standard song and dance tribute, the NAACP enlisted three young Def Jam poets. My moms was spot on when she said that it was dope. I don’t ever think I’ve seen anything like it at an awards show before. I especially love the idea of calling Simmons the yoga mogul. 

 

 

 

For more pics go here.

Tags: 40th NAACP Image Awards, Def Jam Poets, Halle Berry, Jennifer Hudson, Muhammad Ali, NAACP, Russell Simmons, Tyler Perry