The 2021 NAACP Image Awards were an epic celebration of Black talent and creativity. Actress Marsai Martin, Comedian Eddie Murphy, NBA Champion Stephen Curry and former President Barack Obama took all took home awards this year. While the night was a success for many, some fans were left wondering why their favorite movie, television series, albums and creatives were left out of the celebration. Pop Smoke, The Weeknd, Zendaya and several others were not nominated for awards at the NAACP Images Awards for the work throughout the past year.
Here are five major snubs from the 52nd Annual NAACP Image Awards.
Snub: Lil' Baby
Category: Outstanding Male Artist (Winner)
Reasoning: Lil' Baby is arguably one of the three biggest acts in Hip-Hop and undoubtedly one of the biggest acts in all of music at the moment. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, the Quality Control signee dominated the last year with songs like "Woah" and "We Paid" featuring 42 Dugg. Not to mention, his album, My Turn, debuted at number one and has gone triple platinum in under a year. Not only did Lil' Baby not win this year's "Outstanding Male Artist" award, but he wasn't nominated. Drake had a phenomenal year, but there was no male artist that had a better year than Lil' Baby. Not to mention, Roddy Ricch, Pop Smoke and Lil' Durk were also left out.
Snub: I May Destroy You
Category: Outstanding Comedy Series (Nomination)
Issa Rae took home the "Outstanding Comedy Series" award for her work on Insecure. Given the acting, writing and story arc of the show's latest season, it's hard to argue that Rae, Jay Ellis, Yonne Orji and Natsha Rothwell did not deserve the award. However, it is even harder to say that Michaela Coel's I May Destroy You didn't even deserve a nomination. The show's exploration of mental health, sexual violence, race, gender discrimination and much more is worthy of a nomination and consideration to win the category. Ultimately, Insecure is a more than deserving winner, but it's hard to say that I May Destroy You did not earn a nomination.
Snub: "The Box" by Roddy Ricch
Category: Outstanding Hip-Hop/Rap Song (Nomination)
Roddy Ricch stole the show in 2020 with "The Box." Released as a single last January, the song shot to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 Chart and stayed there for three months. During the first half of the year, it sold 4.7 million equivalent units. Ultimately, Roddy Ricch earned three nominations at the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards. It is impossible to tell the story of 2020 in music without mentioning the success of "The Box" by Roddy Ricch.
Snub: Da 5 Bloods, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, One Night In Miami
Category: Outstanding Motion Picture (Winner)
Just weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic shut theaters down, moviegoers piled into their seats to enjoy Will Smith and Martin Lawrence's return to the Bad Boys franchise. While the movie was entertaining and Smith and Lawrence did an incredible job, it was not the best movie of the year. It deserved recognition, but movies like Da 5 Bloods, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and One Night In Miami shined a bit brighter. Ultimately, any of those three movies, Da 5 Bloods, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom and One Night In Miami, would have deserved the award. Other aspects of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom were recognized, but One Night In Miami and Da 5 Bloods were not rewarded by the NAACP Image Awards for their incredible efforts.
Snub: After Hours by The Weeknd
Category: Outstanding Album (Winner)
The Weeknd was reportedly off of the GRAMMY nomination list due to disputes between the two parties. However, it is inexplicable that he was not rewarded for his work, let alone nominated for an award at the NAACP Image Awards. Whether it be "Male Artist of the Year" or "Outstanding Album," The Weeknd should have been recognized for his work during the After Hours era.
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