Da Brat & Judy Dupart Tie the Knot on 2/22/22: ‘A Dream Come True’

Congratulations are in order for Da Brat and Judy Dupart, who officially tied the knot on the most magical day of the year.

The couple, who revealed they were dating in a sweet Instagram post back in 2020, got married on Tuesday (Feb. 22) in a ceremony held at the Horse Mansion in Fairburn, Georgia with one hundred guests in attendance, according to People, who published photos from the gorgeous, flower-adorned event.

The newlyweds arrived to their wedding in Cinderella-esque horse-drawn carriages, both rocking dresses designed by Esé Azénabor. They then walked down the aisle together to the tune of “Here and Now” by Luther Vandross. Jermaine Dupri escorted Brat down the aisle while Dupart’s brother Damon Dupart Sr. walked her down the aisle.

“Everything about her made me want her to be mine forever,” Da Brat told the publication. “And I felt like I knew it not much longer than from the day we met.”

“We’ve been calling each other twin flames for a while. So this date, 2/22/22, is a significant event. We just didn’t want to miss it because it comes once in a lifetime,” Dupart added of their special wedding date. “It’s relevant. It’s just real significant to our relationship. It signifies angel numbers, and it also is reminiscent of twin flames.”

Da Brat and Dupart also shared photos from the wedding in a joint Instagram post, with the caption, “Yesterday was a DREAM COME TRUE . We OFFICIALLY are BOTH Mrs. Harris-Dupart [pink heart emojis]. Being surrounded by our closest family and friends we celebrated our LOVE STORY . WE IZ MARRIED NAH.”

See the couple’s post here. Da Brat and Dupart are also expecting their first child together, revealing via Instagram in January that they are “EXTENDING the family.”

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‘The Daily Show With Trevor Noah’ Is a Double Winner in 2022 NAACP Image Awards’ Pre-Telecast Awards

The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, Red Table Talk and the film The Harder They Fall each won two awards on night three of the NAACP Image Awards’ pre-telecast awards.

The Daily Show With Trevor Noah took outstanding variety or game show, while Noah also won for outstanding host in a reality/reality competition, game show or variety (series or special). The show has been Emmy-nominated for outstanding variety talk series the last four years running. Noah is set to host the 64th annual Grammy Awards on April 3. It will be his second year in a row hosting the show.

Red Table Talk won outstanding talk series, while its hosts Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris and Willow Smith won outstanding host in a talk or news/information (series or special).

The Harder They Fall won outstanding ensemble cast in a motion picture, while Jeymes Samuel, who directed, co-wrote, co-produced and scored the film, won outstanding breakthrough creative (motion picture).

The NAACP Image Awards are following the lead of the Primetime Emmys in stripping their “pre-telecast” awards across an entire week.

Shaka King won two NAACP Image Awards on Tuesday for his work on the film Judas and the Black Messiah. The filmmaker won for outstanding directing in a motion picture and shared the award for outstanding writing in a motion picture.

“Jemele Hill Is Unbothered” was the only double winner on Monday. It won for outstanding society and culture podcast and outstanding arts and entertainment podcast.

Will Smith, who received two Oscar nominations for his work on King Richard, won an NAACP Image Award on Monday for outstanding literary work – biography/autobiography for Will. Smith is also nominated for outstanding actor in a motion picture and outstanding motion picture. Those awards will be presented on the 53rd NAACP Image Awards, which are set to air on Saturday (Feb. 26) at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET.

Non-televised awards will be announced nightly through Friday Feb. 25 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on naacpimageawards.net and the NAACP Image Awards YouTube channel.

Billboard will update this story each night this week with the most recent winners on top.

Wednesday, Feb. 23

Outstanding Talk Series: Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow Smith- Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series: Wild ‘n Out (VH1)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble: Trevor Noah- The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Variety or Game Show (Series or Special): The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special): The Reidout (MSNBC)

Outstanding Documentary (Television): High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America (Netflix)

Outstanding Children’s Program: Family Reunion (Netflix)

Outstanding Animated Series: We the People (Netflix)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television): Cree Summer- Rugrats (Nickelodeon)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – Motion Picture: Letitia Wright- Sing 2 (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture: Danny Boyd Jr.- Bruised (Netflix)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture): Jeymes Samuel- The Harder They Fall (Netflix)

Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture: The Harder They Fall (Netflix)

Outstanding International Motion Picture: 7 Prisoners (Netflix)

Outstanding Guest Performance: Maya Rudolph- Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Special Award: Roy Wilkins Civil Rights Award: Members of the Mexican American Legislative Caucus, Texas House Democratic Caucus, and Texas Legislative Black Caucus

 

Tuesday, Feb. 22

Outstanding Short-Form Series – Comedy or Drama: “Between the Scenes” – The Daily Show (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction: “Token of a Great Day:  Lynching Postcards” (Paramount +)

Outstanding Short-Form (Live Action): “When the Sun Sets (Lakutshon’ Ilanga)” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Short-Form (Animated): “Us Again” (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series: Issa Rae- Insecure – Episode #510 “Everything’s Gonna Be, Okay?!” (HBO)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series: Davita Scarlett- “The Good Fight” – 505, “And the Firm Had Two Partners” (Paramount +)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special: Abdul Williams- “Salt-N-Pepa” (Lifetime Movie Network)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture: Shaka King, Will Berson, Kenny Lucas, Keith Lucas- Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series: Bashir Salahuddin, Diallo Riddle – South Side – “Tornado” (208) (HBO Max)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series: Barry Jenkins- The Underground Railroad “Indiana Winter” (Amazon Studios)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special: Kenny Leon- Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (Lifetime)

Outstanding Directing in a Documentary: Samantha Knowles, Yoruba Richen, Geeta Gandbhir, Nadia Hallgren- Black and Missing–  Ep 103 (HBO)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture: Shaka King- Judas and the Black Messiah (Warner Bros. Pictures)

Special Award: NAACP Activist of the Year: Scot X. Esdaile, president of the Connecticut State Conference of NAACP Branches and a member of the NAACP national board of directors.

 

Monday, Feb. 21

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction: Long Division – Kiese Laymon (Simon & Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work – Nonfiction: The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story – Nikole Hannah-Jones (Penguin Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author: Just as I Am – Cicely Tyson (Amistad)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/Autobiography: Will – Will Smith (Penguin Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional: Feeding the Soul (Because It’s My Business) – Tabitha Brown (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry: Perfect Black – Crystal Wilkinson (University Press of Kentucky)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children: Stacey’s Extraordinary Words – Stacey Abrams, Kitt Thomas (HarperCollins)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens: Ace of Spades – Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé (Feiwel & Friends / Macmillan)

Outstanding News and Information Podcast: “Blindspot: Tulsa Burning”

Outstanding Lifestyle/Self-Help Podcast: “Two Funny Mamas,” Sherri Shepherd & Kym Whitley

Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast: “Jemele Hill Is Unbothered”

Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast: “Jemele Hill Is Unbothered”

Special Award: Youth Activist of the Year: Channing Hill, NAACP chapter president, Howard University.

Here’s a link to a complete list of nominees for the 53rd annual NAACP Image Awards.

 

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Christina Aguilera Talks Spanish EP, Motherhood & More During Twitter Space With Billboard

In honor of Billboard‘s upcoming Women in Music celebration on March 2, Christina Aguilera joined us for a candid conversation via Twitter Spaces on Wednesday (Feb. 23) where she talked all things music and motherhood.

During her chat with Billboard‘s Leila Cobo, the “Santo” singer also announced her upcoming first-of-its-kind NFT Billboard cover, illustrated by YAM, artist and founder of World of Women, which will be unveiled next week to coincide with the Billboard Women in Music Awards (livestreaming on Twitter starting at 9 p.m. ET on March 2).

“[The cover] is super special,” the chart-topping artist said during the 30-minute conversation. “Combined with Billboard and an incredible artist who does beautiful imagery of women and a really cool take on what that means. I’m so excited to see for the first time along with everyone else.”

Aguilera most recently released the first part of her Spanish project, an EP titled La Fuerza, which comes more than 20 years since her first Spanish-language album, Mi Reflejo. “As an artist you can’t stay stuck. [Trying new things] can be scary and I’m not as confident writing in Spanish as I am in English, but its so special to me. You’re never too old old to learn something new.”

Below, five memorable quotes from Aguilera’s Twitter Space:

The desire to sing in Spanish again 

“I’ve always had it in me. I never stopped singing in Spanish. Whenever the opportunities came about where I was really passionate about a project, I’d go for it. I always say when you grow up with something, if it’s part of your household, my mom was fluent in Spanish, that’s how she met and connected with my dad, who’s from Ecuador. I heard the language so much. I always say, when it’s in you, it never leaves you.”

Her littlest (but biggest) fan 

“Being a mother and wanting to share this process with my children, it was an education within itself; letting them be part of this and moving to Miami for a month and spend time with them in the studio while recording Spanish music. I tell my kids where this music comes from. I don’t listen to my own music because I’m a perfectionist but my daughter when she gets in the car, all she wants to listen to is ‘La Fuerza’ and I’m so excited to get to share this with her. She’s very into it. It’s been well-received by my biggest little fan.”

Embracing motherhood 

“Everyone has a different relationship with their children and what it means to them to be a mom. [As mothers], we are protectors and nurturers, the glue that keeps it together, that’s the main part of La Fuerza. Being a mom also you just want what’s best for them. You don’t want anything to affect them in a negative way. I try to separate these two worlds. I honor and respect my family and our dynamic and making sure they know mommy’s work is just that. I miss my kids a lot when I can’t be with them but I make sure that if I can’t be there for school days to do the little things for them. Making sure that they know they’re safe, loved and secure.”

Tapping Nathy Peluso, Nicki Nicole and Becky G for “Pa’ Mis Muchachas” 

“It’s important to support women and you can take the easy way out sometimes to do what the public will expect, but all of my career I’ve gone for the unexpected. All my career I’ve gone for it doesn’t matter who’s charting. The talented self speaks to me and much of the time that doesn’t include everybody that’s on the charts. Some of that can get to be a bit manufactured. It’s always good energy to work with other women.”

The next chapters in her Spanish project 

“Fans have waited for so long so I wanted to give them surprises throughout the year. The first chapter is ‘La Fuerza’ and each body of work represents a different tone and different mood and a different release of the journey that I’m on as a woman. You start with the strength, and we’re going to be more tender and open up to be a bit more vulnerable with the material in the next chapter and then we’ll close on this healing note. It was very personal to me. I wanted it to come from the heart.”

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Here Are the Lyrics to Future’s ‘Worst Day’

For a player like Future, Valentine’s Day is the “Worst Day,” and he unloaded the stress of pleasing multiple women on his 2022 single.

The song, released just days before Valentine’s Day, of course, comes on the heels of his first Hot 100 chart topper, his 2021 “Way 2 Sexy” collaboration with Drake.

If you need a guide to follow along with Future’s “Worst Day,” find the lyrics below:

Valentine’s is the worst day

Valentine’s Day, the worst day, got too many to please
I popped a half a pink pill, and put my mind at ease
I bought you all these gifts, tearin’ your heart all in pieces
Tried to pass out new whips, yeah, but all they want is me
Got a Glock under her pillow, she blowin’ for my gang
Not tryna lie to you, I don’t wanna explain
Took off on a store run and jumped on a plane
Every single birthday, another private location

Valentine’s Day, the worst day, got too many to please
Spent over a hunnid Gs and she still wasn’t pleased
I done gave her a hundred Gs, all she want is me
It’s a treat when we meet up, whenever we meet
She just want me to be there on February 14
I come through when I get a chance, but gotta be brief
Tote a LV briefcase, I’m just keepin’ it a G
Made it out the trenches, got more stripes than a zebra
When you got more than one, two, three, four, five, six bi—es
Valentine’s the worst day, when a n—a rich
Got more than one, got Catholics, got Christians
Got a Muslim, got Egyptians, they sayin’ they miss me
Won’t settle for no quickie, got ’em waitin’ up in they Vickies
I leave out and go missin’
I done traveled a long distance, bought a house in another city
Tried to talk to you, but I know you won’t get it
I know if it don’t kill you, you gon’ feel it

Valentine’s Day, the worst day, got too many to please
I popped a half a pink pill, and put my mind at ease
I bought you all these gifts, tearin’ your heart all in pieces
Tried to pass out new whips, yeah, but all they want is me
Got a Glock under her pillow, she blowin’ for my gang
Not tryna lie to you, I don’t wanna explain
Took off on a store run and jumped on a plane
Every single birthday, another private location

Through the laughin’ and the cheerin’, prayin’ for a better day
I’m gettin’ mine, gettin’ it in, smashin’ on acceleration
Do it times ten, upper echelon, heavyweight
Workin’ out my differences with hard work and dedication
Long-distance, in and out, whenever we link up
Trench to the floor, keep a ho to pick my mink up
Make reservations just to check in my coat
My inspiration, never let it drag on the floor
I’m turnin’ up some more, I done been too damn broke
Feel like I’m God-level, so many chicks I adore
Avoidin’ the hurt, ridin’ in circles in a Aventador
Choose one and you gon’ make the other ones feel less important

Valentine’s Day, the worst day, got too many to please (too many to please)
I popped a half a pink pill, and put my mind at ease (put my mind at ease)
I bought you all these gifts, tearin’ your heart all in pieces (tearin’ your heart all in pieces)
Try to pass out new whips, yeah, but all they want is me (all they want is me)
Got a Glock under her pillow, she blowin’ for my gang (she blowin’ for my gang)
Not tryna lie to you, I don’t wanna explain (don’t wanna explain)
Took off on a store run and jumped on a plane (jumped on a jet)
Every single birthday, another private location (private location)

Ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh
Forever my lady (ooh-woah, oh)
Forever my lady (woah, oh)
Valentine’s Day, the worst day, got too many to please
I popped a half a pink pill, and put my mind at ease
I bought you all these gifts, tearin’ your heart all in pieces
Tried to pass out new whips, yeah, but all they want is me
Valentine’s Day, the worst day

Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Written by: Jasper Lee Harris, Nayvadius Wilburn, Russell Chell, Taurus Currie, Wesley Glass

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In teachers’ union election, challengers say leaders lost touch; incumbents point to raises

A new political caucus is hoping to unseat United Teachers of Dade’s leadership by focusing on three focus areas: advocacy, community and transparency. Alexandria Martin is running to become the … Click to Continue »
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A look at where Miami Dolphins could turn if they don’t re-sign Mike Gesicki

Part 4 of a 10-part series examining Dolphins positions from various angles, with today’s piece a second look at tight ends. Among the Dolphins’ biggest offseason decisions: whether to invest … Click to Continue »
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A man was stabbed to death at a Broward bus stop, cops say. An arrest has been made

A fight that began at a Broward bus stop ended with one man being stabbed to death in the street, according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office. David Vaz, 67, who … Click to Continue »
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Cruise lines are dropping their mask mandates. Here’s what you need to know

Three of Miami’s largest cruise operators, which are among the biggest in the world, are dropping their indoor mask requirements. As soon as Friday, most fully vaccinated cruise passengers on … Click to Continue »
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Schools in Rochester, Minnesota, monitor parents’ social media posts and have twice contacted critics’ employers

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After Rocky Launch, HitPiece Is Trying to Recruit Artists to the Platform

After sparking music industry outrage over a plan to auction an NFT for every song in the world — without first securing rights holders’ permission — NFT platform HitPiece now reaching out to artists’ teams in hopes of forging official partnerships. Co-founder Rory Felton also tells Billboard the company has hired Gary Greenstein of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati “to represent the company in discussions with rights owners and to advise HitPiece on legal matters.”

After HitPiece’s beta launch in caught the industry’s attention in February for pulling artwork and other information off of Spotify without artists’ permission, the backlash caused Felton’s company to pull its site offline. Days later, the RIAA — on behalf of the major labels — threatened a lawsuit against HitPiece and sent a public demand letter alleging that the NFT company had violated intellectual property rights.

On Feb. 18, in the wake of the controversy, according to correspondence reviewed by Billboard, HitPiece’s artist relations representative Utkarsh Uppal sent emails to artists’ teams with the subject line “Artwork license opportunity for the Metaverse.” In it, the company rep describes an artist partnership with HitPiece to be a “non-exclusive lucrative licensing opportunity” which will “enable fans to express their appreciation for the music they love by letting them display artwork associated with their favorite music on a digital/metaverse shelf when they buy an NFT.”

The emails also stated that “artists can earn a 90% royalty on initial auctions, and a 10% royalty on all resales between fans” and will offer a “cash advance and a partnership opportunity.” It briefly mentions the earlier beta launch, saying simply that “there was a limited beta test, and we are now implementing product features to ensure only Artists can control the minting and sale of their digital goods.” It does not mention the RIAA demand letter.

When Billboard asked the company for comment, Felton replied by saying, “HitPiece is in fact reaching out to artists…We think artists have the right to control their emotional connection with both their music and their fans and HitPiece is working to foster that engagement.” He added that HitPiece offers “some of the most attractive economics to artists for both initial sales and resales of NFTs.”

Felton’s statements mark a distinct pivot from the company’s beginnings last fall, prior to the beta launch, in which HitPiece used the names of bands like Cartel and Copeland in promotional emails, implying that the bands were official partners. But representatives from both bands, including Copeland’s Aaron Marsh, told Billboard they had never discussed NFTs with the company.

When the beta version of HitPiece’s site went up, artists of all sizes — from XXXTentacion to John Lennon to Left at London — were listed as if they had put their work up for auction with HitPiece, but most didn’t know it was happening. “All of my artists on the platform with NFTs up for sale were not authorized,” one independent label manager previously told Billboard. “I had never heard of the site before today, nor met with any representative for them.”

Following its beta launch, Billboard asked a HitPiece representative to explain how artists who were unknowingly listed on the site could get paid for sales of their NFTs. The company responded by stating, “The ability of artists or owners to be paid is a functionality that HitPiece is developing.”

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