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Sheryl Lee Ralph Presents Jennifer Hudson with the Renaissance Award at ABFF Honors 2026

The video captures the emotional moment when Sheryl Lee Ralph presents Jennifer Hudson with the Renaissance Award at the ABFF Honors 2026.

Here’s a summary of the key highlights:

Introduction by Sheryl Lee Ralph (0:00-1:39): Sheryl Lee Ralph expresses her honor in presenting the award, recalling a touching gesture from Jennifer Hudson when they first worked together.

Jennifer Hudson's Undeniable Talent (1:41-3:07): Ralph highlights Hudson’s powerful voice, which first gained attention 22 years ago, and how she has since expanded her career, built her own stage, and created her own lane, giving the world the "spirit tunnel."

"Dreamgirls" Legacy (3:08-5:58): Ralph, an original "Dream Girl" on Broadway, speaks to the significance of Hudson’s portrayal of Effie Melody White in the film adaptation, emphasizing how Hudson resurrected the role and showcased the power of Black stories and voices.

Journey to Stardom and EGOT Status (6:01-10:06): A video montage chronicles Jennifer Hudson’s rise from a Disney cruise singer to an "American Idol" contestant, her Oscar-winning role in "Dreamgirls," her Grammy-winning music career, Broadway success in "The Color Purple," Emmy for "Baba Yaga," and finally, her Tony Award for "A Strange Loop," making her the youngest woman and Black woman to achieve EGOT status.

Renaissance Woman Recognition (10:07-11:20): Hudson is celebrated for embodying the definition of a Renaissance woman, showing grace and unwavering strength through good times and hard, with unfaltering commitment to her family, community, faith, and art. The American Black Film Festival Honors proudly presents her with the 2026 Renaissance Award.

Jennifer Hudson's Acceptance Speech (11:33-17:00): An emotional Jennifer Hudson thanks Sheryl Lee Ralph, Nicole and Jeff for creating the space, and reflects on her journey as a young Black girl from Chicago. She emphasizes the importance of dreams, learning from failures, and bringing her son and other young boys to events like this to inspire them about their limitless potential and the greatness they can achieve. She concludes by saying, "to be young, gifted, and black. That's what this room is."

Singles That Killed an Era in The 2020s

This video highlights eight singles (0:10) released in the 2020s that significantly hindered or "killed" the intended success of their respective album eras due to various reasons, from poor reception to controversy and misguided promotional efforts (0:03).

The featured singles include:

"Yummy" by Justin Bieber (0:16): This song suffered from a desperate rollout and failed to connect with critics and listeners, poisoning the Changes album era (0:43-1:11).

"J Christ" by Lil Nas X (1:37): Despite anticipation for his Dream Boy era, this single sparked immediate backlash due to its controversial religious imagery and underperformed commercially (2:00-2:32).

"Mother" by Meghan Trainor (3:03): Intended to capitalize on the viral success of "Made You Look," "Mother" was seen as inauthentic and failed to gain traction, leading to the fizzling out of her era (3:26-3:54).

"Think U The Sht (Fart)" by Ice Spice** (3:57): This lead single for her Y2K album was instantly mocked for its lyrics and faced accusations of copying, effectively killing the early hype (4:39-5:14).

"Falling Back" by Drake (5:34): Drake's pivot to house and dance music with this single from Honestly, Nevermind was met with harsh criticism for its boring production and failed to connect with fans (5:56-6:18).

"No Angels" by Justin Timberlake (6:44): Released as a follow-up single, "No Angels" was considered bland and failed to chart meaningfully, becoming the "nail in the coffin" for his Everything I Thought I Was album (7:13-7:43).

"I LUV IT" by Camila Cabello featuring Playboi Carti (7:50): This single, marking a chaotic hyperpop pivot for her CXOXO album, was called a "failed experiment" and alienated her fanbase, ending her mainstream success streak (8:19-8:58).

"Woman's World" by Katy Perry (9:03): Intended as an empowering anthem, this single was slammed for its hypocritical message due to her collaboration with Dr. Luke and was deemed musically cheesy, marking a career low (9:26-10:05).

The 7 Levels of Singer

This video categorizes singers into seven distinct levels (0:00), from "Tone Deaf" to "God Tier," based on their vocal ability across various popular genres like Pop, R&B, Gospel, Country, and Rock.

Here's a breakdown of each level:

Tone Deaf (0:18-2:25): This level includes individuals who cannot sing under any circumstances, often making music for fun or for meme potential. Examples include Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and certain autotune rappers who use the effect incorrectly.

Studio Magic (2:25-5:17): Artists at this level can hold a note and sound good on record but heavily rely on studio production (autotune, pitch correction) and may struggle with live performances. This category often includes former Disney and Nickelodeon child actors like Selena Gomez and Hillary Duff, as well as some influencers.

Not Bad (5:17-9:38): These singers can perform well with or without autotune but may have had notoriously bad live performances or their singing is considered basic. JLo, Britney Spears, Enrique Iglesias, Fergie, and Rihanna are placed in this level.

Great (9:38-14:56): This level features artists with good tone and control, who perform consistently well both on records and live. They understand their vocal strengths and limitations. Examples include Demi Lovato, Bruno Mars, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, and Justin Bieber, as well as many top country artists.

Elite (14:56-20:14): Singers in this category are considered the upper echelon, often inspiring other vocalists with their technique and mastery. Artists like Brandy, Chris Stapleton, Chris Brown, Usher, Michael Jackson, Adele, Ariana Grande, Christina Aguilera, Jasmine Sullivan, and the Braxton sisters are highlighted here.

Powerhouse (20:14-23:55): This level consists of vocal athletes with incredible range and power, often making listeners stop in their tracks. It includes most gospel singers, along with mainstream artists like Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Tina Turner, and Beyoncé.

God Tier (23:55-28:28): The highest level, reserved for generational voices that are unique, immaculate, and have influenced countless other singers. Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Luther Vandross, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion are placed in this ultimate category.

Black Celebs React To Nicki Minaj Exposing Beyonce

This video discusses the backlash Nicki Minaj has received from black celebrities for her recent political alignment with Donald Trump and her accusations against Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Key points include:

Nicki Minaj's controversial shift: The video highlights how Nicki Minaj, once a critic of MAGA, has become a "token black woman" for the movement, betraying the Black American and LGBTQ+ communities who supported her career (1:11-1:33).

Accusations against Beyoncé and Jay-Z: Nicki Minaj has accused Beyoncé and Jay-Z of sabotaging her career and engaging in "satanic rituals." She also referred to Jay-Z as a "PDF file" (1:44-2:06). These accusations intensified after the release of the Epstein files (1:47-1:50).

Celebrity reactions: Don Lemon called Nicki Minaj "unhinged" and "homophobic" after she attacked him on Twitter for a video he shared (5:22-6:02). He also brought up her husband's status as a registered sex offender and her brother's criminal record (5:53-6:00).

DL Hughley criticized Nicki Minaj for her statements about Governor Gavin Newsom, emphasizing that she should be more concerned about her husband's legal restrictions regarding children due to his past (6:34-7:34).

Tiffany Pollard expressed disappointment in Nicki Minaj's recent actions, suggesting she spend time with "progressive figures" like Bruce Springsteen to regain her former self (8:31-9:33). Dr. Umar theorized that the Republican party strategically chose Nicki Minaj as a replacement for Candace Owens to push their agenda, given Nicki Minaj's larger reach (9:34-10:43).

Audience reaction to Beyoncé and Jay-Z: Despite Nicki Minaj's revelations, some viewers expressed disappointment with Beyoncé for staying with Jay-Z, believing he has tainted her legacy (10:44-11:15).

Fefe Dobson was ROBBED by Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, & Selena Gomez? Tyla accused of copying Ayra Starr

The video discusses instances of artists being accused of copying concepts and styles from other artists. The host highlights two main topics:

Tyla accused of copying Ayra Starr (1:35): Tyla has been accused of taking concepts from fellow African artist Ayra Starr. This includes the use of the term "A-pop" for her album and a song title similar to Ayra Starr's.

The video notes that both artists aim to be the face of African pop music, leading to them being pitted against each other.

Fefe Dobson's style allegedly copied by Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, and Selena Gomez (6:30): The video claims that Fefe Dobson, an early 2000s pop and rock artist, had her music and aesthetic copied by Miley Cyrus and Selena Gomez, while her overall style inspired Rihanna's rebrand.

The host suggests that the music industry sidelined Dobson, a young Black artist in pop-rock, and instead gave her concepts to more "marketable" artists.

Why has Britney Spears reportedly sold rights to music catalogue? • FRANCE 24 English

This video reports on Britney Spears selling the rights to her entire music catalog to Primary Wave, an independent music publisher (0:00). While the exact price and terms haven't been officially confirmed, some sources suggest the deal was worth around $200 million (0:06). Here's a breakdown of the key points: Details of the deal (0:29-1:13): Selling music rights means giving up royalties from music consumption, usage, performances, and songwriting. TMZ was the first to report the news, stating Spears signed documents on December 30, but without price details. Britney Spears' music career (1:27-1:41): Britney Spears has sold nearly 150 million records worldwide, with nine studio albums since her 1999 debut. Future in music (1:57-2:22): Spears has disputed rumors of a new album and stated on Instagram that she would never return to the music industry or perform in the US again, though she teased a desire to perform overseas with one of her sons. Other artists selling catalogs (2:51-3:29): Britney Spears is not the only artist to sell her music catalog. Other high-profile artists who have done so include Bruce Springsteen (reportedly for $500 million), Justin Timberlake (over $100 million), Shakira (undisclosed sum), and Justin Bieber ($200 million). Advantages and disadvantages of selling catalogs (3:38-4:14): Advantages: Income no longer depends on song popularity or future industry crises. Disadvantages: Upfront payment might be lower than long-term gains, and artists lose control over how their work is used (e.g., commercial licensing). Artists buying back catalogs (4:26-5:01): Many artists, including Jay-Z, Dua Lipa, and Rihanna, are buying back their catalogs. Taylor Swift famously re-recorded her first six albums to own new versions after a disagreement with her record label, which quickly became more popular than the old ones.

Rosalía Cooks Tortilla de Patatas | Now Serving | Vogue

In this video, Rosalía shares her personal recipe for two classic Spanish dishes: tortilla de patatas (Spanish potato omelette) and pa amb tomàquet (tomato-rubbed bread). Key highlights from the video: Tortilla de Patatas Ingredients & Prep (0:43-1:50): Rosalía outlines the basic ingredients for her tortilla: onions, eggs, olive oil, and potatoes. She emphasizes the importance of good quality ingredients and caramelizing the onions slowly. Cooking Philosophy & Friends (1:58-3:08): Rosalía talks about how cooking forces her to be present. She also opens a bottle of wine to share with friends who join her in the kitchen, making the cooking process a social event. Preparing the Potatoes (4:45-5:27): She demonstrates how to peel and "chascar" (break imperfectly) the potatoes, explaining that this technique creates varied textures in the final dish. Pa amb Tomàquet (7:09-8:33): Rosalía prepares the traditional Catalan tomato bread, showing how to rub ripe tomatoes onto bread, add garlic, olive oil, and salt. Assembling and Flipping the Tortilla (9:19-12:15): She mixes the fried potatoes with the eggs and discusses the consistency. The video also shows her (with some humorous struggles) flipping the tortilla in the pan. Final Dish & Tasting (12:40-13:42): Rosalía presents the finished tortilla de patatas and pa amb tomàquet. She tastes the tortilla and candidly admits it needs more salt, but still praises its flavor.

Why Do They Always Overdose?

This video, "Why Do They Always Overdose?", delves into the tragic phenomenon of celebrity drug overdoses, analyzing the cases of Elvis Presley, Whitney Houston, and Mac Miller from a "drug nerd's perspective" (1:06). The host examines the types of drugs each celebrity used, the reasons behind their drug use, and the circumstances surrounding their deaths. Here's a breakdown of the key points: Elvis Presley (1:11): Elvis's death in 1977 is debated as either a heart attack or an overdose, though drug use was a significant factor in his deterioration (1:54). He was prescribed various "uppers" like amphetamines (3:16) for energy and confidence for performances (3:59), and "downers" and sleeping pills (4:39) to counteract the side effects of the uppers. His dependence on antihistamines and laxatives (5:01) hinted at opioid use (5:24), which was confirmed by autopsy reports listing codeine and morphine (6:03). His death was likely due to central nervous system depressants, causing shallow breathing and lack of oxygen (10:21). Whitney Houston (13:02): Whitney's drug use, particularly cocaine and freebase (20:49), was initially rumored and later confirmed as her career progressed (15:09). Her drug use is linked to the pressure of her highly demanding career, with stimulants providing confidence and suppressing self-doubt (17:20). The video argues that toxic relationships, like hers with Bobby Brown, can have similar negative effects on health as drug addiction (19:17). Her official cause of death was drowning due to atherosclerotic heart disease and cocaine use (24:04), with cocaine use contributing to plaque buildup in her arteries (24:15). Mac Miller (25:19): Mac Miller's drug use, including lean (promethazine and codeine) (28:11), was openly discussed in his music and public persona (27:39). Lean provided a way to cope with the pressures of his lifestyle and unresolved trauma (30:25). After a period of sobriety, a breakup led to a spiral back into drug use (32:36). Mac's death was an accidental overdose from a counterfeit oxycodone pill containing fentanyl (34:40). The uneven distribution of fentanyl in illegally pressed pills can lead to accidental fatal doses (35:30). His death was likely peaceful, as opioid overdoses typically involve falling asleep (36:34).

Top 10 Bad Bunny Songs

This video presents a Top 10 list of Bad Bunny's most influential songs (0:06-0:15), highlighting how they redefined Latin music by blending reggaeton, trap, and cultural commentary. Here's a summary of the featured songs: "Yonaguni" (0:25-1:34) is noted for its melancholic tone, Japanese lyrics, and themes of longing and regret, marking a shift from his usual high-energy style. "NUEVAYOL" (1:44-2:42) from his 2025 album, fuses Dominican Dembow with Puerto Rican cultural memory, sampling a classic salsa tune to create a modern, politically charged anthem. "La Canción" (2:59-3:50), a collaboration with J Balvin, is a reflective track that captures the pain of a failed relationship, proving reggaeton's capacity for emotional depth. "El Apagón" (4:11-5:03) is a political commentary on Puerto Rico's power outages, gentrification, and systemic neglect, blending traditional bomba rhythms with modern electronic sounds. "Yo Perreo Sola" (5:18-6:07) challenges reggaeton's machismo by focusing on a woman's right to dance freely, amplified by Bad Bunny's performance in drag in the music video. "Dákiti" (6:27-7:14) made history as the first all-Spanish language song to debut in the Billboard Hot 100's top 10, showcasing his ability to blend underground reggaeton with global pop appeal. "Soy Peor" (7:22-8:14) introduced Bad Bunny's "sad bunny" persona, characterized by emotional rawness and bitterness, and helped popularize trap in Spanish. "DTMF" (8:33-9:23) is an emotional anchor from his Debarmas Photos album, blending reggaeton, plena, and hip-hop to reflect on memory and regret. "Tití Me Preguntó" (9:45-10:29) transforms a relatable family interrogation about love life into an explosive hit, celebrating Latin culture and youthful freedom. "Safaera" (10:52-11:50) is described as his wildest and most ambitious track, featuring multiple sections, dramatic beat switches, and throwback references to early 2000s reggaeton.

Celine Dion Wishes THIS Rihanna Song Was Hers

Celine Dion shares some of her favorite songs and artists (0:06). She playfully expresses her wish that Rihanna's song "Love On the Brain" (0:02) had been hers (0:24). Celine also highlights her admiration for Lauren Daigle (0:46) and even asks Guy Sebastian and James Blunt if they would write songs for her (0:57). In a surprising turn, she reveals her son Eddie's influence has made her a fan of Metallica, specifically their 1996 hit "Until It Sleeps" (1:30).