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EntertainmentThe LatestTV

EXCLUSIVE: Issa Rae talks “Rap Sh*t” at ABFF

by Jan D.
written by Jan D.

Knockturnal had the chance to catch up with ABFF Ambassador, Issa Rae, to chat about her highly
anticipated series, Rap Sh*t.

The new comedy series follows two Miami-based rappers, Shawna (Aida Osman) and Mia (KaMillion)
attempting to find success in the music industry.

“It’s something for the summer!” Issa stated, “Whether you’re a creative in the music industry or just an
entrepreneur in general, there’s something to relate to in this particular story.”

In recent years, we’ve witnessed Issa Rae becoming a mogul with all of the other projects she’s done
leading up to this moment; from running her entertainment company (Hoorae Media), opening up a
black-owned coffee shop in Inglewood, gracing several magazine covers, and more. She
expressed to Knockturnal how making time for herself came with some challenges.

“I took all of January off and that was hard for me”, she explained. She went on to discuss why that
month was so grand. “My birthday is in January, the first day of the year is in January and that’s when
I’m the most productive”, she expressed. Taking that month off made her realize that rest is needed to
create space for new ventures.

Knockturnal also had the opportunity to attend the HBO Max Power of Visibility (POV) event to chat
with the behind-the-scenes talent of Rap Sh*t:  Eliza Diop, Chris Sanford, Montreal Mckay, Aida
Osman, and Nina Gloster.

The writers of Rap Sh*t made it clear that this show isn’t about the real-life popular rap duo City Girls.
The City Girls actually serves as co-executive producers for the show and they inspired some of the
character arcs in the series.

“We can’t come to Miami and tell the story without tapping in with the City Girls”, Montreal exclaimed as he spoke about the influence Miami female rappers had in the entertainment industry, “Everyone up here, including
Issa, has such reverence for what these women are doing now.”

Aida Osman, who’s a writer and also plays “Shawna” on the show, tells us about developing the
characters in the writers room, “In the writers room, we naturally tell our own personal stories that
relates to the characters. We get very personal and deeply vulnerable about our story especially being a creative that’s
sensitive about their work”.

Rap Sh*t will premiere July 21st on HBO Max.

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EntertainmentEventsThe LatestTV

EXCLUSIVE: The Proud Family cast talks Louder and Prouder at ABFF!

by Jan D.
written by Jan D.

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder!

Kyla Pratt, Paula Jai Parker, and Jo Marie Payton set the stage at ABFF to share what’s next for season
two on the highly anticipated series, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder.

The reboot is a continuation of the original series, which follows the misadventures of 14-year- old
Penny Proud (Kyla Pratt) as she navigates through life with her rambunctious family and friends. When
the show originally premiered in 2001, it became one of the first original animated series about a
suburban black family. The series recently made return, available to Disney+ members, with some of
the original cast joined with new characters and other celebrity guest star appearances.
The Knockturnal sat down with the cast last week at The American Black Film Festival to chat about the
show’s impact. Paula Jai Parker, voiced as Trudy Proud, stated “This is literally and figuratively the
project I am most proud of in my arsenal of work.” She goes on to mention the phenomenal fan art they
received during the show’s hiatus.

Kyla Pratt agreed the fan art was one of the reasons they pushed Disney to do a reboot since fans were
waiting. Kyla exclaimed, “We had so many people who showed their love for the show it wasn’t hard to
be like ‘Uhhh Disney, what you doing?’.”

While the stars were reflecting back on their favorite episodes and experiences, Jo-Marie Payton (Suga
Mama) decided to address the elephant in the room pertaining to their ex co-star Orlando Bloom, who
voiced Sticky. “I believe everybody should get a second chance.” She graciously adds on, “If Disney gives
him a shot to come back on as Sticky it would open the doors for other things to happen for him.”

You can now stream The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder on Disney+.

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EntertainmentFilmThe Latest

Exclusive: Ben Crump & Nadia Hallgren talks “Civil” at ABFF

by Jan D.
written by Jan D.

Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump and Director Nadia Hallgren graced us with their presence at the 26th annual American Black Film Festival. “Civil” was screened at The New World Center in Miami receiving a standing ovation from the festival-goers. This groundbreaking documentary follows the life of Civil Rights Attorney Ben Crump as he takes on different police brutality cases such as Breanna Taylor, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, and many more. This documentary amplifies the injustices in a society that should be unified and protected. 

The Knockturnal had the opportunity to chat with Ben and Nadia about the making of Civil and the Films influence. Ben started out by giving thanks to Kenya Barris who served as the producer for this project. 

“[Kenya Barris] could’ve done another comedy and played it safe but he knew this part of the black experience in America is equally important.” 

Nadia touched on the powerful impact the media had as it pertains to exposing the realities of what goes on in Black America. 

“People were coming out marching for George Floyd in South Korea, Austria, and all of these places so we know this was just a special moment that resonated throughout the world.” 

 At the end of the interview, Ben shared his sentiments and praises Nadia for including his mother in the documentary.  

 “For her to be able to see this in her lifetime meant a lot to me because all I have and all that I am to be is because of my mother’s sacrifice.” 

 “Civil” is now streaming on Netflix.

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EntertainmentEventsThe Latest

HBO Brings Rising Stars of Comedy to New York

by Naomi Pandolfi
written by Naomi Pandolfi

In the Esther & Carol’s intimate downstairs lounge, HBO held its New York Comedy Showcase on Wednesday, October 17th. As an extension of the American Black Film Festival in Miami, the showcase was hosted by Godfrey and featured the comedic talents of Blaq Ron, the winner of HBO’s ABFF Comedy Wings 2018, and runner-up Rita Brent.

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Events

ABFF Honors Announces Its Nominees for Television and Film of the Year

by Staff
written by Staff

Today, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced the 2016 ABFF Honors’ television and film nominees. ABFF Honors is an annual gala saluting excellence in motion pictures and television. Its mission is to celebrate Black culture by recognizing individuals, movies and television shows that have had a significant impact on American entertainment, as well as those who are proponents of championing diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. Actor and comedian Mike Epps will host this year’s ceremony on February 21 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

The winners of both the television and film categories will be determined by the 2016 ABFF Honors Awards Jury, a blue ribbon panel of actors, filmmakers, film critics and entertainment diversity executives. To qualify for nominations, a film must feature a lead actor of African descent and have had a U.S. theatrical release in 2015.  Television nominees must feature a lead actor of African descent or be created by a person of African descent.  The show must also have had a U.S. season premiere in 2015.

This year’s “Film of the Year” nominees addressed many current political, social and economic issues. Included are two biopics: one about hip-hop’s most revolutionary rap group, and the other about a doctor who challenged the NFL. Two nominees take us on the journey through the eyes of a child: one into the life of a child soldier, while the other follows a student from being a geek to being dope. Another contender stepped into the ring to give us a reboot of the “Rocky” franchise. Our final nominee pushed the envelope in a satire, which focused on the violence in Chicago based on an ancient Greek comedy. Our nominees for “Film of the Year” are:

BEASTS OF NO NATION (Netflix)

CHI-RAQ (Amazon Studios, Roadside Attractions)

CONCUSSION (Sony Pictures Entertainment)

CREED (Warner Bros. Entertainment)

DOPE (Open Road Films)

STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (Universal Pictures)

 

Many television shows over the past year have had us glued to our screens. There are five that topped our list to receive the “Television Show of the Year” honor. Four had us tuned in weekly to see what will happen next in the lives of the Lyons and Johnson families, as well as asking ourselves “Will Mary Jane ever find true love?” and “Will Ghost continue to live a double life?” Our final nominee gives new definition to “innocent until proven guilty.”  The nominees for “Television Show of the Year” are:

 

BEING MARY JANE (BET)

black-ish (ABC)

EMPIRE (FOX)

HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER (ABC)

POWER (STARZ)

 

“I have always believed that the Black artists in Hollywood would be more empowered if they were more committed to supporting one another, attending celebrations of their culture and relied less on mainstream validation of their work. I hope that the success of ABFF Honors will change things,” said Jeff Friday, President and CEO, ABFF Ventures and Creator of ABFF Honors.

In addition to recognizing the top television shows and films of the year, ABFF Honors will pay tribute to film legends, along with today’s creative forces, who together inspire the filmmakers and entrepreneurs of tomorrow. Iconic actress Diahann Carroll will be presented with the Hollywood Legacy Award, and television and film producer Will Packer will receive the Distinguished ABFF Alumni Award at the 2016 ABFF Honors. The Excellence in the Arts Award and Rising Star Award honorees will be announced in the coming weeks.

ABFF Honors will be one of the highlights of the Hollywood Awards season and Black History Month. The event is produced by ABFF Ventures (a partnership between Film Life and Black Enterprise) in association with de Passe Jones Entertainment. The 2016 ABFF Honors sponsors are Cadillac and BET Networks (Presenting Sponsors), Prudential Inc. and Moet Hennessy (Gold Sponsors) and Hilton Worldwide and Morgan Stanley (Corporate Sponsor).

 

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