Russell Simmons to Hold the First All Def Movie Awards

Following the huge outcry and much needed attention towards The Oscar award’s lack of diversity or even acknowledgment of diversity (better known as #OscarSoWhite), Uncle Rush is using his latest venture, All Def Digital, to celebrate and recognize the many accomplishments and amazing performances from those who were seriously snubbed. All Def Digital is a multi-platform hip-hop and youth culture brand launched in 2013. The awards will take place on February 24th, just four days before the 2016 Oscars ceremony. It will also take place at the Hollywood’s Chinese Theater, just a few blocks away from the Oscar’s chosen venue. To add even more irony the awards will be hosted by Oscar’s host Chris Rock’s younger brother and fellow comedian Tony Rock. The awards ceremony will feature a black carpet for celebrity presenters, arrivals, and VIP guests, as well as a special music performance. The awards will honor Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director as well as Best Bad Muh F--ka and other often overlooked categories, such as Best Helpful White Person and Best Black Survivor in a Movie.The public is encouraged to vote for the two fan choice categories by going to their website, AllDefDigital.com. The first fan choice category is the “Most Quoted Movie”, which includes: The Color Purple, Coming to America, Scarface, Friday, and Training Day. The second fan choice category is the “Best Picture”, which includes: Straight Outta Compton, Beasts of No Nation, Creed, Chi-raq, Dope and Concussion. There will be an ongoing stream of video content on all of ADD’s social media channels before, during and after the event.

P.S. be sure to check out their YouTube channel, I promise you’ll thank me later.

“I don’t expect a 90-year-old Academy member to see ‘Straight Outta Compton’ or vote for it…I’m more concerned that in 2016 there continues to be a stunning lack of diversity in the studios, in the green light process, in the decisions of what films and television series get made, and what actors get chosen. This needs to be addressed institutionally. The All Def Movie Awards are not the Black Oscars, but they could be. This will be a fun, entertaining and hopefully thought provoking celebration of the uncelebrated.”

—Russell Simmons, Founder