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Another woman of color has been crowned. Zozibini Tunzi, 26 of South Africa was crowned Miss Universe last night. The competition consisted of women from various countries and territories. According to People, Tunzi is a public relations professional and activist whose platform is largely based on her fight against gender-based violence, according to her contestant biography. 

It should also be noted that 2019 has been a dynamic year for women of color. For the first time in history, in the top beauty pageants, Miss USA, Miss Teen USA, Miss America, and Miss Universe, all of the women crowned this year were black women.

Best known for his chart topping hit single “Lucid Dreams,” the rising rapper who went by Juice Wrld professionally, born Jarad Anthony Higgins, a native of Chicago, IL reportedly suffered a medical emergency after his arrival to Chicago Midway International Airport. It is believed that he suffered a seizure; however, his cause of death is still unknown as authorities wait for the results of an autopsy.

Fans and those in the music world were caught off guard and are stunned by his sudden death. Higgins had just turned 21 on December 2, 2019. This young man is said to have made an impact in such a short period of time.

The Recording Academy will present the 61st GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles and broadcast on CBS from 7:00 pm CT.

Yolanda Adams (Houston)
Best Gospel Performance/Song for Talkin’ ‘bout Jesus (Gloria Gaynor ft. Yolanda Adams)

Chris Athens (Austin)
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical for Ella Mai (with Chris “Shaggy” Ascher, Jaycen Joshua & David Pizzimenti)

Kal Banx (Dallas)
Best Rap Album for Revenge of the Dreamers III by Dreamville

Brian “Malik” Baptiste (Leander)
Best Pop Vocal Album for Thank U, Next (as a producer with Ariana Grande)
Album of the Year for Thank U, Next (as a producer, with Ariana Grande)

Beyoncé (Houston)
Best Pop Solo Performance for SpiritBest Pop Vocal Album for The Lion King: The Gift Best Song Written for Visual Media for Spirit (with Timothy McKenzie & Ilya Salmanzadeh)
Best Music Film for Homecoming

Black Pumas (Austin)
Best New Artist

Cardo (Fort Worth)
Best Rap Album for Championships by Meek Mill
Best Rap Album for I Am > I Was by 21 Savage

Gary Clark Jr. (Austin)
Best Contemporary Blues Album for This Land Best Rock Performance for This LandBest Music Video for This Land

John Congleton (Dallas)
Album Of The Year for Norman F****** Rockwell! by Lana Del Rey

Crowder (Texarkana)
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for I Know a Ghost

Ronnie Dunn (Coleman)
Best Country Duo/Group Performance for Brooks & Dunn Brand New Man

Bryan Fowler (San Antonio)
Best Gospel Performance/Song for Talkin’ ‘bout Jesus (Gloria Gaynor ft. Yolanda Adams)

Kirk Franklin (Ft. Worth)
Best Gospel Performance/Song for Love TheoryBest Gospel Album for Long Live Love

Patty Griffin (Austin)
Best Folk Album for Patty Griffin

Jazzmeia Horn (Dallas)
Best Jazz Vocal Album for Love & Liberation

Intocable (Zapata)
Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano) for Percepción

Craig Hella Johnson (Austin)
Best Choral Performance for The Hope Of Loving

Sarah Jarosz (Wimberley)
Best American Roots Song for I’m With Her Call My Name (with Aoife O’Donovan & Sara Watkins)
Best American Roots Performance for I’m With Her Call My Name

Jonas Brothers (Dallas)
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Sucker

Khalid (El Paso)
Record Of The Year for Talk

Jeff Hyde (Marshall)
Best Country Song for Some Of It by Eric Church
Best Country Album for Desperate Man by Eric Church

La Energia Norteña (Dallas)
Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano) for Poco A Poco

Miranda Lambert (Lindale)
Best Country Song for It All Comes Out in The Wash (with Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Liz Rose)

Lizzo (Houston)
Record Of The Year for Truth HurtsAlbum Of The Year for Cuz I Love You (Deluxe)Song Of The Year for Truth HurtsBest New Artist
Best Pop Solo Performance for Truth Hurts Best R&B Performance for Exactly How I Feel ft. Gucci Mane
Best Traditional R&B Performance for JeromeBest Urban Contemporary Album for Cuz I Love You

Delbert McClinton & The Self-Made Men (Lubbock)
Best Tradional Blues Album for Tall, Dark, & Handsome

Post Malone (Grapevine)
Record Of The Year for Sunflower Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for Sunflower

Buck Meek from Big Thief (Driftwood)
Best Alternative Music Album for U.F.O.F. by Big Thief

Gene Moore (Houston)
Best Gospel Album for Tunnel Vision

Willie Nelson (Austin)
Best Country Solo Performance for Ride Me Back Home

Tayla Parx (Dallas)
Album Of The Year for Ariana Grande Thank U, Next

Sugaray Rayford (Smith County)
Best Contemporary Blues Album for Somebody Save Me

Liz Rose (Dallas)
Best Country Song for Miranda Lambert It All Comes Out in the Wash (with Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna & Miranda Lambert)

Travis Scott (Houston)
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for The London by Young Thug ft. J. Cole and Travis Scott

Robert Simpson, Ken Cowan, Houston Chamber Choir (Houston)
Best Choral Performance for Durufle: Complete Choral Works

Tanya Tucker (Seminole)
Song Of The Year for Bring My Flowers Now (with Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth)
Best Country Solo Performance for Bring My Flowers NowBest Country Song for Bring My Flowers Now (with Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth)
Best Country Album for While I’m Livin’

Chris Tomlin (Grand Saline)
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for Holy Roar

Jimmie Vaughn (Austin)
Best Traditional Blues Album for Baby, Please Come Home

J. White Did It (Dallas)
Best Rap Album for I Am > I Was by 21 Savage

Additional Notes:

Austin’s SaulPaul is a featured guest on The Love by Alphabet Rockers, nominated for Best Children’s Album.

Houston born Buck Meek was raised in Wimberley and is a member of Big Thief, nominated for Best Alternative Music Album for U.F.O.F. by Big Thief.

Lubbock’s Terry Allen and the Panhandle Mystery Band’s Pedal Steel + Four Corners, nominated for Best Album Notes by Brendan Greaves.

Blanton Alspaugh is nominated for Producer of the Year, Classical for work that includes Robert Simpson & Houston Chamber Choir and Austin’s Craig Hella Johnson. Alspaugh was Music Director of KRTS in Houston from 1988-1995.

Bryan Fowler, former member of the San Antonio Christian rock band Abandon is nominated for his songwriting in Best Gospel Performance/Song for Talkin’ ‘bout Jesus (Gloria Gaynor ft. Yolanda Adams).  ###