ENTERTAINMENT
Singer Beyonce poses for photographers upon arrival at the ‘Lion King’ European premiere in central London,
Sunday, July 14, 2019. (Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP)
Caribbean Life, June 12-18, 2020 23
By Nelson A. King
African American music superstar
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter on Sunday
joined an illustrious roster of
guest speakers for YouTube’s global
virtual commencement ceremony
“Dear Class of 2020,” paying tribute
to George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery,
Breonna Taylor “and so many others
have left us all broken.”
The “Dear Class of 2020”, streamed
on Sunday, featured appearances
from former US President Barack
Obama and First Lady Michelle
Obama, Taylor Swift, Jennifer Lopez,
Zendaya, Yara Shahidi, Billy Porter,
Kerry Washington, Lizzo, Lady Gaga
and Katy Perry.
In delivering a special, 10-minute
speech, Beyoncé thanked the Obamas
and congratulated the Class of 2020.
“Thank you President Obama and
Mrs. Obama for including me in
this very special day,” she said. “And
congratulations to the Class of 2020.
You have arrived in the middle of a
global crisis, a racial pandemic, and
worldwide expression of outrage at
the senseless killing of yet another
unarmed Black human being. And
you still made it. Thank you.
“We’re so proud of you, for using
your collective voice and letting the
world know that Black Lives Matter,”
she added. “The killings of George
Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor,
and so many others have left us
all broken.
“It has left the entire country
searching for answers,” Beyoncé continued.
“We’ve seen that our col-
Continued on Page 24
The Metronomes Steel Orchestra has
started a virtual panyard to interact
with the community from their
homes. The Metronomes Steel Orchestra
By Nelson A. King
While the popular Notting Hill Carnival
in London has been cancelled
because of the coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic, the award-winning Metronomes
Steel Orchestra, a North Kensington
based steel band in London
has decided to move its performances
online to connect with the community
while in lockdown.
The band, which is the oldest steelband
in the United Kingdom, has creat-
Continued on Page 24
By Nelson A. King
Jamaican dancehall icon and Love
& Hip Hop Cast regular Spice put her
gift of gab for a more significant cause
recently, leading protests in Atlanta for
Black Lives Matter and awareness to
stop what she described as “the unethical
policing of innocent Black people.”
Fellow Love & Hip Hop castmate
Karlie Redd was by her side, standing
firm for Black rights.
“The whole world has been revolting
and protesting recently over the
innocent African American and Black
people of all cultures getting killed for
wrong reasons by law enforcement,”
said Brooklyn entertainment promoter
Marie Driven, the Haitian American
managing partner of PlaybookMG.
“As with many of us, Spice has had
Continued on Page 24
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Virtual pan
shows
Dancehall icon
joins protest
BEYONCE’S
TRIBUTE
Musical superstar pays homage to George Floyd
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