Black Excellence: Mary J. Blige, Kobe Bryant, Common, and Jordan Peele Among Nominees for 2018 Academy Awards

Mary J. Blige is already having a year!

Starting with last year’s release of her top charting album, “Strength of a Woman” to her 2018 Golden Globe nomination and long-overdue star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Mary J. Blige has transformed her heartache into ground-breaking accomplishments.

Now though, not only has the Grammy-winning singer earned her first-ever Oscar nomination, but she’s also a double nominee-scoring two for the film ‘Mudbound’.

The Academy announced the full list of nominations on Tuesday, which revealed Blige’s nomination for Best Supporting Actress in the Netflix film. Blige also received a nomination for Best Original Song for “Mighty River,” which she wrote and sang for the film. However, Blige will be competing against Diane Warren and Common, who were nominated for their song “Stand Up For Something” from “Marshall.”

In addition to Blige, Jordan Peele scored a nomination for Best Picture, Director and Original Screenplay for his recording-breaking film, “Get Out”. The film also landed its star, Daniel Kaluuya a nomination for Lead Actor, joining Denzel Washington, who picked up a nomination for his role in “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”

Guillermo del Toro’s “The Shape of Water” led with 13 nominations, scoring Octavia Spencer a Supporting Actress nom.

Finally, fresh out of retirement from one of the most incredible basketball careers in history, Kobe Bryant has just earned his first-ever Oscar nomination for his Short (Animated) Film “Dear Basketball.”