New honour for Beyonce at NAACP Image Awards

Beyonce was named entertainer of the year and husband Jay-Z received an award for public service achievements. Photo / AP

Beyonce was named entertainer of the year at the 50th annual NAACP Image Awards ceremony that highlighted works by entertainers and writers of colour.

After accepting the award, the superstar paid homage to the people who were nominated in the same category as her. She beat LeBron James, Regina King, Chadwick Boseman and Ryan Coogler.

"Regina King, I love you so much. You taught us patience, persistence and how to be masterful in your craft," she said. "Chadwick Boseman is teaching children to dream and to be seen as kings. LeBron James has taught us the strength of all forms, leading by example and providing education to our kids. Ryan Coogler tells our stories in a way that celebrates our history and proves we do have power."

Beyonce released a joint album last year with her husband, Jay-Z, called Everything is Love.

The prolific singer also paid tribute to historically black colleges and universities, as well as the dance troupes and step teams during her two-hour Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival performance.

She also performed Lift Every Voice and Sing, which is known as the national black anthem, at the festival and donated US$100,000 ($146,000) to four black universities shortly after her performance.

Jay-Z received the President's Award for the rapper's public service achievements. He was recognised for his efforts through his Shawn Carter Foundation and serving as co-founder of the REFORM Alliance.

The rapper executive produced the documentaries Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story and Time: The Kalief Browder Story, along with an animated documentary short called The War on Drugs is an Epic Fail. That documentary highlighted the unfavourable treatment of black and Latino people when it comes to drug-related crimes.

Jay-Z quoted Abraham Lincoln after he accepted his award and dedicated his trophy to his 93-year-old grandmother Hattie White.

"It's not the amount of years in your life. It's the amount of life in your years," he said. "That quote embodies my beautiful grandmother."

Black Panther was awarded for best motion picture. The Marvel blockbuster hit beat out BlacKkKlansman, Crazy Rich Asians, If Beale Street Could Talk and The Hate U Give.

The movie won in several other categories, including best actor in a motion picture (Chadwick Boseman), supporting actor in a motion picture (Michael B. Jordan) and directing in a motion picture (Ryan Coogler).

Jussie Smollett, who lost to Grey's Anatomy star Jessie Williams in the outstanding supporting actor in a drama series category, did not attend the awards.

It had been a tumultuous week for the Empire star after a felony case against him was dropped in Chicago. The handling of the case, which accused Smollett of falsely reporting to police that he was assaulted in Chicago two months ago, has drawn widespread condemnation.

Actor-comedian Chris Rock took verbal jabs at Smollett before he announced that ABC series Black-ish won for outstanding comedy series.

"They said no Jussie Smollett jokes," Rock said. "Yeah, I know, but what a waste of light skin. Do you know what I could do with that light skin? That curly hair, my career would be out of here ... What the hell was he thinking?"

- AP