‘Empire,’ ‘Creed’ lead NAACP Image Awards nominations

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – “Empire” leads the television nominees at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Image Awards.

The musical drama is up for 12 trophies at the ceremony honouring diversity in the arts, including acting nominations for Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Bryshere Y. Gray, Jussie Smollett and Grace Gealey.

“Empire” will face off at the NAACP Image Awards against “Being Mary Jane,” ”How to Get Away with Murder,” ”Power” and “Scandal” for in the outstanding TV drama category.

“black-ish” followed behind “Empire” with 10 nominations in the TV honours. The family comedy will compete against “House of Lies,” ”Key & Peele,” ”Orange Is the New Black” and “Survivor’s Remorse” in the outstanding TV comedy category.

“Rocky” sequel “Creed” was king of the ring with six nods in the film categories. Other nominees up for the outstanding motion picture prize are “Beasts of No Nation,” ”Concussion,” ”Dope” and “Straight Outta Compton.”

“Creed” star Michael B. Jordan is also up for the ceremony’s entertainer of the year, nominated alongside Misty Copeland, Pharrell Williams, Shonda Rhimes and Viola Davis.

The awards will be presented in a Feb. 6 ceremony airing on the TV One channel.

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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang.