(Jenny Anderson/WireImage)
Daniel Kaluuya
The star of Jordan Peele’s celebrated directorial debut, “Get Out,” English actor Daniel Kaluuya achieved international fame because of the racial satire. Kaluuya won’t be erased from Amerian memory once he shows up in the highly anticipated “Black Panther,” which drops in theatres Feb. 16.
Joe Budden says he’s not on paternity leave from “Everyday Struggle.” (Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)
Joe Budden
Joe Budden nearly ended 2017 unemployed but he picked things up on New Year’s Eve when he scored a deal with Diddy-owned Revolt TV. The rapper walked away from the Complex morning show, “Everyday Struggle” due to disagreements about his contract and creativity. But Budden now has the last say and fans can’t wait to see what comes next.
(Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Cardi B
Busting onto the rap scene with her hit single, “Bodak Yellow,” former reality starCardi B‘s single made her the second female MC (behind Lauryn Hill) to sit atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart unaccompanied. And she’s well on her way to reaching new heights. Her follow-up singles, “No Limit” and “MotorSport” have made her the first rapper to have her first three Hot 100 tracks in the chart’s top 10 simultaneously.
(Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for BET)
Tiffany Haddish
After her big-screen breakout in last summer’s “Girls Trip,” Tiffany Haddish secured her own Showtime comedy special, “Tiffany Haddish: She Ready!” The star rounded out 2017 by releasing a memoir and diving deeper into some private (and hilarious) moments and 2018 promises to be even bigger for the comic.
(Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Robin Thede
The host of BET’s “The Rundown with Robin Thede,” the sketch comic has become the sole Black woman host of late night TV. This after making the jump from the head writer on the axed Comedy Central show, “The Nightly Show With Larry Wilmore.”
(Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images )
SZA
Singer-songwriter SZA has been grinding for the last few years by dropping EPs and features but finally released her debut studio album, “Ctrl” last year. The performer hasn’t done too bad for herself, either, racking up five Grammy nominations for the 2018 ceremony. Plus, former President Barack Obama lists her song, “Broken Clocks” as one of his favorites of 2017.
(Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for Crosswalk Productions)
Lonzo, LaMelo, and LiAngelo Ball
Backed by their famously outspoken dad, LaVar, Lonzo, LaMelo and LiAngelo Ball are gearing up to disrupt the basketball industry. With the oldest brother Lonzo already playing with the Los Angeles Lakers, LaMelo and LiAngelo have taken their talents away from the NCAA and its prospects and to a Lithuanian basketball club.
