Amid all the controversy over lack of diversity at the Oscars, where no black actors were nominated, Russell Simmons is launching his own awards ceremony days before the Hollywood extravaganza.
His All Def Movie Awards will take place blocks from the Oscars — at the TCL Chinese Theatre — on Feb. 24 with Tony Rock, Chris Rock’s younger brother, hosting.
Best Picture nominees include “Beasts of No Nation,” Spike Lee’s “Chi-Raq,” Will Smith film “Concussion,” “Creed,” “Dope” and “Straight Outta Compton.”
More unorthodox categories include Best Bad Muh F - - ka, Best Helpful White Person and Best Black Survivor in a Movie.
Said Simmons: “I don’t expect a 90-year-old academy member to see ‘Straight Outta Compton’ or vote for it. I’m more concerned that in 2016 there continues to be a stunning lack of diversity in the studios, in the greenlight process, in the decisions of what films and television series get made and what actors get chosen.”
Lee and Smith said they’ll boycott the Oscars.