INSIDER
New this week: Roddy Ricch, 'Swan Song' and 'The Larkins'
Read full article: New this week: Roddy Ricch, 'Swan Song' and 'The Larkins'This weekโs new entertainment releases include a new album from rapper Roddy Ricch, a prequel to the TV series โYellowstoneโ on Paramount+ and Italian filmmaker Paolo Sorrentino's โThe Hand of God.โ.
New this week: Whales, 'LFG,' 'Mysterious Benedict Society'
Read full article: New this week: Whales, 'LFG,' 'Mysterious Benedict Society'This weekโs new entertainment releases includes Conan OโBrien closing out his TBS late-night show and the new soccer documentary โLFG,โ a revealing look at the U.S. Womenโs National Soccer Teamโs battle for equal pay.
Drake, Pink, The Weeknd win big at Billboard Music Awards
Read full article: Drake, Pink, The Weeknd win big at Billboard Music AwardsIt was a family affair at the Billboard Music Awards: Pink twirled in the air in a powerful performance with her daughter, and Drake was named artist of the decade, accepting the honor alongside his 3-year-old son.
Billie Eilish, J Balvin, A$AP to play NY's Gov Ball festival
Read full article: Billie Eilish, J Balvin, A$AP to play NY's Gov Ball festivalBillie Eilish completed the third stop of her massive tour, and was just two days away from headlining Madison Square Garden, before she had to cancel the trek because of the coronavirus pandemic last year.
Grammys overhaul process for picking nominees for top awards
Read full article: Grammys overhaul process for picking nominees for top awardsThe Grammy Awards have changed its tune and voted to remove its nomination review committees โ groups that determined the contenders for key awards at the coveted music show.
Billboard Awards: 16 nods for Weeknd, 6 for Morgan Wallen
Read full article: Billboard Awards: 16 nods for Weeknd, 6 for Morgan WallenThe Weeknd was snubbed by the Grammys but heโs the leading nominee at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, where rappers Pop Smoke and Juice WRLD earned multiple posthumous nominations, including top artist.
The joy of music returns for Grammy winners, performers
Read full article: The joy of music returns for Grammy winners, performersBeyonce, left, and Megan Thee Stallion accept the award for best rap song for "Savage" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)Beyoncรฉ, Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish made history at the Grammy Awards. Just as joyously, dozens of creators largely sidelined for a year due to the pandemic got to make music again. 's topical โI Can't Breatheโ won song of the year and Megan Thee Stallion was named best new artist. ___This story has been corrected to show the ceremony was held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, not Staples Center.
Fashionable Grammys: Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles' boas
Read full article: Fashionable Grammys: Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles' boasDoja Cat arrives at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. He was on hand in person but earlier created an Instagram red carpet moment with his daughter since no kids were allowed at the Los Angeles show. โI actually created a step and repeat and a red carpet,โ she told reporters during a virtual news conference before the show. AdDue to pandemic precautions, the โred carpetโ was not the usual mass of cameras and TV crews. AdAll three wore Gucci.
The Latest: Billie Eilish wins record of the year at Grammys
Read full article: The Latest: Billie Eilish wins record of the year at GrammysBillie Eilish arrives at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)NEW YORK โ The Latest on the Grammy Awards (all times local):8:45 p.m.Billie Eillish has won the Grammy Award for record of the year for the second straight year. Beyoncรฉ broke the record with her victory Sunday night for best R&B performance for โBlack Parade,โ surpassing the 27 Grammys won by Alison Krauss. DaBaby says he โfeels like itโs going to touch everybody.โAdโ Marcela Isaza at the Grammy Awards (@misaza)___3:15 p.m.Brandi Carlile is excited to perform at Sundayโs Grammy Awards, even if there isnโt an audience. โJojo Rabbitโ and the โJokerโ soundtrack also won Grammys in the segment of the show that awarded music created for visual media.
Ladies night: Beyoncรฉ, Swift make history as others win big
Read full article: Ladies night: Beyoncรฉ, Swift make history as others win bigFour women won the top four prizes Sunday, including Swift, who became the first female performer to win album of the year three times. Beyoncรฉ โ with her 28th win โ became the most decorated woman in Grammy history. And 9-year-old Blue Ivy Carter โ who won best music video alongside her mother โ became the second youngest act to win a Grammy in the showโs 63-year history. Megan Thee Stallion, who won three honors, also made history and became the first female rapper to win best rap song. She's also the fifth rap-based act to win best new artist.
A peek behind the masks, precautions at the pandemic Grammys
Read full article: A peek behind the masks, precautions at the pandemic GrammysAssociated Press entertainment reporter Marcela Isaza poses backstage at the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)LOS ANGELES โ I have covered the Grammy Awards for the Associated Press for 15 years. Built around performances, full of singing and shouting, and with the biggest crowd of any awards show, the Grammys seem uniquely wrong for a world still in the coronavirus pandemic. The AP workspace is set off with high, thick black curtains, and they are constantly replenishing us with masks and hand sanitizer. AdOutside the sprawling building, carpenters and technicians have been building the stages that will be a hub for Sundayโs awards.
New this week: 'Cherry,' 'Bloodlands' & Kids' Choice Awards
Read full article: New this week: 'Cherry,' 'Bloodlands' & Kids' Choice AwardsThis combination photo shows key art for the Acorn TV series "Bloodlands," premiering March 15, left, key art for the Apple TV+ film "Cherry," center, and key art for Nickelodeons "Kids Choice Awards," hosted by Kenan Thompson and airing on March 13. (Acorn TV/Apple TV+/Nickelodeon via AP)Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. AdโAP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSICโ The 2021 Grammys will hand out 84 awards Sunday, but whatโs more exciting? Other performers include Chris Martin, John Mayer, Doja Cat, Maren Morris, DaBaby, HAIM, Lil Baby, Brandi Carlile, Roddy Ricch, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas. Adโ Grown-ups donโt have a lock on awards shows, as Nickelodeonโs Kidsโ Choice Awards proves once again.
Grammy performers: Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B, Billie Eilish
Read full article: Grammy performers: Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B, Billie EilishFILE - In this Oct. 5, 2019 photo, Billie Eilish performs during the first weekend of the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. Eilish will perform at this month's Grammy Awards. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B and Billie Eilish are set to perform at next weekโs Grammy Awards. The Grammys were originally supposed to take place on Jan. 31 but were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Beyoncรฉ is leading nominee with nine, followed by Swift, Lipa and Ricch, who each earned six nominations.
Still divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys โ as Tyson Trax
Read full article: Still divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys โ as Tyson TraxDr. Luke appeared as Tyson Trax on the Grammy ballot for Doja Cat's Say So," which he produced and co-wrote. But not all of the academy members may have been aware they were voting for Dr. Luke when they completed their ballots this year. AdโI didnโt know that Tyson Trax was Dr. Luke. AdTogether, Martin and Dr. Luke crafted hits for Kelly Clarkson, Katy Perry, Pink and Kesha, who he signed in 2005. Eventually Dr. Luke stepped into the forefront, helming successes for Miley Cyrus, Pitbull, Nicki Minaj and Flo Rida, logging 17 No.
Rapper DaBaby arrested on Beverly Hills weapons allegation
Read full article: Rapper DaBaby arrested on Beverly Hills weapons allegationFILE - DaBaby arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. The Grammy-nominated rapper has been released from a Los Angeles County jail after an arrest in Beverly Hills, Calif., where police said he took a loaded gun into an upscale store on Rodeo Drive. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. โ Grammy-nominated rapper DaBaby has been released from a Los Angeles County jail after an arrest in Beverly Hills, where police said he took a loaded gun into an upscale store on Rodeo Drive. DaBaby, whose legal name is Jonathan Kirk, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a loaded gun in a vehicle, Beverly Hills police said. The other men were released and DaBaby was arrested and jailed.
Billboard: Interscope Geffen A&M named No. 1 label of 2020
Read full article: Billboard: Interscope Geffen A&M named No. 1 label of 2020Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA), the home to Eilish, Lady Gaga and Lamar, has been named the No. (AP Photo)NEW YORK โ Interscope Geffen A&M โ the home to Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga โ has been named the No. Billboard announced Thursday that the label, which is also known as IGA, tops its year-end chart for the first time since 2013. IGA is also the top Billboard 200 label with 68 albums released during the tracking period, 25 of which hit the Top 10. Warner Music Groupโs Atlantic Records was 2019โs top Billboard 200 label.
AP's song of the year: Keedron Bryant's 'I Just Wanna Live'
Read full article: AP's song of the year: Keedron Bryant's 'I Just Wanna Live'This cover image released by Warner Records shows "I Just Wanna Live," by Keedron Bryant. Bryant's song was named one of the top 10 of the year by the Associated Press. Keedron Bryant, โI Just Wanna Live": During times of turmoil and unrest, people respond differently. She asked her son, then 12-year-old Keedron Bryant, to sing the song and the rest is for the history books. The song not only helped Keedron Bryant land a record deal, it helped heal the world at a time when music is a language that unites us all.
Roddy Ricch has Apple Music's top album, song of 2020
Read full article: Roddy Ricch has Apple Music's top album, song of 2020NEW YORK โ Roddy Ricch is the king of Apple Music: The rapper has the music platformโs most-streamed song and album of the year. The Weekndโs โBlinding Lightsโ was the second most-streamed song of the year, followed by Australian singer Tones and Iโs โDance Monkey,โ DaBaby and Ricchโs โRockstarโ and โLife Is Good" by Future and Drake. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this year, was the most Shazamed song of the year (Apple acquired Shazam in 2018). Ranked by time spent viewing lyrics in Apple Music, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallionโs raunchy hit โWAPโ tops the list of most-read lyrics of 2020. Other songs in the Top 5 include โDance Monkey,โ YOASOBIโs โYoru ni Kakeru,โ Ricchโs โThe Boxโ and Official HIGE DANdism โPretender.โ
12 Grammy facts: BTS and Dr. Luke in, The Weeknd out
Read full article: 12 Grammy facts: BTS and Dr. Luke in, The Weeknd outAnd it earned him his first Grammy nomination in six years. 3 spot on the pop charts โ is up for best rap song and best rap performance. And Anderson .Paak's โLockdown," about police brutality and racial injustice, is up for best melodic rap performance and best music video. JAY-Z, THE SONGWRITERS, SHINESHappy wife, happy life: Jay-Z has lent his songwriting hand to his wife Beyoncรฉ and he's earned Grammy nominations for it. PAUL McCARTNEY, THE ART DIRECTORPaul McCartney scored his 79th Grammy nominations this year โ as an art director.
Swift wins top prize at AMAs, says she's re-recording music
Read full article: Swift wins top prize at AMAs, says she's re-recording musicIn this screen shot provided by ABC on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, Taylor Swift accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (ABC via AP)NEW YORK โ Taylor Swift won her third consecutive artist of the year prize at the American Music Awards, but she missed the show for a good reason: She said she's busy re-recording her early music after her catalog was sold. She also won favorite music video and favorite pop/rock female artist, winning three honors and tying Bieber, Dan + Shay and the Weeknd for most wins Sunday. Breakthrough singer-rapper Doja Cat performed and won new artist of the year and favorite soul/R&B female artist. And Megan Thee Stallion โ won favorite rap/hip-hop songs for โWAP" with Cardi B โ performed โBody" from her recently released debut album โGood News."
And the Grammy nomination goes to ... Megan? Harry? Weeknd?
Read full article: And the Grammy nomination goes to ... Megan? Harry? Weeknd?Others who may earn nominations include Lewis Capaldi, Summer Walker, Morgan Wallen, Doja Cat, BLACKPINK, Ingrid Andress, Snoh Aalegra, Skip Marley, Mickey Guyton and CNCO. Ricch should also earn nominations for his guest appearance on DaBabyโs international hit โRock Star,โ helping him become the showโs overall top nominee. ________FOLKS LOVE FOLKLORETaylor Swiftโs last two albums, โLoverโ and โreputation,โ didnโt earn nominations for album of the year. The seven-member groupโs hit โDynamiteโ could snag a nomination for best pop duo/group performance, and their latest album could compete for best global music album. 3 on pop charts, should earn a nomination for best country performance and best country song.
BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music Awards
Read full article: BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music AwardsFILE - Korean pop band BTS attends the 2019 Variety's Hitmakers Brunch in West Hollywood, Calif., on Dec. 7, 2019. The South Korean boy band BTS HAS won a leading four awards including best song for Dynamite and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 while Lady Gaga took home the best artist prize. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)
BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music Awards
Read full article: BTS, Lady Gaga win top awards at MTV Europe Music AwardsThe South Korean boy band BTS HAS won a leading four awards including best song for Dynamite and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020 while Lady Gaga took home the best artist prize. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)The South Korean pop group BTS won a leading four awards including best song for โDynamiteโ and best group at the MTV Europe Music Awards Sunday night, while Lady Gaga took the best artist prize. Coldplay won best rock, Haley Williams got best alternative and Little Mix was named best pop. And the best Latin award went to Karol G, who also won best collaboration for โTusaโ featuring Nicki Minaj. David Guetta, who won best electronic, also performed at the show from a stage in Budapest.
The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch lead AMA nominations with 8 each
Read full article: The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch lead AMA nominations with 8 eachIn this video grab issued Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, by MTV, The Weeknd performs "Blinding Lights" during the MTV Video Music Awards. (MTV via AP)LOS ANGELES โ The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch are the leading nominees for this yearโs American Music Awards with eight apiece. Many, like the BET Awards, Country Music Awards and MTV Video Music Awards, have opted for a mix of live and pre-taped performances. Billie Eilish, an awards favorite since her sweeping wins at the Grammy Awards, scored two nominations, for favorite alternative rock artist and favorite social artist. Dan + Shay earned three nominations, including for favorite country duo or group, where theyโre up against Florida Georgia Line and Old Dominion.
Gagas masks, Weeknds advocacy and more top VMAs moments
Read full article: Gagas masks, Weeknds advocacy and more top VMAs momentsSunday's show included performances with mask-wearing artists and fans and artists dancing in front the backdrop of the city's skyscrapers. Lady Gaga appeared in many different outfits and corresponding masks during Sunday nights show while she dominated the night with a performance with Ariana Grande. Gaga donned a pink mask that strapped around head, a mask with pointy tusks and even an electronic display on a mask while she sang Rain on Me with Grande, who also sported her own black mask. Other performances also included masks including Malumas backup dancers sporting bright colored masks for his technicolored drive-in concert and DaBaby performed with popular Vegas masked magicians Jabbawockeez. In between performances, backstage cameras caught many of the artists also sporting masks off stage as well.
MTV VMAs honor Chadwick Boseman; The Weeknd, DaBaby perform
Read full article: MTV VMAs honor Chadwick Boseman; The Weeknd, DaBaby performNEW YORK The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, a night highlighting music and pop culture, kicked off with heartfelt words in memory of Chadwick Boseman, as host Keke Palmer told viewers the event was dedicated to the Black Panther icon. Moments after, the Weeknd brought his Blinding Lights" music video where he is bruised and blooded in a red suit to life. DaBaby, backed by the dance crew Jabbawockeez, also performed, running through several of his hits, including Rock Star." The shifts artists have made because of the pandemic are reflected in two new categories: best music video from home and best quarantine performance. Megan Thee Stallion who topped the charts this year with the Beyonc-assisted Savage" and WAP," her viral song with Cardi B earned multiple nominations, including one for artist of the year.
J Balvin, Roddy Ricch no longer performing at MTV VMAs
Read full article: J Balvin, Roddy Ricch no longer performing at MTV VMAsNEW YORK Grammy-winning rapper Roddy Ricch and Colombian superstar J Balvin will no longer perform at the MTV Video Music Awards. The MTV VMAs will air on Sunday at 8 p.m. My team and I are safe and everyones health is a main priority, as well as giving a quality performance," Ricch said. STAY SAFE.A representative for Balvin confirmed on Monday that he would no longer perform at the event, but no details were provided. This years show introduces two new categories reflecting the current pandemic times: best music video from home and best quarantine performance.
Gaga, Grande top MTV VMA noms; quarantine categories added
Read full article: Gaga, Grande top MTV VMA noms; quarantine categories addedLady Gaga and Ariana Grande both scored nine VMA nominations each, including video of the year for their No. Rain on Me is also competing for song of the year, best collaboration, best pop, best cinematography, best visual effects and best choreography. The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards will air live on Aug. 30 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Gaga and Grande both scored nine nominations each, including video of the year for their No. Rain on Me is also competing for song of the year, best collaboration, best pop, best cinematography, best visual effects and best choreography.
Juice WRLD's posthumous album dominates Billboard charts
Read full article: Juice WRLD's posthumous album dominates Billboard chartsThis cover image released by Grade A/Interscope shows "Legends Never Die," a release by the late rapper Juice WRLD. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart this week. (Grade A/Interscope via AP)NEW YORK Rapper Juice WRLD's first posthumous album Legends Never Die" is alive and well on the music charts. Juice WRLD, born Jarad Anthony Higgins, died of an accidental overdose of oxycodone and codeine in Chicago in December. The album also logs the biggest one-week sales for any album released this year.
Beyoncs message, epic performances stand out at BET Awards
Read full article: Beyoncs message, epic performances stand out at BET AwardsIn this video grab issued Sunday, June 28, 2020, by BET, Beyonce accepts the humanitarian award during the BET Awards. The singer dedicated her award to the Black Lives Matter movement, and encouraged activists to continue to push forward. DaBaby rapped a verse from the Black Lives Matter remix of his hit song Rockstar with Roddy Ricch at the awards. While holding a baseball bat, DaBaby then stood on a stage behind a group of people who had their fists raised high while others held Black Lives Matter signs. During the performance, video clips were shown of the national protests over the deaths of unarmed Black people including Floyd, Arbery and Taylor.
Despite pandemic, MTV VMAs to take place Aug. 30 in Brooklyn
Read full article: Despite pandemic, MTV VMAs to take place Aug. 30 in BrooklynNEW YORK The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards will still go ahead despite the coronavirus pandemic. An MTV spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that the show will take place Aug. 30 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement during a briefing Monday, explaining that the event will follow all safety guidance, including limited or no audience.The announcement comes a day after BET successfully aired its virtual awards show on Sunday, which featured a number of highly produced pre-taped performances from DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Summer Walker and more artists.
DaBaby, Roddy Ricch to help BET celebrate awards virtually
Read full article: DaBaby, Roddy Ricch to help BET celebrate awards virtuallyThe three-hour show will be jam-packed with heavy hitters currently dominating the pop charts and streaming services, including DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Summer Walker, Kane Brown and Chloe x Halle. The three-hour show will be jam-packed with heavy hitters currently dominating the pop charts and streaming services, including DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Summer Walker, Kane Brown and Chloe x Halle. Comedian, actress and TV personality Amanda Seales will host the 2020 BET Awards, which will air on CBS for the first time. Drake is the leading nominee: Hes up for six honors, including video of the year and best male hip-hop artist. Ricch and Megan Thee Stallion follow Drake with five nominations each.
New this week: 'Clemency,' BET Awards, HAIM, 'Doctor Sleep'
Read full article: New this week: 'Clemency,' BET Awards, HAIM, 'Doctor Sleep'(Neon via AP)Heres a collection curated by The Associated Press entertainment journalists of whats arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Written and directed by Chinonye Chukwu, Clemency was well-reviewed but got unjustly overshadowed by some of the higher profile awards contenders when it was released in December. Doctor Sleep: The Directors Cut: This Danny Torrance-focused sequel to The Shining was a little divisive upon release, which wasnt all that surprising. Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSICGrey Daze: Fans of the late Grammy-winning screeching rock singer Chester Bennington will get a chance to hear him one more time. HAIM: Its been three years since sister trio HAIM have released a new album.