Jon Batiste tops Grammys; Silk Sonic soars, Rodrigo crowned
Jon Batiste won album of the year honors for “We Are” at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, giving him five trophies on a night that saw the ’70s funk of Silk Sonic take record of the year and song of the year and newcomer Olivia Rodrigo take three awards.
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The highs and (very few) lows of this year’s Grammys
Beyoncé accepts the Best R&B Performance award for 'Black Parade' onstage during the 63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards at Los Angeles Convention Center on March 14, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. AdHIGH: Trevor Noah hosting: “The Daily Show” host was up for the task to host a socially distanced Grammys, and he did pretty well! I had no clue about Black Pumas, but after watching their Grammy performance, I’m hooked. And when there was potential that she was going to make history at the Grammys, she showed up. Harry Styles winning best Pop Vocal Performance, H.E.R.
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The joy of music returns for Grammy winners, performers
Beyonce, 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)Beyoncé, 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 “I Can't Breathe” won song of the year and Megan Thee Stallion was named best new artist. Further crowding the family trophy case is husband Jay-Z, whose songwriting on “Savage” earned him his 23rd Grammy on Sunday, and even their 9-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, who won best music video together with mom.
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Fashionable Grammys: Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles' boas
Doja 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. “I actually created a step and repeat and a red carpet,” she told reporters during a virtual news conference before the show. AdDue to pandemic precautions, the “red carpet” was not the usual mass of cameras and TV crews. AdAll three wore Gucci.
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The Latest: Billie Eilish wins record of the year at Grammys
Billie 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 – 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. Beyoncé broke the record with her victory Sunday night for best R&B performance for “Black Parade,” surpassing the 27 Grammys won by Alison Krauss. DaBaby says he “feels like it’s going to touch everybody.”Ad— Marcela Isaza at the Grammy Awards (@misaza)___3:15 p.m.Brandi Carlile is excited to perform at Sunday’s Grammy Awards, even if there isn’t an audience. “Jojo Rabbit” and the “Joker” soundtrack also won Grammys in the segment of the show that awarded music created for visual media.
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Ladies night: Beyoncé, Swift make history as others win big
Four women won the top four prizes Sunday, including Swift, who became the first female performer to win album of the year three times. Beyoncé — with her 28th win — became the most decorated woman in Grammy history. And 9-year-old Blue Ivy Carter — who won best music video alongside her mother — became the second youngest act to win a Grammy in the show’s 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.
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Who will take home a Grammy Sunday night? Here are our predictions
So, before music’s biggest night, let’s break down some of the categories, examine the nominees and predict who should win a Grammy, and ultimately, who will win. III, HaimFuture Nostalgia, Dua LipaHollywood’s Bleeding, Post Malonefolklore, Taylor SwiftThe night is going to come down to many face-to-face showdowns between Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift. While Bridgers would make a fine winner, this award belongs to Megan Thee Stallion; 2020 was her year, and she deserves it. However, it would be exciting to see Lady Gaga or Taylor Swift swoop in with the steal, right? Who should win: Megan Thee StallionWho will win: Megan Thee StallionBest Country Song”Bluebird,” Miranda Lambert”The Bones,” Maren Morris”Crowded Table,” the Highwomen”More Hearts Than Mine,” Ingrid Andress”Some People Do,” Old DominionHonestly, this award could go to Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris or the Highwomen.
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Erivo on near-EGOT status: 'I’m just going to keep working'
FILE - Actress Cynthia Erivo poses for a portrait during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto on Sept. 10, 2019. Erivo portrays Aretha Franklin in the National Geographic miniseries Genius: Aretha. (Photo by Arthur Mola/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – “The Color Purple” turned into Grammy, Tony and Emmy gold for Cynthia Erivo. The performer’s brilliant performance in the Broadway revival won her the 2016 Tony for best actress in a musical. “I guess I didn’t expect to be this close this soon,” Erivo told The Associated Press of her almost-EGOT status.
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Who has the best Grammy-winning album? Vote in our bracket
Taylor Swift accepts award onstage during The 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on February 15, 2016 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage)The 2021 Grammys are on this year, and while it’s exciting for all the award-winners, nothing is more exciting than seeing who takes home Album of the Year. Winners have included Adele, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and the Chicks, just to name a few. But who really had the best of the best album? The pop divas like Adele and Taylor Swift prevailed, and some of the less popular acts aren’t going to be seen past round two.
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Which is your favorite album from Grammy winners? Weigh in
The 2021 Grammys are on this year, and while it’s exciting to see who wins all the awards, nothing is more exciting than seeing who wins Album of the Year. Winners have included Adele, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars and the Chicks, just to name a few. But who really had the best of the best album? Artists will go head-to-head, and in the end, only one album will come out as supreme. You can vote in round one right now, and make sure come back every day to vote in the other rounds.
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Grammy performers: Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B, Billie Eilish
FILE - 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 – Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B and Billie Eilish are set to perform at next week’s Grammy Awards. The Grammys were originally supposed to take place on Jan. 31 but were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Beyoncé is leading nominee with nine, followed by Swift, Lipa and Ricch, who each earned six nominations.
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Her past: Billie Eilish photo book coming in May
FILE - Billie Eilish arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Grand Central Publishing announced Tuesday that the book is called "Billie Eilish." "Billie Eilish" includes text but will mostly consist of photos. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)NEW YORK – At age 19, Billie Eilish is already looking back. The book is called “Billie Eilish” and, according to Grand Central, will “capture the essence of Billie inside and out, offering readers personal glimpses into her childhood, her life on tour, and more.”“Billie Eilish" includes text but is “predominantly” photos, the publisher said.
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Grammy Awards shift to March due to pandemic conditions
This combination photo shows, Billie Eilish holding her awards at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020, from left, Lady Gaga holding her awards at the 61st annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 10, 2019 and Kendrick Lamar accepting the award for best rap album for "Damn" at the 60th annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 28, 2018. (AP Photo)NEW YORK (AP) – The 2021 Grammy Awards will no longer take place this month in Los Angeles and will broadcast in March due to a recent surge in coronavirus cases and deaths. The Grammys will be held in Los Angeles at the Staples Center. Los Angeles County, the epicenter of the crisis in California, has surpassed 10,000 COVID-19 deaths and has had 40% of the deaths in California. An average of six people die every hour from COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, which has a quarter of the state’s 40 million residents.
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Billboard: Interscope Geffen A&M named No. 1 label of 2020
Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA), the home to Eilish, Lady Gaga and Lamar, has been named the No. (AP Photo)NEW YORK – Interscope Geffen A&M — the home to Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga — 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 Group’s Atlantic Records was 2019’s top Billboard 200 label.
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The AP names its Breakthrough Entertainers of 2020
Making a breakthrough in pop culture during any year is hard. This year's five Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of the Year managed to create buzz and art against a year like no other. They brightened a 2020 that badly needed light. They are Anya Taylor-Joy, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sarah Cooper and Finneas. "Now as an adult, I’m like, ‘I live in Narnia.’ Like, this is amazing.” In a year like 2020, it was appropriate that millions escaped with her.
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A 'Black Parade' Grammys: Beyoncé leads with 9 nominations
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – Beyoncé is bringing her Black parade to the Grammys: The pop star’s anthem about Black pride scored multiple nominations Tuesday, making her the leading contender with nine. A winner of 24 Grammys, Beyoncé becomes the second-most nominated act in the history of the awards show with 79 nominations. Beyoncé is only behind her husband Jay-Z and Quincy Jones, who have both earned 80 nominations each. Jay-Z picked up three nominations this year for his contributions to Beyoncé’s songs: He co-wrote “Black Parade” and “Savage,” thus earning nominations for song of the year, best R&B song and best rap song. Instead, multiple nominations went to Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and Roddy Ricch, who each earned six nominations and followed Beyoncé as the second-most nominated acts.
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New this week: The Boss, Billie Eilish, Borat & 'Bad Hair'
(Columbia Records via AP)Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Edgier than the (also great) Gwyneth Paltrow version, Anya Taylor-Joy takes on the role of the matchmaker extraordinaire this time. — Billie Eilish was on the road for just three days before she had to cancel her worldwide tour due to the coronavirus pandemic in March. But thankfully on Saturday the Grammy-winning star will host her first global livestream concert. “Essential Heroes: A Momento Latino Event” uses music, comedy, short documentaries and celebrity appearances to explore the Latino experience.
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Post Malone owns Billboard Awards, Legend shines onstage
Post Malone accepts the top artist award at the Billboard Music Awards on Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)NEW YORK – Walking into the show with 16 nominations, Post Malone won nine honors at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, where John Legend gave a heartfelt performance that was dedicated to his wife. Garth Brooks accepted the Icon Award from Cher, who called the country star “a true music legend and my friend Garth Brooks." Guitar rock legend Eddie Van Halen, who died last week, was honored as the show aired a clip of his Billboard Awards performance from 2015. This year’s Billboard Awards were originally supposed to take place in April but were postponed because of the pandemic.
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Sweet 16: Post Malone leads Billboard Awards nominations
Post Malone is the sunflower of the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. Malones nominations include top artist, top male artist, top rap artist and top streaming songs artist. (Photo by Ben Hider/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – Post Malone is the sunflower of the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. Malone’s nominations include top artist, top male artist, top rap artist and top streaming songs artist. The 2020 awards show was originally supposed to take place in April but was postponed because of the coronavirus.
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Dear Hollywood, please cast Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish as the leads in a movie version of ‘Wicked’
If you’ve ever seen the blockbuster musical “Wicked,” which tells the untold story of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda, the Good Witch from “The Wizard of Oz,” you’ve probably thought this musical could be a great movie. Grande even got to sing the song “The Wizard and I,” during a tribute TV special to the show. Plus, you’ve got to be able to hit some pretty high notes when you play Glinda, so Grande would be perfect. Eilish, on the other hand, basically lives her life as a modern-day version of the Wicked Witch of the West, so the choice is easy. It was reported there will be a movie version of “Wicked” to hit theaters in late 2021, but so far, we’ve had no news on casting.