After top Grammy win, singer H.E.R. is heading to the Oscars
(Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)NEW YORK – A night after winning the top Grammy Award for songwriting, R&B singer H.E.R. Leslie Odom Jr. will also compete for best original song with “Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami...," which he wrote with Sam Ashworth. AdSongs by John Legend, Mary J. Blige, Janelle Monae and Robert Glasper were shortlisted for best original song but didn't make the final cut. The duo of Reznor and Ross have won a number of awards for their scoring work, including an Oscar, Grammy, Emmy and Golden Globe. Terence Blanchard (“Da 5 Bloods"), Emile Mosseri (“Minari") and James Newton Howard (“News of the World") round out the best original score nominees.
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.
Grammys' in memoriam especially long, grim in pandemic year
Brandi Carlile performs during the "In Memoriam" section of the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)LOS ANGELES – Brandi Carlile paid tribute to John Prine, Bruno Mars celebrated Little Richard and Lionel Richie honored Kenny Rogers during an in memoriam segment on Sunday night's Grammy Awards that featured an especially long list of names after a year of the coronavirus pandemic. Earlier Sunday, Prine won two posthumous Grammys for best American roots song and best American roots performance, a year after receiving a lifetime achievement award at the Grammys. Carlile told The Associated Press that it didn't bother her to be performing without an audience at the pandemic-restricted Grammys because "this time I’m just performing for John Prine. Corea, who died of a rare form of cancer at age 79, won the trophy for best improvised jazz solo and best jazz instrumental album.
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.
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.
For Trevor Noah, Grammy Awards a return to in-person hosting
FILE - Trevor Noah arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 26, 2020. Noah will host the 2021 Grammy Awards on Sunday. “If you get asked to host the Grammys, I don’t think you take long to say ‘yes,’” said the Emmy winner, who will host Sunday's Grammy Awards from downtown Los Angeles. Ad“Unlike most award shows, the Grammys also are about the performances,” said Noah. So far, Noah said venturing out to prepare for his Grammy hosting duties around other people has been “amazing” and “surreal.” While watching rehearsals, he said the performances gave him and others life.
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.
Prince vs. Bruno Mars: Vote for the best-ever Super Bowl halftime show
We finally made it to the final round of our version of February Madness -- the Super Bowl halftime bracket. With many rounds and thousands of votes, we are finally down to our final two contestants. It’s not too much of a surprise, but Prince is one of the finalists. It’s hard to forget Prince’s 2007 performance at Super Bowl XLI in Miami. We kind of have a feeling who might walk away with the championship, but bigger surprises have happened.
Round 4 of our best Super Bowl halftime bracket starts today
Lady Gaga performs during the Pepsi Zero Sugar Super Bowl LI Halftime Show at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. There were some surprises in this last round of voting -- mostly that Lady Gaga ousted the original Queen of Pop, Madonna, to make it to the semi-finals. While that rivalry was certainly huge, the other big one was Prince vs. Michael Jackson. Aerosmith beat Katy Perry, and Bruno Mars beat Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s electrifying 2020 performance. Now in the semi-finals, we have Prince vs. Aerosmith and Bruno Mars vs. Lady Gaga.
It’s Michael Jackson vs. Prince: Round 3 voting now open in our Super Bowl halftime bracket
Michael Jackson performs during halftime of a 52-17 Dallas Cowboys win over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXVII on January 31, 1993 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)Round 3 of our Super Bowl halftime performance bracket is here, and you’ve got some tough choices to make. We’ve seen some absolute legends not make it this far (we still can’t believe Bruce Springsteen didn’t make it past Round 1), and the choices are going to get even tougher as we go on. In this round, we’ll see match-ups between Katy Perry and Aerosmith, Bruno Mars against Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, Lady Gaga against Madonna, and quite possibly the toughest decision yet, Prince vs. Michael Jackson. With only two more rounds to go, the decisions are only going to get harder and harder.
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.
New this week: 'Saved by the Bell,' Miley Cyrus & McCarthy
(Trae Patton/Peacock 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. The Melissa McCarthy comedy, her latest with director-husband Ben Falcone ("Tammy," “The Boss"), had been headed to theaters but will instead debut Thursday on HBO Max. —AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Miley Cyrus is ready to rock ‘n’ roll on her new album. The pop star recruited some famous rock stars to help on her seventh studio release “Plastic Hearts,” including Stevie Nicks, Billy Idol and Joan Jett. Everyone wears wear full hazard protection gear as they navigate a “giant house of cards.”— Can you have a “Saved by the Bell” without Screech?
Country star and hit Elvis songwriter Mac Davis dies at 78
FILE - Musician Mac Davis performs at the Texas Film Awards in Austin, Texas on March 6, 2014. Davis, a country star and Elvis songwriter, died on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2020 after heart surgery. (Photo by Jack Plunkett/Invision/AP, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Country star Mac Davis, who launched his career crafting the Elvis hits “A Little Less Conversation” and “In the Ghetto,” and whose own hits include “Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me,” has died. He was named 1974’s entertainer of the year by the Academy of Country Music and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “A small town boy who’d achieved the greatest kinds of fame, he remained a good guy, a family man,” said country star Kenny Chesney.
J-pop stars Arashi release English surprise before hiatus
Members of Japanese pop music band ARASHI listen to a question during an interview with The Associated Press in Tokyo on Thursday, Sept. 17, 2020. Japanese pop sensation Arashi has a big surprise for fans as they near their planned hiatus at year's end: a collaboration with Bruno Mars on their first all-English single. The band told The Associated Press the multi-Grammy Award-winning musician delved into their back catalogue to understand their unique sound while working on the single that was released last week. Despite their success, Arashi shocked fans by announcing their hiatus, halting all band activities at the end of this year. With about three months left until their hiatus, the band is keeping busy despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Pharrell, Beastie Boys, RZA, halftime show score Emmy nods
Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show Starring Jennifer Lopez And Shakira picked up four nominations, including outstanding variety special (live). It was not clear if Lopez and Shakira were specifically nominated, though past halftime singers, including Beyonc, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, have earned Emmy nominations as performers. For their work on Watchmen, they scored a second Emmy nomination for outstanding music composition for a limited series, movie or special. They earned nominations as producers for outstanding documentary or nonfiction special and as writers for outstanding writing for a nonfiction program. Jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington, who composed music for the Michelle Obama documentary Becoming, picked up a nomination for outstanding music composition for a documentary series of special.
Country music reckons with racial stereotypes and its future
This combination of photos shows country singer Rissi Palmer, from left, Chuck Harmony, left, and Claude Kelly of Louis York and country rapper Breland. Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. The genre has historically been marketed to white audiences and reinforced white male artist stereotypes. (Chris Charles via AP, left, Jeremy Ryan via AP, center and Paul R. Giunta/Invision/AP)
Country music reckons with racial stereotypes and its future
Black artists say the country music industry still needs to do the hard work of addressing the systematic racial barriers that have been entrenched in country music for decades. I was called colored, like, I didnt know colored people like country music, said Palmer, who had three singles reach the Hot Country Songs Chart. Both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association started diversity task forces more than a year ago when country music was being criticized for a lack of female voices and women were being left out of major categories like entertainer of the year. But just as country artists outwardly reflect a predominantly white image, there are few Black country music executives working behind the scenes. Theres a dismantling of culture that needs to happen.Palmer, who is recording a podcast that focuses on the experiences of women of color in country music, said she feels optimistic that the current discussions about race and country music can lead to progress, if real changes are implemented.
Oaks Hills Tavern Screening Honeymoon in Vegas In Case You Miss Nicolas Cage
Instead of torturing yourself with one of those, why not revisit one of his earlier films instead? From local politics and culture to national news that hits close to home, San Antonio Current has been keeping San Antonio informed for years. Its never been more important to support local news sources. If quality journalism is important to you, please consider a donation to San Antonio Current. Every reader contribution is valuable and so appreciated, and goes directly to support our coverage of critical issues and neighborhood culture.
sacurrent.comVMAs 2019: See the complete list of winners
NEWARK, N.J. - MTV's 2019 Video Music Awards, hosted by Sebastian Maniscalco, aired Monday night. Going into the ceremony, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande tied for the most nominations with 10 each. The full list of winners and nominees is as follows. Lil Nas XLizzoROSALABEST COLLABORATION"Old Town Road (Remix)," Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus"Shallow," Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper"Seorita," Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello *WINNER"ME!," Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco"I Don't Care," Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber"Boy With Luv," BTS ft. HalseyPUSH ARTIST OF THE YEARBazziCNCOBillie Eilish *WINNERH.E.R.
Dwayne Johnson, Bruno Mars and Jason Momoa Voice Support to Protect Sacred Hawaiian Mountain
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Bruno Mars and Jason Momoa are showing their support for Hawaiian activists. Activists have been protesting the construction of a giant telescope on Hawaii's tallest mountain, Mauna Kea, a battle that has been ongoing for years. We are United We are Mauna Kea Aloha nui j." "TMT + MAUNA KEA = DESECRATION. "We support science.
Jason Momoa joins protesters at Hawaii's Mauna Kea
CNN video(CNN) - Protesters trying to stop construction of a giant telescope atop Hawaii's tallest mountain were visited by The Rock last week. Actor Jason Momoa, who has born in Hawaii, visited the hundreds of demonstrators encamped at the base of Mauna Kea on the Big Island on Wednesday. Mauna Kea -- which rises more than 13,000 feet above sea level and is already home to a number of telescopes -- is considered sacred ground by some Native Hawaiians. Protesters got support from The RockDwayne Johnson made a surprise visit to the Mauna Kea camp late last month to lend his support. It featured a picture of some of the older Mauna Kea protesters with the message "I love you Hawaii, and I'm with you" and the hashtag #protectmaunakea.
Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift lead MTV VMA nominations
(CNN) - Ladies rule the 2019 Video Music Award nominations, with Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift leading this year's list of contenders for the annual MTV award show at 10 nominations each. Hannah Lux Davis, who directed "thank u, next," and Drew Kirsch and Swift, who directed "You Need to Calm Down," were also recognized in the directing category. The VMA nominations have also recognized recent break-through talent Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X. They both also received nominations for video of the year -- Eilish for "Bad Guys" and Lil Nas for "Old Town Road (Remix)," which features Billy Ray Cyrus. Lil Nas XLizzoROSALABEST COLLABORATION"Old Town Road (Remix)," Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus"Shallow," Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper"Seorita," Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello"ME!," Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic!