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New this week: 'Sex and the City,' Juice Wrld and Will Smith
This weekās new entertainment releases include a double album from Alicia Keys and a posthumous one from Juice Wrld, Sandra Bullock playing an ex-con in the Netflix film āThe Unforgivableā and Will Smith testing himself in a wildlife documentary series.
Drake, Pink, The Weeknd win big at Billboard Music Awards
It 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.
Grammys overhaul process for picking nominees for top awards
The Grammy Awards have changed its tune and voted to remove its nomination review committees ā groups that determined the contenders for key awards at the coveted music show.
Billboard Awards: 16 nods for Weeknd, 6 for Morgan Wallen
The Weeknd was snubbed by the Grammys but heās the leading nominee at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards, where rappers Pop Smoke and Juice WRLD earned multiple posthumous nominations, including top artist.
Still divisive, Dr. Luke resurges at Grammys ā as Tyson Trax
Dr. 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. AdāI didnāt 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.
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 ā Interscope Geffen A&M ā the home to Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga ā 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 Groupās Atlantic Records was 2019ās top Billboard 200 label.
Bad Bunny is Spotify's most-streamed artist of 2020
The Puerto Rican superstar is the music platformās most-streamed artist of the year with 8.3 billion streams globally. With more than 3.3 billion streams, Bad Bunnyās sophomore solo album āYHLQMDLGā tops Spotifyās list of most-streamed albums globally. The albumās single, āBlinding Lights,ā is Spotifyās most-streamed song of the year with 1.6 million streams globally. In the U.S., late rapper Juice WRLD was the most-streamed artist on Spotify. His album āLegends Never Dieā was the platformās most-streamed album in the U.S., while Ricchās āThe Boxā was the country's most-streamed song.
The Weeknd criticizes Grammys over nominations snub
He said music from his fifth studio album āChangesā was wrongly viewed as a pop album, rather than an R&B project. āI set out to make an R&B album,ā he wrote on Instagram. It is not being acknowledged as an R&B album, which is very strange to me.āBieber was nominated in the categories for best pop solo performance, best pop duo/group performance, best pop vocal album and best country duo/group performance. The singer said he loves pop music, but he wants to be respected for his work. āI grew up admiring R&B music and wished to make a project that would embody that sound,ā he said.
12 Grammy facts: BTS and Dr. Luke in, The Weeknd out
And it earned him his first Grammy nomination in six years. 3 spot on the pop charts ā is up for best rap song and best rap performance. And Anderson .Paak's āLockdown," 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 BeyoncĆ© and he's earned Grammy nominations for it. PAUL McCARTNEY, THE ART DIRECTORPaul McCartney scored his 79th Grammy nominations this year ā as an art director.
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 DaBabyās international hit āRock Star,ā helping him become the showās overall top nominee. ________FOLKS LOVE FOLKLORETaylor Swiftās last two albums, āLoverā and āreputation,ā didnāt earn nominations for album of the year. The seven-member groupās hit āDynamiteā 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.
The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch lead AMA nominations with 8 each
In 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 ā The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch are the leading nominees for this yearās 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 theyāre up against Florida Georgia Line and Old Dominion.
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 ā 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 āa 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 yearās Billboard Awards were originally supposed to take place in April but were postponed because of the pandemic.
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 ā Post Malone is the sunflower of the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. Maloneās 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.
MTV VMAs honor Chadwick Boseman; The Weeknd, DaBaby perform
NEW 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.
The Weeknd, Roddy Ricch, Maluma, CNCO to perform at MTV VMAs
FILE - The Weeknd performs on day three at Lollapalooza in Grant Park in Chicago on Aug 4, 2018. The Weekend, nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards will perform at the awards show on Aug. 30. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)
The Weeknd, Roddy Ricch, Maluma, CNCO to perform at MTV VMAs
FILE - The Weeknd performs on day three at Lollapalooza in Grant Park in Chicago on Aug 4, 2018. The Weekend, nominated for six MTV Video Music Awards will perform at the awards show on Aug. 30. (Photo by Rob Grabowski/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK Chart-topping Grammy winners The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch are set to perform at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards this month. MTV announced Tuesday that Colombian singer Maluma and Latin boy band CNCO will also perform at the Aug. 30 event, which was originally to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. This years VMAs introduces two new categories reflecting the current pandemic times: best music video from home and best quarantine performance.
Lucky No.7: Taylor Swift nabs 7th No.1 album with 'folklore'
1 on Billboard's 200 albums chart this week, marking the best first-week sales of the year and giving the pop star her seventh No. (Republic Records via AP)NEW YORK To no one's surprise, Taylor Swift's surprise album folklore" is dominating the music charts. Swift's Lover" album, released last August. Swift dropped folklore" in a surprise form, announcing the album's release a day before it came out on July 24. A digital version of folklore" came with a purchase of one of the merchandise items, counting as an album sale for Swift.
Gaga, Grande top MTV VMA noms; quarantine categories added
Lady 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
This 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.
Dr. Luke rebounds, thanks to Saweetie, Doja Cat, Juice WRLD
Hes returned to the charts in 2020, working on songs for rising and established rap stars, including Lil Wayne, Juice WRLD, Saweetie and Doja Cat. Dr. Luke marked a major comeback this year with the success of the Billboard Hot 100 No. Label representatives for Saweetie, Juice WRLD, Lil Wayne and Cat didnt immediately reply to emails seeking comment. Months later, Kesha accused him of sexual assault during their yearslong partnership (Dr. Luke has vigorously denied the allegations.) Outside of rap in 2020, Dr. Luke has produced music for pop singer Kim Petras, using the pseudonym MADE IN CHINA.
New this week: 'Psych,' The Chicks album, '30 Rock' reunited
Heres a collection curated by The Associated Press entertainment journalists of whats arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr called it essential to Miranda disciples. After the film's June debut was postponed in solidarity with Black Lives Matter protests, it lands on Hulu on Friday. AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC The Chicks: After changing their name and recording their first album in 14 years, Grammy-winning country trio The Chicks will release their new album, Gaslighter, on Friday. AP Music Editor Mesfin FekaduTELEVISIONThe documentary Showbiz Kids promises a candid look at the high risk, high reward careers of child actors, with perspective from those who have been there.