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." 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.
Killer Mike to earn Change Maker Award at Billboard Awards
NEW YORK – Grammy-winning rapper and social-political activist Killer Mike will receive the first Billboard Change Maker Award at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. Atlanta-born Killer Mike first made waves in music with his appearance on Outkast's 2000 album, “Stankonia." But Killer Mike has made noise outside of music, too. Last year he hosted Netflix's “Trigger Warning with Killer Mike," a 2019 documentary series about issues affected the Black community. The Billboard Change Maker Award will be presented by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms at the African American Panoramic Experience Museum in Atlanta.
Billboard Awards: Alicia Keys, Bad Bunny, Malone to perform
NEW YORK – Alicia Keys, Bad Bunny, Luke Combs and leading nominee Post Malone will perform at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards. With restrictions set due to the coronavirus pandemic, it wasn’t clear if the performances will be live or pre-taped. The awards show was originally supposed to take place in April but was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic, which caused a halt to live performances and TV and film productions. Kelly Clarkson will host the Billboard Awards, and Garth Brooks will receive the ICON Award. Malone’s 16 nominations include top male artist, top rap artist and the show’s biggest prize, top artist.
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.
New this week: Alicia Keys, 'Filthy Rich' and the Emmys
This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA Records via AP)
New this week: Alicia Keys, 'Filthy Rich' and the Emmys
This cover image released by RCA Records shows "Alicia" the latest release by Alicia Keys. The album, out Friday, features several guest stars, including Jill Scott, Miguel, Khalid, Snoh Aalegra, Sampha, Diamond Platnumz and Ed Sheeran, who co-wrote the single Underdog. (RCA 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. It lands on HBO and HBO Max on Saturday at 8 p.m.— AP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSIC— Piano-playing pop star Alicia Keys is putting out her seventh album on Friday. — Kim Cattrall is at the center of Fox’s “Filthy Rich,” a prime-time soap opera loaded with money and betrayal that debuts 9 p.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 21.
Country music star Kane Brown spotted at Interstate 81 truck stop in Virginia
RAPHINE, Va. – In case you needed a reminder, celebrities are just like us! Country music sensation Kane Brown made a quick pit stop at White’s Travel Center in Raphine on Thursday morning. Subway employee, Angie Graves, snapped a selfie with the ‘Heaven’ singer to remember the surprise visit. Brown recently released “Be Like That” with Swae Lee and Khalid back in July.
Global concert industry in flux as coronavirus spreads
We don’t take sick days.”“Once you’re on a tour like this, you’re in contact with thousands of people. Andrew Cuomo said the state would ban all gatherings with 500 or more people to battle the coronavirus. That’s a concern for the festival business and destination festivals, where people come from all over the country, if not the world,” Waddell said. Pollstar’s Waddell said that people are going to concerts more than ever and the live performance industry is flourishing. ...It’s unfortunate that a wrench gets thrown into that scenario, which has been so positive for touring artists at a time when touring revenue is the most important part of a career,” he said.
Eilish leads iHeartRadio Music Awards with 7 nominations
LOS ANGELES, CA – Billie Eilish came away with the most nominations for the upcoming iHeartRadio Music Awards. iHeartMedia announced Wednesday that Eilish received seven nominations. The singer will compete for female artist of the year and song of the year with “bad guy.” Lil Nas X and Lizzo are each nominated six times. Eilish will face off against Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Halsey and Ariana Grande for female artist of the year. For the men’s top artist award, Ed Sheeran, Khalid, Luke Combs, Post Malone and Mendes will vie for the honor.
AP’s top albums of 2019: Ari Lennox, Summer Walker, Anitta
(Republic Records via AP)NEW YORK, NY – The top 10 albums of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu:1. A nomination — or eight — isn’t necessary for any real music fan to realize how outstanding, soulful and poignant Lennox’s debut album is. Lennox’s “Shea Butter Baby” is the best album of the year, no matter if awards shows think differently, including you, the Soul Train Music Awards. Summer Walker, “Over It”: Summer Walker’s debut album is perfect, as she spits matter-of-fact lyrics over some beats that borrow from classic ‘90s R&B hits including Usher, Destiny’s Child and 702. But even when she’s not sampling a song, Walker can hold her own, delivering a flawless album that’s easy to obsess over.