Awards
Artists’ Rights Groups Urge Grammy Consideration for Dissident Iranian Composer
Three Norway-based artists’ rights groups have written Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. to request that the organization’s members consider the dangerous conditions under which dissident Iranian composer Mehdi Rajabian created his latest album, It Arrives, and the communications lockdown that has prevented him from promoting it in the lead-up to Grammy voting, which begins on Thursday (Oct. 13). Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The letter to Mason, dated Oct. 10, was signed by Sverre Pedersen, the chair of Freemuse, a non-governmental organization that documents abuses of artistic freedom internationally and serves as a consultant to the United Nations; Hans Ole Rian, president of CREO, Norway’s largest union for arts and culture; ...
Kendrick Lamar Tops 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards: Full Winners List
Kendrick Lamar dominated the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards with six wins including artist of the year and album of the year for Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1 in May. The awards ceremony, taped on Friday Sept. 30 at the Cobb Energy Centre in Atlanta, premiered on Tuesday (Oct. 4) on BET, BET Her, MTV2 and VH1. Lamar also won lyricist of the year and best live performer. He shared two other awards — best hip hop video for “Family Ties” with Baby Keem and video director of the year with Dave Free. This was Lamar’s eighth win for lyricist of the year, more by far than anyone else in the history of the show (which originated in 2006). This was his third win for hip-hop album of the year, which puts him in a tie...
Ed Sheeran & Johnny McDaid Win European Song of the Year at 2022 BMI London Awards
BMI honored Ed Sheeran and Johnny McDaid with the European song of the year award for their global hit “Bad Habits” at the 2022 BMI London Awards. The private event was held at London’s Savoy Hotel on Monday (Oct. 3). The award is given to BMI’s most performed song of the previous year by U.K. or European writers. The single spent 11 consecutive weeks at the top of the Official U.K. Singles Chart. Accepting the award via video message, Sheeran said, “We had so much fun making the song and it has been so much fun playing the song out on the road and seeing the reactions of people all around Europe and I can’t wait to go out and do some more.” Accepting alongside Sheeran, McDaid said, “Ed, I’m so grateful, man, for the fact that you still trust me to make music with you after over a decade o...
Maluma Gets Romantic With New Single ‘Junio’ at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards
In a set straight from La Comuna 13 — a popular neighborhood in his hometown of Medellín, Colombia — Maluma performed his new single “Junio” at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The Colombian singer got romantic with this R&B-funk song co-written by his go-to collaborator, Edgar Barrera, where he sings about crushing hard on a girl that he’s thinking, “How cool would it be if you were my girlfriend?” But Maluma isn’t looking — in fact, he left it very clear that his heart is taken when he stepped down from the stage following his colorful performance to give his girlfriend Susana Gomez a sweet kiss. Maluma also took part in Billboard Latin Music Week, where he appeared for a Superstar Q&A and...
Nicky Jam Surprised by His Dad With Hall of Fame Award at 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards
Nicky Jam entered the Billboard Hall of Fame on Thursday (Sept. 29) during the Billboard Latin Music Awards. Before accepting the special award, the hitmaker performed his latest single “Sin Novia.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Then, he was surprised by his father, José Rivera, who took the stage to present his son with the award. “Wow, I was not expecting this,” he started the speech. “I thought another artist would give me this, not my dad. But dad, you look beautiful. Thank you to Billboard, Leila Cobo for bringing my dad. I want to thank everyone that helped me get to where I’m at. Thank you to everyone who shared their studios with me. To Zion for giving me $500 to buy my ticket and go to Colombia. Thank you to all the old-schoo...
Bad Bunny Wins Big at 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards: Complete Winners List
With nine wins — including artist of the year, tour of the year and songwriter of the year — Bad Bunny was the big champion at the 2022 Billboard Latin Music Awards. The Puerto Rican star, who has been breaking attendance and chart records, also took home top Latin album of the year and top Latin rhythm album of the year for Un Verano Sin Ti, the longest-running album at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 so far this year, as well as Hot Latin Songs and Top Latin Albums artist of the year, male and tropical song of the year for “Volví.” Following Bad Bunny in sheer number of wins was Farruko with his juggernaut hit “Pepas,” which won the coveted Hot Latin Song of the year award, as well as sales, streaming and Latin rhythm song of the year. Karol G was the top female artist of the awards, winning ...
Wet Leg, Stormzy & Rina Sawayama Win at 2022 AIM Independent Music Awards: Full Winners List
Wet Leg, Stormzy, Rina Sawayama, Nova Twins and Nia Archives were among the winners at the 2022 AIM Independent Music Awards, which were held at London’s Roundhouse on Wednesday (Sept. 28). The awards recognize the U.K. independent music sector. On their win for U.K. independent breakthrough, Wet Leg said via videolink: “Thanks so much for the breakthrough award. It’s been a really wild year for us and we just want to take this opportunity to thank our team and all the other members of our new-found family. As a great man once said, ‘To infinity and beyond!’” Stormzy was honored as diversity champion for using his platform to level the playing field in the music industry. Collecting his award via video link, Stormzy said: “I encourage everyone in the room today to not just use diversity as...
Pierre Kwenders Wins 2022 Polaris Music Prize for Best Canadian Album
Congolese-born, Montreal-based musician, songwriter, and DJ Pierre Kwenders has won the 2022 Polaris Music Prize for his third album, José Louis and the Paradox of Love. An 11-member jury selected the record as the Canadian album of the year, based on artistic merit, without regard to genre, sales, or record label. The announcement was made at the Carlu in Toronto on Sept. 19 — Polaris’ first in-person celebration since 2019. In his acceptance speech, Kwenders thanked family, friends, and collaborators who contributed to the telling of his journey: “This is for all the kids from the diaspora… This is my story. This is my African story, my Congolese story, my Canadian story. This is your story if you want to take it as yours.” José Louis and the Paradox of Love — José ...
Taylor Swift Accepts Songwriter-Artist of the Decade Honor at Nashville Songwriter Awards: Read Her Full Speech
Two decades after writing her first song, and almost 16 years after releasing her eponymous debut album, Taylor Swift accepted the Songwriter-Artist of the Decade award on Tuesday evening (Sept. 20) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, during the annual Nashville Songwriter Awards. The honor celebrated Swift’s successes between 2010 and 2019, a time period that saw Swift fully transition from country to pop, amassing hits and fan favorites including the pop-country crossovers “Fearless,” “Mine” and “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together,” to the electrifying pop of “Shake It Off,” “Style” and “Blank Space” to more intimate tracks such as “Lover” and “New Year’s Day.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Nashville Songwriters Association Intern...
2022 Latin Grammys Nominees: Complete List
Bad Bunny leads the list of nominees for the 2022 Latin Grammys with 10 nominations, including album of the year for his 11-week Billboard 200-topping Un Verano Sin Ti. The Latin Recording Academy announced Tuesday (Sept. 20) the complete list of nominations for their 23rd annual edition of the Latin Grammys, which are set to take place Nov. 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The Puerto Rican hitmaker is closely followed by Mexican songwriter and producer Edgar Barrera, who scored nine nods, including song of the year and best pop song for “Índigo,” which he co-wrote alongside Camilo. Speaking of Camilo, the Colombian singer-songwriter, who was last year’s big winner, earned six nominations this year. Other top nominees include Rauw Alejandro wit...
Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner to Produce the 2023 Oscars
Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner of White Cherry Entertainment have been named executive producers of the 95th Oscars, Academy CEO Bill Kramer announced on Saturday (Sept. 17). For the eighth consecutive year, Weiss also will direct the show, which will air live on ABC and broadcast on outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 12, 2023. It will be Weiss’s second time and Kirshner’s first time producing the Oscars. “We are thrilled to have Glenn and Ricky at the helm,” Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement. “Their expertise in live television production is exactly what the Oscars needs. We look forward to working closely with them, our board of governors and the board’s awards committee to deliver an exciting and energized show.” Will Packer and Shayla Cowan produce...
Allison Russell, Billy Strings, Brandi Carlile Earns Top Trophies at Americana Music Awards
Allison Russell, Billy Strings and Brandi Carlile were among those earning top accolades on Wednesday (Sept. 14) as the Americana Honors & Awards ceremony returned to its home at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Over the course of the evening, nearly one dozen honors were given out, peppered throughout an ace lineup of performers that showcased the breadth of Americana’s evolving sound. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Ace guitarist Billy Strings earned the evening’s most coveted honor, artist of the year, following the release of his third album, Renewal, in 2021. Strings, however, was not in attendance at the Ryman Wednesday evening, as he was on tour in New England. In his stead, legendary dobro and steel guitar master Jerry Douglas both pre...
