New this week: 'Interceptor,' Post Malone and 'Fire Island'
This weekโs new entertainment releases include albums from Post Malone and Drive-By Truckers, โFast & Furiousโ alum Elsa Pataky leading her own action picture with โInterceptor,โ and the modern romantic comedy โFire Island,โ set in the iconic LGBTQ vacation spot.
A peek behind the masks, precautions at the pandemic Grammys
Associated Press entertainment reporter Marcela Isaza poses backstage at the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Thursday, March 11, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)LOS ANGELES โ I have covered the Grammy Awards for the Associated Press for 15 years. Built around performances, full of singing and shouting, and with the biggest crowd of any awards show, the Grammys seem uniquely wrong for a world still in the coronavirus pandemic. The AP workspace is set off with high, thick black curtains, and they are constantly replenishing us with masks and hand sanitizer. AdOutside the sprawling building, carpenters and technicians have been building the stages that will be a hub for Sundayโs awards.
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. โIf you get asked to host the Grammys, I donโt think you take long to say โyes,โโ said the Emmy winner, who will host Sunday's Grammy Awards from downtown Los Angeles. AdโUnlike most award shows, the Grammys also are about the performances,โ said Noah. So far, Noah said venturing out to prepare for his Grammy hosting duties around other people has been โamazingโ and โsurreal.โ While watching rehearsals, he said the performances gave him and others life.
New this week: 'Cherry,' 'Bloodlands' & Kids' Choice Awards
This combination photo shows key art for the Acorn TV series "Bloodlands," premiering March 15, left, key art for the Apple TV+ film "Cherry," center, and key art for Nickelodeons "Kids Choice Awards," hosted by Kenan Thompson and airing on March 13. (Acorn TV/Apple TV+/Nickelodeon via AP)Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. AdโAP Film Writer Jake CoyleMUSICโ The 2021 Grammys will hand out 84 awards Sunday, but whatโs more exciting? Other performers include Chris Martin, John Mayer, Doja Cat, Maren Morris, DaBaby, HAIM, Lil Baby, Brandi Carlile, Roddy Ricch, Brittany Howard, Miranda Lambert, Mickey Guyton and Black Pumas. Adโ Grown-ups donโt have a lock on awards shows, as Nickelodeonโs Kidsโ Choice Awards proves once again.
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 โ Taylor Swift, BTS, Cardi B and Billie Eilish are set to perform at next weekโs Grammy Awards. The Grammys were originally supposed to take place on Jan. 31 but were delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Beyoncรฉ is leading nominee with nine, followed by Swift, Lipa and Ricch, who each earned six nominations.
Police: Rapper OMB Peezy charged in music video shooting
FILE - Roddy Ricch performs at the 7th annual BET Experience in Los Angeles on June 21, 2019. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)ATLANTA โ An Alabama rapper was arrested in connection to a shooting at a music video set in downtown Atlanta, authorities said. OMB Peezy was arrested Monday and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, news outlets reported. The shooting happened on Feb. 21 at a scrap yard where rappers Roddy Ricch and 42 Dugg were filming a music video. Peezy, 24, has over 550,000 subscribers on YouTube, where he's posted music, cooking and advice videos.
Rapper DaBaby arrested on Beverly Hills weapons allegation
FILE - DaBaby arrives at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards on Jan. 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. The Grammy-nominated rapper has been released from a Los Angeles County jail after an arrest in Beverly Hills, Calif., where police said he took a loaded gun into an upscale store on Rodeo Drive. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. โ Grammy-nominated rapper DaBaby has been released from a Los Angeles County jail after an arrest in Beverly Hills, where police said he took a loaded gun into an upscale store on Rodeo Drive. DaBaby, whose legal name is Jonathan Kirk, was arrested Thursday on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a loaded gun in a vehicle, Beverly Hills police said. The other men were released and DaBaby was arrested and jailed.
Grammy Awards shift to March due to pandemic conditions
FILE - Host Alicia Keys speaks at the 61st annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 10, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ 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. Los Angeles County, the epicenter of the crisis in California, has surpassed 11,000 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 stateโs 40 million residents. The BET Awards was the first major awards show during the pandemic and was a success thanks to its artsy, highly produced, well-crafted pre-taped performances.
AP's song of the year: Keedron Bryant's 'I Just Wanna Live'
This cover image released by Warner Records shows "I Just Wanna Live," by Keedron Bryant. Bryant's song was named one of the top 10 of the year by the Associated Press. Keedron Bryant, โI Just Wanna Live": During times of turmoil and unrest, people respond differently. She asked her son, then 12-year-old Keedron Bryant, to sing the song and the rest is for the history books. The song not only helped Keedron Bryant land a record deal, it helped heal the world at a time when music is a language that unites us all.
Roddy Ricch has Apple Music's top album, song of 2020
NEW YORK โ Roddy Ricch is the king of Apple Music: The rapper has the music platformโs most-streamed song and album of the year. The Weekndโs โBlinding Lightsโ was the second most-streamed song of the year, followed by Australian singer Tones and Iโs โDance Monkey,โ DaBaby and Ricchโs โRockstarโ and โLife Is Good" by Future and Drake. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this year, was the most Shazamed song of the year (Apple acquired Shazam in 2018). Ranked by time spent viewing lyrics in Apple Music, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallionโs raunchy hit โWAPโ tops the list of most-read lyrics of 2020. Other songs in the Top 5 include โDance Monkey,โ YOASOBIโs โYoru ni Kakeru,โ Ricchโs โThe Boxโ and Official HIGE DANdism โPretender.โ
Bad Bunny is Spotify's most-streamed artist of 2020
The Puerto Rican superstar is the music platformโs most-streamed artist of the year with 8.3 billion streams globally. With more than 3.3 billion streams, Bad Bunnyโs sophomore solo album โYHLQMDLGโ tops Spotifyโs list of most-streamed albums globally. The albumโs single, โBlinding Lights,โ is Spotifyโs 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 โLegends Never Dieโ was the platformโs most-streamed album in the U.S., while Ricchโs โThe Boxโ was the country's most-streamed song.
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 โ is up for best rap song and best rap performance. And Anderson .Paak's โLockdown," 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 Beyoncรฉ and he's earned Grammy nominations for it. PAUL McCARTNEY, THE ART DIRECTORPaul McCartney scored his 79th Grammy nominations this year โ as an art director.
Taylor Swift no-show at AMAs despite wining top prize
In this screen shot provided by ABC on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, Taylor Swift accepts the award for artist of the year at the American Music Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. She also won favorite music video and favorite pop/rock female artist, winning three honors and tying Bieber, Dan + Shay and the Weeknd for most wins Sunday. โThe last time I received this award it was given to me by the late, great Prince," he said after winning favorite soul/R&B album. Breakthrough singer-rapper Doja Cat performed and won new artist of the year and favorite soul/R&B female artist. And Megan Thee Stallion โ won favorite rap/hip-hop songs for โWAP" with Cardi B โ performed โBody" from her recently released debut album โGood News."
Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, Taylor Swift win Apple Music Awards
FILE - Roddy Ricch performs at the 7th annual BET Experience in Los Angeles on June 21, 2019. Ricch, whose successful year included a Grammy win, No. 1 song, won two Apple Music honors that were based on streaming data. His debut album, Please Excuse Me for Being Antisocial," has been streamed more than 1.5 billion times on the platform and was named top album of the year. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)
Lil Baby, Roddy Ricch, Taylor Swift win Apple Music Awards
1 song, won two Apple Music honors that were based on streaming data. (Photo by Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK โ Rapper Lil Baby has been named artist of the year at the second annual Apple Music Awards. The editorial team also named Taylor Swift songwriter of the year and Megan Thee Stallion breakthrough artist of the year. 1 song, won two Apple Music honors that were based on streaming data. His smash hit โThe Box" logged more than 460 million Apple Music streams and was crowned top song of the year.
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 DaBabyโs international hit โRock Star,โ helping him become the showโs overall top nominee. ________FOLKS LOVE FOLKLORETaylor Swiftโs last two albums, โLoverโ and โreputation,โ didnโt earn nominations for album of the year. The seven-member groupโs hit โDynamiteโ 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 โ The Weeknd and Roddy Ricch are the leading nominees for this yearโs 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 theyโre up against Florida Georgia Line and Old Dominion.
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.
J Balvin, Roddy Ricch no longer performing at MTV VMAs
NEW YORK Grammy-winning rapper Roddy Ricch and Colombian superstar J Balvin will no longer perform at the MTV Video Music Awards. The MTV VMAs will air on Sunday at 8 p.m. My team and I are safe and everyones health is a main priority, as well as giving a quality performance," Ricch said. STAY SAFE.A representative for Balvin confirmed on Monday that he would no longer perform at the event, but no details were provided. This years show introduces two new categories reflecting the current pandemic times: best music video from home and best quarantine performance.
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.
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.
Beyoncs message, epic performances stand out at BET Awards
In this video grab issued Sunday, June 28, 2020, by BET, Beyonce accepts the humanitarian award during the BET Awards. The singer dedicated her award to the Black Lives Matter movement, and encouraged activists to continue to push forward. DaBaby rapped a verse from the Black Lives Matter remix of his hit song Rockstar with Roddy Ricch at the awards. While holding a baseball bat, DaBaby then stood on a stage behind a group of people who had their fists raised high while others held Black Lives Matter signs. During the performance, video clips were shown of the national protests over the deaths of unarmed Black people including Floyd, Arbery and Taylor.
BET Awards highlight Black voices as artists went political
The BET Awards served as an extension of the voices of Black people protesting in the streets about the inequalities Black people face daily, as artists used their performances to highlight the Black Lives Matter movement, civil rights and the lives of those lost because of police officers, including George Floyd. The BET Awards kicked off with Black artists rapping and singing anthems about the Black experience and fighting for equal rights. Nipseyโs family, we love you.โThe BET Awards, one of the first awards shows to air virtually, featured performances that were sharp with artsy stage production, giving extra life to the songs being performed. โI used to watch the BET Awards all the time thinking, โOne day thatโs going to be me going up there accepting my awardโ โ and now it is.โThough the BET Awards are technically about handing out trophies, the awards were an afterthought. Beyoncรฉ won the BET HER award for โBrown Skin Girl,โ shared with daughter Blue Ivy Carter as well as Wizkid and Saint JHN.
New this week: 'Clemency,' BET Awards, HAIM, 'Doctor Sleep'
(Neon via AP)Hereโs a collection curated by The Associated Pressโ entertainment journalists of whatโs arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Written and directed by Chinonye Chukwu, โClemencyโ was well-reviewed but got unjustly overshadowed by some of the higher profile awards contenders when it was released in December. โDoctor Sleep: The Directorโs Cutโ: This Danny Torrance-focused sequel to โThe Shiningโ was a little divisive upon release, which wasnโt all that surprising. โ Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSICGrey Daze: Fans of the late Grammy-winning screeching rock singer Chester Bennington will get a chance to hear him one more time. HAIM: Itโs been three years since sister trio HAIM have released a new album.