Multi-platinum music superstar, Billboard chart topper and current “Voice” coach Kelly Clarkson will host NBC’s three-hour live telecast of the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, set for Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
This will mark the first year the highly popular Billboard Music Awards will air on NBC. The show will feature this year’s hottest musical acts, biggest performances, unexpected collaborations and buzzworthy pop culture moments.
The announcement was made by Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Reality Group, NBC Entertainment.
“Kelly Clarkson has long been a Billboard chart phenomenon and has a first-hand understanding of what matters most in music today,” Telegdy said. “Her enthusiasm for all genres of music and her innate sense of humor will make for a truly memorable night.”
“To prepare for hosting the ‘Billboard Music Awards,’ I already have 20 costume changes planned,” Clarkson said. “I will be flying in like my girl P!nk, and calling Amy Schumer and Sarah Silverman for jokes. Well, or I’m just gonna show up and celebrate my favorite artists and get to know a few more. Yeah, maybe I’ll go with that plan.”
Clarkson has sold more than 25 million albums and 36 million singles worldwide. She has placed 10 singles in the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart and is the recipient of three Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, three MTV Video Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and a CMA Award.
The acclaimed singer/songwriter released her highly anticipated new album “Meaning of Life,” the first for Atlantic Records, on Oct. 27, 2017. “Meaning of Life,” featuring the emotionally charged new single, “I Don’t Think About You,” is the album Clarkson was destined to make with Atlantic, a collection of smart and sensual soul-inspired pop that immediately belongs among the legendary label’s classic canon. For her eighth studio album – and follow-up to 2015’s chart-topping “Piece By Piece” – Clarkson united a stellar team of top songwriters and producers to collaborate, among them past collaborators Jason Halbert, Jesse Shatkin and Grammy Award-winning Producer of the Year Greg Kurstin, as well as first-time collaborators Mick Schultz, the Monarch and Nick Ruth, among others.
Clarkson’s “Piece by Piece,” debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart, marking her third #1 debut. “Piece by Piece” garnered two 2016 Grammy nominations (Pop Vocal Album and Pop Solo Performance for her hit single “Heartbeat Song”).
Clarkson’s 2011 release, “Stronger,” was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America, won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, and produced the smash singles “Mr. Know It All” and “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You),” which marked her ninth and 10th Top 10 hits. “Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You)” was #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for two consecutive weeks (three weeks total), marking her third #1 on the Hot 100 chart. In 2013, she released her first holiday album, “Wrapped in Red,” which debuted at #3, was the biggest holiday album debut for a female artist since 2010, and is certified platinum.
Clarkson is also a New York Times best-selling author, having recently released her 2nd children’s picture book, “River Rose and the Magical Christmas”. This is the follow-up to “River Rose and the Magical Lullaby,” which debuted at #7 on The New York Times bestsellers list for children’s picture books.
Clarkson currently serves as a coach on the four-time Emmy Award-winning competition series “The Voice.” On next Monday’s, telecast (8-10 p.m.), “The Voice” will debut special themed weeks, starting with “Story of the Song,” during which artists will reveal the story of what their song means to them — special memories, significant life moments and covering artists who have inspired them.
The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman and Robert Deaton are executive producers.
About Billboard
Billboard is the world’s largest voice in music, built on the most complete and well-respected database of charts across all music genres. The Billboard charts define success in music. From the iconic Billboard magazine to Billboard.com, the ultimate consumer-facing destination for millions of passionate music fans, to the industry’s most elite conference series and influencer events including the Power 100 and Women in Music – the Billboard brand has unmatched authority among fans, artists and the industry alike. Billboard has a social media footprint of 16.4 million social followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and creates more than 200M cross-platform video views per month. Billboard magazine has published major news-generating covers recently including Travis Scott, Zayn, Lorde, Marshmello, Demi Lovato, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Eminem, DJ Khaled, Charlie Puth, and an open letter to Congress signed by 180+ of the music industry’s biggest stars and executives. In December 2017, the Billboard Women in Music ceremony, which honored Selena Gomez as Woman of the Year, was live-streamed globally on Twitter. In 2016, The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group acquired SpinMedia’s storied music assets Spin, Vibe, and Stereogum, establishing the world’s largest music brand by digital traffic, social reach, and audience share. The combined entity of music and entertainment properties now reaches 47 million unique visitors and one in every three U.S. millennials.
About “2018 Billboard Music Awards”
The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” are set to make their NBC debut and will broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. The three-hour telecast will feature this year’s hottest musical acts, biggest performances, unexpected collaborations, buzzworthy pop culture moments and will celebrate the 60thanniversary of the Billboard Hot 100. “Billboard Music Awards” nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of April 8, 2017 through March 31, 2018. The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman and Robert Deaton are Executive Producers.
About dick clark productions
dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is a division of Valence Media, a diversified media company with divisions and strategic investments in premium television, wide release film, specialty film, live events and digital media. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.
The following is a press release from Dick Clark Productions and NBC:
Dick Clark Productions and NBC today announced nominees for the 2018 Billboard Music Awards, which will honor the year’s most successful artists in 57 categories of music. Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran lead the pack with 15 nominations each, followed by Post Malone with 13, Imagine Dragons with 11, Drake with 9 and Justin Bieber and Cardi B with 8. The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” will broadcast LIVE coast to coast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on NBC.
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards nominations include a cross section of artists with many seeing more nods than ever. Lamar, Mars and Sheeran received nominations for Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Hot 100 Song and Top Songs Sales Artist, among others. Post Malone received 13 nominations including Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, plus two nominations in the Top Streaming Song (Audio) category. Imagine Dragons received 11 nominations, including Top Duo/Group, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Rock Artist, and two nominations in the Top Rock Song and Top Selling Song categories. Additional top nominees include Drake with 9, Justin Bieber and Cardi B with 8, and Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi with 7 nominations. In addition to Cardi B, other top female nominees include Taylor Swift with 5 and Camila Cabello with 4 nominations.
Voting for the two fan voted categories, Billboard Chart Achievement Award and Top Social Artist, will open in the coming weeks and additional details will be available soon.
2018 TOP NOMINEE CHART FACTS:
Justin Bieber
Even without a new album, 15-time Billboard Music Award winner Justin Bieber was a chart superstar in 2017 thanks to featured vocals on two of the year’s No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 hits. He teamed with DJ Khaled, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne on “I’m the One,” which became only the 28th song in the Hot 100’s history to debut in the top slot. The next week, Bieber replaced himself at No. 1 – for the second time in his career – with “Despacito,” his remixed smash with Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. The trio conquered the Hot 100’s summit for a record-tying 16 weeks, matching Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” (in 1995-96) for the longest reign at No. 1 ever on the chart.
Cardi B
Cardi B cashed in big in 2017, as she became only the third act ever, and the first rapper, to place her first three Billboard Hot 100 chart entries in the top 10 simultaneously, joining only The Beatles and Ashanti in achieving the feat. Cardi B’s debut hit, “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, also making her just the second female rapper to top the tally without any other billed artists, following Lauryn Hill, with “Doo Wop (That Thing)” in 1998. Following her “Bodak” breakthrough, Cardi B nabbed a No. 1 in early 2018 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with her Bruno Mars collaboration “Finesse.”
Daddy Yankee
Daddy Yankee’s team-up with Luis Fonsi on “Despacito” vaulted to history on the Billboard Hot 100, as the song, remixed with Justin Bieber, led for 16 weeks, equaling Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” (in 1995-96) for the longest term on top in the chart’s history. “Despacito” also broke the No. 1 longevity record on Hot Latin Songs, besting “Bailando,” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona (which led for 41 weeks in 2014-15). “Despacito,” the first predominantly Spanish-language No. 1 on the Hot 100 since Los Del Rio’s “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” in 1996, additionally became the longest-leading No. 1 on the all-genre Digital Song Sales (17 weeks) and Streaming Songs (16 weeks) charts.
Drake
Seemingly, only one person can break a Drake chart record … Drake. The superstar rewrote his Billboard Hot 100 record for the most entries by an artist in a single week, as his More Life album release propelled him to 24 simultaneous titles, three more than his then-record set in 2016. More Life‘s arrival also pushed Drake ahead of label mate and frequent collaborator Lil Wayne for the most Hot 100 entries by any solo artist. In 2018, the prolific MC, whose 13 Billboard Music Award wins in 2017 set a single-night record, has added jewels to his chart crown. “God’s Plan” joined his 2016 smash “One Dance” (featuring WizKid and Kyla) with double-digit weeks atop the Hot 100, making him the first male soloist with at least two songs (with lead-artist billing on both) that have each led for at least 10 weeks.
Luis Fonsi
Luis Fonsi made history on the Billboard Hot 100 when his Daddy Yankee collaboration “Despacito,” remixed with Justin Bieber, surged to a 16-week domination, tying Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s “One Sweet Day” (in 1995-96) for the longest stay at No. 1 ever on the chart. On Hot Latin Songs, “Despacito” also broke barriers, passing prior record-holder “Bailando,” by Enrique Iglesias featuring Descemer Bueno and Gente de Zona (41 weeks at No. 1 in 2014-15) for the longest command since the list’s 1986 launch. “Despacito” became the first predominantly Spanish-language No. 1 on the Hot 100 since Los Del Rio’s “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” in 1996, as well as the longest-ruling leader on the all-genre Digital Song Sales (17 weeks) and Streaming Songs (16 weeks) surveys.
Imagine Dragons
Five-time Billboard Music Award winners Imagine Dragons returned in a big way in the past year, as the band’s album Evolve debuted at No. 1 on the Top Rock Albums chart. The set has generated three No. 1s on the Alternative Songs airplay chart (“Believer,” “Thunder” and “Whatever It Takes”), making it the first album to achieve the triple-threat feat this decade. Evolve also marked the band’s first album with two top five-charting hits on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 chart (“Believer” and “Thunder”).
Kendrick Lamar
It’s been a DAMN. fine year for Kendrick Lamar, as the hip-hop superstar clocked his third consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart with DAMN. The album spent four weeks atop the tally and saw all 14 of its tracks reach the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The set also yielded Lamar’s first Hot 100 No. 1, “Humble.” Following his success with DAMN., Lamar returned as the curator and producer of Black Panther: The Album, which generated two more Hot 100 top 10s for him: “All the Stars,” with SZA, and “Pray for Me,” with The Weeknd.
Bruno Mars
Almost everything that Bruno Mars touches on the charts turns to gold, a flair that continued thanks to his third LP, 24K Magic. As the set produced top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 in the No. 4-peaking title cut, the No. 1 “That’s What I Like” and, in early 2018, “Finesse,” remixed with Cardi B, Mars became the first male to pull at least three Hot 100 top 10s from each of his first three proper LPs in over 30 years (since Lionel Richie in 1982-86). “Finesse” also topped the Pop Songs airplay chart, earning Mars a record-breaking honor: the track became his ninth No. 1 on the list, pushing him past Justin Timberlake for the most leaders among males in the chart’s 25-year history.
Post Malone
On the heels of his 2016 debut set Stoney, Post Malone erupted in mainstream popularity and accomplished two career firsts in rapid succession. The rapper/singer earned his first top 10 song on the Billboard Hot 100 in July 2017 with “Congratulations,” featuring Quavo. He followed with “rockstar,” featuring 21 Savage, which debuted at No. 2 and, in October, became his first No. 1, as it eventually ruled for eight weeks. Post Malone’s next new release, the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted “Psycho,” matched “rockstar” with a No. 2 opening on the Hot 100 in March, making the Texas native one of only nine artists, and two rappers (joining Eminem), to have debuted multiple songs in the chart’s top two spots.
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran muscled to the best shape of career so far with his third LP, ÷ (Divide). The set debuted as his second No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, while lead single “Shape of You” launched as the pop singer-songwriter’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song went on to rule the Hot 100 for 12 weeks and log 33 total weeks in the top 10, the most for any title in the chart’s history. In December, the album’s third single, “Perfect,” remixed with Beyoncé, began a six-week Hot 100 rule. Notably, thanks to the ballad, the superstars combined for the first Hot 100 No. 1 of the 2010s credited equally to a solo male and female.
“Billboard Music Awards” nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The finalists and award winners are determined using data reflecting a 12-month tracking period. Since 1940, the Billboard charts have been the go-to guide for ranking the popularity of artists, songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of success in music.
The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman and Robert Deaton are Executive Producers.
For the latest Billboard Music Awards (BBMAs) news, exclusive content and more, be sure to follow the BBMAs on social media and join the conversation by using the official hashtag for the show, #BBMAs. Facebook:FB.com/TheBBMAs Twitter:@BBMAs Instagram: bbmas Snapchat:thebbmas
The 2018 Billboard Music Awards are sponsored by T-Mobile.
About Billboard Billboard is the world’s largest voice in music, built on the most complete and well-respected database of charts across all music genres. The Billboard charts define success in music. From the iconic Billboard magazine to Billboard.com, the ultimate consumer-facing destination for millions of passionate music fans, to the industry’s most elite conference series and influencer events including the Power 100 and Women in Music – the Billboard brand has unmatched authority among fans, artists and the industry alike. Billboard has a social media footprint of 16.4 million social followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube, and creates more than 200M cross-platform video views per month. Billboard magazine has published major news-generating covers recently including Travis Scott, Zayn, Lorde, Marshmello, Demi Lovato, Cardi B, Selena Gomez, Eminem, DJ Khaled, Charlie Puth, and an open letter to Congress signed by 180+ of the music industry’s biggest stars and executives. In December 2017, the Billboard Women in Music ceremony, which honored Selena Gomez as Woman of the Year, was live-streamed globally on Twitter. In 2016, The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group acquired SpinMedia’s storied music assets Spin, Vibe, and Stereogum, establishing the world’s largest music brand by digital traffic, social reach, and audience share. The combined entity of music and entertainment properties now reaches 47 million unique visitors and one in every three U.S. millennials.
About “2018 Billboard Music Awards”
The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” are set to make their NBC debut and will broadcast live from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 20 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. The three-hour telecast will feature this year’s hottest musical acts, biggest performances, unexpected collaborations, buzzworthy pop culture moments and will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Billboard Hot 100. “Billboard Music Awards” nominees are based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the reporting period of April 8, 2017 through March 31, 2018. The “2018 Billboard Music Awards” is produced by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman and Robert Deaton are Executive Producers.
About dick clark productions
dick clark productions (dcp) is the world’s largest producer and proprietor of televised live event entertainment programming with the “Academy of Country Music Awards,” “American Music Awards,” “Billboard Music Awards,” “Golden Globe Awards,” “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest” and the “Streamy Awards.” Weekly television programming includes “So You Think You Can Dance” from 19 Entertainment and dcp. dcp also owns one of the world’s most unique and extensive entertainment archive libraries with over 60 years of award-winning shows, historic programs, specials, performances and legendary programming. dcp is a division of Valence Media, a diversified media company with divisions and strategic investments in premium television, wide release film, specialty film, live events and digital media. For additional information, visit www.dickclark.com.
THE “2018 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS” NOMINEES:NOMINATIONS BY CATEGORY
ARTIST AWARDS
Top Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
Top New Artist:
21 Savage
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Khalid
Kodak Black
Billboard Chart Achievement Award (Voting details to be released in the coming weeks):
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Drake
Sam Hunt
Ed Sheeran
Top Male Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Female Artist:
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Halsey
Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift
Top Duo/Group:
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Imagine Dragons
Migos
U2
Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Ed Sheeran
Chris Stapleton
Taylor Swift
Top Hot 100 Artist:
Imagine Dragons
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Streaming Songs Artist:
Cardi B
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Song Sales Artist:
Imagine Dragons
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran
Top Radio Songs Artist:
Halsey
Imagine Dragons
Bruno Mars
Charlie Puth
Ed Sheeran
Top Social Artist (Voting details to be released in the coming weeks):
Justin Bieber
BTS
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Shawn Mendes
Top Touring Artist:
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
U2
Top R&B Artist:
Chris Brown
Khalid
Bruno Mars
SZA
The Weeknd
Top R&B Male Artist:
Khalid
Bruno Mars
The Weeknd
Top R&B Female Artist:
Beyoncé
Rihanna
SZA
Top R&B Tour:
Bruno Mars
Lionel Richie
The Weeknd
Top Rap Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Uzi Vert
Migos
Post Malone
Top Rap Male Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Post Malone
Top Rap Female Artist:
Bhad Bhabie
Cardi B
Nicki Minaj
Top Rap Tour:
J. Cole
JAY-Z
Kendrick Lamar
Top Country Artist:
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Top Country Male Artist:
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton
Top Country Female Artist:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Top Country Duo/Group Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band
Top Country Tour:
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Tim McGraw & Faith Hill
Top Rock Artist:
Imagine Dragons
Linkin Park
Portugal. The Man
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
twenty one pilots
Top Rock Tour:
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
U2
Top Latin Artist:
J Balvin
Daddy Yankee
Luis Fonsi
Ozuna
Romeo Santos
Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Calvin Harris
Kygo
Marshmello
ODESZA
Top Christian Artist:
Elevation Worship
Hillsong UNITED
Hillsong Worship
MercyMe
Zach Williams
Top Gospel Artist:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy
Travis Greene
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Tamela Mann
ALBUM AWARDS
Top Billboard 200 Album:
Drake “More Life”
Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.”
Post Malone “Stoney”
Ed Sheeran “÷ (Divide)”
Taylor Swift “reputation”
Top Selling Album:
Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.”
P!nk “Beautiful Trauma”
Ed Sheeran “÷ (Divide)”
Chris Stapleton “From A Room: Volume 1”
Taylor Swift “reputation”
Top Soundtrack:
“Black Panther”
“The Fate of the Furious: The Album”
“The Greatest Showman”
“Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2”
“Moana”
Top R&B Album:
Khalid “American Teen”
Bruno Mars “24K Magic”
SZA “Ctrl”
The Weeknd “Starboy”
XXXTENTACION “17”
Top Rap Album:
Drake “More Life”
Kendrick Lamar “DAMN.”
Lil Uzi Vert “Luv Is Rage 2”
Migos “Culture”
Post Malone “Stoney”
Top Country Album:
Kane Brown “Kane Brown”
Luke Combs “This One’s For You”
Thomas Rhett “Life Changes”
Chris Stapleton “From A Room: Volume 1”
Brett Young “Brett Young”
Top Rock Album:
Imagine Dragons “Evolve”
Linkin Park “One More Light”
Panic! At The Disco “Death Of A Bachelor”
Portugal. The Man “Woodstock”
U2 “Songs of Experience”
Top Latin Album:
Nicky Jam “Fénix”
Christian Nodal “Me Dejé Llevar”
Ozuna “Odisea”
Romeo Santos “Golden”
Shakira “El Dorado”
Top Dance/Electronic Album:
Avicii “AVĪCI (01)”
The Chainsmokers “Memories…Do Not Open”
Calvin Harris “Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1”
Kygo “Stargazing”
ODESZA “A Moment Apart”
Top Christian Album:
Elevation Worship “There Is A Cloud”
Hillsong UNITED “Wonder”
Hillsong Worship “Let There Be Light”
Alan Jackson “Precious Memories Collection”
MercyMe “Lifer”
Top Gospel Album:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy “A Long Way From Sunday”
Travis Greene “Crossover: Live From Music City”
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise “You Deserve It”
Tasha Cobbs Leonard “Heart. Passion. Pursuit.”
Marvin Sapp “Close”
SONG AWARDS
Top Hot 100 Song:
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Kendrick Lamar “HUMBLE.”
Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”
Ed Sheeran “Shape Of You”
Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Kendrick Lamar “HUMBLE.”
Lil Uzi Vert “XO TOUR Llif3”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”
Post Malone ft. Quavo “Congratulations”
Top Streaming Song (Video):
Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Lil Pump “Gucci Gang”
Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”
Top Selling Song:
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Sam Hunt “Body Like A Back Road”
Imagine Dragons “Believer”
Imagine Dragons “Thunder”
Ed Sheeran “Perfect”
Top Radio Song:
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay “Something Just Like This”
Imagine Dragons “Believer”
Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
Charlie Puth “Attention”
Ed Sheeran “Shape of You”
Top Collaboration:
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug “Havana”
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay “Something Just Like This”
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
French Montana ft. Swae Lee “Unforgettable”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”
Top R&B Song:
Childish Gambino “Redbone”
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller “Wild Thoughts”
Khalid “Young Dumb & Broke”
Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like”
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B “Finesse”
Top Rap Song:
Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper & Lil Wayne “I’m the One”
French Montana ft. Swae Lee “Unforgettable”
Kendrick Lamar “HUMBLE.”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage “Rockstar”
Top Country Song:
Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina “What Ifs”
Sam Hunt “Body Like A Back Road”
Dustin Lynch “Small Town Boy”
Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line “Meant To Be”
Brett Young “In Case You Didn’t Know”
Top Rock Song:
Imagine Dragons “Believer”
Imagine Dragons “Thunder”
Linkin Park ft. Kiiara “Heavy”
Portugal. The Man “Feel It Still”
The Revivalists “Wish I Knew You”
Top Latin Song:
J Balvin & Willy William ft. Beyoncé “Mi Gente”
Becky G ft. Bad Bunny “Mayores”
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber “Despacito”
Maluma “Felices Los 4”
Wisin ft. Ozuna “Escápate Conmigo”
Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers & Coldplay “Something Just Like This”
Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul & Anne-Marie “Rockabye”
Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato “No Promises”
Kygo & Selena Gomez “It Ain’t Me”
Zedd & Alessia Cara “Stay”
Top Christian Song:
Elevation Worship “O Come To The Altar”
Hillsong Worship “What A Beautiful Name”
Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly “I’ll Find You”
MercyMe “Even If”
Zach Williams “Old Church Choir”
Top Gospel Song:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy “Trust In You”
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise “You Deserve It”
Travis Greene “You Waited”
Tamela Mann “Change Me”
Charlie Wilson “I’m Blessed”
NOMINATIONS IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER (BY FIRST NAME):
“Black Panther” (1): Top Soundtrack “Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2” (1): Top Soundtrack “Moana” (1): Top Soundtrack “The Fate of the Furious: The Album” (1): Top Soundtrack “The Greatest Showman” (1): Top Soundtrack 21 Savage (5): Top New Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song Alan Jackson (1): Top Christian Album Alessia Cara (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Anne-Marie (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Anthony Brown & group therAPy (3): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Album, Top Gospel Song Ariana Grande (1): Top Social Artist Avicii (1): Top Dance/Electronic Album Bad Bunny (1): Top Latin Song Bebe Rexha: (1): Top Country Song Becky G (1): Top Latin Song Beyoncé (2): Top R&B Female Artist, Top Latin Song Bhad Bhabie (1): Top Rap Female Artist Brett Young (2): Top Country Album, Top Country Song Bruno Mars (15): Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Touring Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Tour, Top R&B Album, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Radio Song, Top R&B Song (x2) Bryson Tiller (1): Top R&B Song BTS (1): Top Social Artist Calvin Harris (2): Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Album Camila Cabello (4): Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top New Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Collaboration Cardi B (8): Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top New Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Rap Female Artist, Top Streaming Song (Video), Top R&B Song, Top Rap Song, Top Streaming Songs Artist Chance The Rapper (1): Top Rap Song Charlie Puth (2): Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Radio Song Charlie Wilson (1): Top Gospel Song Cheat Codes (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Childish Gambino (1): Top R&B Song Chris Brown (1): Top R&B Artist Chris Stapleton (5): Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Album, Top Selling Album Christian Nodal (1): Top Latin Album Clean Bandit (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Coldplay (6): Top Duo/Group, Top Touring Artist, Top Rock Tour, Top Radio Song, Top Collaboration, Top Dance/Electronic Song Daddy Yankee (7): Top Latin Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Selling Song, Top Collaboration, Top Latin Song Demi Lovato (3): Top Female Artist, Top Social Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Song DJ Khaled (2): Top R&B Song, Top Rap Song Drake (9): Top Artist, Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Album, Top Streaming Songs Artist Dustin Lynch (1): Top Country Song Ed Sheeran (15): Top Artist, Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Streaming Song, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Touring Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Selling Album, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Selling Song, Top Radio Song Elevation Worship (3): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Album, Top Christian Song Faith Hill (1): Top Country Tour Florida Georgia Line (3): Top Country Duo/Group Artist, Top Country Tour, Top Country Song French Montana (2): Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song Guns N’ Roses (2): Top Touring Artist, Top Rock Tour Halsey (2): Top Female Artist, Top Radio Artist Hillsong UNITED (2): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Album Hillsong Worship (3): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Album, Top Christian Song Imagine Dragons (11): Top Duo/Group, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album, Top Selling Song (x2), Top Radio Song, Top Rock Song (x2) J Balvin (2): Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Song J. Cole (1): Top Rap Tour JAY-Z (1): Top Rap Tour J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise (3): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Album, Top Gospel Song Justin Bieber (8): Top Social Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Selling Song, Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song, Top Latin Song Kane Brown (3): Top Country Artist, Top Country Album, Top Country Song Kelsea Ballerini (1): Top Country Female Artist Kendrick Lamar (15): Top Artist, Top Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Rap Tour, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Album, Top Selling Song, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Rap Song Khalid (5): Top New Artist, Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Album, Top R&B Song Kiiara (1): Top Rock Song Kodak Black (1): Top New Artist Kygo (3): Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Album, Top Dance/Electronic Song, Lauren Alaina (1): Top Country Song Lecrae (1): Top Christian Song Lil Pump (1): Top Streaming Song (Video) Lil Uzi Vert (3): Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Album, Top Streaming Song (Audio) Lil Wayne (1): Top Rap Song Linkin Park (3): Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album, Top Rock Song Lionel Richie (1): Top R&B Tour Luis Fonsi (7): Top Latin Artist, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Streaming Song (Video), Top Selling Song, Top Collaboration, Top Latin Song Luke Bryan (1): Top Country Tour Luke Combs (2): Top Country Artist, Top Country Album Maluma (1): Top Latin Song Maren Morris (1): Top Country Female Artist Marshmello (1): Top Dance/Electronic Artist Marvin Sapp (1): Top Gospel Album MercyMe (3): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Album, Top Christian Song Migos (3): Top Duo/Group, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Album Miranda Lambert (1): Top Country Female Artist Nicki Minaj (1): Top Rap Female Artist Nicky Jam (1): Top Latin Album ODESZA (2): Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Album Old Dominion (1): Top Country Duo/Group Artist Ozuna (3): Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Album, Top Latin Song P!NK (1): Top Selling Album Panic! At The Disco (1): Top Rock Album Portugal. The Man (3): Top Rock Artist, Top Rock Album, Top Rock Song Post Malone (13): Top Male Artist, Top Hot 100 Artist, Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Rap Artist, Top Rap Male Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Rap Album, Top Hot 100 Song, Top Streaming Song (Audio) (x2), Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song Quavo (2): Top Streaming Song (Audio), Top Rap Song Rihanna (2): Top R&B Female Artist, Top R&B Song Romeo Santos (2): Top Latin Artist, Top Latin Album Sam Hunt (5): Billboard Chart Achievement Award, Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Selling Song, Top Country Song Sean Paul (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Selena Gomez (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song Shakira (1): Top Latin Album Shawn Mendes (1): Top Social Artist Swae Lee (2): Top Collaboration, Top Rap Song SZA (3): Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Female Artist, Top R&B Album Tamela Mann (2): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Song Tasha Cobbs Leonard (2): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Album Taylor Swift (5): Top Artist, Top Female Artist, Top Billboard 200 Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Selling Album The Chainsmokers (6): Top Duo/Group, Top Dance/Electronic Artist, Top Dance/Electronic Album, Top Radio Song, Top Collaboration, Top Dance/Electronic Song The Revivalists (1): Top Rock Song The Weeknd (4): Top R&B Artist, Top R&B Male Artist, Top R&B Tour, Top R&B Album Thomas Rhett (3): Top Country Artist, Top Country Male Artist, Top Country Album Tim McGraw (1): Top Country Tour Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (1): Top Rock Artist Tori Kelly (1): Top Christian Song Travis Greene (3): Top Gospel Artist, Top Gospel Album, Top Gospel Song twenty one pilots (1): Top Rock Artist U2 (4): Top Duo/Group, Top Touring Artist, Top Rock Tour, Top Rock Album Willy William (1): Top Latin Song Wisin (1): Top Latin Song XXXTENTACION (1): Top R&B Album Young Thug (1): Top Collaboration Zac Brown Band (1): Top Country Duo/Group Artist Zach Williams (2): Top Christian Artist, Top Christian Song Zedd (1): Top Dance/Electronic Song
2018 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARD NOMINEE STATISTICS
2018 NOMINATIONS FAST FACTS
ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY
TOP BBMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1990–2017)
2018 NOMINATIONS FAST FACTS
“COULD ED SHEERAN WIN HIS FIRST EVER BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARD THIS YEAR?”
Ed Sheeran, who’s tied with Kendrick Lamar and Bruno Mars for 15 nominations, could win his first Billboard Music Award ever at this year’s show. Sheeran previously received 5 nominations in 2015, and 3 nominations in 2016.
“WILL DRAKE’S RECORD FROM THE “2017 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS” BE BROKEN THIS YEAR?”
Kendrick Lamar, Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran tie for the most nominations this year (15). All three artists have the chance to surpass Drake’s record (13) for the artist with the most wins in a single night.
“WILL THERE BE A NEW ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDER FOR MOST WINS EVER?”
Drake, 14-time Billboard Music Award winner, could become the artist with the most wins ever, surpassing Taylor Swift (21). Drake is nominated for 9 awards this year and will take the lead over Swift should he sweep all his categories.
15-time Billboard Music Award winner, Justin Bieber, could beat Taylor Swift’s previous all-time record of most BBMA wins (21), if he wins in 7 or more of his categories. Bieber has 8 nominations this year, crossing over multiple genres.
“WHICH TOP DUO/GROUP NOMINEE WILL WIN BIG AT THE ‘2018 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS’?”
The Chainsmokers, who are nominated for 6 awards this year, have the chance to tie the current record of most BBMA wins by any Duo/Group, currently held by Destiny’s Child with 10, if they take home all 6 wins.
With 11 nominations this year, 2018 Top Duo/Group nominee Imagine Dragonsreceived the third most nominations, including an impressive 2 nods in the Top Selling Song and Top Rock Song categories.
“2018 IS THE YEAR OF ARTIST GENRE CROSSOVERS AT THE ‘2018 BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS’”
With Beyoncé nominated for “Mi Gente” and Justin Bieber nominated for “Despacito” in Top Latin Song, a first for them in this category, 2018 has proven to be the year of genre-crossing artists.
ALL-TIME RECORD HOLDERS BY CATEGORY:
TOP ARTIST
50 Cent, Adele,Garth Brooks, Destiny’s Child, Taylor Swift and Usher are tied for the most wins in this category with 2 wins. Swift is a 2018 nominee in this category and if she wins, she will become the artist with the most Top Artist awards.
TOP MALE ARTIST
Justin Bieber is the artist with the most wins (2) in this category, having taken home the trophy in 2013 and 2016. Drake, the 2017 winner for Top Male Artist, is nominated this year and has the chance to tie Bieber for most wins in this category.
TOP FEMALE ARTIST
Adele, Beyoncé, Rihanna and Taylor Swift lead with 2 wins each in this category. Taylor is nominated this year and will become the most decorated Top Female Artist with 3 wins in this category should she take home the award.
TOP DUO OR GROUP
One Direction currently holds the record with 3 wins in this category. The group previously won in 2013, 2015 and 2016.
TOP R&B ARTIST
R. Kelly has the most wins for Top R&B Artist with four. He won the category in 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2001. Usher follows with 3 wins in 1998, 2004 and most recently in 2011.
TOP RAP ARTIST
Drake, LL Cool J, Eminem and protégé 50 Cent are tied in this category with 2 wins each. LL Cool J won Top Rap Artist in 1991 and 1996, Eminem won in 2011 and 2014, while 50 Cent actually won the award twice, years before his mentor, in 2003 and 2005. Drake took home this award in 2016 and 2017, and is nominated again this year, giving him the chance to surpass LL Cool J, Eminem and 50 Cent to become the top winner in this category and be the dominating artist for three years running.
TOP COUNTRY ARTIST
Garth Brooks has won this award three times in 1991, 1993 and 1998. None of the nominees in this category this year have won this award and will be taking home the top country honor for the first time.
TOP ROCK ARTIST
Twenty One Pilots is the first artist to win this award twice and in back-to back years, 2016 and 2017. They are nominated again this year and have the chance to dominate this category for the third year running.
TOP LATIN ARTIST
Romeo Santos and Shakira are tied for most wins in this category with two. He previously won Top Latin Artist back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, while Shakira won this category back-to-back in 2011 and 2012. Romeo is nominated again this year and will become the artist with the most wins in this category should he take home the award for the third time.
TOP CHRISTIAN ARTIST
Chris Tomlin and Hillsong UNITED are tied as leaders in this category with 2 each. Tomlin won this award twice, in 2001 and 2014, and Hillsong UNITED won back-to-back in 2015 and 2016. Hillsong UNITED is nominated this year as well, giving them the chance to surpass Tomlin with most Top Christian Artist wins.
TOP BBMA WINNERS OF ALL TIME (1990–2017):Taylor Swift – 21 wins total, the most BBMA wins of any artist in history; Top Billboard 200 Artist (2011); Top Country Artist (2011); Top Country Album (2011); Woman of the Year (2012); Top Artist (2013); Top Female Artist (2013); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2013); Top Digital Songs Artist (2013); Top Country Artist (2013); Top Billboard 200 Album (2013); Top Country Album (2013); Top Country Song (2013); Top Artist (2015); Top Female Artist (2015); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2015); Top Hot 100 Artist (2015); Top Digital Songs Artist (2015); Top Billboard 200 Album (2015); Top Streaming Song (2015); Chart Achievement Award (2015); Top Touring Artist (2016)
Garth Brooks – 19 wins total; #1 Albums Artist (1991); #1 Country Album (1991); #1 Country Singles Artists (1991); #1 Country Artist (1991); #1 Country Albums Artist (1991); No. 1 Pop Artist (1992); #1 Country Artist (1993); #1 Pop Artist (1993); #1 Country Singles Artist (1993); #1 Country Albums Artist (1993); Country Album of the Year (1995); Artist Achievement Award (1997); Country Artist of the Year (1998); Country Album of the Year (1998); Male Album of the Year (1998); Male Albums Artist of the Year (1998); Country Singles Artist of the Year (1998); Country Albums Artist of the Year (1998); Male Artist of the Decade (1999)
Adele – 18 wins total; Top Billboard 200 Album (2012); Top Pop Album (2012); Top Artist (2012); Top Female Artist (2012); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2012); Top Hot 100 Artist (2012); Top Digital Songs Artist (2012); Top Radio Songs Artist (2012); Top Digital Media Artist (2012); Top Pop Artist (2012); Top Streaming Song (2012); Top Alternative Song (2012); Top Pop Album (2013); Top Artist (2016); Top Female Artist (2016); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2016); Top Billboard 200 Album (2016); Top Selling Song (2016)
Usher – 18 wins total; Artist of the Year (1998); R&B Artist of the Year (1998); Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year (1998); Artist of the Year (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Artist of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Single of the Year (2004); Mainstream Top 40 Artist of the Year (2004); Mainstream Top 40 Single of the Year (2004); Billboard 200 Album of the Year (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (2004); R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist of the Year (2004); Billboard 200 Artist of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Airplay Single of the Year (2004); Rap Song of the Year (2005); Top R&B Artist (2011); Top R&B Song (2011); Top R&B Album (2011)
Whitney Houston – 16 wins total; #1 R&B Singles Artist (1991); #1 R&B Albums Artist (1991); #1 R&B Artist (1991); #1 R&B Album (1991); #1 Hot 100 Singles Artist (1993); #1 Hot 100 Single (1993); Single With Most Weeks at #1 (1993); #1 R&B Single (1993); #1 R&B Singles Artist (1993); #1 R&B Album (1993); #1 World Artist (1993); #1 World Single (1993); #1 Album (1993); #1 Soundtrack Album (1993); #1 Album With Most Weeks at No. 1 (1993); Billboard Millennium Award (2012)
Justin Bieber – 15 wins total; Top New Artist (2011); Top Social Artist (2011); Top Streaming Artist (2011); Top Digital Artist (2011); Top Pop Album (2011); Top Streaming Song, [Video] (2011); Billboard.com Fan Favorite Award (2011); Top Social Artist (2012); Milestone Award (2013); Top Male Artist (2013); Top Social Artist (2013); Top Social Artist (2014); Top Social Artist (2015); Top Male Artist (2016); Top Social Media Artist (2016)
Mariah Carey – 14 wins total; #1 Hot 100 Singles Artist (1991); #1 Album (1991); #1 Adult Contemporary Artist (1991); #1 Pop Artist (1991); #1 Female Artist (1994); Special Hot 100 Singles Award – Most Weeks at No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100 (1996); Hot 100 Singles Artist of the Year (1996); Special Billboard Hot 100 Award for the most No.1s ever by a female artist (1998); Female Artist of the Decade (1999); Hot 100 Song of the Year (2005); Hot 100 Airplay Song of the Year (2005); Female R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2005); Female Billboard 200 Album Artist of the Year (2005); Rhythmic Top 40 Title of the Year (2005)
Drake – 14 wins total; Top Rap Artist (2016); Top Artist (2017); Top Billboard 200 Artist (2017); Top Billboard 200 Album (2017); Top Rap Artist (2017); Top Male Artist (2017); Top Rap Album (2017); Top Hot 100 Artist (2017); Top Song Sales Artist (2017); Top Streaming Songs Artist (2017); Top Rap Tour (2017); Top Streaming Song (Audio); Top R&B Song (2017), Top R&B Collaboration (2017)
R. Kelly – 12 wins total; #1 R&B Artist (1994); R&B Artist of the Year (1996); R&B Artist of the Year (1999); R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Album of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Artist of the Year (2001); R&B/Hip-Hop Single of the Year (2001); Hot 100 Producer of the Year (2003); R&B Producer of the Year (2003); Hot 100 Songwriter of the Year (2003); R&B Songwriter of the Year (2003)
Rihanna – 12 wins total; Female Artist of the Year (2006); Female Hot 100 Artist of the Year (2006); Pop 100 Artist of the Year (2006); Top Female Artist (2011); Top Radio Songs Artist (2011); Top Rap Song (Eminem Featuring Rihanna) (2011); Top Streaming Artist (2012); Top Radio Songs Artist (2013); Top R&B Artist (2013); Top R&B Album (2013); Top R&B Song (2013); Chart Achievement Award (2016)
Beyoncé – 11 wins total; Hot 100 Female Artist of the Year (2003); New R&B Artist of the Year (2003); New Female Artist of the Year (2003); Special Hot 100 Award for Most Weeks at No. 1 (2003); Billboard Millennium Award (2011); Top R&B Album (2012); Top Female Artist (2017); Top Touring Artist (2017); Top R&B Artist (2017); Top R&B Tour (2017); Top R&B Album (2017)
Lil Jon – 11 wins total; This count includes 6 Billboard Music Awards he won with the East Side Boyz; R&B/Hip Hop Group of the Year (2003); Independent Album Artist of the Year (2003); Independent Album of the Year (2003); Hot 100 Producer (2004); Hot 100 Single of the Year (2004); Mainstream Top 40 Single of the Year (2004); Hot 100 Airplay Single of the Year (2004); Independent Albums Artist of the Year (2004); Independent Album of the Year (2004); Rap Song of the Year (2005); Top Dance/Electronic Song (2015)
Pictured from left to right: MTV “Moon Man” mascot; New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin; MTV International global head of music/talent and co-brand lead Bruce Gillmer; and MSG Live executive vice president Darren Pfeffer at Radio City Music Hall on April 17, 2018. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV)
The following is a press release from MTV:
On the heels of MTV’s third consecutive quarter of growth, its best streak in seven years, the 2018 MTV VMAs will return to NYC and air live on Monday, August 20 from Radio City Music Hall.
Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin today joined the iconic VMA Moon Person; Bruce Gillmer, Global Head of Music/Talent, Co-Brand Lead, MTV International; and Darren Pfeffer, Executive Vice President of MSG Live, to announce the news with a street renaming and symbolic “moon landing” on Manhattan’s Avenue of the Americas, under the marquee of the famed venue. Radio City Music Hall was the home of the inaugural VMAs in 1984 and this will mark the 12th time the show has been held there – the most for any VMA location. 2018 will be the 17th time the “MTV VMAs” have been held in New York City.
“New York City’s creative energy has always fueled those who live and work here. This is where music, film, and art collide and where the Video Music Awards were born,” said Mayor de Blasio. “There is no better place to host the MTV VMAs than in New York City at one of the most iconic venues in the world.”
“We are so pleased that the MTV VMAs will be returning to their roots in New York City for this year’s celebration of music, and entertainment,” said Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin. “Prestigious awards shows like the VMAs and the Grammys not only reconfirm New York City’s status as the music capital of the country, but they bring tremendous economic benefits to their host city, an estimated $50 million in the case of the VMAs. I thank MTV, which is celebrating a revitalization with new shows like ‘Jersey Shore Family Vacation,’ and Viacom for their partnership, and we look forward to rolling out the red carpet for one of the music industry’s most entertaining nights.”
“We’re thrilled that the ‘MTV Video Music Awards’ will be returning to Radio City Music Hall, where they began in 1984,” said Andy Lustgarten, President of The Madison Square Garden Company. “The VMAs are unlike any other event – combining history-making music with exciting and unexpected moments that create an unforgettable experience, and Radio City, as the Showplace of the Nation, is the perfect backdrop for this celebration.”
New York City is a fitting choice to host the VMAs. It is the birthplace and incubator of so many of music’s most popular genres – from salsa music in East Harlem to disco in midtown, from punk rock in the East Village to hip hop in the Bronx. The city continues to be at the forefront of music innovation with 72 digital music companies – more than San Francisco and Los Angeles combined.
Jesse Ignjatovic returns as Executive Producer for the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards. Bruce Gillmer and Garrett English are Executive Producers. Melanie Block serves as Executive in Charge of Production. Amani Duncan is Music Executive in Charge. Wendy Plaut is Celebrity Talent Executive in Charge.
Official sponsors of the 2018 “MTV Video Music Awards” include PEPSI® and Taco Bell®.
Follow @MTV and @VMAs on social to keep up with all-things #VMAs.
Source: Nielsen; P18-34 data unless otherwise noted. Prime year over year growth based on L3, Prime (Mon-Sun, 8p-11p) coverage ratings.
About MTV: MTV is a global youth culture brand driven by the creative spirit of music. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB, VIA).
About The Madison Square Garden Company: The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment experiences. The company presents or hosts a broad array of premier events in its diverse collection of iconic venues: New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; The Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston. Other MSG properties include legendary sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York Liberty (WNBA); two development league teams – the Westchester Knicks (NBAGL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL); and one of the leading North American esports organizations, Counter Logic Gaming. In addition, the Company features the popular original production – the Christmas SpectacularStarring the Radio City Rockettes – and through Boston Calling Events, produces New England’s preeminent Boston Calling Music Festival. Also under the MSG umbrella is TAO Group, a world-class hospitality group with globally-recognized entertainment dining and nightlife brands: Tao, Marquee, Lavo, Avenue, The Stanton Social, Beauty & Essex and Vandal. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com
About the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment: The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment encompasses the key economic and creative sectors of film, TV, theater, music, advertising, publishing, and digital content. In total, these portfolios account for over 305,000 jobs in New York City, and an economic output of $104 billion. The agency also oversees NYC Media, the largest municipal broadcasting entity in the country, including five cable channels and an FM radio channel with a reach of 18 million viewers and 16 million listeners in the greater metropolitan area. The newly created Office of Nightlife is also housed at MOME.
Richie Sambora and Jon Bon Jovi during Bon Jovi’s performance at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
On April 14, 2018, at the Public Auditorium in Cleveland, the 33rd annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony formally inducted Bon Jovi, the Cars, Dire Straits, the Moody Blues, Nina Simone (in the performer category) and Sister Rosetta Tharpe (in the early influencer category). The inductees, announced in December 2017, were voted on by a combination of ballots from Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members and online voting from the public. HBO will televise highlights from the ceremony in a special that premieres on May 5, 2018, at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Bon Jovi’s performance included the band’s reunion with two former Bon Jovi members: guitarist Richie Sambora (who was in Bon Jovi from 1983 to 2013) and bassist Alec John Such, who was in Bon Jovi from 1983 to 1994. Radio personality Howard Stern inducted Bon Jovi, whose current members are lead singer Jon Bon Jovi, drummer Tico Torres, keyboardist David Bryan, bassist Hugh McDonald and guitarist Phil X. Bon Jovi’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame set list consisted of “You Give Love a Bad Name,” “It’s My Life,” “When We Were Us” and “Livin’ on a Prayer.”
The Killers lead singer Brandon Flowers inducted the Cars, who formed in 1976 and amicably disbanded in 1988, but they had all surviving original members in attendance at the induction ceremony: lead singer/guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson. (Bass player Benjamin Orr died in 2000 of pancreatic cancer.) The reunited Cars then went on to perform “My Best Friend’s Girl,” “Moving in Stereo,” “Just What I I Needed” and “You Might Think” with Weezer’s Scott Shriner filling in on bass.
Later in the ceremony, the Killers performed Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers’ “American Girl” and Petty’s solo song “Free Fallin'” in a tribute to Petty, who died in 2017 of opioid-related causes.
Dire Straits broke up in 1995, but the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ceremony wasn’t enough to bring the band’s most famous lineup back together. Former Dire Straits lead singer/guitarist Mark Knopfler and his rhythm guitarist David Knopfler opted not to attend; the two brothers who co-founded Dire Straits did not give an official explanation for snubbing the ceremony, but there have been reports that David Knopfler had issues with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s travel reimbursements. Former Dire Straits members Alan Clark (keyboards), Guy Fletcher (guitar) and John Illsley (bass) were there to represent the band at the ceremony, and they performed “Telegraph Road”
The Moody Blues, inducted by Heart lead singer Ann Wilson, did make it intact to the ceremony. The Moody Blues have been going strong since 1964, and the Moody Blues key players who attended the ceremony were current members Justin Hayward (lead singer), John Lodge and Graeme Edge (drums) and former members Denny Laine (guitar) and Mike Pinder (keyboards). The current members of Moody Blues then performed “I’m Just a Singer (in a Rock in Roll Band,” “Your Wildest Dreams,” Nights in White Satin” and “Ride My See-Saw.”
Wilson and Alice in Chains guitarist Jerry Cantrell later paid tribute to fellow Seattle musician Chris Cornell, who committed suicide in 2017. Cornell was the lead singer of the bands Soundgarden and Audioslave. Wilson and Cantrell performed Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” in tribute to Cornell.
Nina Simone (who died in 2003 at the age of 70) was inducted by Mary J. Blige, who years ago had been planned to star in a biopic about Simone. Sam Waymon (Simone’s brother) accepted the honor on her behalf.) Lauryn Hill and Andra Day performed a musical tribute that included a medley of Simone songs including including “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free,” “I Put a Spell on You” and “Feeling Good.”
Alabama Shakes lead singer Brittany Howard inducted Tharpe, who died of a stroke in 1973 at the age of 58. Howard, Questlove and Paul Shaffer performed Tharpe’s “That’s All” and were then joined by Felicia Collins for Tharpe’s “Strange Things Happening Every Day.”
Jon Bon Jovi of Bon Jovi at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Howard Stern and Beth Ostrosky Stern at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Andra Day at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Ric Ocasek of the Cars at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Jerry Cantrell at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
John Lodge and Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Brittany Howard, Questlove and Felicia Collins at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Lauryn Hill at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Alan Clark, Guy Fletcher and John Illsley of Dire Straits at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Jerry Cantrell and Ann Wilson at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Brendon Flowers and Jon Bon Jovi at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
The Roots at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Steven Van Zandt at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Mary J. Blige and Sam Waymon at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Kane/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
Howard Stern at the 33rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Public Auditorium in Cleveland on April 14, 2018. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame)
YouTube returns to Coachella for the eighth year in a row to exclusively livestream the first weekend of Coachella 2018. Presented by T-Mobile in the US, Optus in Australia and Garnier in Canada, music fans can take a front seat in the desert for performances by their favorite artists when they tune in to Coachella’s YouTube channel on any screen (desktop, mobile and living room) from April 13 – 15. From headliners to some of the biggest artists on the rise, livestream performances throughout the weekend will include Beyoncé, The Weeknd, ODESZA, Post Malone, The War on Drugs, Kygo, Chromeo, Alan Walker, BØRNS, alt-J and many more.
Fans tuning in will have their choice of four livestream feeds with different artists performing on each simultaneously. This includes one VR180 channel that will allow viewers to experience performances and exclusive on the ground coverage in a more immersive way using viewers and headsets like Google Cardboard and Daydream View. Fans can also create personalized viewing schedules to feature the live acts they want to see, where livestream channels will automatically change to artists they’ve selected.
Highlights from the weekend will be available through a video-on-demand hub, and returning host Jason Bentley from KCRW, along with co-hosts Nadeska Alexis, Valerie Lee and Brittany Eustis will bring fans interviews with artists and creators from throughout the festival.
Google Home will amplify the Coachella experience through a custom voice-enabled experience for both festival goers and fans around the globe tuning in to the livestream, allowing users to discover music from artists performing as part of this year’s lineup and test their knowledge of the festival, present and past. Just say, “Hey Google, talk to Coachella,” and Google Home will become the ultimate Coachella companion, providing information on the festival from set times to travel info. Once gates open, fans at home will get the backstage experience with live artist interviews throughout the weekend.
Google Pixel will bring its incredible camera capabilities to one of Coachella’s most iconic and popular attractions, the giant Ferris Wheel. Surprised festival goers boarding select Ferris Wheel gondolas will walk into a special Pixel photo booth, creating a totally unique and Instagrammable photo moment through clever visual treatments. Artist portraits will also be captured on Pixel 2 backstage by influential photographers.
Subscribe to Coachella’s YouTube channel for up to date information on when you favorite artists are streaming live and follow @youtubemusic on Instagram and Twitter to watch the latest videos and relive past moments. Additional details on specific artist livestreams to come.
The following is a press release from Live Nation:
Live Nation announces the return of its one of a kind Festival Passport, and also reveals major expansions to the program for 2018.
After selling out in its inaugural year, Live Nation is expanding the epic experience by more than doubling the number of Festival Passports available for 2018 to 2,500 passes, granting purchasers GA access to the 100+ participating festivals around the globe. Additionally, Live Nation is excited to offer music enthusiasts the first ever VIP Festival Passport, granting 100 lucky purchasers VIP entry. The GA tier of the Festival Passport is priced at $999 USD, while the VIP tier is $5,000 USD.
Festival Passport holders will have access to more festivals this year than ever before, with unlimited admission to over 100 of Live Nation’s unique festivals around the world including Austin City Limits Music Festival (US), Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival (US), Download (UK, Spain, France, Australia), Electric Daisy Carnival (US), Falls Festival (Australia), Firenze Rocks (Italy), Governors Ball Music Festival (US), Lollapalooza (Germany, France, US), Rock Werchter (Belgium), Sasquatch! Music Festival (US), and many more. In addition, Sydney City Limits (Australia), Creamfields (China), RedFestDXB (UAE), Impact Festival (Poland), Openair Frauenfeld (Switzerland), and Edinburgh Summer Sessions (UK) are new festivals added to the Festival Passport for 2018. For a full map of participating festivals around the world, click HERE.
Last year’s Festival Passport passes sold out within 24 hours, and purchasers were so thrilled with the experience that they created their own Official Live Nation Festival Passport Holders community to share stories and plan out festival trips together.
“Music festivals are all about the experience and we created Festival Passport as an innovative way to amplify that for music fans across all of our 100+ festivals worldwide,” said Lisa Licht, CMO, Live Nation U.S. Concerts. “Festival Passport is Live Nation’s tribute to our incredible festival community, and we’re excited to continue to build on the program this year by increasing the number of Festival Passports available and adding a brand new VIP tier. Those who purchased the Festival Passport last year have become part of the Live Nation family. Their passion for Live Nation and our festivals is awesome!”
Live Nation will utilize Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan™ platform to assure all Festival Passports get into the hands of fans, rather than scalpers or bots. Verified Fan™ Registration begins today, Monday, April 9 at 8am PDT and closes Thursday, April 12 at 8pm PDT at http://festivalpassport.tmverifiedfan.com/. Live music fans who receive a code then have the chance to purchase a GA or VIP Festival Passport when they go on sale beginning Tuesday, April 17 at 8am PDT at LiveNation.com/Passport (while supplies last, limited quantities of each available.)
NOTE: In an effort to avoid scalpers and ensure fans are the only ones getting access to this special program, purchasers’ full legal names must match their photo ID for entry to be granted at each festival. Transportation, airfare, hotel accommodation, parking or any other expenses are not included with any of the Festival Passports and will be the purchaser’s responsibility to organize. On-site camping is not included unless otherwise detailed here for the GA tier or here for the VIP tier. Festival Passport holders must contact the International Festival Concierge at [email protected] or the U.S. Festival Concierge at [email protected] two weeks before the event for assistance reserving a spot. Only one General Admission or VIP Festival Passport will be available for purchase per person. The Festival Passport is not transferable or refundable. See full Terms of Use for the Festival Passport here. Festival Passports are valid from April 2018 through April 2019.
About Live Nation Entertainment Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, and Live Nation Sponsorship. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
Carrie Underwood at the 52nd Annual ACM Awards at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2, 2017. (Photo by Francis Specker/CBS)
The following is a press release from the Academy of Country Music:
The Academy of Country Music® revealed today that thirteen-time ACM Award® winner Carrie Underwood will perform the world television premiere of her soon-to-be-released single live on the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards™, joining a star-studded lineup of performers and presenters.
Underwood is nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year as well as Vocal Event of the Year for “The Fighter” with Keith Urban. The 53rd ACM Awards, hosted by Reba McEntire, will broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on the CBS Television Network.
Previously announced ACM Awards performers include Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson, Florida Georgia Line, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Midland, Maren Morris, Jon Pardi, Bebe Rexha, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and Brett Young. Previously announced presenters include David Boreanaz, Drew Brees, AJ Buckley, Cam, Sam Elliot, Eve, Ashton Kutcher, Dustin Lynch, Nancy O’Dell, Rebecca Romijn, Max Thieriot and Lindsey Vonn.
Tickets to the ACM Awards are now on sale at www.axs.com. For more information on the ACM Awards and all ACM events including ACM Party for a Cause®, visit www.ACMcountry.com and www.PartyForaCause.com. You can like Academy of Country Music on Facebook or follow on Twitter at @ACMawards and Instagram @ACMAwards for more immediate updates.
About the Academy of Country Music Awards
The 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards™ is dedicated to honoring and showcasing the biggest names and emerging talent in the country music industry. The show is produced for television by dick clark productions and will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8:00 PM live ET/PT on the CBS Television Network. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Pete Fisher is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.
Heineken®, the official malt beverage sponsor of the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, returns for the 17th consecutive year with the fan-favorite Heineken House April 13–15 and April 20–22. This year’s weekend one line-up features headliner and Hip-Hop Icon Busta Rhymes. Consumers ages 21 and over can engage with Heineken in exciting ways with a weekend of performances from top artists and DJs, and many other engagements and activations.
Other Heineken House exclusive performances include 12thPlanet, Wuki, Funtcase B2B Cookie Monsta, LAXX and more.
“This year’s Heineken House at Coachella will be bigger and better than ever before. We’ve expanded our footprint to allow even more attendees inside the House for a truly unforgettable experience and atmosphere,” said Pattie Falch, brand director for sponsorships and events, Heineken. “For the fifth year in a row, we’ve secured a unique lineup of top DJ’s, EDM artists and rappers, with a few surprises and new additions to the Heineken House that festival-goers will certainly not want to miss.”
In addition to the unforgettable musical performances, the Heineken House, open to those 21+, is the perfect destination for refreshing AC, Wi-Fi and perfectly chilled Heinekens. Additionally, Heineken is offering several enhancements including a unique and social-worthy backdrop for the ultimate “Grammable moment” curated by graffiti artist Adam Lucas (Hanksy), sustainable charging bars for iOS and Droid devices using energy generated by the movement on the Sustainable Dance Floor and free cups of water throughout the entire duration of the festival as a part of Heineken’s “This One Is on Us” initiative.
Attendees camping out on the Festival campgrounds will have the opportunity to use Heineken Cold Storage On-Demand, where campers’ cold beer will be stored for them and delivered directly to their campsites upon request. Taking advantage of Heineken Cold Storage also makes campers eligible for other on-site perks including prizes, beverage tickets or front-of-line access during a performance of their choice at Heineken House.
To participate in Heineken Cold Storage, campers 21+ can drop off their beverages and register for the text message-based service. Beverages will be delivered daily from 12-7p.m. and all requests must be submitted no later than 6 p.m.They can also schedule ahead of time by visiting this website.
To experience the festival with Heineken, follow the brand on Twitter or Instagram, @Heineken_US, use the hashtag #HeinekenHouse, or visit the Heineken Facebook page, www.facebook.com/Heineken for performance schedules and updates.
About HEINEKEN USA HEINEKEN USA Inc., the nation’s leading high-end beer importer, is a subsidiary of HEINEKEN International NV, the world’s most international brewer. Key brands imported into the U.S. are Heineken®, the world’s most international beer brand, the Dos Equis Franchise, the Tecate Franchise and Strongbow Hard Apple Ciders. HEINEKEN USA also imports Amstel Light, Amstel Xlight, Indio, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands. For the latest information on our company and brands, follow us on Twitter @HeinekenUSACorp, or visit HEINEKENUSA.com.
The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” (Image courtesy of Subafilms 1968)
The following is a press release from Abramorama:
Abramorama has announced a deal with Apple Corps Ltd. and Universal Music Group (UMG) to theatrically release The Beatles’ classic 1968 animated feature film, Yellow Submarine, across North America this July in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Abramorama, Apple Corps Ltd. and UMG have teamed to give Beatles fans of all ages the opportunity to come together and share in this visually stunning movie and soundtrack. Abramorama originally partnered with Apple Corps, Imagine Entertainment, White Horse Pictures, StudioCanal and UMG’s Polygram Entertainment on the Ron Howard documentary The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years. Abramorama has a proven track record in the music-driven film space, partnering numerous times with Neil Young, Pearl Jam and Green Day and now once again with Apple Corps Ltd.
Yellow Submarine was restored in 4K digital resolution by Paul Rutan Jr. and his team of specialists at Triage Motion Picture Services and Eque Inc. The film’s songs and score were remixed in 5.1 stereo surround sound at UMG’s Abbey Road Studios by music mix engineer Peter Cobbin. Due to the delicate nature of the hand-drawn original artwork, no automated software was used in the digital clean-up of the film’s restored photochemical elements. This was all done by hand, frame by frame.
Richard Abramowitz, CEO of Abramorama said, “We’re thrilled to have the privilege of bringing Yellow Submarine back to the big screen so that 3 generations of happy Beatles fans can enjoy the ground-breaking animation and classic tunes and that have long been part of our collective cultural DNA.”
The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” (Image courtesy of Subafilms 1968)
Directed by George Dunning, and written by Lee Minoff, Al Brodax, Jack Mendelsohn and Erich Segal, Yellow Submarine began its voyage to the screen when Brodax, who had previously produced nearly 40 episodes of ABC’s animated Beatles TV series, approached The Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein with a unique vision for a full-length animated feature.
Yellow Submarine, based upon a song by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, is a fantastic tale brimming with peace, love, and hope, propelled by Beatles songs, including “Eleanor Rigby,” “When I’m Sixty-Four,” “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds,” “All You Need Is Love,” and “It’s All Too Much.” When the film debuted in 1968, it was instantly recognized as a landmark achievement, revolutionizing a genre by integrating the freestyle approach of the era with innovative animation techniques.
Inspired by the generation’s new trends in art, the film resides with the dazzling Pop Art styles of Andy Warhol, Martin Sharp, Alan Aldridge and Peter Blake. With art direction and production design by Heinz Edelmann, Yellow Submarine is a classic of animated cinema, featuring the creative work of animation directors Robert Balser and Jack Stokes with a team of animators and technical artists.
An icon of psychedelic pop culture, Yellow Submarine is a colorful musical spectacle and an exhilaratingly joyful cinematic experience for all ages – filled with visual invention, optical illusions, word play, and glorious, glorious music.
Once upon a time….or maybe twice….there was an unearthly paradise called Pepperland, 80,000 leagues under the sea it lay, a place where beauty, happiness, and music reign supreme.
But this peaceful harmony is shattered when the Blue Meanies invade with their army of storm bloopers, apple bonkers, snapping turtle turks, and the menacing flying glove in an attempt to stop the music and drain Pepperland of all color and hope. So it’s The Beatles to the rescue, as our animated heroes team up with Young Fred and the Nowhere Man and journey across seven seas to free Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, make peace with the Meanies, and restore music, color, and love to the world.
But beyond all the glorious music, Yellow Submarine is a landmark in animation, with Heinz Edelmann’s inspired art direction conjuring up a non-stop parade of wildly different styles and techniques. From the paper-doll residents of Pepperland, to the tinted photography of the soot covered roofs and smokestacks Liverpool, the menagerie of fanciful characters in the Sea of Monsters, the kaleidoscopic colour-splashed rotoscoping of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, the vertigo inducing op-art of the Sea of Holes, and the triumphant euphony of the It’s All Too Much finale, the film is simply a joy.
The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” (Image courtesy of Subafilms 1968)
The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” (Image courtesy of Subafilms 1968)
The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” (Image courtesy of Subafilms 1968)
The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” (Image courtesy of Subafilms 1968)
The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” (Image courtesy of Subafilms 1968)
The Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine” (Image courtesy of Subafilms 1968)
The following is a press release from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
Special guests at this year’s sold-out Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, presented by Klipsch Audio, on April 14th at Public Auditorium in Cleveland will include:
Mary J. Blige presenting for Nina Simone
Andra Day performing for Nina Simone
Brittany Howard presenting for Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Ann Wilson presenting for The Moody Blues
Brandon Flowers presenting for The Cars
Howard Stern presenting for Bon Jovi
The 2018 Ceremony will honor this year’s inductees: Bon Jovi, The Cars, Dire Straits, The Moody Blues, Nina Simone and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
The Ceremony will once again exclusively premiere on HBO on May 5th at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
Red carpet arrivals on April 14th will be live streamed from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on rockhall.com, the Rock Hall’s Facebook page (@rockandrollhalloffame) and YouTube page (youtube.com/user/rockhall).
The Rock Hall will host a week of events leading up to the ceremony, including the unveiling the all new Hall of Fame, featuring the 2018 Inductee exhibit. The new floor will open on Saturday, April 7th during Celebration Day at the Museum with a performance by 2018 Inductee Richie Sambora, free admission, and a firework show. Visit rockhall.com for a complete schedule of Rock Week events.
To receive Induction Ceremony updates and announcements sign up for the Rock Hall’s e-newsletter at www.rockhall.com/e-newsletter, follow the Rock Hall on Facebook (@rockandrollhalloffame), Twitter (@rockhall) and Instagram (@rockhall) or join the conversation using #RockHall2018.
