BLACKPINK

BLACKPINK

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BLACKPINK, Greta Van Fleet To Perform GRAMMY Eve At UMG Party

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2019 Artist Showcase the night before the 61st GRAMMY Awards features K-pop and rock mix
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Feb 8, 2019 - 12:40 pm

K-pop sensation BLACKPINK will make their U.S. performance debut on Feb. 9 at Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge's 2019 Artist Showcase in Los Angeles. On the night before the 61st GRAMMY Awards, they will be sharing the bill with Best New Artist-and-more nominees Greta Van Fleet.

A BLACKPINK U.S. tour announcement is eagerly anticipated but meanwhile the trending crew is expected to appear on "Good Morning America" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" the following week. Their April appearance at Coachella 2019 is another BLACKPINK 1st that has fans craving to attend.

In addition to their Best New Artist nomination, Greta Van Fleet's 2017 From The Fires is up for Best Rock Album and its track "Highway Tune" is up for Best Rock Performance. Their follow-up Anthem Of The Peaceful Army album was released on Oct. 2018.

The event is invitation only at ROW. Billboard has additional details including top artists who appeared in previous years' showcases hosted by Grainge. 

BLACKPINK's "Ddu-Du Ddu-Du" Is The Most-Viewed Music Video By A K-Pop Group

Chloe X Halle

Chloe X Halle

Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

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Chloe X Halle Super Bowl Song Scores Praise From Beyoncé

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With kudos from around the world, the sisters' praise from their mentor likely means even more
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Feb 5, 2019 - 1:26 pm

61st GRAMMY Awards nominees Chloe X Halle won worldwide praise for their performance of "America The Beautiful" opening the Super Bowl in Atlanta on Feb. 3. For the sister duo, likely none of the support meant more than knowing Beyoncé was proud of their rendition, and not just because they are signed to her label, Parkwood Entertainment.

"I'm so proud of Chloe and Halle!" were the words Beyoncé shared on Instagram on Feb. 4. Her praise came after rave reviews such as Britain's Daily Mail, which described them as "dazzling" and "flawless." Of course unlike Beyoncé, most reviewers have never performed at the Super Bowl themselves.

Looking back a few years, Chloe X Halle's career springboarded from their love of R&B covers, and it was their impressive musicality in these casual videos that caused Beyoncé to sign them. This Sunday, they are nominated for Best New Artist and their The Kids Are Alright is nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album. As young artists full of potential, they join Beyoncé as fellow nominees now, having already opened for her and Jay-Z on tour. 

Behind The Seams: Chloe X Halle's Red Carpet Style Evolution

Hosted by Alicia Keys, the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT.

Backstreet Boys

Backstreet Boys 

Photo: Earl Gibson III/Getty Images 

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Backstreet Boys' 'DNA' Gives The Group Their Third No. 1 Album

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Once a boy band, the Backstreet Boys helped begin the millennium and now, all grown up, their latest album reaches No. 1
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Feb 4, 2019 - 4:36 pm

On the Feb. 9 Billboard 200, for the week ending Feb. 1, the Backstreet Boys' Jan. 25 album release DNA reached No. 1 for the group's third time, assisted by their vibrant lead single "Don't Go Breaking My Heart." The song is nominated at the 61st GRAMMY Awards for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, the quintet's 8th GRAMMY nomination.

Billboard crunches the numbers on the Backstreet Boys' chart success, raising comparisons to Paul McCartney and Sade as long-established artists riding a fresh appetite for what they do best. With sales in its debut week of 234,000 units, DNA posted the best one-week sales of any album so far in 2019.

The Backstreet Boys' third album Millennium, released in 1999, established their success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and drawing nominations at the 42nd GRAMMY Awards for Album Of The Year And Best Pop Album. Wrapping around the millennium itself, 2000's Black & Blue reached No. 1 as well, powered by its GRAMMY-nominated hit "Shape of My Heart." 

The group is currently completing its Las Vegas residency at Planet Hollywod's Zappos Theater. Their world tour kicks off this May in Portugal, coming back to North America in July. Tickets are available at the group's website and a bundle deal for tickets-plus-DNA helped propel the Backstreet Boys' latest album's spectacular sales. Rolling Stone noted this success was also helped by the many talented collaborators contributing to the album, including Ross Copperman, Kuk Harrell, Brett James, Shawn Mendes, the Stereotypes, and Ryan Tedder.

Shawn Mendes: "Everything Revolves Around" Connecting People With Music

Clarence Avant

Clarence Avant 

Photo: Rick Diamond/WireImage 

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Clarence Avant, Godfather Of Black Music, To Be Honored At Pre-GRAMMY Gala

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The Pioneering music executive will be celebrated on Feb. 9 during GRAMMY Week
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 25, 2019 - 12:10 pm

The Recording Academy and Clive Davis have announced the Feb. 9 2019 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons gala will honor Clarence Avant, the multi-faceted music industry executive also known as the Godfather of Black Music.

"We are incredibly excited to honor Clarence Avant with this year’s GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Award," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "His pioneering work in the industry has redefined what it means to be a leader and opened countless doors for musicians from all backgrounds."

"For several decades Clarence Avant has been the quintessential adviser to almost every successful African-American music executive and artist," said Davis, the Pre-GRAMMY Gala co-host. "He defined the term master mentor and definitely has played a vital role in music history." Davis and Avant have both received the Recording Academy's Trustees Award in 2000 and 2008 respectively.

Artists such as Jimmy Jam and Quincy Jones testify for all Avant has done. Avant's own labels and other entertainment businesses placed him in varied top leadership roles, but he also always took the time to reach out and help others. More than 10 years ago, Jimmy Jam said Avant was "one of those who broke the mold," truly one-of-a-kind.

The event takes place during GRAMMY Week on the evening before the 61st GRAMMY Awards and is by invitation only.

Cardi B

Cardi B

Photo: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images 

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Cardi B, Skrillex & More Gear Up For Las Vegas Residencies At Kaos

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Above & Beyond, G-Eazy and Kaskade will also perform residencies at the Kaos nightclub and day club in Las Vegas' redesigned Palms Casino Resort
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jan 23, 2019 - 3:32 pm

On Jan. 23, Las Vegas' Palms Casino Resort announced artists with upcoming residencies, including Cardi B, booked for its Kaos nightclub and day club, part of the casino's $690 million redesign. Other artists with Kaos residencies include Above & Beyond, G-Eazy, Kaskade, and Skrillex.

The Palms Casino Resort's extensive redesign includes multimillion-dollar artworks by Damien Hirst, a rotating 360-degree DJ booth at Kaos, and other high-concept revamps dramatized by the casino's From Dust To Gold ad campaign. Judging from the artists selected for these Kaos residencies, the resort's effort to score contemporary relevance seems to be succeeding.

Above & Beyond and Kaskade are both nominated for the 61st GRAMMY Awards. Above & Beyond's "Northern Soul" is up for Best Dance Recording, from their 2018 album Common Ground. Kaskade's remix of Kygo's "Stargazing" is in contention for Best Remixed Recording. Cardi B's 2018 debut album Invasion Of Privacy has been nominated for both Album Of The Year and Best Rap Album. It's single "I Like It" is nominated for Record Of The Year, "Be Careful" is up for Best Rap Performance, and her featured appearance on Maroon 5's "Girls Like You" also received a nomination for Best Pop/Duo Performance.

Kaos is set to open its doors in April, and tickets for select dates are now available.

Cardi B, Camila Cabello, Post Malone, Janelle Monáe & More To Perform At The 2019 GRAMMYs