Anderson .Paak

Anderson .Paak

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Raphael Saadiq, Jhene Aiko Join Anderson .Paak's Foundation Concert

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The GRAMMY nominee hosted the inaugural community-based event in Los Angeles on Dec. 2 to support youth
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Dec 4, 2017 - 10:44 am

What could be more fun than hanging out in a beautiful park with Anderson .Paak, and hearing performances from Raphael Saadiq, Jhené Aiko, Isaiah Rashad, King, and Masego?

Anderson .Paak | The Come Down Gospel: Believe In Music™

For those in town on Dec. 2, .Paak made it all happen at McArthur Park in Los Angeles with his inaugural Paak House event, a community-organized afternoon that included not only performances but also food, games and giveaways. The event drew around 1,500 people.

Produced in partnership with his Brandon Anderson Foundation, which caters to underserved communities through financial literacy, music and spiritual wellness, the GRAMMY nominee said the Paak House event serves as a way to create safe places within the community for young people to hang out.

"With my Brandon Anderson Foundation, Paak House was the first initiative. I wanted to eventually have a spot where kids can go and be themselves. Learn about music, spiritual growth, good eating habits, kind of like the boys and girls club," .Paak told Billboard. "I wanted to do something that would kick this off so I wanted to team up with other organizations in the community and do it together for the first event with all of the awesome acts as well." 

Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz To Receive 2018 Producers & Engineers Wing Award

DRAM

DRAM

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DRAM Drops Surprise EP 'That's A Girl's Name'

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The GRAMMY-nominated rapper/singer has gifted the world with a new three-pack of tracks
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 18, 2018 - 3:33 pm

DRAM — yes, of "Broccoli" fame — is back at it again. This time he surprise-released a new EP titled That's A Girl's Name on July 18.

DRAM Talks Favorite Kendrick Lamar Tour Off-Day

The three-pack of tracks includes, per Billboard's assessment, "the bubbly 'Best Hugs,' a more self-reflecting DRAM on 'WWYD?' and the rock-tinged 'Sundress' to close it all out." The set was produced by Josh Abraham and Ogilee.

That's A Girl's Name follows DRAM's 2017 holiday-themed EP #1HappyHoliday and his 2016 debut full-length studio album Big Baby D.R.A.M., which includes features from GRAMMY winner Erykah Badu and GRAMMY nominee Lil Yachty.

And if you are attending the 2018 Pitchfork Music Festival on July 22, you might just hear the charismatic rapper perform these news tracks live during his set.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

The Carters

The Carters

Photo: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

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The Carters, Cardi B Top 2018 MTV VMA Nominations

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Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello also notch notable nomination tallies
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 16, 2018 - 1:58 pm

It's that time again. On July 16 MTV Video Music Awards announced its 2018 slate of nominees.

Leading the pack this year with 10 nominations are new mom Cardi B and seasoned parents the Carters — aka Beyoncé and Jay-Z — with a total of eight nominations. Childish Gambino and Drake racked up seven nods each, Bruno Mars earned six and Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello follow close behind with five total nominations.

The MTV VMAs are awarded in a variety of categories such as Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Genre-based awards in pop, hip-hop, Latin, dance, and rock are also awarded. Notably, fans are eligible to vote in eight of these categories, including Best Collaboration and Video with a Message through Aug. 10, while voting for Best New Artist will stay open until the telecast airs.

"It has already been a monumental year in music, and this year's VMAs will take things to a whole new level," said Bruce Gillmer, head of music and music talent, Global Entertainment Group, Viacom. "The extraordinary group of nominees have amazed us with their talent and inspired us with their creativity — and when you get them together for one night, anything is possible."

The VMAs will take place on Aug. 20 at Radio City Music Hall,, which was the home of the inaugural VMAs in 1984. This year's show will mark the 12th time the telecast makes its way to the iconic Big Apple venue.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Mary J. Blige

Mary J. Blige

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Listen: Mary J. Blige Goes Disco In New Song "Only Love"

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Get your disco on with the GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter's upbeat new track
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 13, 2018 - 11:16 am

Despite what you may have heard, disco is always in style. It seems Mary J. Blige got the message. On July 12 she released a hot new track titled "Only Love."

Mary J. Blige gets real on new album 'Strength Of A Woman'

The GRAMMY-winning superstar turns the heat up a notch and gets funky in the upbeat dance track that oozes optimism. "Turn my problems all around/Pick me up right off the ground/I'm so glad, this love I found/All I need is you right now," Blige sings. It's hard not to be swept up in the infectious rhythm and Blige's signature R&B vocals.

"Only Love" is Blige's first new music since her 2017 album Strength Of A Woman, which featured collaborations with artists such as Kanye West, DJ Khaled, Quavo, Missy Elliott, and Jazmine Sullivan. While it's unclear if this new track will be part of a larger project, it seems it marks a creative turn for Blige, and we are definitely on board.

"I had a year of so many ups and downs and have come out the other side with a renewed spirit and a fresh perspective," Blige wrote on Instagram. "I'm entering my next chapter with an open mind and heart. ONLY LOVE is where I am right now and I couldn't keep it to myself any longer!"

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

John Legend

John Legend

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John Legend, Bruno Mars, GRAMMY Shows Earn 2018 Emmy Nominations

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Celebrating the best in TV, the annual Emmy Awards have announced this year's round of awards candidates
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 12, 2018 - 1:42 pm

Emmy nominations for 2018 — the 70th year of celebrating the best in TV over the course of the previous year — are out and here's how the music world stacked up.

All-Stars Pay Tribute To Elton John

The Recording Academy earned five nominations this year for our musical TV centerpieces. The 60th GRAMMY Awards telecast live from New York earned nods for Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Special, Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special, Outstanding Variety Special (Live), and Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special.

Meanwhile, the Academy's TV tribute to the indelible music of an icon, "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A Grammy Salute," earned a nomination for Outstanding Music Direction for the special's music director Davey Johnstone.

Bruno Mars also earned a nod for Outstanding Music Direction for his Bruno "Mars: 24K Magic Live At The Apollo" while Super Bowl music director Adam Wayne Blackstone earned recognition in the same category for this year's halftime show featuring Justin Timberlake. 

For his role in the breakout hit live TV musical "Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert," John Legend received an Emmy nod for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie. Already a GRAMMY, Oscar and Tony winner, if Legend wins his Emmy this year, he would join the elite EGOT-winning crew alongside entertainers such as Rita Moreno and Whoopi Goldberg.

"Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert" also earned several additional nominations, including Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie for Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie for Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene and Outstanding Variety Special (Live).

Other familiar musical faces made the Emmy nominations list for their acting work. Donald Glover — aka Childish Gambino — earned several nods for his work on the hit comedy series "Atlanta," including Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series. One-time "Glee" actor/singer Darren Criss is up for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie for his role as Andrew Cunanan in "The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story."

In the musical categories, a number of composers earned nominations for their music works. This includes the GRAMMY-winning composers behind the score to La La Land Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who earned a Emmy nod for Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics  "In The Market For A Miracle" from "A Christmas Story Live!" Steve Martin earned a nomination in the same category for "The Buddy Song" from "Steve Martin & Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your Life."

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"