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GRAMMYs

Rihanna & Jay-Z at the 57th GRAMMYs

Photo: Michael Buckner/WireImage

News
Rihanna + Jay-Z Donate $2M To COVID-19 Relief together-rihanna-jay-z-donate-2m-covid-19-relief-efforts

Together Rihanna + Jay-Z Donate $2M To COVID-19 Relief Efforts

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The grants will help provide support to undocumented workers and the children of healthcare professionals through the iconic artist’s philanthropic foundations the Clara Lionel Foundation and the Shawn Carter Foundation
Onaje McDowelle
GRAMMYs
Mar 31, 2020 - 2:47 pm

After recently donating protective equipment and supplies to the state of New York, and following last week’s news that nine-time GRAMMY-winner Robyn Rihanna Fenty would pledge a donation of $5M in COVID-19 relief support through her Clara Lionel Foundation, it has been confirmed that 22-time GRAMMY-winning rapper Shawn Carter or Jay-Z will match her support in the amount of $1M through the Shawn Carter Foundation.

https://twitter.com/rihanna/status/1244984462317727745

#PullUp https://t.co/OiOB9NWwzh

— Rihanna (@rihanna) March 31, 2020

By joining forces, the two entrepreneurs and philanthropists will commit a total of $2M to aiding financial crises for undocumented workers in New York City and Los Angeles, children of healthcare professionals and first-responders, as well as elderly and homeless populations, who are most directly impacted by the unprecedented effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

According to a statement, the grants previously announced by CLF will support on-the-ground efforts in marginalized communities throughout the United States, Caribbean and Africa. Funding provided by the artists will go specifically towards organizations including the Mayor’s Fund for L.A, Fund for Public Schools, the New York Immigration Coalition and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).

Further, CLF announced specific steps of action that the deployment of the grants will help to facilitate, namely being advocacy for free COVID-19 testing for all New Yorkers regardless of status, expanding home delivered meals for the elderly and providing meals for the homeless or those displaced into shelters. Other measures include providing emergency economic support for immigrants and undocumented workers, in addition to offering daycare, learning material and meals for children of healthcare workers and virtual mental health support for parents. CLF will also encourage voting and civic engagement within marginalized populations and the release of people from jail and detention during periods of quarantine.

Named in honor of her grandparents Clara and Lionel Braithwaite, Rihanna founded the Clara Lionel Foundation in 2012, which works to improve the quality of life of young people around the world with global advocacy efforts in education and emergency response and preparedness. Named one of Fast Company’s most innovative companies in the world, CLF has been one of the first organizations to respond to numerous natural disasters in recent history, including hurricane relief in the Bahamas. Rihanna and the foundation are committed to “getting ahead of the outbreak in order to protect as many frontline health workers and marginalized communities as possible.”

Noting the importance of community support at this time, CLF Executive Director Justine Lucas commented on the grants saying “There are a number of populations who are especially vulnerable during this pandemic… Now more than ever, we need to support organizations prioritizing the health and rights of these individuals.” 

Corroborating the statement was Gloria Carter, Jay-Z’s mom and the CEO and Co-Founder of the Shawn Carter Foundation, saying “In times of crisis it is imperative that we come together as one community to ensure that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, has access to critical needs:  shelter, health, nutrition and education.  The only way to get through this pandemic is with love and action.”

The Shawn Carter Foundation was established as a charity organization in 2003 with the mission of propelling socio-economically disadvantaged individuals into post-secondary education and opportunities for social and economic growth.

For more information on each foundation and how you can contribute to their causes, visit https://claralionelfoundation.org/ and https://www.shawncartersf.com/. Additionally, you can support the well-being of artists and music industry workers during this time by donating to the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund here.

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Beyoncé headlines Glastonbury 2011

Beyoncé headlines Glastonbury 2011

Photo: Samir Hussein/Getty Images

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BBC To Air Glastonbury Sets From Beyoncé And More bbc-air-classic-glastonbury-sets-beyonce-lady-gaga-adele-david-bowie-jay-z-and-more

BBC To Air Classic Glastonbury Sets From Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Adele, David Bowie, Jay-Z And More In June 2020

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Airing June 25-29, the expansive programming slate celebrates what would have been the festival's 50th anniversary this year
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
May 27, 2020 - 4:53 pm

U.K. broadcaster BBC has announced it will air an expansive slate of classic Glastonbury performances next month in celebration of what would have been the festival's 50th anniversary. Airing June 25-29, the weekend the festival was supposed to take place before it was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic in mid-March, the multi-day broadcast will feature performances from David Bowie, who's 2000 headlining set will air in full for the first time ever, as well as full headlining performances from GRAMMY winners Beyoncé, Adele, Jay-Z and Coldplay, The Guardian reports.

Other performances confirmed to air include sets from Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Amy Winehouse, The Rolling Stones, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, R.E.M., Arctic Monkeys and many more. 

The broadcast will air in the U.K. on BBC Two and BBC Four as well as on a new pop-up channel on BBC iPlayer, the latter of which will feature more than 60 sets, according to BBC.

https://twitter.com/glastonbury/status/1265356936914046977

The BBC has announced its broadcast plans for the weekend when this year's Glastonbury Festival would have been, with a host of classic sets being made available across TV, radio & online, including Adele, Beyoncé, David Bowie, Coldplay & JAY-Z. Info: https://t.co/vq70418nrX pic.twitter.com/R6G6KfWsJr

— Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) May 26, 2020

The broadcast block will also feature The Best Of BBC Music Introducing At Glastonbury, a specially commissioned film chronicling the rise of several major stars who played the festival's new music stage earlier in their careers like Sheeran, George Ezra, NAO and Celeste, according to The Guardian. BBC will also air Glastonbury, the 2006 documentary and concert film. 

As well, national and local BBC radio stations and the BBC Sounds app will air and feature archived performances and new interviews.

Read: U.K.'s Wireless Festival Announces Wireless Connect Virtual Reality Festival, Set For July 2020

"I'm looking forward to a weekend of reflecting on the history of our festival and going back to some classic performances from David Bowie, Adele, REM, Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones, Jay-Z, Billie Eilish and lots more," Glastonbury organizer Emily Eavis told The Guardian. "Me and my dad will definitely be watching." 

Originally set to take place June 24–28 at Worthy Farm, Somerset, U.K., Glastonbury 2020 was to feature headliners and major artists like Kendrick Lamar, Paul McCartney, Taylor Swift and Diana Ross, among many other acts.

Recording Academy And MusiCares Establish COVID-19 Relief Fund

Rihanna at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards

Rihanna at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards

Photo: Rich Fury/Getty Images

News
2020 NAACP Image Awards Winners: Rihanna, More rihanna-beyonce-lizzo-lil-nas-x-and-more-win-big-2020-naacp-image-awards

Rihanna, Beyoncé, Lizzo, Lil Nas X And More Win Big At The 2020 NAACP Image Awards

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Other winners included Bruno Mars, Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Kelly Rowland, Kirk Franklin and more
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Feb 23, 2020 - 12:04 pm

Rihanna, Beyoncé, Lizzo and Lil Nas X were among the top music winners at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards, which took place last night (Feb. 22) at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium in Southern California.

This year's key honors, the President's Award, which recognizes special achievements and distinguished public service, went to nine-time GRAMMY winner Rihanna for her achievements as a public servant and her work as an activist and philanthropist, which include the Clara Lionel Foundation, a nonprofit organization she founded in 2012 that "supports and funds groundbreaking education and emergency response programs around the world." 

In an impassioned speech she delivered while accepting the award, Rihanna spoke about the importance of solidarity when tackling global issues and actions. 

"If there’s anything that I’ve learned, it’s that we can only fix this world together," she said. "We can’t do it divided. I can not emphasize that enough. We can’t let the de-sensitivity seep in."

“How many of us in this room have colleagues and partners and friends from other races, sexes, religions? Show of hands," she continued. "Well then, they want to break bread with you, right? They like you? Well then, this is their problem, too. So when we’re marching and protesting and posting about the Michael Brown Jrs. and the Atatiana Jeffersons of the world, tell your friends to pull up.”

Rihanna now joins previous artists like Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter and Lauryn Hill who have received the President's Award. 

Following a big night at the 62nd GRAMMY Awards last month, where she won three golden gramophones, Lizzo took home two major awards at the 2020 NAACP Image Awards last night, including Entertainer Of The Year and Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album for "Juice." 

Read: BLACK GIRLS ROCK! Festival 2020: Ms. Lauryn Hill, Alice Smith, Victory Boyd & More Announced

Beyoncé, a 24-time GRAMMY champion, also took home multiple awards yesterday. Her 2019 concert film and documentary, Homecoming, won for Outstanding Variety Show, while the accompanying album, Homecoming: The Live Album, won for Outstanding Album. She also won for Outstanding Female Artist, among other awards. 

Elsewhere, Lil Nas X won for Outstanding New Artist, while Bruno Mars won for Outstanding Male Artist. Other winners included Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Kelly Rowland, Kirk Franklin, Jazzmeia Horn and more. 

Presented by the civil rights organization NAACP, the annual NAACP Image Awards, which hosted its 51st installment this year, "celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors," according to the event's website.

To view clips and a full winners list from the 2020 NAACP Image Awards, visit the event's official website. 

Prince, Rihanna & Cardi B: 15 Big Music Moments in Black History

Bonnaroo 2018

Bonnaroo 2018

Photo: Douglas Mason/Getty Images

News
Bonnaroo 2021 Is Rescheduled To September bonnaroo-music-festival-has-been-rescheduled-september-2021

Bonnaroo Music Festival Has Been Rescheduled To September 2021

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The beloved Tennessee music festival was originally set to celebrate its 20th anniversary in June 2020, and after two prior date changes, will now be happening September 2–5, 2021
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Sep 30, 2020 - 11:45 am

Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival will now be taking place September 2–5, 2021.

The eclectic Tennessee music festival was originally set to celebrate its 20th anniversary this year on its annual second weekend of June dates, but was rescheduled to September 2020 due to COVID-19. The date was then pushed to June 2021 and is now set for next September.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFumE2-HWBu

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A post shared by bonnaroo (@bonnaroo)

Read: Bartees Strange On 'Live Forever' & Why "It Shouldn't Be Weird To See Black Rock Bands"

Bonnaroo is offering refunds for ticket holders who cannot attend the new dates, although they are encouraging fans to hold on to their tickets for the new dates. Those who can attend the new dates do not need to take any action to rollover their tickets. You can find more information on refunds and rollovers here—the period to request a refund is Sept. 30–Oct. 31.

The 2021 lineup, as well as info on purchasing tickets for those who hadn't yet, will be announced at a later date. Tool, Lizzo, Tame Impala, Miley Cyrus, Flume, Lana Del Rey and others were slated to headline Bonnaroo 2020.

Fame Eluded The Ace Of Cups In The 1960s. Can They Reclaim It In 2020?

Nick Demangone of Exeter Township sanitizes his hands before browsing records for sale at Vertigo Music in West Reading

Photo: MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images / Contributor

News
RIAA 2020 Mid-Year Report Shows Growth In The U.S. riaa-2020-mid-year-report-recorded-music-revenues-us-grew-more-5-percent-during-first

RIAA 2020 Mid-Year Report: Recorded-Music Revenues In The U.S. Grew More Than 5 Percent During The First Half Of 2020 Amid Coronavirus Pandemic

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A new study from the RIAA shows that revenues from recorded music in the U.S. grew to $5.7 billion in the first half of the year, a boost largely driven by strong streaming numbers.
John Ochoa
GRAMMYs
Sep 10, 2020 - 11:55 am

A new mid-year report from The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) shows that revenues from recorded music in the U.S. grew to $5.7 billion, up from $5.4 billion as Billboard reports, in the first half of 2020; the change marks an increase of 5.6 percent.

Paid streaming subscriptions, which increased by 24 percent to more than 72 million on average, a growth of 14 percent in the first half of 2020 when compared to the first half of 2019, largely drove the aforementioned revenue growth.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9g4jrFZXQ

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A post shared by RIAA Gold & Platinum Awards (@riaa_awards)

Streaming music revenues—returns from subscription services like paid versions of Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon and others; digital and customized radio services, including revenues distributed by SoundExchange like Pandora, SiriusXM and other internet radio; and ad-supported on-demand streaming services like YouTube, Vevo, and ad-supported Spotify—grew 12 percent to $4.8 billion in the first half of 2020. 

Paid subscription revenues grew 14 percent to $3.8 billion, and further increased their share as the largest contributor, accounting for 67 percent of total revenues in the first half of 2020, according to the RIAA report. 

Digital downloads, a market that continues to shrink in the streaming age, fell from 8 percent to 6 percent for the category's share of total revenues in the first half of 2020. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9g7S8FEE7

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A post shared by RIAA Gold & Platinum Awards (@riaa_awards)

As the COVID-19 pandemic continued to wreak havoc on the U.S. and international music business as well as the global advertising markets, "growth in ad-supported streaming revenues slowed dramatically," the RIAA writes.

As well, revenues from physical products decreased by 23 percent year-over-year to $376 million in the first half 2020, Variety reports. The RIAA report indicates a "significant impact from music retail and venue shutdown measures around COVID-19, as Q1 2020 declines were significantly less than Q2 compared with their respective periods the year prior." 

Revenues from vinyl albums increased in this year's first quarter, but later decreased in the second quarter, resulting in a net overall increase of 4 percent for the first half of 2020, the report reports. Vinyl album revenues, which reached $232 million, accounted for 62 percent of total physical revenues, marking the first time vinyl exceeded physical CDs for such a period since the '80s, as well as 4 percent of total recorded-music revenues.

Read the RIAA's 2020 mid-year report in full.

RIAA Report: Latin Music Is Growing Faster Than The Overall U.S. Music Market

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.