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MAX Asks The Lover's Big Question On "Love Me Less" For Press Play At Home

Watch his electrifying stripped-down performance from home of his latest hit

GRAMMYs/Jun 18, 2020 - 09:19 pm

Catchy is a state of mind, and for New York native MAX, it seems to run through his blood. In the latest edition of the Recording Academy's Press Play At Home, MAX proves his pop prowess with a stripped-down version of his hit "Love Me Less."

Born and raised in Hell's Kitchen, MAX got his start in entertainment on Broadway starring alongside fellow future star Ariana Grande in the show "13."

"Love You Less" was co-written by Roget chahayed, imad-Roy El-Amine, Max Schneider, Nolan Sipe and Mikael Temrowski after MAX's ex-girlfriend threatened to get his British wife deported. It took over a year to complete to be included on MAX's sophomore album Colour Vision, set to be released Sept. 18.

In the video, you'll learn a lot more about "Love You Less," including that it was the first song MAX released after he could not speak for four months following vocal cord surgery, and it gave MAX his second song to go gold after breakout hit "Lights Down Low."

The song earned some famous co-signs from both Jungkook and SUGA of BTS, sharing it on their playlists. 

For further viewing, and to get to know MAX even better, check out the song's official music video, featuring his actual parents, wife Emily and one of his best friends.

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Abby Sage performs at home
Abby Sage

Photo: Courtesy of Abby Sage

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Press Play: Watch Abby Sage Feed Her “Hunger” In This Acoustic Performance Of Her Single

Rising indie star Abby Sage performs “Hunger,” an unapologetic track about sexual liberation from her debut album, ‘The Rot.’

GRAMMYs/Apr 23, 2024 - 03:56 pm

With "Hunger," rising indie star Abby Sage takes autonomy of her body. It’s a story of shameless self-discovery as she submits to her natural desires while simultaneously breaking down the toxic ideas she learned about sex in her adolescence.

"Feed my hunger/ No shame, I'm just a beginner," she croons in the chorus. "It's my own wonder/ Don't press, I'm just a beginner."

In this episode of Press Play, watch Sage deliver an acoustic performance of the single from her debut album, The Rot, which she released on March 1. According to a statement, the project is largely about "the decomposition and reconstruction of everything I was taught," including sex, anxiety, and more.

Sage said "Hunger" is "the most important song to me on the album" adding, "I wish I heard a song like this when I was first exploring my sexuality and my sexual journey, and for that reason, I hope it reaches people."

This May, Sage will embark on an international tour that begins in Los Angeles and concludes in London, with support from gglum, spiderblush, and Jayla Kai.

Watch the video above to hear Abby Sage's empowering performance of "Hunger," and remember to check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

Watch Genia Narrate The Pain Of Heartbreak In This Raw Performance Of "Dear Life" | Press Play

Genia Press Play Hero
Genia (right) performs for Press Play.

Photo: Courtesy of Genia

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Press Play: Watch Genia Narrate The Pain Of Heartbreak In This Raw Performance Of "Dear Life"

R&B singer Genia offers an acoustic rendition of "Dear Life," one of the singles from her forthcoming mixtape, '4 AM In The Ville,' out April 19 via Def Jam.

GRAMMYs/Apr 9, 2024 - 05:00 pm

On "Dear Life," R&B singer Genia pens a farewell letter to her lover — while simultaneously reflecting on how the intense saga crumbled her.

"I can't take anymore/ Put my pride aside, thought you could save me," she cries in the first verse. "These days, I don't know what I need/ You destroy me from the inside out/ If I go off the deep end/ You'll be sure not to bring me back."

In this episode of Press Play, watch Genia deliver a stripped-down performance of the vulnerable track alongside her guitarist.

The California native released "Dear Life" on Nov. 10, via Def Jam Recordings. She has also dropped three more singles — "Like That," "Know!," and "Let Me Wander" — leading up to her sophomore mixtape, 4 AM In The Ville, on April 19. 4 AM is a sequel to her debut, 4 PM In The Ville; both projects are inspired by Genia's experience of growing up in Victorville, California.

""[The songs] explore the different stages of grief in a relationship," she revealed in an interview with Urban Magazine. "The second tape is really me touching on falling in love, betrayal, anger, and rape."

Watch the video above to hear Genia's acoustic performance of "Dear Life," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

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Kenya Vaun Press Play Hero
Kenya Vaun

Photo: Courtesy of Kenya Vaun

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Press Play: Watch Kenya Vaun Reminisce About "Yesterday" In This Sentimental Studio Performance

Philadelphia native and R&B newcomer Kenya Vaun honors the beauty of childhood in this stripped-down performance of "Yesterday," a track from her new EP, 'The Honeymoon Phase.'

GRAMMYs/Mar 26, 2024 - 05:01 pm

Now in her early twenties, R&B rookie Kenya Vaun would give anything to return to her childhood adolescence — the days of block-turned-house parties and no bills.

"Feels like it was only yesterday/ And life was so easy yesterday," Vaun raps in the chorus of her new song, "Yesterday." "If I had the chance to do it again/ I'd do it the same/ The joy and the pain/ The coldest of winters/ The summertime rain/ No, I wouldn't change my yesterdays."

In this episode of Press Play, watch Vaun deliver a live rendition of the track, straight from the recording studio.

"Yesterday" arrives on Vaun's latest EP, The Honeymoon Phase, which dropped March 22 via 300 Entertainment. She also released an accompanying music video, filmed in her hometown, Philadelphia.

"'Yesterday' talks about my experiences when I was younger because that is a huge part of what made me who I am today," Vaun said in an interview with Rated R&B. "Seeing how times are today, it's kind of like, 'Dang. Imagine if I grew up during this time.' I don't know how I would be, like, for real."

Watch the video above to hear Kenya Vaun's nostalgic performance of "Yesterday," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more episodes of Press Play.

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Jade LeMac Press Play Hero
Jade LeMac

Photo: Courtesy of Jade LeMac

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Press Play: Jade LeMac Delivers A Stunning Acoustic Performance Of Her Breakthrough Single, "Constellations"

On the heels of releasing a deluxe version of her second EP, 'Confessions,' rising pop star Jade LeMac strips down her starry-eyed debut single, "Constellations," for a sultry acoustic version.

GRAMMYs/Mar 12, 2024 - 05:00 pm

On "Constellations," pop singer and social media star Jade LeMac has stars in her eyes after a passionate moment in love.

"Your freckles lead the way/ I trace your constellations," LeMac sings in the chorus. But as the two leave each other's arms, it's like they're a galaxy away: "Now, you're gone in the blink of an eye/ I try to remember what you look like/ Orion's Belt in the sky/ Closest thing to you other than my mind."

In this episode of Press Play, LeMac delivers an at-home performance of "Constellations," stripping down the wavy track with just an acoustic guitar.

Initially released in 2021 via Arista Records, "Constellations" was LeMac's debut single, and eventually became the title of her 2023 debut EP. Nine months after releasing Constellations, LeMac delivered another EP, titled Confessions — and on March 1, she gave it the deluxe treatment.

"['Constellations'] started this whole journey, and I wouldn't be here without it," she said in a statement about the song, which went viral on TikTok after being featured in Netflix's My Life with the Walter Boys. "I have learned so much about myself, my songwriting, and storytelling."

Watch the video above to watch Jade LeMac's lovesick performance of "Constellations," and check back to GRAMMY.com for more new episodes of Press Play.

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