Post Malone owns Billboard Awards
Walking into the show with 16 nominations, Post Malone won nine honors at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards, where John Legend gave a heartfelt performance that was dedicated to his wife.
With his voice aching as he sang passionately from the piano, Legend told viewers, “This is for Chrissy,” before singing “Never Break,” which includes the lyrics “we will never break.” The performance comes two weeks after Chrissy Teigen announced she had a miscarriage.
It was one of several performances that were taped for Wednesday’s show. Other musicians attended and performed at the empty Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles during the three-hour event.
After announcing that Malone won the show’s biggest honor, top artist, host Kelly Clarkson wheeled out eight more trophies for the hitmaker. “I’m honestly blown away by the love everyone’s shown to me,” said Malone, who also won top rap artist, top male artist and top rap album. “It’s kind of big deal to me and everybody involved because we work our (butts) off.”
He beat out Billie Eilish for the top prize, but she was still a winner, taking home top Billboard 200 album, top female artist and top new artist.
Other winners included Lil Nas X, who took home four honors and was onhand to accept top Hot 100 song for “Old Town Road.” Kanye West also won four prizes: top gospel artist, top gospel song, top gospel album and top Christian album. Luke Combs followed with three wins.
Garth Brooks accepted the Icon Award from Cher, who called the country star “a true music legend and my friend.” Brooks, who is the only artist to have nine
of his albums sell more than 10 million units each and reach diamond status, performed a medley of his hits.
Residente signs Sony deal:
Residente, the most decorated winner in the history of Latin Grammys, has signed a multiyear deal with Sony Music Entertainment to launch 1868 Studios. Under this new venture, which the company announced Thursday as a “first of its kind,” the Puerto Rican rapper and Sony Music Latin/Iberia will create, produce and globally distribute original content across multiple formats and in Spanish and Engish. The artist and activist, whose given name is Rene Perez Joglar, hopes to help increase Latino representation in Hollywood.
Henson to host podcast series:
Taraji P. Henson will host a new podcast series focused on the story
behind the New Jack Swing music era. Wondery and Universal Music Group announced Thursday that Henson will host “Jacked: The Rise of New Jack Swing.” The six-part series premieres Nov. 17. The actor will also serve as a producer of the series, which is being dubbed as the “rise and eventual fall” of the New Jack Swing movement. The series will delve into the complex relationships among the group of Harlem teens who created the musical sound, a fusion of hip-hop, R&B, jazz and funk.
Oct. 16 birthdays: Actor Angela Lansbury is 95. Actor Peter Bowles is 84. Actor Suzanne Somers is
74. Guitarist Bob Weir is 73. Director David Zucker is
73. Actor Tim Robbins is
62. Actor Randy Vasquez is
59. Bassist Flea is 58. Actor Terri J. Vaughn is 51. Singer Wendy Wilson is 51. Singer John Mayer is 43. Actor Caterina Scorsone is 39.