PostMalone owns Billboard Awards
Walking into the show with 16 nominations, Post Malonewon nine honors at the 2020 BillboardMusic Awards, where John Legend gave a heartfelt performance thatwas 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 thatwere taped forWednesday’s show. Other musicians attended and performed at the empty Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles during the three-hour event.
After announcing that Malonewon the show’s biggest honor, top artist, hostKelly Clarkson wheeled out eight more trophies for the hitmaker. “I’m honestly blownaway by the love everyone’s shown to me,” saidMalone, who alsowon top rap artist, top male artist and top rap album. “It’s kind of big deal to me and everybody involved becausewe 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.
Otherwinners included LilNasX, who took home four honors andwas onhand to accept topHot 100 song for “Old Town Road.” KanyeWest alsowon four prizes: top gospel artist, top gospel song, top gospel album and top Christian album. Luke Combs followedwith three wins.
Garth Brooks accepted the Icon Award fromCher, 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 amedley of his hits.
Residente signs Sony deal:
Residente, the most decorated winner in the history of Latin Grammys, has signed a multiyear deal with SonyMusic 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 SonyMusic 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 inHollywood.
Henson to host podcast series: Taraji P. Henson will host a new podcast series focused on the story
behind theNewJack Swing music era. Wondery andUniversalMusic Group announced Thursday thatHenson will host “Jacked: The Rise ofNew Jack Swing.” The six-part series premieresNov. 17. The actor will also serve as a producer of the series, which is being dubbed as the “rise and eventual fall” of theNew Jack Swing movement. The series will delve into the complex relationships among the group ofHarlem 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 BobWeir is 73. DirectorDavid Zucker is
73. Actor Tim Robbins is
62. Actor RandyVasquez is
59. Bassist Flea is 58. Actor Terri J. Vaughn is 51. Singer WendyWilson is 51. Singer JohnMayer is 43. Actor Caterina Scorsone is 39.