State Champ Radio Awards
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What would you say is the most iconic performance in the history of the VMAs? Was it Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” from the very first show in 1984, where she wore a combination bustier/wedding gown and rolled around on the floor?
Or Madonna’s performance of that same song and her then-current release “Hollywood” with Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and a guest rap by Missy Elliott from the 2003 show? The performance caused a stir (nothing new for Madonna) thanks to its gender role-reversal and same-sex smooch.
Or would you go with Beyoncé’s “Love on Top” from 2011 in which she patted her baby bump to celebrate her pregnancy? Or Katy Perry’s performance of “Roar” live from Empire-Fulton Ferry Park in Brooklyn, which closed the 2013 show? The VMAs’ list of seven contenders included two performances from the 2009 show – Lady Gaga’s “Paparazzi” (in which she appeared to bleed out onstage; it was just an effect) and Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me.”
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The final contender – the only one by a man – is Eminem’s performance of “The Real Slim Shady” and “The Way I Am” from the 2000 show. Eminem began the performance outside Radio City Music Hall and continued as he strode into the theater followed by a hundred Eminem lookalikes.
The 2024 VMAs also announced nominees in three other social categories: Song of Summer, Best Group and Best Trending Video. All voting will be hosted on @MTV Instagram Story.
MTV also announced a “bonus week” of voting across general categories, now closing Sept. 6 at 6 p.m. ET. Fans vote for their favorites across 15 gender-neutral categories, including video of the year, by visiting MTV’s website. Voting for best new artist will remain active into show.
With nominations in these four social categories added in, Taylor Swift maintains her lead as the year’s top nominee (12), followed closely by Post Malone (11), Eminem (eight), Ariana Grande, Megan Thee Stallion, Sabrina Carpenter and SZA (seven each); Benson Boone, Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Charli xcx, GloRilla, LISA, Olivia Rodrigo and Teddy Swims (four each).
The 2024 MTV VMAs are set to air live on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. ET/PT from New York’s UBS Arena. Megan Thee Stallion is set to host the show. Katy Perry will receive the Video Vanguard Award and also perform.
The 2024 show will be held just three days shy of the 40th anniversary of the inaugural VMAs at Radio City Music Hall.
Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Camila Cabello, GloRilla and Rauw Alejandro were the first artists slated to perform at the awards; they were announced on Aug. 12. Benson Boone, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz and LISA were added to the lineup on Aug. 21. Shawn Mendes, Anitta, Karol G and LL Cool J were added on Aug. 27.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers for the 2024 VMAs. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.
Here are the nominees in the four social categories, along with information on how to vote.
VMAs Most Iconic Performance
24 hours of fan voting for the new category that celebrates some of the most memorable VMAs performances from the history of the show begins Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. ET on @MTV Instagram Story (one round, tap to vote); concludes Sept. 11 @ 11 a.m. ET.
Beyoncé – “Love on Top” (2011)
Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Madonna, Missy Elliott – “Like a Virgin” & “Hollywood” (2003)
Eminem – “The Real Slim Shady” & “The Way I Am” (2000)
Katy Perry – “Roar” (2013, live from Empire-Fulton Ferry Park)
Lady Gaga – “Paparazzi” (2009)
Madonna – “Like a Virgin” (1984)
Taylor Swift – “You Belong With Me” (2009)
Best Trending Video
Fans will vote for the newly added category that celebrates the artist’s videos and/or songs that inspired fandoms to generate content related to the video and/or song starting Sept. 2 at @ 11 a.m. ET on @MTV Instagram Story (one round, tap to vote); closes Sept. 3 @ 11 a.m. ET.
Beyoncé – “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia Records
Camila Cabello feat. Playboi Carti – “I Luv It” – Geffen / Interscope Records
Chappell Roan – “Hot to Go!” – Amusement Records / Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Charli XCX – “Apple” – Atlantic Records
Megan Thee Stallion feat. Yuki Chiba – “Mamushi” – Hot Girl Productions
Tinashe – “Nasty” – Nice Life Recording Company
Best Group
Fan voting for favorite group across all genres will begin Tuesday, Sept. 3 @ 11 a.m. ET on @MTV Instagram Story (two rounds bracket-style face-off, final round tap to vote); closes Sept. 6 @ 11 a.m. ET.
*NSYNC – RCA Records
Coldplay – Atlantic Records
Imagine Dragons – KIDinaKorner / Interscope Records
NCT Dream – SM Entertainment / Virgin Music Group
NewJeans – ADOR / Geffen Records
SEVENTEEN – PLEDIS Entertainment / Geffen Records
TOMORROW X TOGETHER – BIGHIT MUSIC / IMPERIAL / Republic Records
Twenty One Pilots – Fueled By Ramen
Song of Summer
Fan voting for all-round favorite summer 2024 hit will launch Friday, Sept. 6 at 11 a.m. ET on @MTV Instagram Story (three rounds bracket-style face-off, final round tap to vote); closes Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. ET.
Ariana Grande – “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” – Republic Records
Benson Boone – “Beautiful Things” – Night Street Records, Inc. / Warner Records
Billie Eilish – “Birds of a Feather” – Darkroom / Interscope Records
Chappell Roan – “Good Luck, Babe!” – Amusement Records / Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings, Inc.
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – “Guess featuring Billie Eilish” – Atlantic Records
Eminem – “Houdini” – Shady / Aftermath / Interscope Records
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – “Like That” – Wilburn Holding Co. / Boominati / Epic / Republic
GloRilla, Megan Thee Stallion – “Wanna Be” – CMG / Interscope Records
Hozier – “Too Sweet” – Columbia Records
Kendrick Lamar – “Not Like Us” – pgLang, under exclusive license to Interscope Records
Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen – “I Had Some Help” – Mercury / Republic / Big Loud
Sabrina Carpenter – “Please Please Please” – Island
Shaboozey – “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – American Dogwood / EMPIRE
SZA – “Saturn” – Top Dawg Entertainment / RCA Records
Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone – “Fortnight” – Republic Records
Tommy Richman – “Million Dollar Baby” – ISO Supremacy / PULSE Records / Concord
Olivia Rodrigo has good reason to be “Obsessed” with the Grammy eligibility rules, specifically the one that states: “Tracks from an album released during last year’s eligibility period are eligible in the current eligibility period, provided the same tracks were not entered the previous year and the album did not win a Grammy.”
That means that Rodrigo’s “Obsessed,” a single from the deluxe Guts (Spilled) edition of her 2023 album Guts, is eligible for the 67th annual Grammy Awards. The single was released on March 22, 2024, well within the eligibility period for the 2025 Grammys (Sept. 16, 2023 to Aug. 30, 2024). It was not entered in last year’s awards process (the focus was on “Vampire,” which was nominated for record and song of the year and best pop vocal performance, and “Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl,” nominated for best rock song). And crucially, Guts didn’t win a Grammy, though it was nominated for both album of the year and best pop vocal album at the ceremony.
On the other hand, if Noah Kahan were to look over the Grammy rulebook, he might find less to cheer about. Stick Season (Forever), which was released on Feb. 9, 2024, will not be eligible to compete for album of the year. Here’s the rule from the Grammy rulebook: “Updated, revised or expanded versions of previously submitted albums will not be eligible.”
Stick Season (Forever) is an expanded version of Kahan’s Stick Season album, which was released on Oct. 14, 2022. An earlier expanded version, Stick Season (We’ll All Be Here Forever), was entered for album of the year and best Americana album at the ceremony that was held earlier this year. It wasn’t nominated in either category, but it was “submitted.” (Kahan’s only Grammy nomination to date is best new artist at the ceremony held earlier this year.)
Current voting and professional members of the Recording Academy are hunkering down today and tomorrow – or, at least, the Academy fervently hopes they are – to enter recordings for the 67th annual Grammy Awards. The submission window closes on Friday Aug. 30 at 6 p.m. PT.
The rules and guidelines handbook for the 67th annual Grammy Awards runs 75 pages – and it’s not exactly a “beach read.” Fortunately, the Academy prepared a one-page summary of “Basic Guidelines.” We combed through that document to cull these eight highlights.
Recordings must meet these three basic eligibility guidelines.
There are just two more days for current voting and professional members of the Recording Academy to enter recordings for the 67th annual Grammy Awards. The submission window closes Friday (Aug. 30) at 6 p.m. PT.
The entry process has changed in recent years. There used to be no limit to the number of entries members could make. Some members took advantage of that liberal policy and submitted a large number of entries, causing the entry list to bloat. The Academy now allows each voting or professional member just five “courtesy entries” before charges apply.
Furthermore, in an effort to get procrastinators to make their entries in timely fashion, those entry fees escalate the closer we get to the eligibility cut-off. The charge for members was $40 per entry from July 17-July 31 (what the Academy calls “early bird pricing”) and $75 per entry from Aug. 1-Aug. 22 (standard pricing). In this final week, it is $125 per entry (final deadline pricing). (In all cases, these are the charges for entries beyond the five courtesy entries.)
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In its rules, the Academy notes: “There will be no refunds for any entries once submitted to the Recording Academy, including those entries found to be ineligible.”
Media companies may also enter entries, but they don’t get five courtesy entries. And their charges were higher for the first two submission submission periods – $65 through July 31 and $95 through Aug. 22. The final deadline pricing charge for media companies is the same as for members – $125 through Aug. 30.
The Recording Academy defines a media company as “a legitimate business entity whose core business function is to create, aggregate and promote audio and/or video content for multiple artists for commercial purposes, and must have product in national U.S. commercial distribution on our approved streaming platforms within the current eligibility period. It cannot just be an imprint in name only for the artist.” Media companies pay an annual $180 registration fee.
It is the submitter’s responsibility to provide streaming links or physical product in some cases. “Without streaming links or commercially released product (if applicable), your entries cannot be screened or verified, which can result in disqualification,” the Academy notes.
Physical product must be submitted for consideration in five craft categories – best recording package, best boxed or limited edition package, best immersive audio album, best album notes and best historical album. Rules note “If you made entries in craft categories that require physical product, you will receive a separate email detailing the product required and further shipping instructions. Include a copy of the packing list with shipped product. Send in as soon as possible but no later than Sept. 6.”
No physical product is necessary in six other craft categories – best engineered album, non-classical; best engineered album, classical; best immersive audio album; best instrumental composition; best arrangement, instrumental or acapella; and best arrangement, instruments and vocals.
The Academy notes “Prior to the first round of voting [which opens on Oct. 4], we will be sending each submitter an email showing final category placement of their entries.”
The eligibility period for the 67th Grammy Awards is Sept. 16, 2023 – Aug. 30, 2024. First-round voting runs from Oct. 4 through Oct. 15. Nominees will be announced on Nov. 8. Final-round voting runs from Dec. 12 through Jan. 3, 2025. The Grammys will be presented on Feb. 2, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Nikki Glaser is set to host the 82nd annual Golden Globes, which is set to air on Sunday, Jan. 5, (8-11 p.m. live ET/5-8 p.m. live PT) on CBS.
Glaser is the first woman to serve as solo host of the Globes in recent years. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were co-hosts four times (2013-15, 2021). Actress Sandra Oh co-hosted with comedian Andy Samberg in 2019.
Glaser, 40, is nominated for a Primetime Emmy for outstanding variety special (pre-recorded) as executive producer and performer on the HBO special Someday You’ll Die. The award will be presented on night one of the Creative Arts Emmys on Sept. 7.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting the Golden Globes,” Glaser said in a statement. “It’s one of my favorite nights of television and now I get a front row seat (actually, I think I have to host from the stage). The Golden Globes is not only a huge night for TV and film, but also for comedy. It’s one of the few times that show business not only allows, but encourages itself to be lovingly mocked (at least I hope so). (God I hope so). It’s an exciting, yet challenging gig because it’s live, unpredictable, and in front of Hollywood’s biggest stars (who also might be getting wasted while seated next to their recent exes).”
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Glaser continued, “Some of my favorite jokes of all time have come from past Golden Globes opening monologues when Tina, Amy, or Ricky [Gervais] have said exactly what we all didn’t know we desperately needed to hear. I just hope to continue in that time honored tradition (that might also get me canceled). This is truly a dream job.”
“Nikki Glaser brings a fresh and unmatched candor to her comedy and to the Golden Globes,” Jay Penske, chairman and CEO of Dick Clark Productions and Penske Media Corporation, said in a statement. “Her unapologetic style made her an obvious and compelling choice as host for this year’s event. We’re hopeful this could be the first of many Golden Globes that Nikki will surprise and delight our CBS audience, as well as our audiences around the globe.”
“Nikki Glaser is a comedic powerhouse whose daring and unfiltered humor is the perfect match for the Golden Globes,” said Helen Hoehne, president of the Golden Globes. “She is sure to bring a unique energy and spontaneity to the show that will keep the audience entertained all night.”
The Golden Globes, the first major award show of the season, is often referred to as “Hollywood’s Party of the Year.” It’s the largest awards show to celebrate the best of both film and television. Multi-Emmy Award-winning producing duo Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner of White Cherry Entertainment will return as executive producing showrunners for the 82nd Golden Globes. Dick Clark Productions will plan, host and produce the annual Golden Globes.
CBS’ broadcast of the 81st annual Golden Globes on Sunday, Jan. 7, hosted by comedian Jo Koy, averaged 10 million viewers (Nielsen Live+7-Day national ratings), up nearly +50% from last year, its largest audience since 2020. The telecast was also the third-largest livestreamed CBS special event on Paramount+ ever in terms of AMA (average minute audience) and reach.
The deadline for motion picture and television submissions for the 2025 Golden Globes is Monday, Nov. 4. Nominations are set to be announced on Monday, Dec. 9.
In addition to airing live on CBS, the show will stream on Paramount+ in the U.S. (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).
Penske Media Eldridge — a joint venture between Billboard’s parent company Penske Media Corporation and Eldridge — owns Dick Clark Productions, the producer of the Golden Globe Awards.
MTV and TelevisaUnivision will partner for the second consecutive year with a live, hosted simulcast of the 2024 VMAs on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Univision, the most-watched network among U.S. Hispanics. An encore presentation of the awards show will air on UniMás at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT.
This is a reversal of what transpired last year, when the live simulcast aired on UniMás at 8 p.m. ET and the encore presentation aired on Univision at 11:30 p.m. ET. This platform flip portends a much bigger live audience this year, given Univision’s greater reach.
Univision will bring exclusive show access to its audience, with original, in-show commentary from entertainment host and reporter Alejandra Espinoza throughout the three-hour broadcast, live from New York’s UBS Arena.
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“We’re excited to build on last year’s unique and enormously successful partnership with TelevisaUnivision,” Bruce Gillmer, president of music, music talent, programming & events, Paramount and chief content officer, Music, Paramount+, said in a statement. “Together, we were able to reach the largest live Spanish-speaking audience in VMAs history and deliver +29% [year-over-year] ratings growth. We look forward to celebrating the world’s top artists, including some of the biggest Latin superstars, with our fans around the globe.”
“TelevisaUnivision is excited to partner with Paramount for the second consecutive year to bring the VMAs to our audience,” said Ignacio Meyer, president of U.S. Networks at TelevisaUnivision. “Latin music’s rising influence on mainstream culture is undeniable. We’re proud to be the exclusive Spanish-language home in the U.S. for this year’s award show, offering viewers an in-language, front-row seat to this celebration.”
MTV calls this year’s show the “most global VMAs in show history.” The show will have three Latin performers — Anitta, Karol G and Rauw Alejandro, plus Camila Cabello, who has Latin roots. (The show has also booked K-Pop star LISA.)
Latin and Latin pop crossover music has been an important part of the performance mix on VMA broadcasts since 2018. Last year, four Latin artists performed on the show – Shakira (as part of her Video Vanguard award presentation), Karol G, Peso Pluma and Anitta (the latter both solo and in tandem with K-pop stars TOMORROW X TOGETHER).
Prior to that, in 2022, J Balvin (with Ryan Castro), Anitta and Bad Bunny performed. In 2021, Ozuna, Cabello and Tainy (in tandem with Shawn Mendes) represented Latin music. In 2020, Maluma, CNCO and Nicky Jam (in tandem with Black Eyed Peas and Tyga) did the honors. In 2019, CNCO (in the pre-show), Cabello (with Mendes), Rosalía and Ozuna (in a joint performance) and J Balvin and Bad Bunny (also in a joint performance) all performed. In 2018, Jennifer Lopez (receiving a Video Vanguard award) and Maluma performed.
Anitta is this year’s top Latin nominee, with three nods – best Latin and best editing for “Mil Veces” and another nod for best Latin for “BELLAKEO.” Bad Bunny and Alejandro each have two nods. Bad Bunny is nominated for artist of the year and best Latin for “MONACO” Alejandro is nominated for best Latin and best cinematography for “Touching the Sky.” Karol G, Shakira, Cardi B and Myke Towers each have one nod.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers of the 2024 VMAs. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba are executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.
Shawn Mendes, Anitta, Karol G and LL Cool J are joining the roster of stars slated to perform at the 2024 MTV VMAs live on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at 8 p.m. ET/PT from New York’s UBS Arena.
Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Camila Cabello, GloRilla and Rauw Alejandro were the first artists slated to perform at the awards; they were announced on Aug. 12. Benson Boone, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz and LISA were added to the lineup on Aug. 21. Megan Thee Stallion is set to host the show. Katy Perry will receive the Video Vanguard Award and also perform on the show.
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Latin music will be heavily represented on the show, with three performers from the genre (Anitta, Karol G and Alejandro) and a fourth (Cabello) with Latin roots.
Cabello and Mendes performed “Señorita” on the VMAs in 2019 when they were pop’s most photogenic couple, dating until 2021 and briefly reuniting in 2023. This year, they are set to perform separately.
Ahead of the release of his fifth studio album, Shawn, on Oct. 18, Mendes will make a return to the MTV stage for the first televised performance from the album. Mendes has a streak to protect: His first four studio albums all reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200.
Mendes performed on the VMAs three years running: “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” (2017), “In My Blood” (2018) and “If I Can’t Have You” and “Señorita” (2019). Most recently, he performed “Summer of Love,” his collab with Tainy, in 2021. Mendes is a two-time VMA winner.
Anitta is set to bring her signature Brazilian funk to the MTV stage for a third consecutive year with a medley of “Savage Funk” and “Alegria” plus the world premiere of “Paradise” with guest appearances by Fat Joe, DJ Khaled and Tiago PZK. Last year, she graced the stage twice: first with a medley of her Funk Generation hits “Used to Be,” “Funk Rave” and “Grip,” followed by a genre-bending K-pop/Latin crossover performance with TOMORROW X TOGETHER on “Back for More.” In 2022, she performed a medley that included “Envolver,” “Bola Rebola” and “Vai Malandra.” The first Brazilian artist to win at the VMAs in 2022 – best Latin for “Envolver” – Anitta is vying for her third consecutive best Latin win this year.
Karol G is also set to make a return to the MTV stage. Last year, the Colombian star won her first Moon Person – best collaboration alongside Shakira – and made her VMAs debut with a sultry rendition of “Oki Doki” / “Tá Ok.” This year, she’s poised to take home her second Moon Person and her first win in the best Latin category. Karol G’s Mañana Será Bonito World Tour became the highest-grossing Latin tour by a woman in Billboard Boxscore history. Her album Mañana Será Bonito made her the first woman, and only the second artist ever, to top the Billboard 200 with an all-Spanish-language album. Her many awards include a Grammy, five Latin Grammys and the title of 2024 Billboard Woman of the Year.
LL Cool J will return to the MTV stage to perform new music from his upcoming album The FORCE, due Sept. 6. Last year, LL was part of the show-closing all-star 50th-anniversary salute to hip-hop – during which he performed his hits “I’m Bad” and “Mama Said Knock You Out.” It was his first VMAs performance in more than 25 years. LL, the 1997 Video Vanguard recipient, performed “Mama Said Knock You Out” on the 1991 show. He also took home his first Moon Person – best rap – for that same hit.
This year will mark the first time the show has been held on 9/11 since the terrorist attack in 2001 made that date infamous. In observance of the 23rd anniversary of 9/11, MTV will again support the nonprofit 9/11 Day, which organizes the September 11 National Day of Service and Remembrance, and Tuesday’s Children, which serves the families of 9/11.
The 2024 show will be held just three days shy of the 40th anniversary of the inaugural VMAs at Radio City Music Hall, where Madonna stole the show.
Taylor Swift leads the nominations for the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, with 10 nods. Her “Fortnight” collaborator Post Malone is second, with nine nods – eight in tandem with Swift plus one for his hit “I Had Some Help,” featuring Morgan Wallen. They are followed by Ariana Grande, Eminem and Carpenter (six nods each); Megan Thee Stallion and SZA (five each), and LISA, Olivia Rodrigo and Teddy Swims (four each).
Other artists with multiple nominations are Anitta, Benson Boone, Bleachers, GloRilla, Dua Lipa and Tyla, with three each; and Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Roan, Charli XCX, Coldplay, Drake, Jelly Roll, Jessie Murph, Jung Kook, Latto, Alejandro, Sexyy Red, Tate McRae, Usher and Victoria Monét, with two each.
Fans can vote for their favorites across 15 gender-neutral categories by visiting vote.mtv.com through Friday, Aug. 30. Voting for best new artist will remain active into the show on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Nominations in social categories will be announced at a later date.
Bruce Gillmer and Den of Thieves co-founder Jesse Ignjatovic are executive producers for the 2024 VMAs. Barb Bialkowski is co-executive producer. Alicia Portugal and Jackie Barba serve as executives in charge of production. Wendy Plaut is executive in charge of celebrity talent. Lisa Lauricella is music talent executive.
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Mark Beaven, co-founder/co-CEO of Advanced Alternative Media (AAM), Inc., is set to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 25th global edition of MUSEXPO. The award will be presented during a luncheon on Monday, March 17, 2025, at Castaway in Burbank, Calif. Beaven and business partner Andrew Kipnes played a transformative role in the music […]
The final nominations for the 58th annual CMA Awards will be revealed on Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 a.m. CT, with the complete list also being posted on the CMA Awards’ website. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news This year’s CMA Awards will be held Wednesday, Nov. 20, […]
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars have won a combined 28 Grammy Awards – 13 for her, 15 for him – so it doesn’t take a genius to know that their newly-released collaboration, “Die With a Smile,” is a strong contender for Grammy nods. The song was released on Aug. 16, two weeks before the close of eligibility for the 67th annual Grammy Awards.
The instant smash has a good chance of nominations for record of the year, song of the year and best pop duo/group performance.
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Both artists have been nominated multiple times for record of the year for previous collaborations. Mars has been nominated three times for collaborations – as a featured artist on B.o.B.’s “Nothin’ on You” and Mark Ronson’s “Uptown Funk!” and as the co-lead artist with Anderson .Paak on Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open.” If he is nominated again for “Die With a Smile,” he’ll break out of a tie with Jay-Z and Rihanna as the artist with the most record of the year nods as part of a collab.
Gaga has been nominated for record of the year with two previous collabs – “Shallow” with Bradley Cooper and “I Get a Kick Out of You” with Tony Bennett. Counting all singles, not just collabs, this would be Mars’ seventh record of the year nod; Gaga’s fourth.
The Grammy nominations will be announced on Nov. 8. The 67th annual Grammy Awards will be presented on Feb. 2, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Gaga and Mars co-wrote and co-produced “Die With a Smile” with Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II and Andrew Watt. James Fauntleroy was an additional co-writer.
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Mars has one of the best batting averages of any artist in Grammy history. He has won 15 awards from just 31 nominations. Adele at one point had won 15 awards from just 18 nominations, but her batting average came down to earth a bit when she won just one award from seven nominations in 2023. (Her current standing – 16 awards from 25 nods – is still pretty great!)
Gaga has won 13 awards from 36 nominations.
While it’s too early to predict who is going to win in the marquee categories, if “Die With a Smile” does win record of the year, Mars would set a big Grammy record: the first artist to win record of the year four times. He’d break out of a tie with Paul Simon, who has won three times (counting two Simon & Garfunkel classics).
Mars won the award in 2016 as a featured artist on Ronson’s “Uptown Funk!,” in 2018 for the solo smash “24K Magic” and along with Anderson .Paak in 2022 for Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open.”
If it wins song of the year, Mars and D’Mile would become the first three-time winners in that category. They are currently in a tie with Henry Mancini & Johnny Mercer, Billie Eilish & Finneas O’Connell, Adele, Brody Brown, James Horner, Will Jennings and the members of U2, with two wins each.
Mars previously won song of the year for co-writing “That’s What I Like” and “Leave the Door Open.” D’Mile previously won for co-writing H.E.R.’s “I Can’t Breathe” and “Leave the Door Open.”
If “Die With a Smile” wins record or song of the year, it would be Gaga’s first win in a so-called Big Four category (album, record or song of the year plus best new artist).
If the collab wins best pop duo/group performance, it would be Gaga’s record-setting third win in that category, following wins for pairings with Cooper (“Shallow”) and Ariana Grande (“Rain on Me”). Gaga is currently tied with SZA with two wins each in the category (which was introduced at the 2012 ceremony).
Gaga and Mars share another Grammy common bond: Neither was nominated for best new artist, despite both getting off to hot career starts. In both cases it’s because they blew up so fast that they ran afoul of Grammy eligibility rules in that category.
Gaga was entered in the best new artist competition for the awards that were presented in 2009, but she wasn’t nominated. She was nominated that year for best dance recording for “Just Dance,” her Hot 100-topping collab with Colby O’Donis. That nomination precluded her from getting a second shot at best new artist the following year (which is the norm in that category for artists whose breakthroughs don’t neatly fall into one Grammy eligibility year).
Mars was never even entered for best new artist. He received seven nominations at the awards that were presented in 2011, winning best pop vocal performance, male for his Hot 100-topping “Just the Way You Are.” But because his first full-length album hadn’t been released by the close of that eligibility year – it was released four days later, on Oct. 4, 2010 – he wasn’t eligible for best new artist that year. And he wasn’t allowed in the category the following year because he was, by that point, a Grammy winner. (That’s what you call a Grammy Catch-22.)
The failure of both artists to be nominated for best new artist hasn’t seemed to unduly slow their career momentum.
“Die With a Smile” is expected to challenge for a debut inside the top 10 on next week’s Billboard Hot 100. The chart will be unveiled on Monday (Aug. 26).
Many of country music’s top artists, studio musicians and executives were feted on Wednesday night (Aug. 21) during the 17th Academy of Country Music Honors, held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
ACM CEO Damon Whiteside ushered in the evening, welcoming attendees and saying, “Congratulations to all of the honorees that are with us. We can’t wait to celebrate with you tonight.”
Among the artists who took part or were celebrated were nearly 10 past and present ACM entertainer of the year winners, including Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Dolly Parton and Lainey Wilson.
Carly Pearce returned for a fourth year as host, leading the evening with co-host and reigning ACM song of the year winner Jordan Davis, who wrote his hit “Next Thing You Know” with Josh Osborne, Chase McGill and Greylan James.
“This show is the industry’s favorite night because it honors not only the artists but the behind-the-scenes community that makes what we do possible,” Pearce told the audience.
Tyler Hubbard, an 11-time ACM Award winner, presented the ACM Studio Recording and Industry Awards portion of the show. Choctaw Grand Theater won casino of the year – theater, while Uncasville, Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Arena earned its eighth casino of the year – arena category win. Singer-songwriter Tony Orlando, who performed his final concert at the Mohegan after six decades of entertaining audiences, accepted the accolade and called the venue “a cathedral of music.”
“People cut their teeth and became megastars in that arena,” Orlando said, noting stars including Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift performed in the venue at points in their careers. “They care about you, they care about those who attend the shows and support the performers.”
Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado, won its third outdoor venue of the year accolade, Tortuga Music Festival was named festival of the year for a third time, while San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo earned its second fair/rodeo of the year win.
Former San Antonio Livestock Exposition, Inc. president David White said, “Thank you for giving us the ability to preserve rodeo heritage…and supporting country music.” Ed Warm accepted for Joe’s Live in Rosemont, Ill., which won its third club of the year trophy, while Warm was named ACM Don Romeo talent buyer of the year.
“I’m humbled to be standing here accepting these honors and I want to acknowledge the other nominees. You’re the ones who set the standard in this industry. At Joe’s Live we try to do things the right way, with passion, integrity, and a deep love of country music,” Warm said.
Over 130+ years, the Ryman Auditorium has transformed from a tabernacle to one of the most revered venues. The Ryman earned its eighth win for ACM theater of the year. Ryman Auditorium director of concerts Chrissy Hall accepted the honor, saying, “We don’t do this alone at all and most of the people that make this place so special are working for you all tonight. I dedicate this to the crew here at the Ryman.”
Fellow Nashville venue Bridgestone Arena earned its sixth win for ACM arena of the year. AEG promoter Adam Weiser earned his first ACM Award for ACM promoter of the year. “This is all about community,” Weiser said. “I’m truly blessed to work with the best people.”
Among the studio recording artist winners were steel guitar player Paul Franklin, producer Dann Huff, bass player Jimmie Lee Sloas, electric guitar player Rob McNelley, piano/keys players Jim “Moose” Brown and David Dorn, audio engineer Jim Cooley, guitar player Charlie Worsham and drummer Jerry Roe. A Gibson Les Paul guitar signed by many of the honorees was auctioned off to benefit ACM Lifting Lives. Among the bidders were Luke Bryan and Garth Brooks, with $125,000 raised through the auction.
From there, the performance portion of the evening began, with music from Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Davis, Jackson Dean, Kameron Marlowe, Carly Pearce, Lee Ann Womack, Eric Church, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Tyler Hubbard, Jamey Johnson, Ashley McBryde, Terri Clark and Keith Urban.
Alan Jackson and Walt Aldridge were honored with the ACM’s poets award, presented to a songwriter for outstanding and longstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their career. Davis and Pearce launched the musical events, honoring Alan Jackson, with Davis performing “Chattahoochie” and Pearce performing “Don’t Rock the Jukebox.” Marlowe feted Aldridge with a blistering version of “Modern-Day Bonnie and Clyde.” Aldridge’s credits include Ronnie Milsap’s “(There’s) No Gettin’ Over Me” and Earl Thomas Conley’s “Holding Her and Loving You.”
Lainey Wilson, who will release her new album Whirlwind on Friday (Aug. 23), was honored as this year’s triple-crown winner, earning a coveted accolade Wilson qualified for by winning the ACM’s new female artist of the year, female artist of the year, and entertainer of the year honors. It’s an honor only nine others have won, including Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney and Carrie Underwood. Wilson also wins this year’s milestone award, presented to an artist, duo/group or industry leader for a specific, unprecedented or outstanding achievement in the field of country music during the preceding calendar year. In May, Wilson was named the ACM’s entertainer of the year.
Trisha Yearwood and producer/musician/industry executive Tony Brown were honored with the ACM Icon Award, which fetes an artist, duo/group or industry leader who has advanced the popularity of the genre through contributions to different areas of the industry, including songwriting, recording, production, film and more. Harris and Alaina feted Yearwood with a duet of “The Song Remembers When.”
More performances followed, as Chris Stapleton was honored as artist-songwriter of the year, with Jamey Johnson delivering a somber, convicting rendition of Stapleton’s “Whiskey and You.”
The evening also highlighted the ACM Lifting Lives grant cycle, fueled by Music Has Value. As part of this segment, Jackson Dean, who was wearing a shirt owned by the late Glen Campbell, honored Campbell with a rendition of Campbell’s “Strong.” Luke Bryan was honored with the ACM Lifting Lives Award for his various charitable endeavors through the years, most notably his Farm Tour, which helps create scholarships for students in rural areas to attend agricultural colleges. Since the tour’s inception in 2009, he has awarded more than 80 scholarships.
“Over the years I’ve watched him give 110% to whatever he does, especially when it comes to helping others,” Bryan’s fellow country artist Jason Aldean said in honoring his friend.
“I’m so blessed to be part of this industry where every day, people go the extra mile to help,” Bryan said, noting the work that ACM Lifting Lives does to help others.”
The 17th ACM Honors will air Tuesday, Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. ET on Merit Street, marking the first time the special will air on the network, as part of a larger partnership between Merit Street Media and the Academy of Country Music. Below, we look at five top musical moments from this year’s ACM Honors:
Lainey Wilson’s Triple-Crown Moment
