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MTV pulled the plug on the 2023 MTV EMA Awards on Oct. 19, just over two weeks before the show was set to be staged in Paris. The network attributed their decision to the “volatility of world events.” But on Sunday (Nov. 5), which would have been the EMAs date, MTV released the winners list, saying, “as fans worldwide voted for their favorite categories including best artist, best song and more, MTV is recognizing the following artists with 2023 MTV EMAs.”
Taylor Swift was the big winner, with three awards – best artist, best live and best video for “Anti-Hero.” Surprisingly, the award for best US act eluded her. That went to Nicki Minaj, who also won best hip-hop.
Jung Kook and Måneskin were also double winners. Jung Kook won best K-pop and best song for “Seven” (featuring Latto). Måneskin won best rock and best Italian act.
Rema was the winner in the newly-added best Afrobeats category.
David Guetta, who was born in Paris, the intended site of this year’s show, won best electronic.
This year’s event was to have been broadcast live to more than 150 countries from the Paris Nord. It would have marked the first time the ceremony has been held in the City of Light since 1995.
This marked the first time the MTV EMA Awards have been canceled since it was launched in 1994. Even during the pandemic, the show went on as scheduled.
MTV released the following statement on Oct. 19: “Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life. The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music. As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning. Voting is continuing and the winning artists will receive their MTV EMA Awards. We look forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November of 2024.”
Here’s the complete list of 2023 MTV EMA nominees, with winners marked. The winners for biggest fans and best group had not been identified at the time of publication.
Best Song
Doja Cat – “Paint the Town Red”
WINNER: Jung Kook feat. Latto – “Seven”
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”
SZA – “Kill Bill”
Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”
Best Video
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion – “Bongos”
Doja Cat – “Paint The Town Red”
Little Simz – “Gorilla”
Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Olivia Rodrigo – “vampire”
SZA – “Kill Bill”
WINNER: Taylor Swift – “Anti-Hero”
Best Artist
Doja Cat
Miley Cyrus
Nicki Minaj
Olivia Rodrigo
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift
Best Collaboration
Central Cee x Dave – “Sprinter”
David Guetta, Anne-Marie, Coi Leray – “Baby Don’t Hurt Me”
WINNER: KAROL G, Shakira – “TQG”
Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, 21 Savage – “Creepin’”
PinkPantheress, Ice Spice – “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2”
Rema, Selena Gomez – “Calm Down”
Best New
Coi Leray
FLO
Ice Spice
WINNER: Peso Pluma
PinkPantheress
Reneé Rapp
Best Pop
WINNER: Billie Eilish
Dua Lipa
Ed Sheeran
Miley Cyrus
Olivia Rodrigo
Taylor Swift
Best Afrobeats
Asake
Aya Nakamura
Ayra Starr
Burna Boy
Davido
WINNER: Rema
Best Rock
Arctic Monkeys
Foo Fighters
WINNER: Måneskin
Metallica
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Killers
Best Latin
WINNER: Anitta
Bad Bunny
KAROL G
Peso Pluma
ROSALÍA
Shakira
Best K-pop
FIFTY FIFTY
WINNER: Jung Kook
NewJeans
SEVENTEEN
Stray Kids
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
Best Alternative
Blur
Fall Out Boy
WINNER: Lana Del Rey
Paramore
Thirty Seconds to Mars
YUNGBLUD
Best Electronic
Alesso
Calvin Harris
WINNER: David Guetta
Swedish House Mafia
Peggy Gou
Tiësto
Best Hip-Hop
Cardi B
Central Cee
Lil Wayne
Lil Uzi Vert
Metro Boomin
WINNER: Nicki Minaj
Travis Scott
Best R&B
Chlöe
WINNER: Chris Brown
Steve Lacy
Summer Walker
SZA
Usher
Best Live
Beyoncé
Burna Boy
Ed Sheeran
Måneskin
SZA
WINNER: Taylor Swift
The Weeknd
Best Push
November 2022: Flo Milli
December 2022: Reneé Rapp
January 2023: Sam Ryder
February 2023: Armani White
March 2023: FLETCHER
WINNER: April 2023: TOMORROW X TOGETHER
May 2023: Ice Spice
June 2023: FLO
July 2023: Lauren Spencer Smith
August 2023: Kaliii
September 2023: GloRilla
October 2023: Benson Boone
Biggest Fans
Anitta
Billie Eilish
BLACKPINK
Jung Kook
Nicki Minaj
Olivia Rodrigo
Sabrina Carpenter
Selena Gomez
Taylor Swift
Best Group
aespa
FLO
Jonas Brothers
Måneskin
NewJeans
OneRepublic
SEVENTEEN
TOMORROW X TOGETHER
2023 MTV EMA Best Local Act Nominees:
Best African Act
Asake
Burna Boy
Libianca
Tyler ICU
WINNER: Diamond Platnumz
Best Asia Act
WINNER: BE:FIRST
BRIGHT
Moria
Tiara Andini
TREASURE
Best Australian Act
Budjerah
G Flip
WINNER: Kylie Minogue
The Kid LAROI
Troye Sivan
Best Brasilian Act
Anavitoria
Kevin O Chris
Luisa Sonza
Manu Gavassi
WINNER: Matue
Best Canadian Act
Charlotte Cardin
Drake
Jamie Fine
WINNER: Shania Twain
The Beaches
Best Caribbean Act
Eladio Carrion
Mora
Myke Towers
Rauw Alejandro
WINNER: Young Miko
Best Dutch Act
WINNER: FLEMMING
Idaly
Kriss Kross Amsterdam
S10
Zoë Tauran
Best French Act
Aime Simone
Aya Nakamura
WINNER: Bigflo & Oli
Louane
Ninho
Slimane
Best German Act
Apache 207
AYLIVA
WINNER: Kontra K
Luciano
Nina Chuba
Ski Aggu
Best Hungarian Act
WINNER: ajsa luna
Analog Balaton
Beton.Hofi
Co Lee
Hundred Sins
Best India Act
Dee MC
DIVINE
Mali
WINNER: Tsumyoki
When Chai Met Toast
Best Italian Act
Annalisa
Elodie
Lazza
WINNER: Måneskin
The Kolors
Best Israeli Act
Anna Zak
Liad Meir
Noa Kirel
Nunu
Shira Margalit
Best Latin America North Act
Danna Paola
WINNER: Kenia Os
Kevin Kaarl
Siddhartha
Natanael Cano
Best Latin America Central Act
Blessd
WINNER: Feid
Manuel Turizo
Ryan Castro
Sebastian Yatra
Best Latin America South Act
Bizarrap
Duki
Fito Paez
WINNER: Lali
Nicki Nicole
Best New Zealand Act
BENEE
JessB
Jolyon Petch
L.A.B.
WINNER: SIX60
Best Nordic Act
Alessandra
WINNER: Käärijä
Loreen
Swedish House Mafia
Zara Larsson
Best Polish Act
WINNER: Doda
Kasia Nosowska
Mrozu
Sanah
Vito Bambino
Best Portuguese Act
Bárbara Bandeira
WINNER: Bispo
Carolina Deslandes
Marisa Liz
PIRUKA
Best Spanish Act
Abraham Mateo
Álvaro de Luna
Lola Índigo
Quevedo
WINNER: Samantha Hudson
Best Swiss Act
Danitsa
WINNER: Gjon’s Tears
KT Gorique
Monet192
Stress
Best UK & Ireland Act
Calvin Harris
Central Cee
PinkPantheress
Raye
Sam Smith
WINNER: Tom Grennan
Best US Act
Doja Cat
WINNER: Nicki Minaj
Olivia Rodrigo
SZA
Taylor Swift
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – which began 40 years ago and started inducting artists into its ranks in 1986 – welcomed the Class of 2023 to its extensive roster on Friday (Nov. 3) evening at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Kate Bush, Sheryl Crow, Missy Elliott, George Michael, Willie Nelson, Rage Against the Machine and The Spinners were all inducted, along with DJ Kool Herc and Link Wray for musical influence; Chaka Khan, Al Kooper and Bernie Taupin for musical excellence; and Don Cornelius for the Ahmet Ertegun Award.
The eclectic Rock Hall Class of 2023 brought out performers and presenters who spanned hip-hop, rock, pop, R&B and country: Adam Levine, Brandi Carlile, Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Common, Dave Matthews, Elton John, H.E.R., Ice-T, LL Cool J, Miguel, New Edition, Olivia Rodrigo, Queen Latifah, Sia, Stevie Nicks and St. Vincent.
For the first time ever, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame livestreamed its induction ceremony, giving fans the chance to watch the ceremony in real time. The 2023 RRHOF ceremony streamed live on Disney+ starting at 8 p.m. ET, and is still available on-demand. Audio from the ceremony streamed live on Apple Music 1. In previous years, fans had to wait until the show was broadcast at a later date. Those who do want to watch it on TV can catch an edited broadcast of highlights on ABC on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2024, from 8-11 p.m. ET.
The 2023 ceremony marked another first. Willie Nelson – who recently celebrated his 90th birthday — becoming the oldest living inductee to accept his honor in person. Harry Belafonte was older (95) when he was inducted, but he didn’t attend the ceremony.
These are the best moments from the Class of 2023’s induction.
Sheryl Crow Opens the Show With Olivia Rodrigo
Sheryl Crow opened the 2023 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with an appropriate bang. Olivia Rodrigo, a Billboard Hot 100-topping artist who is leading a new generation of rockers, joined the newly minted Rock Hall member for an all-smiles duet on “If It Makes You Happy,” which wrapped with a hug. After a speech […]
Adele will receive the Sherry Lansing Leadership Award at The Hollywood Reporter’s 2023 Women in Entertainment breakfast gala on Dec. 7 in Los Angeles. The invite-only event coincides with the release of the magazine’s Women in Entertainment issue (on newsstands Dec. 7), which highlights the Power 100, a list of the most powerful female executives and talent in entertainment.
“We are beyond thrilled that Adele will be our Sherry Lansing Leadership Award honoree at this year’s Women in Entertainment event,” co-editors-in-chief Nekesa Mumbi Moody and Maer Roshan said in a statement. “Adele has had a groundbreaking career that has established her as one of the all-time greats: a brilliant songwriter, a stunning vocalist, a top-notch performer and an artist whose talents have no limit. She has set a standard of excellence not only as a female performer, but a performer, period. Her accolades – from multiple Grammys to her Emmy and Oscar – attest to that. In addition, she’s used her platform to inspire and help others. She is truly deserving of this award.”
The Sherry Lansing Leadership Award recognizes trailblazers and philanthropists in entertainment and media. It was established in honor of Sherry Lansing, the first woman to head a Hollywood studio. (Lansing is the former CEO of Paramount Pictures.) Past recipients include Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Barbra Streisand and Viola Davis.
“Adele is a singular talent who has captivated the world with her incredible music,” said Lansing, 79, in a statement. “Beyond that, she paved the way for female artists to embrace their authentic selves and define their own voices and careers at a critical moment for women in music, empowering countless other female artists to do the same. I could not be more thrilled that Adele is receiving the award that bears my name.”
Adele, 35, has entered the Billboard 200 at No. 1 with each of her last three studio albums. Those albums have logged a combined total of 40 weeks in the top spot. She has amassed five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 – “Rolling in the Deep,” “Someone Like You,” “Set Fire to the Rain,” “Hello” and “Easy on Me.” Her many awards include 16 Grammys, an Oscar and a Primetime Emmy. Adele is the only artist to sweep the Grammys’ “Big Three” categories – album, record and song of the year – twice.
Her current concert residency in Las Vegas, “Weekends with Adele,” has become a critical and commercial success. Reviewing the opening night show at the Colosseum in Caesars Palace a year ago, Billboard’s Katie Atkinson called it “utterly and breathlessly spectacular” and praised both “the massive technical flourishes and tiny thoughtful touches that color the 20-song set.”
The breakfast will also be attended by approximately 35 high school juniors and seniors who are participating in THR’s Women in Entertainment mentorship program, which pairs promising young women from underserved high schools across Los Angeles with top female executives in film and TV. The WIE Mentorship Program, now in its 14th year, is a joint venture with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles. A total of 230 students have taken part in the program, with mentees having received more than $13 million in scholarships over the past 13 years. This year’s celebration will see more than $1 million in university scholarships presented to high school seniors from the program.
The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment event is presented by Lifetime. The event is also sponsored by Cadillac and presented in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles, Chapman University and Loyola Marymount University.
It’s no secret that awards show ratings on traditional TV platforms have been declining, even though fan engagement in the form of social media is up. Fans want the buzzy moments and maybe to find out who won, but they aren’t as inclined to sit for three or four hours and watch the show unfold in real time.
So producers are trying to come up with fresh approaches and figure out how to survive and thrive in this challenging environment. That’s one reason that the team behind the 2023 Billboard Music Awards have created a fresh format. Performances and awards will roll out across BBMAs and Billboard social channels, as well as via BBMAs.watch, on Sunday, Nov. 19.
In what is billed as a first-of-its-kind collaboration, the BBMAs and Spotify “Fans First” will bring fans up-close-and-personal with their favorite artists at performances and award celebrations taking place around the globe, in the midst of sold-out tours and in custom venues.
Nine new categories are being added this year, including four K-pop awards and two for Afrobeats, as well as top Hot 100 songwriter, top Hot 100 producer and top rock duo/group.
To find out more about the 2023 Billboard Music Awards Presented by Marriott Bonvoy, we quizzed two of the show’s producers, Maddy Mesevage, SVP, marketing for dick clark productions, and Alexi Mazareas, DCP’s VP, programming & development, to answer all the burning questions around the revamped awards show.
Do you agree with the premise that producers are trying to come up with fresh approaches and figure out how to survive and thrive in this challenging environment?
Mesevage: When conceptualizing a newly reimagined BBMAs, it was important for us to put the artists and fans first, leaning into the existing viewing habits of today’s audience to create an awards show that speaks to a new generation. Similar to how music consumption has shifted, with 85% of music consumed digitally, how fans engage with their favorite artists and view content has also shifted. So this year, the BBMAs is meeting fans everywhere they are, and everywhere they already consume music and content.
How has the creative community reacted to this new concept for the show? What are the main questions you’re getting from artists as they approach the new concept?
Mazareas: The new concept has resonated with both artist teams and the creative community as it allows an unprecedented amount of flexibility for an awards show performance. Not being restricted to a single stage or location, we are approaching each performance as a blank slate where we can collaborate with artists to create something totally unique, and bring on creative team members specifically curated to execute that vision. We’re partnering with best-in-class creative directors, world-renowned choreographers, and of course each artist’s creative team to make every one of these performances really special. Productions will take place all around the world from a variety of locations, each with their own vision and identity.
Are you telling top artists “Give us a four-minute performance and we’ll run it,” or is it more of a collaboration between the show and the artist?
Mazareas: This is a true collaboration between the artists, dick clark productions, and some amazing creative partners. We’ll collectively develop each concept, build a bespoke execution plan based on that vision, and then jump in together. The BBMAs team is heavily involved in all phases of the process, but our core goal is to facilitate the artist’s vision and help that vision come to life. Each production is completely unique.
The BBMAs used to be a three-hour show that aired from 8-11. Could someone who likes the traditional awards show format tune in to the show in that same way if they wanted?
Mesevage: Content will roll out directly to fans, including performances, exclusive interviews, and acceptance speeches across BBMAs and Billboard social channels; artists’ social platforms; BBMAs.watch, which takes viewers to a central curation page on Billboard.com; as well as Harmony, PMC’s proprietary live streaming platform, which saw record viewership for this year’s Streamy Awards at 15 million views and Billboard Women in Music with 57 million views.
Will there be a host or presenter to welcome the audience and make transitions and say “good night”?
Mazareas: Since this is such a non-traditional format, we are moving away from traditional host and presenter patterns. The goal is to really lean in to each unique performance and winner celebration that connects the artists and their biggest fans.
Will any of the performances be live? Will they all be new performances, recorded specifically for the show? Will any of them be pre-existing clips?
Mazareas: They will all be pre-recorded. All performances are exclusive to the BBMAs.
Will artists accept awards on the show or appear in some capacity even if they aren’t going to perform?
Mazareas: Yes, artists will accept awards, and with Spotify’s help, some will celebrate their winning moments with the fans who helped them reach the top of the charts.
In the absence of a live broadcast, will there be opportunities for spontaneous moments that often arise at awards shows?
Mesevage: We have created a scenario to give viewers an exciting new experience. We are leaning into the strengths of what this adapted format provides. We are not trying to re-create a live show environment. With that in mind, each taping lends itself to spontaneous moments and content that will feel truly unique to our 2023 BBMAs.
Another attraction of awards shows is that all your favorite stars are gathered into one place for one night. They watch each other rehearse and perform and cheer each other on. Will there be any of that?
Mazareas: Those are always great moments, but we are not focused on trying to replicate that element. We are leaning into the flexibility the new format allows to create completely original and unique performance, that prioritize both artist creativity and the fan experience.
With TV ratings, it’s very clear how many (or how few) people watched the show, but how will it be measured here?
Mesevage: We will measure the audience based on views and engagement across BBMAs content.
How else will you evaluate the success of the show?
Mesevage: Success for us is not solely how many views the content receives. What we are doing with the BBMAs is re-evaluating the value proposition for the talent involved and the fans that both watch BBMAs content and consume artist content and music. We are interested in bringing value to artists and to fans. For us, working through how we can continue to further hone in on those elements will create success in the short and long term. We are also looking at how thoughtfully and intentionally we can work with brand partners within this new model and are excited to be working with Spotify, Lexus and Marriott.
The show’s new November air date means that the eligibility period now syncs up with the year-end Billboard charts. Have you been getting a favorable response to that new timing?
Mesevage: Everyone has been supportive of the change, and we’re now uniquely positioned as the only year-end awards show that’s dedicated to celebrating the year’s best in music.
How does the Spotify partnership come into play? What creative involvement do they have in the show via their “Fans First” program?
Mesevage: The Spotify partnership allows us to identify fans who have consumed vast amounts of music over the past year of our performers and helped drive their favorite artists to the top spots on the Billboard charts. These fans will receive a “golden ticket,” granting them a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see their favorite artist up close, in an intimate setting.
The BBMAs is unique among music awards shows because winners are determined by year-end performance metrics on the Billboard charts, which are data-driven. Fans’ consumption habits are the driving force behind this data, so the partnership with Spotify is naturally synergistic because Spotify is where many fans consume music. Together, we’re able to unite artists with their biggest fans who have directly impacted their success on the charts through streaming.
Spotify’s Fans First program offers exclusive rewards and privileges like one-of-a-kind concerts, personal artist experiences, and more. Spotify has been a great collaborative partner in working with us to create memorable and fun experiences for these top fans.
Will there be a special effort to spotlight the nine new categories on the show, including four K-pop and two Afrobeats categories?
Mazareas: There will be special global moments in the show spotlighting some of the new categories, including a couple that K-pop fans will not want to miss.
How many awards will be presented on the show? How many will be otherwise revealed or announced on the show?
Mazareas: We plan to reveal all winners on the BBMAs in a variety of ways.
Dissident Iranian composer Mehdi Rajabian became the first musician to win the United Nations’ second annual International Art Contest for Minority Artists on Thursday (Nov. 2). The honor, which went to three artists working with “themes relating to intersectionality and compounded forms of discrimination,” according the global organization’s website, was presented to him in absentia because Rajabian, who has been jailed three times for his music, is unable to leave Iran.
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“This is an important award,” Rajabian says of the recognition, but he adds, “Happiness is a collective event, and unfortunately no one is happy here [in Iran]. The situation has become completely different after the recent protests. No award can be a criterion for determining the artistic value of an artist, but it can definitely be a platform for the voice of human rights and freedom of art.
Rajabian, who collaborated virtually with 20 musicians — many of them Grammy winners and nominees — to record and release his symphony It Arrives in September 2022, was among approximately 80 artists from all continents who applied for the prize. He was ultimately chosen by a panel of judges that consisted of three minority artists, the director of the Geneva Museum of Ethnography and the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights. The other two primary award winners were multidisciplinary visual artist Babatunde “Tribe” Akande and painter Bianca Batlle Nguema.
Claude Cahn, a U.N. human rights officer who works in the Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section says the judges were moved by Rajabian’s bravery, resilience and commitment. “In the views of the judges panel, at the risk of his health and own life, he has used his spirit and music to be a human rights light in the darkness,” he says.
Sverre Pedersen, the executive committee chair of Freemuse, a non-governmental organization that documents abuses of artistic freedom internationally, serves as a consultant to the United Nations, and is a partner in the contest, says, “It is a great pleasure that the jury chose Mehdi as one of this year’s laureates. And I strongly believe that he is a worthy winner. Mehdi is under constant surveillance and is often subjected to harassment and threats. Nevertheless, he continues his artistic work and his courageous human rights work.”
Pedersen shared a quote from the jury elaborating on its the reasons for choosing Rajabian as one of the laureates: “Mehdi embodies what many of us feel in the Persian and Arab world. A deep love of our cultures and people while wishing and knowing that our societies can be better. Banned from producing music after imprisonment and risking arrest at any moment, Mehdi moves through this potential by not giving into this threat, but rather valuing communicating his thoughts and giving voice to people through his music. Protesting a system of authority that violates human rights, he does so with eloquent melancholy and hope for a better world.
Rajabian also shared the statement he sent to the U.N. in his absence, which reads in part:
“Silence in the face of any oppression is definitely cooperation with the oppressor, and perseverance, standing, and independence should be our duty against cruelty, oppression, and violation of human rights; against any dictatorial system. Today, peace cannot be expected from sound and music when we still hear a mother’s cry because her child is to be executed. Today, it is not possible to have images of wide fields [of] green [on a] canvas, when a bullet has split a child’s chest and her red blood has painted the painting of freedom on the street floor. Today, a dancer’s dance cannot be enjoyed when a person is on the gallows for the death sentence and performs the last dance of his life. Today, we cannot expect to imagine a fictional horror novel when there is a real horror story of human rights violations in prisons.”
Rajabian was arrested in 2013, put in solitary confinement for three months, released on bail and arrested again in 2015 for recording an album titled The History of Iran Narrated By Setar (a lute-like instrument used in traditional Persian music).
After his 2015 conviction, he says he was moved to Evin prison in Tehran — where, in 2016, he began a 40-day hunger strike that led to his release on parole in 2017. (He says that his three-year prison sentence, which was suspended, could be enforced at any time.) Rajabian was arrested again in 2020 but not imprisoned because of his album Middle Eastern, which was released but was part of a larger performance art project that involved dance, painting and a book that were not realized. The charges levied against him then were that he was “encouraging prostitution,” he says, because female vocalists, who are banned in Iran, sang on the album.
The long-term effects of Rajabian’s imprisonment and hunger strike took a toll on his health. “My body and soul have been damaged,” he told Billboard in 2021 after the release of another symphony, Coup of Gods, which was engineered by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. “I lost 15 kilograms of weight [33 pounds] and 40% of my vision and my joints swelled because of the hunger strike,” he explains. “I couldn’t even play an instrument on my album. I could only compose and arrange. I did it just to say that no power can stop the freedom of music.”
Rajabian says his father, who died earlier this year, would be very happy to hear his son had won the U.N. award: “My father was always by my side and supported me, he worked for my freedom for months and always gave me hope that it is difficult to achieve freedom, but it is certain. His last sentence an hour before his death was, ‘I hope we will live and see the day of freedom.’”
The 2023 Billboard Music Awards are just around the corner, and this year, fans are getting the opportunity to see their favorite artists like never before. The latest episode of Billboard Explains looks into the BBMAs‘ exciting new format and how winners are chosen.
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What makes the BBMAs unique to other award shows is that it’s all data driven. Winners are chosen solely based on how well they perform on the Billboard charts, tracking album and digital song sales, radio airplay, as well as streaming and social engagement to choose the winner of each category. During the show, artists appear on the BBMA stage to accept their award or perform their latest chart topping hit.
However, this year, the Billboard Music Awards are delivering an entirely new award show concept. The performances and award celebrations will take place at different locations across the globe, and feel unique to each individual artist. Performances and winners will be unveiled across the BBMAs and Billboard’s social channels, or the show can be watched in full at bbmas.watch on Sunday (Nov. 19) — meaning the entire event will take place online rather than on television.
Additionally, Billboard teamed up with Spotify to find the most loyal fans who have helped their favorite artists top Billboard charts by listening to their music. Those fans will be receiving a golden ticket that allows them to attend the performance of their favorite artist that will stream during the awards ceremony.
Tune in to the 2023 Billboard Music Awards on Nov. 19, and check out the full Billboard Explains video on the revamped ceremony above.
After the video, catch up on more Billboard Explains videos and learn about Peso Pluma and the Mexican music boom, the role record labels play, origins of hip-hop, how Beyoncé arrived at Renaissance, the evolution of girl groups, BBMAs, NFTs, SXSW, the magic of boy bands, American Music Awards, the Billboard Latin Music Awards, the Hot 100 chart, how R&B/hip-hop became the biggest genre in the U.S., how festivals book their lineups, Billie Eilish’s formula for success, the history of rap battles, nonbinary awareness in music, the Billboard Music Awards, the Free Britney movement, rise of K-pop in the U.S., why Taylor Swift is re-recording her first six albums, the boom of hit all-female collaborations, how Grammy nominees and winners are chosen, why songwriters are selling their publishing catalogs, how the Super Bowl halftime show is booked and more.
On Nov. 3, 11 musical acts, one hit-generating songwriter and Don Cornelius, the creator-host — from 1971 to 1993 — of groundbreaking syndicated Black music showcase Soul Train, will be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
This year’s list of honorees includes a crop of legendary performers: British art-pop legend Kate Bush, hip-hop trailblazer Missy Elliott, late megastar George Michael, pop-rock hitmaker Sheryl Crow, outlaw country icon Willie Nelson, rap-rock firebreathers Rage Against the Machine and smooth soul group The Spinners.
Elsewhere, two individuals are set to be inducted under the “musical influence” category, including “Father of Hip-Hop” DJ Kool Herc and guitar pioneer Link Wray; while the “musical excellence award” will be given to three others: funk idol Chaka Khan, veteran studio musician Al Kooper and longtime Elton John lyricist Bernie Taupin.
Notably, four of the seven performers are being inducted on their first nomination: Crow, Elliott, Michael and Nelson. Among those, Elliott was the only artist eligible for the first time in 2023.
While the achievements of many of the above-named inductees — performers like Elliott, Michael, Crow, Nelson, Rage and Khan — are well-known to many, others on the list require more of an introduction. Below, we’ve compiled quick facts on each of the honorees, from the trails they’ve blazed in the industry to the hit songs that shot them to fame and fortune.
Below, a look at their musical milestones and chart achievements.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Friday (Nov. 3). Viewers can watch the event live on Disney+ starting at 8 p.m. ET.
Kate Bush
Image Credit: TV Times/Getty Images
The Academy of Country Music Awards are returning to Prime Video, with the 59th annual ACM Awards set to stream live on the platform in May 2024. A new, two-year deal with the streamer will also take the ACM Awards through its 60th anniversary in 2025.
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In collaboration with Prime Video and producer Dick Clark Productions (DCP), the 59th annual ACM Awards will again stream from the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas, with details regarding voting timeline, hosts, nominees, performers and more to roll out in the months ahead.
The renewal follows the 58th annual awards show, which was hosted by Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, drew in more than 7.7 million viewers on Prime Video, plus additional viewership across Amazon Music, the Amazon Music channel on Twitch and Amazon Live. In 2022, the ACM Awards made history by becoming the first major awards show to exclusively stream live for a global audience.
“When Prime Video first streamed the ACM Awards in 2022, we were overwhelmed with the response from our global audience,” Vernon Sanders, head of television, Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement. “After seeing last year’s show grow to more than 7.7 million viewers, we could not be more thrilled to continue our relationship with the Academy of Country Music and Dick Clark Productions for the next two years, and especially through the show’s milestone 60th anniversary in 2025. We look forward to continuing the success and bringing even more star-studded and captivating shows to fans around the world.”
“The Academy is proud to extend our relationship with Amazon for the next two years, through the historic milestone of the 60th ACM Awards, and continue to bring Country Music’s Party of the Year live to a global audience on Prime Video,” Academy of Country Music CEO Damon Whiteside added in a statement. “Thanks to the biggest host pairing of all time, Dolly Parton and Garth Brooks, the comprehensive, cross-platform program with our partners at Prime Video and Amazon Music, and the dedicated fans in Texas and around the world, the May 2023 show was a groundbreaking success and illustrates that our pioneering and innovative move to streaming was absolutely the right one at the right time! We’re eager to see everyone back in Texas once again at the home of the Dallas Cowboys next May for another groundbreaking ACM Awards show!”
“The ACM Awards continues its legacy of celebrating the very best of country music, captivating audiences globally,” said Jay Penske, CEO, chairman and founder, Penske Media, and CEO of DCP. “We look forward to collaborating with our partners at the Academy of Country Music and Prime Video building together towards the show’s 60th anniversary in 2025.”
“We had the best time bringing the ACM Awards to country music fans last year,” said Ryan Redington, GM of Amazon Music. “The ACM Awards continue to shine a spotlight on talent with incredible performances year after year, and celebrate the artists, songwriters, and producers that make country music great. We look forward to bringing one of the biggest country music moments of the year to fans again in 2024.”
The 2023 ACM Awards was a two-hour concert event that featured 18 performances from 25 artists, with Chris Stapleton leading the evening’s top winners, receiving his first ACM entertainer of the year win. HARDY and Lainey Wilson earned four wins each during the evening, with Wilson’s wins including album of the year (for Bell Bottom Country) and female artist of the year, while HARDY took home honors including artist-songwriter of the year.
(DCP is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a Penske Media Corporation (PMC) subsidiary and joint venture between PMC and Eldrige. PMC is the parent company of Billboard.)
Two songs from Barbie were nominated for song – feature film at the 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) Awards. Both “I’m Just Ken” (written by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt) and “What Was I Made For?” (written by Billie Eilish and Finneas) are competing in that category. The awards will be presented on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at 8 p.m. PT at The Avalon in Hollywood, Calif.
The other nominees for song – feature film are “The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot; “High Life” from Flora and Son; “I Am” from Origin; “Road to Freedom” from Rustin, “This” from The Beanie Bubble and “Keep It Movin’” from The Color Purple.
The HMMAs are often seen as a bellwether for the Oscars. Past HMMA winners who have gone on to win Oscars include Eilish and Finneas for No Time to Die; Hans Zimmer for Dune; Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste for Soul; Hildur Guðnadóttir for Joker; Ludwig Göransson for Black Panther and Alexandre Desplat for The Shape of Water; plus songs from Judas & the Black Messiah, La La Land, A Star Is Born and others.
Unlike the Oscars, which have just one category each for songs and scores, the HMMAs have six categories for songs and seven for scores.
Robbie Robertson, who died in August at age 80, is nominated posthumously for score – feature film for his work on Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. It is the eleventh and final collaboration between Scorsese and Robertson; the film is dedicated to the Canadian rock music legend.
The other nominees in that category are American Fiction – Laura Karpman; Chevalier – Kris Bowers; Nyad – Desplat; Oppenheimer – Göransson; Rustin – Branford Marsalis; Saltburn – Anthony Willis; and The Killer – Reznor and Ross.
The most intriguing and inspired HMMA category is song – onscreen performance, which honors the performer who performed the song onscreen in the film. Halle Bailey has two nominees – “For the First Time” from The Little Mermaid and “Keep It Movin’” from The Color Purple (which she performed with Phylicia Pearl Mapsi).
The other nominees in this category are Megan Thee Stallion for “Out Alpha the Alpha” from Dicks: The Musical, NSYNC for “Better Place” from Trolls Band Together; Ryan Gosling for “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie, Timothée Chalamet for “A World of Your Own” from Wonka, plus two collabs – Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Orén Kinlan, Jack Reynor performing “High Life” from Flora and Son and Oil Factory feat. Chlöe, Jekalyn Carr, Loren Lott performing “Praise Nationals Finale” from Praise This.
In the HMMAs newest category, best song – sci-fi/fantasy, Olivia Rodrigo received a nod for co-writing “Can’t Catch Me Now” with Dan Nigro.
This year, the HMMAs will honor Marc Shaiman, a Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner, with an outstanding career achievement award.
Not all of the nominated films have been released yet. The HMMAs allow films to compete if the composers “submit up to 15 minutes of score to picture as it appears in the visual media project.” The HMMAs note that “Several films were only available to see in the context of the scenes provided.”
For those looking forward to that other award, Oscar shortlists of 15 top contenders for best original song and best original will be announced on Dec. 21. Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 23, 2024. The awards will be presented on March 10, 2024.
The HMMA presents awards for a wide range of visual media, including film, TV series and videogames. Here are the nominees in the film categories. For a complete list of nominees in all categories, visit the HMMA site.
Score – feature film
American Fiction – Laura Karpman
Chevalier – Kris Bowers
Killers of the Flower Moon – Robbie Robertson
Nyad – Alexandre Desplat
Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson
Rustin – Branford Marsalis
Saltburn – Anthony Willis, Music By
The Killer – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Score – animated film
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget – Harry Gregson-Williams
Elemental – Thomas Newman
Migration – John Powell
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken – Stephanie Economou
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Daniel Pemberton
The Super Mario Bros. Movie – Brian Tyler
Score – sci-fi / fantasy film
Asteroid City – Alexandre Desplat
Barbie – Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
The Creator – Hans Zimmer
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes – James Newton Howard
The Marvels – Laura Karpman
Transformers: Rise of the Beasts – Jongnic Bontemps
Score – horror/thriller film
A Haunting in Venice – Hildur Guđnadóttir
Deliver Us – Tóti Guðnason
Knock at the Cabin – Herdís Stefánsdóttir
M3gan – Anthony Willis
The Boogeyman – Patrick Jonsson
The Exorcist: Believer – David Wingo, Amman Abbasi
Score – documentary
Kangaroo Valley – H. Scott Salinas and Logan Stahley
Split at the Root – Lili Haydn
Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie – John Powell
The Deepest Breath – Nainita Desai
The Pigeon Tunnel – Philip Glass and Paul Leonard-Morgan
Score – independent film
Dalíland – Edmund Butt
Dream Scenario – Owen Pallett
Jules – Volker Bertelmann
Miranda’s Victim – Holly Amber Church
She Came to Me – Bryce Dessner
The Zone of Interest – Mica Levi
Score – independent film (foreign language)
Society of the Snow – Michael Giacchino
Control – Taisuke Kimura
Last Wishes – Carla F. Benedicto
Los Reyes Magos: La Verdad – Arturo Cardelús
Paradice – Sandrine Rudaz
The Promised Land – Dan Romer
Song – feature film
“I’m Just Ken” from Barbie. Written by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt. Performed by Ryan Gosling (featuring Slash and Wolfgang Van Halen)
“What Was I Made For?” from Barbie. Written by Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell. Performed by Billie Eilish.
“The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot. Written by Diane Warren. Performed by Becky G.
“High Life” From Flora and Son. Written by Gary Clark, John Carney, Eve Hewson. Performed by Eve Hewson, Orén Kinlan, Jack Reynor, Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
“I Am” From Origin. Written by Stan Walker, Michael Fatkin, Vince Harder, Te Kanapu Anasta. Performed by Stan Walker.
“Road to Freedom” from Rustin. Written and performed by Lenny Kravitz.
“This” From The Beanie Bubble. Written by Damian Kulash, Jr. and Timothy Nordwind. Performed by OK Go.
“Keep It Movin’” from The Color Purple. Written by Halle Bailey, Denisia Andrews, Brittany Coney, and Morten Ristorp. Performed by Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mpasi.
Song – animated film
“Steal the Show” from Elemental. Written by Ari Leff, Michael Matosic, Thomas Newman. Performed by Lauv.
“Down Like That” from Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie. Written by Bryson Tiller, Chantry Johnson, Michelle Zarlenga, and Charlie Heath. Performed by Bryson Tiller.
“Am I Dreaming” from Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Written by Mike Dean, Peter Lee Johnson, Rakim Mayers, Roisee, Landon Wayne and Leland Wayne. Performed by A$AP Rocky, Metro Boomin and Roisee.
“Better Place” from Trolls Band Together. Written by Shellback, Justin Timberlake, Amy Allen. Performed by NSYNC.
“Peaches” from The Super Mario Bros. Movie. Written by Jack Black, John Spiker, Eric Osmond, Michael Jelenic, Aaron Horvath. Performed by Jack Black.
“This Wish” from Wish. Written by Julia Michaels, Benjamin Rice, and JP Saxe. Performed by Ariana DeBose.
Song – sci-fi / fantasy
“A World of Your Own” from Wonka. Music written by Neil Hannon, Lyrics by Neil Hannon, Simon Farnaby, Paul King. Performed by Timothée Chalamet
“Can’t Catch Me Now” from The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Written by Dan Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo. Performed by Olivia Rodrigo.
“For The First Time” from The Little Mermaid. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Performed by Halle Bailey
“Wild Uncharted Waters” from The Little Mermaid. Music by Alan Menken, Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Performed by Jonah Hauer-King
“You’ve Never Had Chocolate Like This” from Wonka. Written by Neil Hannon, Simon Farnaby, Paul King. Performed by Timothée Chalamet & Cast.
Song – independent film
“Stardust” from A Good Person. Written by Cary Brothers & Scott Effman. Performed By Cary Brothers.
“I Got You” from Holiday Twist. Written by Michael Jay and Alan Demoss. Performed by Jake Miller
“Space and Time” from Master Gardener. Written by S.G. Goodman, Performed by Mereba
“Quiet Eyes” from Past Lives. Written by Sharon Van Etten and Zachary Dawes. Performed by Sharon Van Etten.
“El Saber” from Radical. Written and performed by Gaby Moreno.
“Don’t Forget Me When I’m Gone” from Sons 2 The Grave. Written by Sean Jones, Michael Shand, Miku Graham. Performed by Sean Jones.
Song – onscreen performance
Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon Levitt, Orén Kinlan, Jack Reynor – “High Life” from Flora and Son
Halle Bailey – “For the First Time” from The Little Mermaid
Halle Bailey and Phylicia Pearl Mapsi – “Keep It Movin’” from The Color Purple
Megan Thee Stallion – “Out Alpha The Alpha” from Dicks: The Musical
NSYNC – “Better Place” from Trolls Band Together
Oil Factory feat. Chlöe, Jekalyn Carr, Loren Lott – “Praise Nationals Finale” from Praise This
Ryan Gosling – “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie
Timothée Chalamet – “A World of Your Own” from Wonka
Song – documentary film
“It’s Gonna Be Fine” from Bobi Wine: The People’s President. Written and performed by Bobi Wine
“Forty Foot Man” from Bono & The Edge: A Sort of Homecoming With Dave Letterman. Written and performed by Bono and The Edge.
“Speechless” from Louder Than Rock. Written by Israel Houghton and Adam Ranney. Performed by Caleb Quaye and Judith Hill.
“Dream Your Little Dream” from The Jewel Thief. Written by Dan Braun and Josh Braun. Performed by The Braun Brothers.
“Todo Fue Por Amor” from With This Light. Written by Carla Morrison, Carla Patricia Morrison Flores, Juan Alejandro Jimenez Perez, Mario Demian Jimenez Perez. Performed by Carla Morrison.
Music themed film, biopic or musical
Carmen – Produced by Rosemary Blight, Dimitri Rassam and Mimi Valdes. Directed by Benjamin Millepied.
The Little Mermaid – Produced by John Deluca, Rob Marshall, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Marc Platt. Directed by Rob Marshall.
Theater Camp – Produced by Jessica Elbaum, Erik Feig, Will Ferrell and Noah Galvin. Directed by Molly Gordon and Nick Lieberman.
Trolls Band Together – Produced by Gina Shay. Directed by Walt Dohrn and Tim Heitz.
Wonka – Produced by Alexandra Derbyshire, David Heyman and Luke Kelly. Directed by Paul King.
Music documentary – special program
Dear Mama: “Panther Power” – Directed by Allen Hughes. Produced by Joshua Garcia, Loren Gomez, Quincy Jones III, Stef Smith.
Immediate Family – Directed by Denny Tedesco. Produced by Greg Richling, Jack Piatt, Jonathan Sheldon.
Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop – Directed by Hannah Beachler, Dream Hampton, Raeshem Nijhon. Produced by Shawna Carroll, Syreeta Gates, Cherice Hunt, Janice James, Princess A. Hairston.
Little Richard: I Am Everything – Directed by Lisa Cortés. Produced by Robert Friedman, Lisa Cortés, Liz Yale Marsh, Caryn Capotosto.
San Francisco Sounds: A Place in Time – Directed by Alison Ellwood & Anoosh Tertzakian. Produced by Michael Wright, Jill Burkhart, Mark Pinkus, Charlie Cohen, Tom Mackay, Richard Story, Jeff Jampol, Aly Parker, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Stacey Offman, Richard Perello, Jeff Pollack, Frank Marshall, Alison Ellwood.
Wynonna Judd: Between Hell and Hallelujah – Directed by Patty Ivins Specht. Produced by Reese Witherspoon, Sara Rea, Wynonna Judd, Cactus Moser, Jason Owen, Bruce Gillmer, Margaret Comeaux, Leslie Fram, Patty Ivins Specht; Producer: Cassie Lambert Scalettar.