Awards
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GloRilla surprised the crowd at the 2022 American Music Awards Sunday night (Nov. 20) by bringing out Cardi B for the first television performance of “Tomorrow 2.”
In front of a fiery red city skyline, the 23-year-old MC revved up her motorcycle on stage and launched straight into the performance of her Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hit, with her backup dancers gassing her up and their reflective, flashy outfits illuminating the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. No one was prepared for Cardi to arrive on the scene via a purple convertible and dive into her X-rated section of the song. While the AMAs telecast couldn’t handle the heat and bleeped out the majority of Cardi’s noteworthy verse, the kinship between her and Glo was palpable from the screen as they sweetly tapped each other’s elbows during their impressively coordinated choreography.
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Following their set, Glo and Cardi shared a warm embrace for one of the award show’s heartfelt moments. Both rappers were nominated for favorite female hip-hop artist at the 2022 AMAs, but Nicki Minaj took home the award.
Last week, Glo celebrated her first Grammy nomination for the Hitkidd-assisted “F.N.F. (Let’s Go),” which is up for best rap performance. “I’m in disbelief. I don’t think this is happening for real. This crazy,” she told Billboard. “My team let me know, [but] I had to go look it up for myself because I had thought maybe they was playing.” But after this evening’s performance, the hip-hop newcomer continues to prove that this is just the beginning for her.
Dazzling the crowd in a sparkling gold jumpsuit and a cascade of blonde hair, Taylor Swift accepted the 2022 American Music Award for favorite pop album for her 2021 LP, Red (Taylor’s Version).
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Coming to the stage after hugging Sabrina Carpenter, who was seated next to her, Swift clutched her award while saying that “this album is a re-rerecorded album, and I cannot tell you how much my re-recorded albums mean to me. I never expected or assumed they would mean anything to you, so I can’t thank you enough for caring about this album that I’m so proud of.”
She then thanked her producer Chris Rowe for “re-creating and elevating” Red, all the artists featured on the vault tracks including Chris Stapleton and Phoebe Bridgers, her live touring band who played on the album and to Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien, who starred in the music video. Swift also thanked her friend Blake Lively for directing her video for “I Bet You Think About Me” along with Miles Teller and “his gorgeous wife Kelly Teller” for starring in the music video.
“To the fans, I cannot thank you enough,” Swift concluded. “This is so special, thank you.”
Red (Taylor’s Version) is the re-recording of Swift’s 2012 LP Red, with this re-recording project launching after the acquisition of six of Swift albums’ master recordings by Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in 2019. From its release day of Nov. 12, 2021, through this past Nov. 3, Red (Taylor’s Version) earned 1.94 million equivalent album units, according to Luminate, while the original Red has earned 220,000 equivalent album units over that same time period.
This evening at the AMAs Swift also won the awards for favorite female pop artist, favorite female country artist, favorite country album and favorite music video. While accepting the favorite music video AMA for All Too Well: The Short Film, she offered heartfelt thanks to fans and her collaborators.
“This short film was 10 years in the making, and the only reason I got to write and direct this short film is because you, the fans, chose the song ‘All Too Well.’ You chose it. No one at a record label chose it. You picked it, you said, ‘That is the song that matters to us.’ And it just so happened that that is the song that mattered the most to me. So I’m very happy we agreed on that,” Swift said. “So the people who helped me make this, I really want to say, I will say this forever — Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien, thank you so much for trusting me as a director with your immense, incredible talent. I wanna say thank you to me DP Rina Yang, I wanna say thank you to my producer Saul Germaine, my production designer Ethan Tobman, my editor Ted Guard, and the entire crew that worked with us on this. I’m so proud of it, I’m so happy you like it too. This is so special and wonderful and… ahhhhh!! Thank you! Thank you for this!”
During Sunday evening’s (Nov. 20) American Music Awards, host Wayne Brady honored late Migos member Takeoff, as well as the victims in the Club Q shooting that took place in Colorado Springs, Colorado on Saturday (Nov. 19).
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“We recently just lost Kirsnick Khari Ball, better known as Takeoff, one third of the groundbreaking hip-hop group Migos,” Brady told the audience. “On behalf of all of us that love hip-hop and music around the world, we thank you Takeoff for your artistry and tonight we honor your memory. Guys, we have to stop this senseless and terrible gun violence. Just yesterday there was a mass shooting in Colorado Springs and our hearts go out to all of the victims’ families. That’s from the show. Personally, I want to say I love you all and my heart is with you and God bless you.”
Takeoff died on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at age 28, after being fatally shot in Houston during a private party at a bowling alley. Georgia native Takeoff teamed with Quavo and Offset in 2008 to form Migos. The group released its debut mixtape, Juug Season, in 2011, and two years later earned the trend-setting hit “Versace,” which led to a series of hits including the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 “Bad and Boujee.”
On Saturday (Nov. 19), at least five people were killed and 25 others injured after a gunman entered the LGBTQ nightclub Club Q and opened fire. Patrons of the club reportedly confronted and stopped the gunman.
The 2022 American Music Awards are airing live Sunday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Floating above the Microsoft Theater’s audience on a suspended spherical cage, Carrie Underwood was ever the contortionist, bending and gliding through the opening verse of her Denim & Rhinestones song “Crazy Angels” for the 2022 AMAs on Sunday (Nov. 20).
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The country music star rocked a long-sleeve pink, blue, black and white leotard and sparkling makeup, channeling ’80s era fashion, with neon pink angel wings flashing in the background, giving life to the song’s lyric, “Tilted halo with a neon shine.” Underwood’s background singers and band wore all black, giving the glowing chart-topping artist all the spotlight.
Underwood is nominated for two American Music Awards, favorite female country artist and favorite country album for Denim & Rhinestones. The album debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 2 on the Top Country Albums chart, marking Underwood’s tenth top 10 album on the Billboard 200. Underwood’s Denim & Rhinestones Tour fall leg recently came to a close, but the tour picks back up in February 2023 in Miami. Underwood recently performed “Hate My Heart” at the 2022 CMA Awards on Nov. 9, another song from her album Denim & Rhinestones. She also paid tribute to two country legends, the late Loretta Lynn and living legend Alan Jackson, during the 2022 CMAs.
Other AMA nominees include Bad Bunny in the lead with eight nods, while Beyoncé, Drake and Taylor Swift are close behind with six apiece. So far, Swift took home the award for favorite pop album on the live show.
Anitta took the stage at the American Music Awards for the first time at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night (Nov. 20) — with a very special guest in tow.
The Brazilian pop star began her performance with a sultry bit of her Global Excl. US chart-topping smash “Envolver,” grinding with one of her backup dancers while another one cavorted solo in a gigantic cocktail glass. Then, the song transitioned to her 2022 single “Lobby,” with the set also turning over to a hotel backdrop — with a bar and an elevator in the background, and even a bellhop luggage cart for Anitta to be pushed around in while singing.
Then, rap icon and “Lobby” collaborator Missy Elliott arrived to do her verse on the song, while sporting a sparkly Versace suit and gigantic sunglasses. The two artists ended the number trading off vocals next to one another, embracing as the high-energy performance came to a close.
Anitta is also a first-time nominee at the 2022 American Music Awards, nominated in the category of favorite female Latin artist. Elliott is a two-time winner at the AMAs, receiving favorite rap/hip-hop female artist in both 2003 and 2005.
“Envolver” was not only Anitta’s biggest hit to date on the Global 200 and Global Excl. US charts, it also marked her first unaccompanied solo entry on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 70 in April. Missy was a fixture on the Hot 100 throughout the late ’90s and early ’00s, achieving her highest-charting single to date in 2002 with the No. 2-peaking “Work It.”
Bebe Rexha was fittingly blue for her performance at the 2022 AMAs on Sunday (Nov. 20) — the singer took to the stage to perform her and David Guetta‘s dance hit “I’m Good (Blue).”
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To fit the song’s dance and techno elements — an interpolation of Eiffel 65’s 1998 single “Blue (Da Ba Dee)” — Rexha appeared on stage in a metallic silver corset ensemble with matching sliver tights and heels while performing the track.
Accompanied by backup dancers clad in blue tops and shiny pleather blue pant ensembles, Rexha sang the song’s infectious chorus, “‘Cause I’m good, yeah, I’m feelin’ alright/ Baby, I’ma have the best f—in’ night of my life/ And wherever it takes me, I’m down for the ride/ Baby, don’t you know I’m good, yeah, I’m feelin’ alright.”
“I’m Good (Blue)” peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and peaked at No. 2 on both the Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts; on Hot Dance/Electronic Songs, the track hit No. 1 and is on its eleventh week on the chart.
Speaking with Billboard about the track’s success, Rexha said, “Never did I think in a million years that it would be so big … I guess people want to feel that 2000s nostalgia, especially after the three years of a pandemic and being cooped in their houses. It brings back that feeling of nostalgia, and it makes you feel kind of warm. I will put my hands up on this one and say I get it, but I’m also confused and shocked, but also very grateful.”
On Sunday night (Nov. 20), Wayne Brady flexed his musical prowess when he kicked off the 2022 AMAs with a rousing performance. Namedropping Adele, Lionel Richie and Jack Harlow, Brady’s flair was on full display as he punched in an impromptu freestyle with a rock-driven hook (provided by Orianthi) that was littered with f-bombs.
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According to Brady, his performance idea came from a conversation with last year’s AMAs host Cardi B. Sitting down over tea and scones, Brady was encouraged by the “Bodak Yellow” superstar to deliver a memorable song. “Dedicated to the nerdy kids,” the polymath ripped through the colorful AMA anthem with vigor and even strutted his fancy footwork in light of his Dancing With The Stars season finale performance, slated for Monday (Nov. 21) night.
Ahead of his musical display, Brady gushed over his fandom of the night’s Icon Award honoree Lionel Richie, hoping the newly inducted Rock and Roll Hall of Famer would autograph his chest. In an interview with Variety, Brady expressed his affinity for Richie: “It’s about time for Lionel [being honored]. He should have gotten the Icon Award years ago. He’s a global superstar.”
Brady voiced his excitement in hosting this year’s and touched on the idea of one day hosting the Oscars, saying, “I’m just going to go and knock this out of the park. Have some fun with it, and you know what, if by some chance someone thinks, ‘Wayne Brady is my guy,’ then I’m ready. Like James Brown said, ‘If you stay ready, then you ain’t got to get ready.’ I can host the Oscars tomorrow, and that’s a fact. They just don’t know it.”
Upon winning the new artist of the year trophy at the 2022 American Music Awards on Sunday night (Nov. 20), Dove Cameron dedicated the victory to the queer community, following the tragic shooting inside the LGBTQ+ nightclub Club Q in Colorado Springs the night before.
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“I want to start by saying that every award that I ever win will always be first and foremost dedicated to the queer community at large,” Cameron, whose breakthrough single “Boyfriend” brought a queer anthem to top 40 radio this year, told the AMAs crowd from the podium. “You guys have carved out such a space for me to be myself and to write music about it, and I’ve never felt safer or more loved and more supported, and I hope I can give you some semblance of that same feeling in my music.
“On the heels of the tragedy that happened at Club Q in Colorado Springs, I want to remind everyone how important queer visibility is, and how important our community is,” Cameron continued. “And I want to direct your attention to organizations like GLAAD and The Trevor Project for what you can do right now. I want to remind you that you are made absolutely right, and you are so loved and so held, and I want to thank you for supporting me. Thank you for holding the space – I’m holding it for you too.”
Five people were killed and at least 25 people were injured late Saturday night at Club Q in Colorado Springs after a 22-year-old gunman opened fire. The music world reacted to the hate attack throughout Sunday, with artists including Kacey Musgraves, FINNEAS and Adam Lambert offering condolences to victims of the tragedy.
Cameron’s new artist of the year win marks the former Disney star’s first AMAs win. “Boyfriend” peaked at No. 16 on the Hot 100 chart earlier this year.
If roller disco is well and truly dead, then consider P!nk its pallbearer — the pop superstar opened up the 2022 American Music Awards on Sunday (Nov. 20) with a high-energy tribute to the beloved pastime.
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Opening up her performance with a pre-taped segment from the streets of Los Angeles, P!nk — clad in pastel-colored bolero jacket and light-up pink roller skates — asked a construction worker, “Do you think the world is ending?” Not getting a definitive answer (“I think it’s slipping on its axis,” he insisted), she instead resolved to dance to her new single “Never Gonna Not Dance Again,” a disco-infused pop jam dedicated solely to having a good time in the midst of less-than-great circumstances.
Soon enough, the star found herself skating through the crowd of the Microsoft Theater, which she temporarily transformed into “P!nk’s Rink.” Complete with rainbow-colored neon lights, and a bevy of half-pipe-riding backup dancers, the star brought the crowd to its feet before concluding her number with a conga line on wheels.
P!nk was just the first of what would be a slew of performers at Sunday night’s show; hosted by Wayne Brady, the event was set to feature high-profile performances from Anitta, Ari Lennox, Bebe Rexha, Charlie Puth, Dove Cameron and many more.
Bad Bunny led all artists at Sunday night’s show with a whopping eight nominations. Other superstars, including Beyoncé, Drake, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Adele, The Weeknd and Future, closely followed behind. Keep up to date on who took home which awards here.
Bad Bunny leads the 2022 American Music Awards list of nominees with eight nods, but the Latin star was far from the only leader at the 2022 AMAs when it came to fashion. Everyone from TXT to Dove Cameron to P!nk brought eye-grabbing threads to the red carpet at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
With pop star and Dance Moms alum kenzie interviewing fellow artists and celebrities for Billboard News, there was a lot going on before the show even got started. Check out kenzie’s AMAs red carpet coverage on Billboard.com, as well as Billboard‘s Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube pages.
As for the show itself, Wayne Brady is hosting the ABC broadcast on Sunday (Nov. 20), which starts at 8 p.m. ET. Taylor Swift, Drake and Beyonce follow Bunny with six nominations for AMAs. P!nk is slated to perform a special tribute to the late Olivia Newton-John during the show.
A living legend – Lionel Richie – will be honored with the icon award at the 2022 AMAs. Richie was recently inducted into the class of 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “Do you know how wonderful it is to walk into a room and people start smiling?” Richie told Billboard backstage at the Rock Hall induction ceremony. “I’m not playing. I’m walking into a dinner, I’m walking into a restaurant, I’m walking my kids to school. What I’m saying is I don’t know how you get this blessed, but it’s a moment in time when you realize the songs have translated over into this thing called love.”