Awards
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Wayne Brady is taking on the role of host at this year’s American Music Awards, dick clark productions and ABC announced on Monday (Oct. 24).
“I’m ecstatic and honored to host this year’s AMAs. As a musician and music lover, it’s amazing to be part of a night where music fans make their voices heard!” said the actor in a press statement. “It’s a big show, so I’m bringing it all… The funny, the music and the moves!”
“Wayne Brady is undoubtedly one of the most talented people on earth and we are thrilled to have him host this year’s AMAs,” added the show’s executive producer and showrunner Jesse Collins. “Viewers should expect an incredible night of music, comedy and fun!”
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The AMAs will air from the Microsoft Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on ABC, and streaming the next day on Hulu. Cardi B hosted last year’s show.
Bad Bunny leads the nominations for the 2022 American Music Awards with eight nods, including his first for artist of the year. If the Puerto Rican superstar wins in all eight categories, he would tie Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston for the most AMAs in a single year.
Beyoncé, Drake and Taylor Swift are close behind with six nods each. That makes Bey and Swift the year’s top female nominees. Swift currently holds the record for the most wins in the artist of the year category (six). She also holds the record for most AMA wins overall (34).
Fan voting is now open via VoteAMAs.com and Twitter in all award categories, except favorite K-pop artist, which will open on Tuesday, Nov. 1. See the full list of nominees here.
Dave was the big winner at the 2022 GRM Rated Awards, which focuses on the U.K. rap and grime scene. The rapper won four awards, including track of the year and video of the year for “Clash” (featuring Stormzy).
The Rated Awards were held on Saturday Oct. 22 at Magazine London and will be broadcast on E4 on Tuesday Oct. 25 at 10 p.m. BST. Big Zuu and Julie Adenuga hosted the show.
Dave’s second studio album, We’re All Alone in This Together, was named album of the year. It topped the Official U.K. Albums Chart for two weeks in August 2021. Dave also took home the award for male artist of the year.
While accepting the award for track of the year, Dave discussed the long journey that the song took to become a hit. The song reached No. 2 on the Official U.K. Singles Chart.
Joined by Stormzy on stage, Dave explained: “Back in 2019, I’d just finished my tour. My friend [Kyle Evans] who produced this song had just brought Jordan 1s and Jordan 4s so I freestyled ‘Clash.’ I played Stormzy the song in 2020 and then a year after that I got his verse! Four years of a journey to bring you guys this song.”
Breakthrough went to teenage British hip hop duo, A1 x J1. Little Simz added the female artist of the year award to her recent Mercury Prize win. Central Cee continued his global rise by taking home mixtape of the year.
Jamal Edwards, a British music entrepreneur, DJ and founder of the online R&B/hip-hop platform SB.TV, was posthumously presented this year’s legacy award. Edward died on Feb. 20 at age 31 of a cardiac arrhythmia caused by recreational drugs. The award was presented by Post, founder & CEO of GRM Daily, and Rashid Kasirye, founder of Link Up TV. The award was accepted by Edwards’ mother Brenda and sister Tanisha. The presentation included a special video created by Jamal’s team at SBTV to celebrate his life and legacy.
The Rated Awards were founded by GRM Daily, which has chronicled the U.K. rap and grime scene for more than a decade. With 5 million subscribers and an online reach of more than 9 million, GRM claims to be the most viewed British music platform in the U.K.
The nominations recognize achievements between June 1, 2021, and June 1, 2022.
Here’s the full list of nominations, with winners marked.
Album of the year
Cleo Sol – MotherWINNER: Dave – We’re All Alone in This TogetherFredo – Independence DayKnucks – ALPHA PLACEKojey Radical – Reason to SmileLittle Simz – Sometimes I Might Be IntrovertM Huncho – Chasing EuphoriaTion Wayne – Green With Envy
Track of the year
Aitch – “Baby” (feat. Ashanti)ArrDee – “Flowers (Say My Name)”Benzz – “Je M’appelle”Central Cee – “Obsessed With You”D-Block Europe – “Overseas” (feat. Central Cee)Dave – “Starlight”WINNER: Dave – “Clash” (feat. Stormzy)Potter Payper – “Gangsteritus”Russ Millions – “Reggae & Calypso” (feat. Buni & YV)SwitchOTR – “Coming for You” (feat. A1 x J1)
Video of the year
Aitch – “1989”Aitch – “Learning Curve”CASisDEAD – “Boys Will Be Boys”Dave – “Verdansk”WINNER: Dave – “Clash” (feat. Stormzy)Knucks – “Alpha House” / “Hide & Seek”Little Simz – “Point and Kill” (feat. Obongjayar)M Huncho – “Warzone” (feat. Headie One)Pa Salieu – “Glidin’” (feat. slowthai)Stefflon Don & Ms Banks – “Dip”
Female artist of the year
Cleo SolDarkooDreya MacFLOIvorian DollWINNER: Little SimzMahaliaMiraa MayMs BanksStefflon Don
Male artist of the year
ArrDeeCentral CeeD-Block EuropeWINNER: DaveDigga DK-TrapM HunchoPotter PayperRuss MillionsTion Wayne
Breakthrough of the year
WINNER: A1 x J1ArzBru-CClavishDreya MacKnucksNemzzzRimzeeSaintéSwitchOTR
Mixtape of the year
ArrDee – Pier PressureWINNER: Central Cee – 23D-Block Europe – Home Alone 2Digga D – Noughty by NatureK-Trap – TrapoK-Trap & Blade Brown – JointsM1llionz – Provisional LicensePotter Payper – Thanks for WaitingUnknown T – AdolescenceYoungs Teflon – All Eyes on Me Against the World
Personality of the year
Big ZuuChunkzHarry PineroWINNER: KSIMo GilliganMunya ChawawaNella RoseSpecs GonzalezYung FillyZeze Millz
Producer of the year
ChucksInfloWINNER: JAE5LiTek & WhyJayLUCIDP2JQuincy TellemVennaNathaniel LondonYoung Chencs
Radio DJ of the year
Charlie SlothDJ TargetHenrie KwushueWINNER: Kenny AllstarManny NorteRob BruceSir SpyroSnoochie ShyTiffany CalverYinka & Shayna Marie
This year’s GMA Dove Awards ceremony, which aired Friday night (Oct. 21) on TBN and was held on the campus of Nashville’s Lipscomb University, showcased the power of pairing a great song with the right message and the right vocalist.
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CeCe Winans took home two trophies, including the evening’s top honor, artist of the year, capping a strong year that saw Winans’ inspirational “Believe for It” spend 12 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Gospel Songs chart and reach No. 7 on Christian Airplay. During the GMA Dove Awards, “Believe for It” was named song of the year.
In accepting the song of the year honor, Winans said, “It is amazing when we come together, love each other and stand for righteousness what God will do…I am believing for God to move in this industry like He has never moved before.”
Newcomer Anne Wilson also took home her first two GMA Dove Awards wins, for new artist of the year, as well as pop/contemporary recorded song of the year, for her breakthrough hit “My Jesus.” During her performance of the song, Wilson wisely and succinctly used the time to share the story that inspired the song — the loss of her brother Jacob in 2017, as photos of her late brother filled the screen behind her.
“I never imagined I’d be here tonight, standing on this stage and getting to be amongst among all of you incredible artists,” Wilson said in accepting her new artist of the year award, before thanking her label team at Capitol CMG, management team at Storyhouse Collective and her collaborators on the album. She also thanked her late brother Jacob. “You inspire me and that’s why I do what I do, is to honor Jacob. Most of all I want to thank Jesus for his grace, his mercy and his forgiveness…I’m so thankful for all the artists in this category as well. You are changing lives and I’m so grateful.”
The evening began as the Gospel Music Association’s leader Jackie Patillo and Lipscomb University president Candice McQueen welcomed the audience to celebrate the best music that came from the faith-based community over the past year, under the theme “Sound of Heaven.” From there, the evening honored artists in a range of styles, including gospel, folk, country, bluegrass, soul, rap, pop and Spanish-language.
The ceremony opened with Crowder performing the swampy rock song “Good God Almighty” and later earned rock/contemporary recorded song of the year for “Higher Power” featuring Hulvey. Jekalyn Carr offered a soulful, commanding rendition of “My Portion,” and the song later picked up the GMA Dove Award for traditional gospel recorded song of the year. DOE performed a mash-up of “When I Pray” and “What I’m Waiting For,” and won contemporary gospel album of the year (Clarity). Gateway Worship Español offered a stirring bilingual performance that blended worship, Latin and rap, and won Spanish language recorded song of the year for “Danzando,” which featured Daniel Calveti, Becky Collazos, Christine D’Clario, Travy Joe and Josh Morales.
Phil Wickham picked up songwriter of the year (artist), while his album Hymn of Heaven was named worship album of the year and the title track was named worship recorded song of the year. He also performed his four-week No. 1 Billboard Christian Airplay hit “House of the Lord.” His acceptance speech was filled with gratitude as he noted he has been leading worship in various church services since he was in his early teens.
The topics of loss and rejuvenation were touched on throughout the evening, as TobyMac thanked the audience for their support and prayers following the loss of his eldest son, Truett, in 2019.
“I thought I would never write another song, much less a song that is uptempo,” TobyMac noted, before performing the joyous song “The Goodness” with Blessing Offor. Earlier this year, the song became a three-week No. 1 on the Christian Airplay chart.
Last year, the inaugural GMA Leadership Award was given to GMA leader Patillo, and this year, the honor was awarded to CAA’s John Huie, who has worked with Amy Grant, DC Talk, Third Day, Steven Curtis Chapman and more.
Later in the evening, Smith introduced his longtime friend and fellow CCM luminary Steven Curtis Chapman, who launched his performance with a medley of his previous hits, including “The Great Adventure” and “Divin’ In,” before performing “Don’t Lose Heart” from his new album Still.
“Thirty-five years went by in a hurry,” Chapman quipped.
Jason Ingram (who has worked with Elevation Worship, Maverick City Music, Winans, Lauren Daigle and others) was named songwriter of the year (non-artist), while producer of the year went to Jeff Pardo (who has worked on projects for Wilson, Crowder, Newsboys and more). Family trio The Sound won their first GMA Dove Award, for bluegrass/country/roots album (God Is Real). Rap/Hip Hop recorded song of the year went to “King Jesus” from KB and nobigdyl, while pop/contemporary album of the year went to for King & Country’s What Are We Waiting For? (the brother duo also won in the short form music video of the year/concept category for “Relate,” as well as long form video of the year.
Maverick City Music won two honors during the evening, including gospel worship recorded song of the year (“Breathe”) as well as gospel worship album of the year with Tribl, for Tribl Nights Atlanta.
As the evening began to draw to a close, Winans took the stage after being named as the recipient of the evening’s biggest honor, artist of the year. In lieu of a traditional acceptance speech, she gracefully sang a chorus of “To God Be The Glory,” as the audience joined in, creating a uniting, impromptu a cappella choir.
For a full list of the evening’s winners visit doveawards.com.
Three top female artists will team up for a searing performance during the upcoming CMA Awards, which is slated to air on ABC on Nov. 9 from Nashville.
On her latest album, Subject to Change, Kelsea Ballerini welcomed friends Carly Pearce and Kelly Clarkson on the rowdy track “You’re Drunk, Go Home.” The trio of artists will make their debut live performance of the song during the CMA Awards. TMZ first reported the news, and Billboard has independently confirmed the trio will be performing the song together during the awards ceremony.
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The track is a piercing kiss-off to a drunk guy trying hopelessly make a romantic gesture, and proves to be a fine female empowerment moment. Notably, all three of the women have weathered divorces in recent years, with Clarkson splitting from Brandon Blackstock in 2020. That same year, Pearce divorced fellow country artist Michael Ray, and in August 2022, Ballerini revealed her split from fellow country artist Morgan Evans.
Ballerini previously told Billboard about the song’s origins and how Pearce and Clarkson came to be on the track.
“I felt that there’s some sass and comedy to this song,” Ballerini explained. “So I thought, ‘Who are the women in my life that are artists that have both of those things?’ Carly and I have been friends for, like, 10 years, before either of us had anything going on and we’ve just seen each other personally and professionally through so many seasons of life. We’ve always wanted to do a song together and this made sense.”
When it came to Clarkson, Ballerini said, “I thought the biggest ask I could make is Kelly Clarkson, and I texted her that morning. She did her vocals that night.”
At last year’s CMA Awards, Ballerini picked up two wins for “Half of My Hometown,” her collaboration with Kenny Chesney, netting video of the year and musical event of the year. This year, the song is nominated for single of the year heading into November’s awards ceremony.
Pearce is one of the most nominated artists leading into this year’s awards show, with five nods, including musical event of the year, music video of the year, and single and song of the year (all for “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” with Ashley McBryde), as well as female vocalist of the year. Pearce took home the CMA’s female vocalist of the year honor for the first time last year.
To date, Clarkson has earned six CMA Awards nominations, as well as a win for musical event of the year in 2011 for her collaboration with Jason Aldean, “Don’t You Wanna Stay.”
Chelsea Handler will host the 2023 Critics Choice Awards, the Critics Choice Association said Thursday (Oct. 20).
The 28th annual awards show will take place Jan. 15, airing live on The CW from the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.
Handler had a seven-year run as the host of E!’s Chelsea Lately, during which she was the only female late-night talk show host on-air, and then she launched her documentary series Chelsea Does followed by her talk show Chelsea on Netflix in 2016. She has written six New York Times best-selling books, including 2019’s Life Will Be the Death of Me, which is being adapted into a TV series for Peacock. Handler is set to executive produce and star in the show.
In 2020, Handler released her first stand-up special in more than six years, called Chelsea Handler: Evolution, on HBO Max, for which she received a Grammy nomination for best comedy album. She also recently launched her iHeartRadio advice podcast, Dear Chelsea, and went on the Vaccinated and Horny Tour, which won her the Comedy Act of 2021 award at the People’s Choice Awards.
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“We are thrilled to have Chelsea Handler joining us at the 28th annual Critics Choice Awards,” CCA CEO Joey Berlin said. “We all know and love her work as a stand-up comedian, a best-selling author, a podcast host, and actress — and now as host of the Critics Choice Awards! I know this will be the best year yet and can’t wait for everyone to see what we have in store.”
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson will be honored as the 2023 MusiCares persons of the year, the Recording Academy’s philanthropic partner announced on Thursday (Oct. 20). The longtime friends and music legends will receive the honor at the annual gala on Feb. 3, 2023.
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The event, which takes place two nights before the 65th annual Grammy Awards, will mark the first time the gala will honor two individuals together, as it’s typically reserved for a single person or a musical group. With Berry Gordy as the creator of the Motown Sound and Smokey Robinson as his first writer and artist, the duo transformed popular music and fostered a legendary friendship — one that has spanned more than six decades and produced countless classic songs.
“Wow! How honored I am to be named the MusiCares Persons of the Year, and together with my best friend of over 65 years, the great Smokey Robinson. How special is that!” Gordy says in a press statement. “I am grateful to be included in MusiCares’ remarkable history of music icons. The work they do is so critical to the well-being of our music community, and I look forward to a most exciting evening.”
Robinson adds: “I have supported MusiCares for many years, and know what great work they do for our creative community who need our help. Recently, when no one could tour, they were a lifeline to those in the touring industry for monetary help and mental health services. I am honored that they have chosen me and my best friend and Motown founder Berry Gordy to share this beautiful honor and celebrate with you all together.”
Gordy and Robinson join a prestigious list of recent MusiCares honorees, including 2022 person of the year Joni Mitchell, preceded by Fleetwood Mac, Dolly Parton, Aerosmith and many more.
Robinson was honored by the Recording Academy with a Grammy Legend Awards in 1990 and later received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. Four songs by his group The Miracles have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, including “The Tracks of My Tears.” He’s been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Gordy received the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons’ President’s Merit Award in 2008 and the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama with a “Salute to Motown” evening at the White House in 2011.
In 2019, the Recording Academy paid tribute to Motown Records’ 60th anniversary with a special celebration hosted by Robinson along with Cedric the Entertainer and included performances from Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Boyz II Men, Chloe x Halle, Tori Kelly, John Legend, Ne-Yo and more.
“MusiCares is thrilled to be honoring Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson at the 2023 Persons of the Year gala, which will be the first time we are honoring two legends together,” says Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares. “With Mr. Gordy as the creator of the Motown Sound, and Mr. Robinson as his first writer and artist, their music, along with the many others who joined Motown, reached out across a racially divided country to transform popular music, creating a musical legacy like no other.”
The person of the year gala is one of the most prestigious events held during Grammy Week. It includes a reception and silent auction, followed by a dinner and concert featuring other artists paying tribute to the honoree — and, often, a night-capping performance by the person of the year. Money raised from the gala goes toward MusiCares programs and services that assist the music community through physical and mental health resources, addiction recovery, preventative clinics, personal emergencies and disaster relief.
Tables for the 2023 MusicCares Person of the Year gala are available to purchase here.
The Soul Train Awards are taking over Las Vegas on November 13, and BET announced its list of nominees for the star-studded ceremony. Actor and comedian Deon Cole will host the night dedicated to celebrating the best in soul, R&B and hip-hop music.
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“Hosting the Soul Train Awards is a dream come true. I grew up watching Soul Train and ‘til this day, I’ve never met a Soul Train Line I didn’t bless with my skilled two step,” said Cole in a press statement. “It is truly a privilege to be given this opportunity to celebrate Don Cornelius’ legacy, all of the amazing Black talent that illuminated our screens on the iconic TV show, and my favorite genres of music: Soul, R&B and Hip Hop.”
Beyoncé and Mary J. Blige lead this year’s list of nominees, with an impressive seven nods each. Ari Lennox follows with six, and Lizzo and Chris Brown each have five nominations. Burna Boy, Muni Long and Steve Lacy all have four nods.
The 2022 Soul Train Awards premiere on Sunday (Nov. 13) at 8 p.m. ET/PT on BET and BET Her. See the full list of nominations below.
Best New ArtistCKayCoco JonesDixsonDoechiiFireboy DMLMuni LongSteve LacyTems
Certified Soul AwardChaka KhanCharlie WilsonDiana RossMary J. BligeMaxwellPJ MortonRonald Isley & The Isley BrothersT-Pain
Best Gospel/Inspirational AwardCeCe WinansErica CampbellFred HammondMajor.Marvin SappMaverick City Music X Kirk FranklinTamela MannTasha Cobbs Leonard
Best R&B/Soul Female ArtistAri LennoxBeyoncéH.E.R.Jazmine SullivanLizzoMary J. BligeSZATems
Best R&B/Soul Male ArtistBabyfaceBrent FaiyazBurna BoyCharlie WilsonChris BrownGiveonLucky DayePJ Morton
Album of the YearAn Evening With Silk Sonic, Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)Away Message (EP), Ari LennoxBreezy, Chris BrownGood Morning Gorgeous, Mary J. BligeHeaux Tales, Mo’ Tales: The Deluxe, Jazmine SullivanR&B Money, TankRenaissance, BeyoncéSpecial, Lizzo
Song of the Year“About Damn Time,” Lizzo“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long“Last Last,” Burna Boy“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
The Ashford And Simpson Songwriter’s Award“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy“Break My Soul,” Beyoncé“Church Girl,” Beyoncé“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long“I Hate U,” SZA“Last, Last,” Burna Boy“Pressure,” Ari Lennox
Best Dance Performance“About Damn Time,” Lizzo“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid“Have Mercy,” Chlöe“Persuasive,” Doechii“Pressure,” Ari Lennox“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)“We (Warm Embrace),” Chris Brown“Woman,” Doja Cat
Video of the Year“About Damn Time,” Lizzo“Bad Habit,” Steve Lacy“Good Morning Gorgeous,” Mary J. Blige“Have Mercy,” Chlöe“Hrs & Hrs,” Muni Long“Last Last,” Burna Boy“Pressure,” Ari Lennox“Smokin Out the Window,” Silk Sonic (Bruno Mars & Anderson .Paak)
Best Collaboration“Amazing,” Mary J. Blige feat. DJ Khaled“Be Like Water,” PJ Morton feat. Stevie Wonder & Nas“Call Me Every Day,” Chris Brown feat. Wizkid“Gotta Move On,” Diddy feat. Bryson Tiller“Hate Our Love,” Queen Naija & Big Sean“Make Me Say It Again, Girl,” Ronald Isley & The Isley Brothers feat. Beyoncé“Move,” Beyoncé feat. Grace Jones & Tems“Slow,” Tank feat. J. Valentine
RIO DE JANEIRO — Sertanejo act Maiara & Maraisa won the award for duo of the year on the 29th edition of Brazil’s Multishow Music Awards, held on Tuesday (Oct. 18) and aired by Multishow TV Channel.
“It’s an honor to win this prize. We hope to be there next year to win this prize again,” the duo teased, while remotely accepting the prize via a live transmission.
The win was welcome news for the sertanejo community, after a wave of online criticism about too little representation at the awards show for the genre — considered to be the most popular in Brazil, and the country’s equivalent to American country music. In September, days after Multishow officially released the nominees, fans and acts complained that sertanejo was absent from most of the categories. (Of the ten popular categories, determined by audience vote, established sertanejo artists have only been nominated in two categories, duo of the year and artist of the year.)
During a show in early September, Zé Neto (from the duo Zé Neto & Cristiano) said that “many [award shows] out there” haven’t included sertanejo names, including for best song and best singer.
“But you know what’s the biggest award for us? It’s coming here and seeing the house crowded. The rest is marketing,” said Zé Neto, who, in May this year, criticized the megastar Anitta and a Brazilian tax incentive law aimed at propping up the country’s culture scene.
“We always try to be as diverse as possible,” Helena Daibert, head of marketing at Multishow who’s worked with the channel’s awards for 15 years, tells Billboard. She says that, since 2019, a board of over 600 music specialists from all over Brazil — called “the academy” — has been responsible for the nominations.
Until 2019, the audience chose the awards’ nominees, but tended to drift towards their own fan favorites. “We created the academy as an effort to make the diversity of Brazil’s music scenery better represented in the awards,” she says.
While Daibert highlights the importance of the longstanding relationship between the sertanejo scene and Multishow, she also recognizes the challenge inherent to every music awards show: “It is impossible to please everyone.”
Still, in addition to the winners Maiara & Maraisa, there were other sertanejo acts nominated for duo of the year at this year’s awards: Diego & Victor Hugo (who performed in the awards show), Henrique & Juliano, Jorge & Mateus, and Matheus & Kauan. The latter three duos didn’t attend the ceremony.
Non-sertanejo acts in the running for duo of the Year included Tasha & Tracie (hip-hip), YOÙN (pop/hip-hop) and ANAVITÓRIA (pop/MPB).
“When we think of musical duos, we used to think of a sertanejo duo,” said R&B singer Majur, who announced the category’s winner. “Beyond sertanejo duos, there are pop, funk, reggae, samba… duos of many genres we like to listen to,” said rap singer Vitão, who also presented the nominees.
Sertanejo singer Ana Castela, who participated in the event, won revelation of the year. Born in Central-Western Brazil, Castela has been a prominent name in “agronejo,” a sertanejo subgenre that blends Brazilian funk and electronic beats while extolling the lifestyle of the agro-livestock universe.
Nominated for artist of the year, sertanejo star Gusttavo Lima was booed by part of the audience when his name was announced. Lima, however, didn’t attend the ceremony. The artist, considered to be the most popular sertanejo act right now, has been embroiled in a controversy over publicly funded shows across Brazil which prosecutors are probing for possible improprieties.
Megastar Anitta wasn’t present either, but stood out with wins in three categories: artist of the year; song of the year (for the hit “Envolver”); and clip of the year (for the music video of “Boys Don’t Cry”).
Samba act Seu Jorge, who suffered through an episode of racism during his show in Southern Brazil last Friday(Oct. 14), was cheered by the audience when, along with pagode singer Alexandre Pires, he won show of the year.
This year’s edition also paid tribute to late singer Elza Soares with a live performance of Black female artists Linn da Quebrada and Larissa Luz. Soares, who died at 91 in January, was considered “the singer of the millennium” by the BBC in 1999.
Check out the full winners list below:
Revelation of the year
Ana Castela
Bala Desejo
Jovem Dionísio
Mari Fernandez
Nattanzinho
Rachel Reis
Tasha & Tracie
Urias
Duo of the year
ANAVITÓRIA
Diego e Victor Hugo
Henrique e Juliano
Jorge e Mateus
Maiara e Maraisa
Matheus & Kauan
Tasha & Tracie
YOÙN
Group of the year
Jovem Dionisio
Afrocidade
Bala Desejo
Black Pantera
Gilsons
Grupo Menos é Mais
Lagum
Raça Negra
Album of the year
Lady Leste by Gloria Groove
LUME by Felipe Ret
Numanice #2 by Ludmilla
Pirata, y Jão
Pra Gente Acordar, by Gilsons
QVVJFA?, by Baco Exu do Blues
Sobre Viver, by Criolo
Versions of Me, by Anitta
Voice of the year
Anitta
Gloria Groove
Iza
Jão
Liniker
Ludmilla
Luísa Sonza
Marisa Monte
Show of the year
Alexandre Pires e Seu Jorge
Caetano Veloso
Djonga
Emicida
Jão
Ludmilla
Marisa Monte
Thiaguinho
Song of the year
“Acorda Pedrinho,” do Jovem Dionísio
“Desenrola Bate Joga de Ladin” (feat. DJ Biel do Furduncinho), by L7nnon, Os Hawaianos e DJ Bel da CDD
“Envolver,” da Anitta
“Fé,” by Iza
“Maldivas,” by Ludmilla
“Malvadão 3,” by Xamã, Gustah and Neo Beats
“VAMPiro,” by Matuê, WIU and Teto
“Vermelho,” da Gloria Groove
Hit of the year
“Acorda Pedrinho,” by Jovem Dionísio
“Dançarina,” by Pedro Sampaio
“Desenrola Bate Joga de Ladin,” by L7nnon, Os Hawaianos, and DJ Bel da CDD
“Envolver,” by Anitta
“Idiota,” by Jão
“Maldivas,” by Ludmilla
“Malvadão 3,” by Xamã
“Vermelho,” by Gloria Groove
Artist of the year
Anitta
Gloria Groove
Gusttavo Lima
Jão
João Gomes
L7nnon
Ludmilla
Luisa Sonza
Clip of the year
“A Queda,” by Gloria Groove
“Vermelho,” by Gloria Groove
“Acorda Pedrinho,” by Jovem Dionísio
“Boys Don’t Cry,” by Anitta
“Envolver,” by Anitta
“Cachorrinhas,” by Luisa Sonza
“Fé,” by Iza
“Idiota,” by Jão
Instrumentalist of the year
Amaro Freitas
Castilhol
Hamilton de Holanda
Jonathan Ferr
Kiko Dinucci
Mateus Asato
Pretinho da Serrinha (winner)
Silvanny Sivuca
Music producer of the year
Eduardo Pepato
Pablo Bispo
Papatinho (winner)
Prateado
Pupilo
Rafinha RSQ
Ruxell no Beat
VHOOR
Album cover of the year
IZA, Fé (winner)
Urias, Fúria
Gloria Groove, Lady Leste
Filipe Ret, LUME
Marisa Monte, Portas
Baco Exu do Blues, QVVJFA?
Karol Conká, Urucum
Anitta, Version Of Me
Little Simz’s fourth studio album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert is the winner of Britain’s Mercury Prize, beating out a shortlist that included chart-topping LPs from Harry Styles, Wet Leg and Sam Fender.
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With her victory, Simz scoops a cash prize of £25,000 ($28,000), a special trophy, and the sort of exposure that typically launches the winning record back into the U.K. chart.
Sometimes I Might Be Introvert dropped in 2021 via Age 101, and peaked at No. 4 on the Official U.K. Albums Chart, easily eclipsing her previous career best, No. 87 for her 2019 release Grey Area.
Born and raised in London, Little Simz (real name Simbiatu “Simbi” Abisola Abiola Ajikawo) enjoyed a breakthrough with her 2010 debut mixtape, Stratosphere. The Mercury Prize could launch her own career into the stratosphere.
She’s no stranger to awards nights. Earlier this year, the rapper won the Brit Award for best new act, she’s won Ivor Novellos, MOBO Awards, and now, bragging rights for having produced the album of the year.
Speaking from the stage at Hammersmith’s Eventim Apollo on Tuesday (Oct. 18), Simz admitted she was “very very overwhelmed” with her win.
Paying tribute to all the other nominated records, she added, “We all made incredible albums, we all change people’s lives with our music and that’s the most important thing. So this is for us really.”
Little Simz and other shortlisted artists performed during the 2022 final, which was initially postponed when Queen Elizabeth II died.
The Mercury Prize was launched in 1992 to celebrate the best of British and Irish music across a range of contemporary music genres. Today, it’s considered the music equivalent to the Booker Prize for literature and the Turner Prize for art, its music industry panel judging the entries and ultimate winner on artistic achievement.
Previous winners have included Pulp, Portishead, Arctic Monkeys, James Blake and Arlo Parks, who took the prize last year for her album Collapsed in Sunbeams.
Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson presented fellow Canadian musician Tom Cochrane with the SOCAN Cultural Impact Award on Monday night (Oct. 17) for his 1991 enduring hit “Life Is A Highway,” which rose to No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1992 and was No. 1 in Canada, winning Juno Awards for single of the year and songwriter.
The anthem, found on Cochrane’s second solo album, Mad Mad World, sold a rare million copies in Canada (a diamond certification), and has, in recent years, racked up more than 1 billion streams, according to SOCAN, the performing rights organization.
Lifeson and Cochrane have been friends for over four decades. “I played with him on occasion and performed ‘Life Is a Highway,’ as well,” Lifeson told some 500 members of the music industry at the private event at Sheridan Centre Toronto Hotel.
“I am a friend, a collaborator, and like many, many others of his millions of fans around the world, I am a huge admirer of his work. Neruda is one of my all-time favorite records,” Lifeson threw in of the 1983 album by Cochrane’s original band Red Rider. “Tom is an amazing artist and songwriter, and with ‘Life Is a Highway,’ he created the perfect analogy of what we all go through. It is a magical blend of music and lyrics with an infectious chorus that sticks with you, and a theme that is inspiring and uplifting. It truly captures our journeys down the highway of life, the high roads, the detours, the dead ends, the U-turns, and especially the fear of running outta gas, the challenges that we all face in order to reach our destinations.”
Lifeson said the song’s “joyous melody” is a hopeful reminder that no matter how many roadblocks life presents, “we will always find a way around them,” adding, “It is the perfect message, especially over the past few years and what we’ve all experienced.”
Among the many covers and adaptations, the song was covered by Rascal Flatts for the 2006 animated movie Cars and by Chris LeDoux for his 1998 album, One Road Man, was used in a now-classic segment of the animated TV series Family Guy, placed in Hollywood films like There Goes The Neighborhood and Cheaper by the Dozen, and more recently in the video game Lego Rock Band (Rascal Flatts’ version).
In 2016, a stretch of highway in Manitoba starting in his hometown of Lynn Lake to the city of Thompson was renamed Tom Cochrane’s Life Is a Highway.
Despite its buoyant, positive vibe, the song was born out of a life-altering humanitarian trip Cochrane took to southeastern Africa with World Vision Canada. Hence the lyric: “From Mozambique to those Memphis nights / The Khyber Pass to Vancouver’s lights / Knock me down and back up again / You’re in my blood, I’m not a lonely man.”
After a video tribute, which touched quite heavily on the inspiration for the song, Cochrane took the stage to accept the award from Lifeson, and dug out his speech, written “old school” on a piece a paper. “Talk about cultural achievement,” he said of Lifeson, calling Rush “one of the top five bands of all time.”
After thanking friends and associates, he said of Rascal Flatts, “What could I say about those guys? Everybody says, ‘That’s horrible, they stole that song from you.’ I said, ‘I wish they’d steal some more songs from me,” he laughs. “And I told [singer] Gary [LeVox] that and they flew us a bunch of writers down to Nashville. I mean such generous guys.”
He then thanked Red Rider and Mad Mad World musician John Webster, who insisted he take “the stupid little poppy demo” called “Love Is a Highway” and develop it into the anthem it is now.
“Indeed, the lyrics in the top line were written in the wee hours of the morning in my little home studio, the shed in Oakville…The lyrics were written in response to a trip to that I had taken to Africa with the humanitarian relief organization, World Vision. They do incredible work and I encourage everybody to support them. In 1989, after witnessing terrible suffering, in particular in war-torn Mozambique, it put deep scars on my psyche and I needed something ‘up’ and positive to pull me out of this funk and this soul searching,” Cochrane explains.
“And so that was what I was going through after that trip. Webby, John Webster, and I had recorded a bed track for ‘Love Is a Highway’ in that shed a few weeks earlier and I couldn’t find the proper words…I woke up that night out of a bit of a dream state and an epiphany occurred to me that we can’t control what happens to us here and there. All we can do is control what’s ahead of us and the people we come in contact with every day… And so, by five in the morning, the song was written, it was done and I felt better for it.
Since Canada removed all COVID-19 restrictions, Cochrane has been back out on the road — 38 shows to date, with more scheduled in November.
“When we play ‘Life Is a Highway,’ the energy that we get back from the crowd, from the audience, is intense. It’s powerful,” he reflects. “And the joy, the positive electricity, is cathartic and it’s immense. We feel elevated. But more than that, we feel privileged to be up there and very lucky to be the vehicle, excuse the pun, to deliver that energy.”
To cap off the three-hour awards, Lifeson jumped onstage to join musicians Bill Bell, Dala, Davide Direnzo, Molly Johnson, Jeff Jones, Sam Roberts and Julian Taylor on a version of the song.