Awards

01 Mar 2025

Charli XCX Wins Big at BRIT Awards 2025: Full Winners List

Charli XCX gave the BRIT Awards a Brat makeover on Saturday night (Mar. 1) by scooping the biggest prizes of the night, including the coveted album of the year prize.

She won four awards at the ceremony: song of the year, dance act, artist of the year and album of the year. She also collected the honorary songwriter of the year prize, while Brat‘s executive producer A.G. Cook won producer of the year.

Speaking when she collected the album of the year prize, Charli said: “I used to tell myself things like this weren’t important and that was easy for me to do because until last year I wasn’t nominated for anything. I always felt like an outsider in the British music industry, so it feels nice to be recognized on this album when I actually haven’t made any sacrifices.”

Brat was one of 2024’s defining records, landing at No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Album Charts and at No. 3 on the Billboard 200. It was named the Billboard staff’s album of the year.

The awards took place at The O2 Arena in London, and were hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall for a fifth time.

Elsewhere it was a big night for Chappell Roan, who triumphed in the international artist and international song categories, beating off competition from Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Beyoncé.

Sabrina Carpenter opened the show with a two-song medley of “Espresso” and “Bed Chem” and collected the honorary global success award.

Sam Fender had a big night , winning rock/alternative act and performing the title song from People Watching. On Friday, the North Shields-born musician’s third album went to No. 1 and clocked the biggest opening week for a British act in three years, topping over 100,000 units.

Ezra Collective collected group of the year and shouted out youth clubs and the musical opportunities they offer, while Myles Smith challenged the U.K. government to do more for grassroots venues in his speech while collecting BRITs Rising Star.

Baroque-pop group The Last Dinner Party performed “Nothing Matters” and picked up best new artist. Like Smith, they used their speech to champion the small venues in the U.K.

RAYE won best R&B act, and Stormzy shouted out his fellow nominee Central Cee when he triumphed in the best hip-hop/grime/rap.

Performances came from Carpenter, Teddy Swims, Ezra Collective, Fender, The Last Dinner Party, JADE and Lola Young.

In December, the BRITs announced Luton-born singer-songwriter Myles Smith as the recipient of the 2025 BRIT Rising Star award — a new music prize that is handed out to the British act that the voting academy believes will make the biggest impact on music in the coming year. He performed his breakout song “Stargazing” on the night.

It was not Dua Lipa’s night: She went 0-4. The Cure and Central Cee were also shut out, despite three nominations.

The nominees and winners were chosen by the BRIT Awards Voting Academy, its membership made up of musicians and industry figures; the public decided the winners of the genre categories, with voting taking place via a WhatsApp campaign.

Here’s the complete list of 2025 BRIT Awards winners.

Mastercard album of the year

WINNER: Charli XCX – Brat, Atlantic/Warner Music 
Ezra Collective – Dance, No One’s Watching, Partisan Records
Dua Lipa – Radical Optimism, Warner/Warner Music
The Cure – Songs of a Lost World, Polydor/Universal Music
The Last Dinner Party – Prelude to Ecstasy, Island/Universal Music

Artist of the year

Beabadoobee, Dirty Hit 
Central Cee, Columbia/Sony Music
WINNER: Charli XCX, Atlantic/Warner Music
Dua Lipa, Warner/Warner Music
Fred Again.., Atlantic/Warner Music
Jamie xx, Young/XL Beggars
Michael Kiwanuka, Polydor/Universal Music
Nia Archives, Island/Universal Music
Rachel Chinouriri, Parlophone/Universal Music
Sam Fender, Polydor/Universal Music

Group of the year

Bring Me the Horizon, RCA/Sony Music
Coldplay, Parlophone/Warner Music
WINNER: Ezra Collective, Partisan Records
The Cure, Polydor/Universal Music
The Last Dinner Party, Island/Universal Music

Best new artist

English Teacher, Island/Universal Music
Ezra Collective, Partisan Records
Myles Smith, RCA/Sony Music
Rachel Chinouriri, Parlophone/Universal Music
WINNER: The Last Dinner Party, Island/Universal Music

Song of the year

“I Like the Way You Kiss Me,” Artemas, Parlophone/Warner Music
“Kisses,” BI3SS x CamrinWatsin (ft. Bbyclose), Atlantic/Warner Music 
“BAND4BAND,” Central Cee (ft. Lil Baby), Columbia/Capitol/Motown/Sony Music
WINNER: “Guess,” Charli XCX (ft. Billie Eilish), Atlantic/Interscope/Warner Music
“Backbone,” Chase & Status (ft. Stormzy), 0207 Records/EMI/Merky/Universal Music
“Feelslikeimfallinginlove,” Coldplay, Parlophone/Warner Music
“Training Season,” Dua Lipa, Warner/Warner Music 
“Alibi,” Ella Henderson (ft. Rudimental), Atlantic/Warner Music
“Angel of My Dreams,” Jade, RCA/Sony Music 
“Kehlani,” Jordan Adetunji, Warner/Warner Music
“Thick of It,” KSI (ft. Trippie Redd), Atlantic/Warner Music
“Stargazing,” Myles Smith, RCA/Sony Music
“You’re Christmas to Me,” Sam Ryder, East West/Rhino/Warner Music 
“Somedays,” Sonny Fedora/Jazzy/D.O.D, Solotoko/Ada Warner Music 
“Now and Then,” The Beatles, Apple/UMR

BRITs Rising Star

WINNER: Myles Smith, RCA/Sony Music
Elmiene, Polydor/Universal Music
Good Neighbours, Polydor/Universal Music

International artist of the year

Adrianne Lenker, 4AD/XL Beggars
Asake, YBNL Nation
Benson Boone, Warner/Warner Music
Beyoncé, Columbia/Parkwood Entertainment/Sony
Billie Eilish, Interscope/Universal Music
WINNER: Chappell Roan, Island/Universal Music
Kendrick Lamar, Interscope/Universal Music
Sabrina Carpenter, Island/Universal Music
Taylor Swift, EMI/Universal Music
Tyler, the Creator, Columbia/Sony Music

International group of the year

Amyl and The Sniffers, Rough Trade Records/XL Beggars
Confidence Man, Chaos/Universal Music
WINNER: Fontaines D.C., XL Recordings/XL Beggars
Future & Metro Boomin, RCA/Sony Music
Linkin Park, Warner/Warner Music

International song of the year

“Beautiful Things,” Benson Boone, Warner/Warner Music 
“Texas Hold Em,” Beyoncé, Columbia/Parkwood Entertainment/Sony
“Birds of a Feather,” Billie Eilish, Interscope/Universal Music
WINNER: “Good Luck, Babe!,” Chappell Roan, Island/Universal Music
“End of Beginning,” Djo, AWAL/Djo/The Orchard 
“Houdini,” Eminem, Interscope/Universal Music 
“Too Sweet,” Hozier, Island/Universal Music
“Lovin On Me,” Jack Harlow, Atlantic/Warner Music
“Stick Season,” Noah Kahan, Republic Records/Universal Music
“I Had Some Help,” Post Malone (ft. Morgan Wallen), Republic Records/Universal Music
“Espresso,” Sabrina Carpenter, Island/Universal Music
“A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Shaboozey, American Dogwood/Empire
“Fortnight,” Taylor Swift (ft. Post Malone), EMI/Universal Music
“Lose Control,” Teddy Swims, Atlantic/Warner Music
“Million Dollar Baby,” Tommy Richman, ISO Supremacy/Pulse/Stem Disintermedia

Alternative/rock act

Beabadoobee, Dirty Hit
Ezra Collective, Partisan Records
WINNER: Sam Fender, Polydor/Universal Music
The Cure, Polydor/Universal Music
The Last Dinner Party, Island/Universal Music

Hip-hop/grime/rap act

Central Cee, Columbia/Sony Music
Dave, Def Jam/Universal Music 
Ghetts, Warner/Warner Music 
Little Simz, AWAL/Sony Music
WINNER: Stormzy, 0207 Records/EMI/Merky/Universal Music

Dance act

Becky Hill, Polydor/Universal Music
WINNER: Charli XCX, Atlantic/Warner Music
Chase & Status, 0207 Records/Universal Music
Fred Again.., Atlantic/Warner Music
Nia Archives, Island/Universal Music

Pop act

Charli XCX, Atlantic/Warner Music
Dua Lipa, Warner/Warner Music
WINNER: Jade, RCA/Sony Music
Lola Young, Island/Universal Music
Myles Smith, RCA/Sony Music

R&B act

Cleo Sol, AWAL/Sony Music
Flo, Island/Universal Music
Jorja Smith, FAMM/The Orchard/Sony
Michael Kiwanuka, Polydor/Universal Music
WINNER: Raye, Human Resources/The Orchard/Sony

Songwriter of the year

WINNER: Charli XCX

Producer of the year

WINNER: A.G. Cook

Global success award

WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter

01 Mar 2025

Sabrina Carpenter Opens 2025 Brit Awards With ‘Espresso’ & ‘Bed Chem,’ Accepts Global Success Honor

Sabrina Carpenter kicked off the 2025 Brit Awards with a rousing medley of “Espresso” and “Bed Chem” at London’s O2 Arena Saturday night (March 1).

The American pop star — who later on Saturday would be celebrated with this year’s Global Success Award — got the crowd going with a flirty set that referenced the Union Jack and the King’s Guard before moving over to the Short n’ Sweet singer’s heart-shaped bed at the awards show, which was broadcast live on ITV1 and streaming service ITVX in the U.K., and streamed elsewhere via the Brits’ official YouTube channel.

Surrounded by dancers dressed as marching guards for “Espresso,” Carpenter then playfully shed her sparkly, British-inspired bodysuit, paired with thigh-high stockings and garters, for a red negligee and lacy lingerie. She perched herself atop a bed staged at the O2, where she complemented her “Bed Chem” vocals by performing some sultry, synchronized choreography.

Carpenter wrapped her performance with a camera trick implying her attempt to seduce a member of the King’s Guard. Judging by the guard’s wink, it worked.

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Carpenter was awarded with the Global Success honor later in the evening. The award was presented to her by Millie Bobby Brown, who joked that after seeing Carpenter’s steamy Brits performance Saturday night, the singer’s the one who should be handcuffed on stage — a bit she does to someone else for being “too hot” on the Short n’ Sweet Tour. (Brown personally requested to be arrested on stage and got her wish in Atlanta.)

Sabrina Carpenter Brits 2025

Sabrina Carpenter accepts the Global Success award on stage during the Brit Awards 2025 at the O2 Arena on March 1, 2025 in London, England.

Brown introduced Carpenter to the Brits crowd as “the woman who keeps us all hot and bothered.”

“The first time I ever came to the U.K. was 10 years ago,” the “Please Please Please” hitmaker recalled during her acceptance speech. “I was with my mom. Nobody knew who I was. Maybe 10 people.”

“This week I get to headline the O2 because of you guys,” she said. Carpenter is set to play the 20,000-capacity arena for two nights, on March 8 and 9, as part of the European leg of her tour.

Not one to leave the stage without wise crack, and appreciating that the English get her dry humor, she quipped, “In a very primarily tea-drinking country, you guys streamed the shit out of ‘Espresso.’”

Carpenter also thanked her fans: “This is all because of you and this is for you. Thank you so much. Cheerio!”

27 Feb 2025

What Should Win Best Original Song at the 2025 Oscars? Vote!

The 2025 Academy Awards are just around the corner, which means a new track will receive the Oscar for best original song.

Emilia Pérez notched two nominations in the category with “El Mal” and “Mi Camino.” Both songs’ music and lyrics were written by Clément Ducol and Camille, with a lyrical assist from Jacques Audiard on “El Mal.” Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón perform “El Mal” in the film, while Selena Gomez delivers “Mi Camino.”

“The Journey” from The Six Triple Eight, written by Diane Warren is also nominated, marking the 12th of Warren’s best original song nods that she wrote herself. From A24’s Sing Sing, “Like a Bird” is up for the award, and the track was written by Abraham Alexander and Adrian Quesada. Rounding out the list is “Never Too Late” from Elton John’s Disney+ documentary of the same name. The track was written by John and his longtime collaborator Bernie Taupin, as well as Brandi Carlile and Andrew Watt.

This is John’s fifth nomination in the best original song category and Taupin’s second. They won in 2020 for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from Rocketman, and John won in 1995 for The Lion King‘s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”

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Find out who wins at the 2025 Oscars, which will air live on ABC on Sunday (March 2) beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT. Before then, we want to know your top pick for best original song. Let us know by voting here or below.

27 Feb 2025

Premio Lo Nuestro 2025 Logs Record Engagement Across All Platforms

The 37th annual Premio Lo Nuestro ceremony, which aired Feb. 20, logged a record 543 million engagements across television, social, digital and ViX, according to TelevisaUnivision. The three-hour show (from 8-11 p.m. ET) reached 4.2 million total viewers across Univision, UniMás, and Galavisión, and delivered year-over-year audience growth among total viewers (+3% to 2.1 million).

Furthermore, this year’s Premio Lo Nuestro — hosted by Thalia, Laura Pausini and Alejandra Espinoza — was the No. 1 program on broadcast television in primetime with more adult (ages 18-34) viewers than the primetime line-ups on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and The CW. It also finished as the highest-rated program on all of television during the entire day with U.S. Hispanics across all key demographics, according to the Nielsen ratings report.

On social media, Premio Lo Nuestro logged 4.8 million total interactions across Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube combined, making it the No. 1 most social program of the entire day, regardless of language, for the 9th straight year.

With performances by Thalia, Natti Natasha, Xavi, Will Smith, Marc Anthony, among many others, the night also included a special tribute to the late Paquita la del Barrio, who died days before the awards show. La India, Alejandro Fernández and Manuel Alejandro all received special honors throughout the night.

Shakira was the top winner taking home six trophies, including album of the year for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran and pop female artist of the year. The Colombian star was closely followed by Carín León, who took home five awards, and Karol G and Camilo, each with four. See the complete list of winners here.

27 Feb 2025

Here Are the 2025 Oscars Performers & Presenters

When the Oscars announced that this year’s nominees for best original song would not be performed on the telecast, but that there would instead be a single spot focused on the songwriters of those songs, some feared that music would get short shrift on the annual awards show, which airs Sunday, March 2, from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. Subsequent announcements have proved that this is not the case.

Six powerhouse women – Doja Cat, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, LISA of BLACKPINK, Queen Latifah and RAYE – will perform on the telecast. The show also will feature a special appearance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

Erivo and Grande, who are both nominated for their roles in Wicked, are expected to open the telecast with one or more songs from that blockbuster musical. Queen Latifah is set to take part in a tribute to Quincy Jones, who died in November at age 91. Latifah, a longtime friend of the music and film titan, performed on two tracks on his 1995 album Q’s Jook Joint.

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The other women are expected to participate in “performances celebrating the filmmaking community and some of its legends.”

“There are special moments that are planned and it’s about music, it’s about celebration, it’s about celebrating some really amazing pieces of film and even a Governor’s Award with Quincy Jones,” the show’s executive producer and showrunner Raj Kapoor said in a Zoom press conference with the creative team on Wednesday (Feb. 26). “The music performances are just really special and curated this year. And I think they speak to this year in film, and they also speak to icons and legends.”

But Kapoor didn’t want to divulge too much about the show. “I mean we absolutely love the element of surprise. What I can say is [that even with] every presenter and every performer that’s already been announced, there’s still more to come. There are people that are not going to be announced,” he teased. “You will have to keep a sharp eye out for a few different cameos that happen throughout the evening.”

Kapoor said the show will have a couple of themes. “One is that we are honoring the city of Los Angeles. … We really wanted to create some really beautiful moments on stage that celebrate this amazing city that we live in, all the amazing films that have been filmed here, and just have a really uplifting and beautiful message that we hope really touches everybody who watches the show.

Supervising choreographer Mandy Moore said they will aim to recapture some of the excitement of last year’s show-stopping Ryan Gosling performance of “I’m Just Ken.” “I can definitely say if you liked Kenergy, you’re going to love everything we’re doing this year because it’s in the same vein of joy and celebration.”

RAYE performed her song “Oscar Winning Tears,” from her album My 21st Century Blues, on the Grammy telecast on Feb. 2, where she was a best new artist nominee.  Kapoor was an executive producer of that show as well.

Last year’s Oscar winners in the four acting categories – Cillian Murphy, Emma Stone, Robert Downey Jr. and Da’Vine Joy Randolph – were the first presenters announced for this year’s show.

Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña, two of the stars of Emilia Pérez; Ben Stiller; and Joe Alwyn, one of the stars of The Brutalist (though probably still best known as Taylor Swift’s ex) have since been added to the list of presenters. This will be Gomez’s first appearance on the Oscars stage. Other presenters range from 25-year-old starlet Lily-Rose Depp (daughter of Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis) to 95-year old character actress June Squibb.

Conan O’Brien will host the telecast for the first time. Nick Offerman will serve as announcer.

The 2025 Oscars will air live on ABC and stream live on Hulu on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the official live red carpet show airing at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

Here are the performers and presenters for the 2025 Oscars.

Performers

Doja Cat

Cynthia Erivo

Ariana Grande

LISA of Blackpink

Queen Latifah (Quincy Jones tribute)

RAYE

Presenters

Joe Alwyn

Dave Bautista

Halle Berry

Sterling K. Brown

Penélope Cruz

Willem Dafoe

Ana de Armas

Lily-Rose Depp

Robert Downey Jr.

Elle Fanning

Harrison Ford

Gal Gadot

Andrew Garfield

Whoopi Goldberg

Selena Gomez

Goldie Hawn

Samuel L. Jackson

Scarlett Johansson

John Lithgow

Cillian Murphy

Connie Nielsen

Amy Poehler

Margaret Qualley

Da’Vine Joy Randolph

Alba Rohrwacher

Zoe Saldaña

June Squibb

Ben Stiller

Emma Stone

Oprah Winfrey

Bowen Yang

Rachel Zegler

26 Feb 2025

Queen Latifah to Take Part in Quincy Jones Tribute at 2025 Oscars

Queen Latifah is set to take part in a tribute to Quincy Jones on the 2025 Oscars, which is set to air on Sunday (March 2) from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The actor and musician performed on two tracks on Jones’ 1995 album Q’s Jook Joint.

The news was announced by Raj Kapoor, the telecast’s executive producer and showrunner, during a press conference on Zoom with the creative team. “One of the most exciting things that we’ve worked on this year is a musical performance that will tribute Quincy Jones,” he said.

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“We’ve planned and curated this beautiful moment that we hope will uplift the room, that will celebrate the spirit of Quincy and all of his greatness,” said Kapoor, who is co-executive producing the show for the second year in a row (and is part of the Oscars team for the ninth time). “It’s a beautiful moment, and we think it will be very celebratory and make everybody feel really good.”

It’s no surprise that Jones will be receive a special tribute on the show. The producer and musician, who died in November at age 91, made Oscar history many times. He was the first Black musician to be hired as music director on the annual Oscar telecast. In 1967, he became the first Black composer to receive an Oscar nomination for best original song. Jones is, to this day, the only Black composer with three nods in scoring categories, for his work on In Cold Blood (1967), The Wiz (1978) and The Color Purple (1985).

Will Smith, who starred in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, which Jones executive produced, would have been a natural for the Jones tribute, but he was banned from all Academy Award events for 10 years in 2023 following his misbehavior on that year’s telecast.

Smith was part of the tribute to Jones on the Grammy Awards on Feb. 2. He shared memories of working with Jones on the show, which Kapoor also executive produced. The Grammys also featured musical tributes to the beloved musician by Herbie Hanock, Cynthia Erivo, Stevie Wonder, Lainey Wilson, Jacob Collier and Janelle Monáe.

In the Zoom conference, the Oscars’ first-time music director Michael Bearden said he has long walked in Jones’ footsteps. Both men were born on the south side of Chicago, moved to New York, and then moved to Los Angeles. “Quincy is really the blueprint of what I’m able to do,” he said.

While the creative team was reluctant to spoil surprises, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo are expected to perform a Wicked medley to kick off the Oscars ceremony. Other performers on the show are Doja Cat, Raye and BLACKPINK’S LISA. The 97th Oscars will also feature a special appearance by the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

First-time show host Conan O’Brien explained the team’s reluctance. “You don’t tell people what you’re going to do. A magician told me that.”

O’Brien has hosted the Primetime Emmys twice (in 2002 and 2006) and the MTV Movie Awards (in 2014). But as he said, the Oscars are on another level. “The Oscars feels it’s all of that on steroids,” he said. “The Oscars team is incredibly professional. It’s like for the first time getting to drive a Ferrari. … I wanted to be part of this magical machine.”

O’Brien said he reached out to past hosts Billy Crystal and Jimmy Kimmel for advice. Crystal has hosted the show nine times; Kimmel, four times.

Kapoor announced there will be a charitable component to the show, as there was on the Grammys. “People will be able to interact, and they are free to donate if they would like to.”

Kapoor, Bearden and O’Brien were joined on the Zoom call by executive producer Katy Mullan, co-executive producer Rob Paine, producer and writer Mike Sweeney, writer Jon Macks, production designer Alana Billingsley and supervising choreographer Mandy Moore.

26 Feb 2025

Brooks & Dunn to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2025 Western Heritage Awards

Brooks & Dunn are set to receive a lifetime achievement award at the 64th Western Heritage Awards, which will be presented at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Okla., on Saturday, April 12.

Each year, the museum recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Western heritage through works in film, television, literature and music.

Kix Brooks, 69, and Ronnie Dunn, 71, comprise one of the most successful duos in country music history. They have won vocal duo of the year at the Country Music Association Awards a record 15 times. (They won last fall, beating Brothers Osborne and Dan + Shay, who between them had won the eight previous years, as well as The War and Treaty and Maddie and Tae.)

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Brooks & Dunn were voted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2019.

In regular award categories, Hilary Gardner’s On the Trail With the Lonesome Pine will receive the award for traditional Western album. “I Am a Cowboy,” composed by Montie Carol Montgomery and recorded by Caleb Martin, will receive the award for original Western composition.

The Museum will hold a Kick-Off Party on Friday, April 11, at 5:30 p.m. to offer the public the opportunity to mingle with inductees and honorees. Tickets are $70 for museum members and $85 for general admission. Tickets for the Saturday Western Heritage Awards ceremony are $250. Tickets for both events will be available for purchase on Feb. 26 at 8 a.m. CT.

Founded in 1955, the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum collects, preserves and exhibits a collection of Western art and artifacts while sponsoring educational programs to stimulate interest in the legacy of the American West.

26 Feb 2025

John P. Kee to Be Honored at 2025 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards

Gospel music pioneer and pastor John P. Kee will be honored as a Trailblazer of Gospel at the 2025 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards, to be held at Flourish Atlanta on Thursday, April 3.

Throughout the ceremony, BMI will also recognize the songwriters, producers and music publishers of the past year’s 25 most performed gospel songs in the United States. The private event will be hosted by Mike O’Neill, BMI president & CEO, and Catherine Brewton, BMI vp, creative, Atlanta.

“John P. Kee is a true visionary in the genre, and his music continues to have an impact in gospel music for over 40 years and counting,” Brewton said in a statement. “It’s an honor to recognize his dedication and the unwavering commitment he’s made through his artistry and evangelism.”

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Kee, known as the Prince of Gospel Music, is widely recognized for his contributions to contemporary gospel music. In the mid 1980s, he started a community choir in Charlotte, N.C., that eventually became known as the New Life Community Choir (NLCC). Over the course of his professional career spanning almost four decades, he has written music for Hallmark, Inc., The Hawkins Family, Daryl Coley, Billy Preston, Dorinda Clark Cole, Rev. James Cleveland, Bishop Rance Allen, Florida Mass Choir, Mississippi Mass Choir, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and for the legendary Dr. James Cleveland’s Gospel Music Workshop of America, among others.

His music has been featured in film, television, commercials and on Saturday Night Live. Throughout his solo career and his work with NLCC, he has amassed 37 GMWA Excellence Awards, 27 Stellar Awards, three BMI Awards, two Billboard Music Awards, a Soul Train Music Award, a Trailblazer Award from former President Bill Clinton and received eight Grammy nominations. Adding to his list of accolades, Kee was inducted into the International Gospel Hall of Fame in 2005 and was previously honored at the BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards in 2001 and 2005.

In addition, Kee has been the full-time pastor of the New Life Fellowship Center in Charlotte since its inception in 1995.

26 Feb 2025

Gracie Abrams, aespa, GloRilla, Tyla & More to Perform at Billboard Women in Music 2025

Billboard‘s Women in Music event wouldn’t be complete without a lineup of powerhouse musical performances, nor would the awards be nearly as meaningful without a slate of accomplished women on hand to present them. And on Wednesday (Feb. 26), the list of names for both were announced ahead of the 2025 ceremony.

Among the performers at this year’s show — taking place at 10 p.m. ET on March 29 — are Ángela Aguilar, aespa, GloRilla, Gracie Abrams, Megan Moroney, Muni Long and Tyla. As previously announced, each of those names will be honored with one of Billboard‘s several WIM titles, with the “Que Agonia” singer set to receive the Breakthrough Award and the K-pop quartet taking home Group of the Year. The Memphis rapper and former Eras Tour headliner are 2025’s Powerhouse Award recipient and Songwriter of the Year, respectively, while the country crooner will accept the Rulebreaker Award, the “Made for Me” artist will receive the Rising Star prize and the South African pop princess will take home the Impact Award.

Joining those women onstage will be Tanner Adell, Julia Michaels, Mickey Guyton, Kali Uchis, Madison Beer, Summer Walker and Zara Larsson, each of whom has been tapped to present.

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Additional performers will also be announced in the coming weeks.

Hosted this year by Laverne Cox, the 2025 Women in Music ceremony will take place at YouTube Theater at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, Calif. Fans can purchase tickets to the event on Ticketmaster or tune in live on VIZIO WatchFree+.

The aforementioned performers aren’t the only influential women receiving awards: Erykah Badu is also set to receive the Icon Award, JENNIE of BLACKPINK will be recognized with the Global Force Award and Meghan Trainor will accept the Hitmaker Award. The announcement for 2025’s Woman of the Year is coming soon.

26 Feb 2025

Rema, Ayra Starr & Tems Among Top Nominees for 2025 Headies Awards: Full List

Rema, Ayra Starr and Tems are among the top nominees for the 2025 Headies Awards, a pan-African music awards event set for April 5 in Lagos, Nigeria. This will mark the show’s return to Africa after holding its last two ceremonies in Atlanta. The Headies Awards will be livestreamed on YouTube (U.S.) and Hip TV (Nigeria).

Odumodublvck is the top nominee with eight nods. Rema and Ayra Starr each received seven. Tems, Shallipopi and Kizz Daniel each have six.

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Wale, Skepta, Chris Brown, Travis Scott and Chloe Bailey are vying for international artist of the year.

“We are so excited about this year’s Headies Awards,” Ayo Animashaun, executive producer and founder of The Headies, said in a statement. “Our stellar lineup features dynamic artists from around the globe who have impacted their audience and the industry.”

To mark its return to Africa, The Headies Awards introduces The Headies Festival with a series of activities showcasing the best of Afrobeats and hip-hop music, entertainment and culture. The  event schedule will commence on March 29, featuring events such as The Headies Stakeholder Brunch, Official Nominees Party, U.S. Consulate Reception and Afrobeats Conference and will climax with the Headies Awards ceremony.

The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, was established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.

Only music materials released and distributed on digital streaming platforms, and physical music media within the eligibility period (April 1, 2023, to July 31, 2024) were considered for nominations.

Here’s the complete list of nominations for the 2025 Headies Awards. For more details, visit https://theheadies.com.

Artiste of the year

Davido

Ayra Starr

Asake

Rema

Tems

Burna

Song of the year

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel

“Commas” – Ayra Starr

“Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad

“Lonely at the Top” – Asake

“Ozeba” – Rema

“Big Baller” – Flavour

Album of the year

Born in the Wild – Tems

Heis – Rema

The Year I Turned 21 – Ayra Starr

Stubborn – Victony

Work of Art – Asake

Rookie of the year

Zerry Dl

Taves

Kaestyle

Llona

Best recording of the year

Tems – “Burning”

Seyi Vibez – “Different Pattern”

Burna Boy – “Higher”

Ayra Starr & Giveon – “Last Heartbreak Song”

Sarz featuring Lojay – “Billions”

Best vocal performance (female)

Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song”

Niniola – “Level”

Simi – “Stranger”

Liya – “I’m Done”

Tomorrow – “Yemi Alade”

Best vocal performance (male)

Lojay – “Billions”

Omah Lay – “Moving”

Anendlessocean – “Gratitude”

Johnny Drille – “For You”

Timi Dakolo – “Ke Na Ke So”

Best collaboration

“Emotions” – Tiwa Savage Feat. Asa

“Blood on the Dance Floor” Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian and Wale

“Cast” – Shallipopi feat. Odumodublvck

“Egwu” – Chike and Mohbad

“Ole” – Qing Madi and Bnxn

“Twe Twe” Remix – Kizz Daniel and Davido

“IDK” – Wizkid feat. Zlatan

International artiste of the year

Wale – “Blood on the Dance Floor” (Odumodublvck)

Skepta – “Tony Montana” (feat. Portable)

Chris Brown – “Hmmm” (feat. Davido)

Travis Scott – “Active” (Asake)

Chloe Bailey – “Vision” remix (Qing Madi)

Music video of the year

“Charm” – Rema (Rema X Perliks X Folarin Oludare)

“Metaverse” – Olamide (Jyde Ajala)

“Like Ice Spice” – Blaqbonez (Perliks & Emeka Shine Shine)

“Ojapiano” – Kcee (Mattmax)

“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad (Director Pink)

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel (Tg Omori)

“Na Money” – Davido feat. Cavemen, Angelique Kidjo (Dammy Twitch)

Songwriter of the year

Simisola Kosoko – “Stranger” (Simi)

Chimamanda Pearl Chukwuma – “Vision” (Qing Madi)

Michael Ajuma Attah – “Can’t Breathe” (Llona)

Emoseh Khamofu – “Family Meeting (Bloody Civilian)

Fuayefika Maxwell – Stages of Life” (Wizard Chan)

Producer of the year

Sarz – “Happiness”

London – “Ozeba”

Magicstick – “Basquiat”

Rema/Producer X/Cubeatz/Deatz/Kilmberboy – “Hehehe”

Dibs – “Different Pattern”

Best R&B single

Qing Madi – “Vision”

Johnny Drille – “For You”

Simi – “Stranger”

Tems – “Burning”

Ayra Starr – “Last Heartbreak Song” feat. Giveon

Best rap single

“Cast” feat. Odumodublvck – Shallipoppi

“Blood on the Dance Floor” feat. Bloody Civilian & Wale – Odumodublvck

“Hallelujah” – Ladipoe, Rozzz & Morrelo

“Canada” – Magnito

“Ije Nwoke” – Jeriq

Best street-hop artiste

Seyi Vibez – “Different Patterns”

Ayo Maff – “Dealer” (feat. Fireboy Dl)

Shallipopi – “Cast” (feat. Odumodublvck)

Zhus Jdo – “Johnbull”

Mohbad – “Ask About Me”

Afrobeats single of the year

“Big Big Things” – Young Jonn feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez

“Twe Twe Remix” – Kizz Daniel

“Egwu” feat. Mohbad – Chike

“Remember” – Asake

“Ogechi” remix – Hyce, Boypee, and Brown Joel feat. Davido

“Big Baller” – Flavor

Lyricist on the roll

Mogadishu – A-Q

Chocolate City Cypher – M.I Abaga

Chocolate City Cypher – Blaqbonez

Hallelujah – Ladipoe

Efeleme – Alpha Ojini

Best inspirational single

“Gratitude” – Anendlessocean

“Worthy of My Praise” – Dunsin Oyekan feat. Lawrence Oyor

“Good God 2” – Limoblaze feat. Naomi Raine

“Particularly” – Gaise Baba feat. Tope Alabi

“You Do This One” – Mercy Chinwo

Headies’ viewers’ choice

“Big Big Things” feat. Kizz Daniel and Seyi Vibez – Young Jonn

“Ogechi” remix feat. Davido – Hyce, Boypee, And Brown Joel

“Egwu” – Chike & Mohbad

“Showa” – Kizz Daniel

“Different Pattern” – Seyi Vibez

“Ozeba” – Rema

“Love Me Jeje” – Tems

“Cast” feat. Odumodublvck – Shallipopi

“Dealer” feat. Fireboy Dml – Ayo Maff

“Big Baller” – Flavour

Best West African artiste of the year

Black Sherif (Ghana) – “January 9th”

King Promise (Ghana) – “Terminator”

Himra (Ivory Coast) – “Coulibaly & Diabaté”

Josey (Ivory Coast) – “Venez Bouger”

Toofan (Togo) – “Tone”

Best East African artiste of the year

Bien (Kenya) – “Wahala”

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) – “Mapoz”

Juma Jux (Tanzania) – “Enjoy”

Bruce Melodie (Rwanda) – “When She’s Around”

Azawi (Uganda) – “Masavu”

Best North African artiste of the year

Mohamed Ramadan (Egypt) – “Arabi”

Elgrande Toto (Morocco) – “Maghribi”

Soolking (Algeria) – “Tiki Taka”

Balti (Tunisia) – “Dima Mechi”

Abu (Eygpt) – “Hollela”

Best Southern African artiste of the year

Titom (South Africa) –“Tshwala Bam”

Yuppe (South Africa) – “Tshwala Bam”

Tyla (South Africa) – “Water”

Kelly Kay (Malawi) – “Bana Pwanya”

Plutonio (Mozambique) – “Acordar”

Zee Nxumalo (South Africa) – “Thula Mabota”

Best Central African artiste of the year

Innoss’b (DRC) – “Sete”

Gaz Mawete (DRC) – “Dendisa”

Emma’a (Gabon) – “Biso Mibale”

Eboloko (Gabon) – “Satanana”

Singuila. (Central African Republic) – “Sin Saison”

Kocee (Cameroun) – “Credit Alert”

Best rap album

Sideh Kai – Illbliss

Eziokwu – Odumodublvck

Alaye Toh Se Gogo Vol. 1 – Reminisce

Family Time – Erigga

Shiny Object Syndrome – Modenine

Soundtrack of the year

Eledumare – Teledalese (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)

Lose to Gain – Kaline (Breath of Life)

Kill Boro – Native Filmworks & Wizard Chan (Kill Boro)

Orisa – Beriola (Orisa)

Emotions – Tiwa Savage & Asa (Water and Garri)

Tribe Called Judah soundtrack – TCJ & Abbey Wonder (A Tribe Called Judah)

Next rated

Qing Madi

Shallipopi

Odumodublvck

Ayo Maff

Nasboi

Afrobeats album of the year

Stubborn – Victony

Work of Art – Asake

The Year I Turn 21 – Ayra Starr

Heis – Rema

Jiggy Forever – Young Jonn

Best performer (live)

Rema – Ravage Uprising: Rema Live From The O2, London

Omah Lay – Live at L’olympia Paris

Flavour – Celebrating You 2023

Wizard Chan – Live in Concert Port Harcourt

Burna Boy – African Giant Live From London

Femi Kuti & The Positive Force – Nuits De Fourvière (Arte Concert)

Digital artiste of the year

Ayra Starr

Rema

Shallipopi

Tems

Davido

Kizz Daniel

Asake

Special recognition

Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo A.K.A Kcee