Awards
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Hugh Evans, the Co-Founder and CEO of Global Citizen, has become the first Australian to be awarded the prestigious Sunhak Peace Prize.
Evans was named as the 2025 recipient of the award at the Sunhak Peace Prize Award Ceremony in Seoul, Korea on April 11, with his leadership and innovation in the mission to end extreme poverty cited as the reason for his recognition.
The Sunhak Peace Prize has been handed out on a largely biannual basis since 2015, with its Committee currently chaired by former European Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso. Evans received the 2025 award alongside laureates Patrick Awuah Jr., the Ghanaian Founder and President of Ashesi University, and Wanjira Mathai, Kenyan activist and Regional Director for Africa at the World Resources Institute.
“I am deeply honoured to receive the 2025 Sunhak Peace Prize,” Evans said in a statement. “While over $49 billion has been committed toward the end of extreme poverty, impacting 1.3 billion lives, our mission is more critical now than ever before. We are rising to the challenge – we’re innovating, expanding and will be activating across five continents in the coming year.
“I share this award with our incredible team, long-standing partners, generous supporters, and global citizens everywhere who have taken action with us over the past decade and beyond.”
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Evans co-founded Global Citizen in 2008 alongside Michael Sheldrick, Simon Moss and Wei Soo, with the organization focusing on education and advocacy to end extreme poverty and promote both social justice and equity on a global scale.
Global Citizen has utilized high-impact campaigns and live events in an effort to unite leaders across myriad fields, with its Global Citizen Festival launching in 2012 and taking place in numerous cities around the world since.
Its most recent event took place in New York City in September 2024, with Post Malone, Doja Cat, Jelly Roll and Rauw Alejandro appearing. On Thursday (April 10), Global Citizen announced its 2025 event will take place in Central Park on Sept. 27.
“As our world faces rising temperatures, growing inequality, and deepening uncertainty, this year’s Global Citizen Festival is an opportunity to push for real, lasting change,” said chief music and entertainment officer Katie Hill in a statement. “We’re excited to unite 60,000 global citizens on the Great Lawn of Central Park — together with some of the world’s biggest artists and advocates — to demand action. See you on September 27th!”
News of Evans’ award also coincides with Global Citizen’s announcement of new events, including the forthcoming Global Citizen NOW summit, November’s Global Citizen Festival: Amazonia in Brazil, and its involvement in the production of the inaugural FIFA World Cup final half-time show in July 2026.
Kendrick Lamar had a big night at the 2025 Grammys on Feb. 2, winning in all five categories he was nominated in with his smash single and video “Not Like Us.” Lamar could be headed for another big Grammy night next year. He could become the first solo male rapper to win album of the year, for his sixth solo studio album, GNX. The only rap artists to win in that category to date are Lauryn Hill, in 1999 for The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and OutKast, in 2003 for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.
If Lamar wins three Grammys, he would tie Jay-Z for the most career Grammys won by a rapper (25). If he wins four, he’ll set a new record (unless Jay also adds to his Grammy collection). The standings among rappers are currently: Jay-Z (25), Ye, formerly Kanye West (24) and Lamar (22).
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As we noted in a previous post, if Lamar wins record and/or song of the year for either “Luther” or “Squabble Up,” coming on the heels of his wins in those categories with “Not Like Us,” he’ll make history. He would become the fourth artist to win back-to-back awards for record of the year, following Roberta Flack, U2 and Billie Eilish, and just the second songwriter to win back-to-back awards for song of the year. D’ Mile won in 2021 for co-writing H.E.R.’s “I Can’t Breathe” and in 2022 for co-writing Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open.”
If Lamar wins best rap performance, that would be his eighth victory in that category, extending his lead as the artist with the most wins there.
But Lamar could make history even before the Grammys are presented next year. If GNX is simply nominated for album of the year – which seems almost certain – Lamar would make Grammy history. He would set these records. (The years shown are the years of the Grammy ceremonies.)
First Rapper to Land Five Album of the Year Nods as a Lead Artist
Lamar was nominated for album of the year for good kid. m.A.A.d. city (2014), To Pimp a Butterfly (2016), DAMN.(2018) and Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (2023). If he is nominated for a fifth time, he would pull ahead of Ye, who has received four album of the year nods as a lead artist – for The College Dropout (2005), Late Registration (2006), Graduation (2008) and Donda (2022).
First Black Male Artist to Land Five Album of the Year Nods as a Lead Artist
If he is nominated for a fifth time, he would become only the second Black artist to receive five album of the year nods as a lead artist. Beyoncé was nominated for I Am…Sasha Fierce (2010), Beyoncé (2015), Lemonade (2017), Renaissance (2023) and Cowboy Carter (2025), winning for the latter album. This would obviously make Lamar the first Black male artist to achieve this feat.
As noted, Ye has received four album of the year nods as a lead artist. Black or biracial artists who have received three album of the year nods as a lead artist are Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, H.E.R. and André 3000 (counting two albums with OutKast).
First Solo Artist to Be Nominated for Album of the Year With Five Consecutive Studio Albums
Lamar would become the first solo artist – from any genre – to be nominated for album of the year with five consecutive studio albums. Donald Fagen was nominated for album of the year with five consecutive studio albums — but that combined solo albums and albums he recorded as half of Steely Dan. He was nominated with Steely Dan’s Aja (1978) and Gaucho (1982), then his first two solo albums, The Nightfly (1983) and Kamikiriad (1994), and finally Steely Dan’s Two Against Nature (2001), which won. He issued no other studio albums in those years, so these five nominated albums were consecutive releases.
We need to quickly add that album release patterns were very different in the 1960s. Artists often had multiple albums in one year. In that era, it’s best to look at consecutive years with an album of the year nomination instead of consecutive studio albums to be nominated.
The Beatles are the only act in Grammy history to receive a Grammy nomination for album of the year in five consecutive years. They were nominated for the Help! soundtrack (1966), Revolver (1967), Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1968, which won), the Magical Mystery Tour soundtrack (1969) and Abbey Road (1970).
Barbra Streisand was nominated for album of the year in four consecutive years. She was a contender for The Barbra Streisand Album (1964, which won), People (1965), My Name Is Barbra (1966) and Color Me Barbra (1967). People competed in 1965 with the original cast album from Streisand’s Broadway triumph, Funny Girl. (That nomination went to the composers of the score.)
The eligibility period for the upcoming 68th Grammy Awards will end on Aug. 30. This is the second year in a row that the eligibility period has closed on that date. The eligibility period extends from Aug. 31, 2024, to Aug. 30, 2025. The Grammy eligibility year ran from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30 every […]
Austin City Limits is set to cap its 50th-anniversary celebrations with a special episode featuring Garth Brooks.
Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Honors Garth Brooks will have its broadcast premiere on May 3 at 8 p.m. ET. Recorded live at ACL’s studio home ACL Live in Austin, Texas, the hour-long special features Brooks performing many of his hits while sharing the stories behind many of those songs.
Brooks made his ACL series debut in 1990, shortly after the release of his 1989 self-titled debut, which included now-classic country songs such as “The Dance” and “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” A decade later, he returned to ACL to open and close ACL’s milestone season 25 with two hourlong episodes.
The new special will also highlight moments from Brooks’ ACL performances over the years. The special also features Brooks’ wife and fellow country artist Trisha Yearwood, as well as longtime ACL executive producer Terry Lickona, who inducts Brooks into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. Yearwood previously joined the ACL Hall of Fame in 2023 alongside John Prine.
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“You can bring all the smoke and mirrors you want, and trust me—I’ve used ‘em all,” Brooks said in a statement, “but you come here and it’s the real deal.” He added, “Always try to associate your name with a name greater than your own. Being associated with ACL has been one of the greatest assets of my career. I can’t thank Terry and the gang enough for all the years and all the love.”
“You can’t tell the story of Austin City Limits without Garth Brooks,” Lickona added. “Garth gets it. He gets what makes Austin City Limits special, and why it’s an honor for an artist to step onto that stage and deliver the best performance of their life. And it’s an honor for us to share that stage with artists like Garth, who have so much to offer.”
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the revered music institution, which premiered on PBS in 1975. Since 2014, the ACL Hall of Fame has honored artists who have played an essential role in the series’ half-century as a premier supporter of top-shelf music. The inaugural 2014 awards feted Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan.
In 2021, Brooks appeared on ACL for two non-broadcast events to close out Studio 6A on the University of Texas campus. Brooks’ performances marked the final shows at that historic studio, which served as ACL’s home until 2010, before it moved to downtown Austin.
Atticus Ross will receive the BMI Icon Award at the 41st annual BMI Film, TV and Visual Media Awards on May 14 in Beverly Hills, Calif. The ceremony will also salute the composers of the previous year’s top-grossing films, top-rated primetime network television series, and highest-ranking cable and streamed media programs. The event will be hosted by Mike O’Neill, BMI president and CEO,and Tracy McKnight, BMI VP, Creative, Film, TV & Visual Media.
Previous BMI Icon Award recipients include Terence Blanchard, Mychael Danna, Alexandre Desplat, Ramin Djawadi, Harry Gregson-Williams, James Newton Howard, Christopher Lennertz, Thomas Newman, Rachel Portman (PRS), Mike Post, Alan Silvestri, Brian Tyler and John Williams.
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“Atticus Ross’ unique ability to merge innovative sounds with cinematic storytelling has left an indelible mark on the industry, and we’re thrilled to recognize his extraordinary talent and achievements with the BMI Icon Award,” McKnight said in a statement.
Ross, 57, is best-known for his longstanding collaboration with Trent Reznor. They have composed some of the most memorable film scores of the past 15 years, including The Social Network, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Gone Girl, Soul (a collaboration with Jon Batiste), Mank, Queer and Challengers. Reznor and Ross have won two Academy Awards, two Grammy Awards, a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards and three Critics Choice Awards.
Their work in television includes Ken Burns and Lynn Novick’s lauded 18-hour documentary The Vietnam War and their Primetime Emmy-winning score to HBO’s Watchmen. (Reznor and Ross are just a Tony Award away from EGOT status.)
Ross is also notable for his collaborations with his brother Leopold Ross and his wife Claudia Sarne. Most recently, his work on FX’s Shōgun alongside Leopold and co-composer Nick Chuba garnered much acclaim, including two Primetime Emmy nominations and a Grammy nomination.
Ross is also a key member of Nine Inch Nails, joining in 2016, alongside Reznor. In 2020, the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with Iggy Pop doing the honors). Later this year, the band will embark on a sold-out global arena tour. They are also set to score Disney’s highly anticipated Tron: Ares, their first score under the Nine Inch Nails moniker. In addition to their musical endeavors, Ross and Reznor launched With Teeth, which encompasses film and TV production, products, and a music festival.
Ross has won 19 BMI Awards throughout his career for his scores on films and TV programs.
Globetrotting rockers Amyl and the Sniffers, acclaimed producer Dom Dolla, and Indigenous hip-hop supergroup 3% were all among the winners on Wednesday night (April 9) at the 2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards.
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Handed out at the Ivy in Sydney, the awards were hosted by radio host and passionate Australian music lover Nic Kelly, with some of the country’s most prominent and revered names in contention at this year’s event.
Amyl and the Sniffers led the pack, taking home two awards on the night. In the best LP/EP category, their third studio album Cartoon Darkness beat out the likes of RÜFÜS DU SOL, Amy Shark, Missy Higgins, and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, while their win as best live act saw them triumph over Tones and I, Parkway Drive, Confidence Man, and Dom Dolla.
While Dolla couldn’t attend the awards physically, he didn’t go home empty-handed. Despite three nominations, he only emerged victorious in one category, with the Rolling Stone global award seeing him beat out a talented range of nominees, including Kylie Minogue, Empire of the Sun, and Amyl and the Sniffers.
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“I’m absolutely shattered I can’t be there tonight to accept the Global Award, but very fitting considering the title of the award that I’m touring in America,” said Dolla, who will also headline the opening night of Bonnaroo alongside Luke Combs this June. “Thank you so much for considering me and for the award!”
Meanwhile, Indigenous Australian artists also took out two major categories at the event. For best single, Gamilaraay woman, musician and creator, Thelma Plum was recognized for her 2024 track “Freckles,” while best new artist was awarded to 3%, a hip-hop supergroup comprising Angus Field, Nooky and Dallas Woods. Their debut album, Kill the Dead, had previously won best hip-hop/rap release at the 2024 ARIA Awards.
For the readers’ choice category, Keli Holiday (who is also known as Adam Hyde from ARIA Award-winning electronic duo Peking Duk) took out the honor, with the hotly-contested category seeing him triumph over names such as Pond, Gut Health, SPEED, Delta Goodrem, and Crowded House, who were the recipients of 2024’s ‘Icon’ award.
This year, it was ICEHOUSE who were given ‘Icon’ status, with frontman Iva Davies on hand to share an acceptance speech.
“Thank you very much indeed, an amazing thanks to Rolling Stone, incredibly unexpected, I have to say,” Davies said in a speech. “I’ll name one person here tonight, the co-founder of Flowers and Icehouse bass player, Keith Walsh. Also, all the former members of the crew, and a special shout out to the man who put this all together, our production manager who has been working with us since 1986 – Mr Larry Ponting. Thanks for having us here.”
Icehouse first formed in Sydney as Flowers in 1977, issuing their debut album Icehouse in 1980 before adopting the name from then on. The record hit No. 4 in Australia, and No. 82 on the Billboard 200, while fifth album – 1987’s Man of Colours – hit the top of Australian charts and peaked at No. 43 on the Billboard 200. That record also boasted some of the group’s biggest internationally-successful singles, with “Electric Blue” and “Crazy” hitting No. 7 and 14 on the Hot 100, respectively.
In 2006, the group were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, while 1982 single “Great Southern Land” has often been considered an unofficial national anthem by Australian music lovers.
“There was a time when there was a band doing the rounds that were described as the highest earning unsigned act in the country, and they were called Flowers,” said presenter Richard Wilkins as he introduced the award. “We couldn’t help ourselves but fall in love with them, and all that changed when Flowers became ICEHOUSE and they went on to have massive hits all over the world. They are one of the greatest bands ever to come out of this great southern land.”
Rolling Stone AU/NZ is published by Vinyl Media, part of The Vinyl Group. “Tonight was a fantastic celebration of Australian music and the remarkable artists this country produces,” said editor-in-chief Neil Griffiths.
“All our nominees have been doing their bit to showcase the strength of Australian music on a global stage, and this was our opportunity to give something back.”
The fifth annual awards welcomed multiple new and returning sponsors this year, with headline partner American Apparel on board alongside Shure and JMC Academy.
2025 American Apparel Rolling Stone Australia Awards Winners
Rolling Stone Icon Award
ICEHOUSE (WINNER)
Best Single
Thelma Plum – ‘Freckles’ (WINNER)Amyl and the Sniffers – “U Should Not Be Doing That”Empire of the Sun – “Changes”Dom Dolla – “girl$”CYRIL – “Stumblin’ in”Baker Boy – “KING”
Best New Artist
3% (WINNER)CYRILBecca HatchMia WrayGut Health9lives
Best LP/EP
Amyl and the Sniffers – Cartoon Darkness (WINNER)RÜFÜS DU SOL – Inhale/ExhaleLime Cordiale – Enough of the Sweet TalkMissy Higgins – The Second ActAmy Shark – Sunday SadnessNick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Wild God
Best Live Act
Amyl and the Sniffers (WINNER)Confidence ManTones and IDom DollaParkway DriveTeen Jesus and the Jean Teasers
Readers’ Choice
Keli Holiday (WINNER)Radio Free AliceThelma PlumSPEEDPondGut HealthG FlipThe RionsDelta GoodremCrowded House
Rolling Stone Global Award
Dom Dolla (WINNER)Kylie MinogueAmyl and the SniffersConfidence ManNick Cave and the Bad SeedsEmpire of the Sun
Two new members were inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Hall of Fame on Tuesday (April 8): BMI singer/songwriter John Oates (in radio) and the National Football League, or NFL (in TV). The inductions were the highlight of a dinner at Encore in Las Vegas that was jointly presented by BMI and the NAB.
The event marked the end of BMI’s run hosting the dinner, with plans for NAB to continue the Hall of Fame tradition moving forward.
Oates, who first signed with BMI in 1972, was inducted into the NAB Radio Hall of Fame for his contributions to American radio, chiefly as the co-founder of Daryl Hall & John Oates, one of the most successful duos in music history. Hall & Oates amassed 16 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 — including seven that Oates co-wrote — including “Sara Smile,” “She’s Gone,” “You Make My Dreams,” “I Can’t Go for That (No Can Do),” “Maneater,” “Adult Education” and “Out of Touch.”
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Oates had previously received the BMI Icon Award and the BMI Troubadour Award. He has also received 10 BMI Pop Awards and 30 BMI Million-Air Awards for his songs’ repeated airplay. In addition, as a member of Hall & Oates, he received five Grammy nominations and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.
In accepting the award, Oates thanked the NAB for the honor and talked about the importance of radio in his life, sharing that the music played on the stations he listened to growing up was “indelibly printed on my soul, my mind, and it’s the music that made me. I owe everything to radio.” He then performed six songs: the Hall & Oates hits “Out of Touch” and “She’s Gone;” three solo songs, including “A Ways Away,” from an album slated for release later this year; and a rendition of the 1954 Ray Charles classic, “I Got a Woman.”
The NFL was inducted into the NAB Television Hall of Fame for its pioneering influence on sports broadcasting, from its early days to its role as a cultural powerhouse today. Since the first televised NFL game in 1939, the league has consistently broken barriers in the broadcasting world.
Rich Eisen, NFL Network broadcaster and host of The Rich Eisen Show, accepted the award on behalf of the NFL, acknowledging the league’s far-reaching impact on sports broadcasting and TV culture. A video produced by NFL Films was shown, highlighting the NFL’s journey in TV history, leading into Eisen’s acceptance speech and a video message from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
On BMI’s last time hosting what has become a highlight of the NAB Show, BMI CEO/president Mike O’Neill said, “In celebration of 75 amazing years, I can think of no better time or way to preserve the tradition of this evening than for BMI to hand it over to our incredible partners from the start, the NAB. We believe that the broadcasting industry and the creative community will always enrich one another, and BMI is honored to facilitate that vital relationship long into the future.”
The Association of Independent Music Publishers celebrated the work, successes and creativity of Nashville’s independent music publishers and songwriters on Tuesday evening (April 8) during the AIMP Nashville Country Awards held at Marathon Music Works. The evening awarded winners in eight categories.
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Hosted by media personality Storme Warren, the event saw many of Nashville’s songwriting and publishing elites gather to fete top songs, songwriters, artists and publishers. Rising artist-writer of the year and artist of the year nominees and winners, both past and present, paid homage to various tunes that have previously won the song of the year category.
2025 AIMP Nashville Awards
Kayla Schoen
HARDY performed the Little Big Town-recorded “Girl Crush,” Jordan Davis sang Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” Hailey Whitters offered a rendition of Midland’s “Drinkin’ Problem” and Carly Pearce performed Kacey Musgraves’ “Rainbow.” Lee Brice performed the Maren Morris hit “The Bones,” while Jackson Dean performed Brice’s “One of Them Girls.” Old Dominion sang Morgan Wallen’s “Sand in My Boots,” while Ashley McBryde sang Chris Stapleton’s “You Should Probably Leave.” Hannah Ellis and Nick Wayne teamed up to perform Davis’s hit “Next Thing You Know.”
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The evening also included a tender video tribute to the late Warner Chappell Music Nashville president/CEO Ben Vaughn, who passed away in January.
Wrensong Entertainment’s Ree Guyer said in a statement, “What a magical night celebrating the Nashville independent community of writers and publishers. There was an undeniable sense of community in the room. Thank you to my amazing awards committee, who worked incredibly hard to bring this night to life.”
2025 AIMP Nashville Awards
Kayla Schoen
See the list of this year’s winners and nominees below:
Rising songwriter of the year:
*7 nominees (because of a tie)Abram Dean – Independently published by Concord Music PublishingWINNER: Jon Decious – Independently published by OneRiot, ReservoirLalo Guzman – Independently published by SMACKSongsWyatt McCubbin – Independently published by 50 Egg Music, Tape Room MusicSteve Moakler – Independently published by Creative NationDaniel Ross – Independently published by Big Machine MusicChandler Walters – Independently published by Ern’s Cadillac Music, Big Loud Publishing
Rising artist writer of the year:
George Birge – Independently published by Big Machine MusicLaci Kaye Booth – Independently published by Big Machine MusicDylan Marlowe – Independently published by Play It Again Music, Relative Music GroupVincent Mason – Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music PublishingWINNER: Zach Top – Independently published by Major Bob MusicTucker Wetmore – Independently published by Back Blocks Music
Artist-writer of the year:
Ashley Cooke – Independently published by Back Blocks Music, Big Loud PublishingWINNER: Jordan Davis – Independently published by Anthem EntertainmentJackson Dean – Independently published by Little Louder MusicERNEST – Independently published by Big Loud PublishingHARDY – Independently published by Relative Music GroupCarly Pearce – Independently published by Altadena Music
Song champion of the year:
WINNER: Courtney Allen – Sr. Director, A&R, Concord Music PublishingGreg Gallo – VP, Creative, ReservoirShannan Hatch – SVP, Creative, SESACMaryAnn Keen – Director, Creative, BMI NashvilleSara Knabe – SVP, A&R, Big Loud MusicMelissa Spillman – VP, A&R, Concord Music Publishing
Publisher pick of the year:“Casseroles” written by Hillary Lindsey, Tom Douglas, and James Slater; Independently published by Concord Music PublishingPerformed by Hailey WhittersWINNER: “Hell Is A Dance Floor” written by Vincent Mason and Chase McDaniel; Independently published by Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing Performed by Vincent Mason“Killed A Man” written by Joe Fox, Geoff Warburton, and Jimi Bell; Independently published by Liz Rose Music, Big Machine Music, Range Music Publishing, Worktape Music Performed by Post Malone“Made In The USA” written by Ben Stennis, Emily Falvey, and Adam James; Independently published by SMACKSongs, Kobalt Music Publishing, Young Guns Publishing Performed by Cody Johnson“Midwest Rock & Roll” written by Ryan Hurd, Mark Holman, and Randy Montana; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Big Loud Publishing Performed by Ryan Hurd“The Loneliest Girl In The World” written by Laci Kaye Booth, Jon Stark, and Aby Gutierrez; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Dream3 Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Performed by Laci Kaye Booth
Song of the year:
“A Bar Song (Tipsy)” written by Mark Allen Williams, Joe Kent, Sean Cook, Collins Obinna Chibueze, Nevin Sastry, and Jerell Jones; Independently published by Kobalt Music, Seeker Music, Range Music PublishingPerformed by Shaboozey“Burn It Down” written by Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna, and Parker McCollum; Independently published by Concord Music Publishing, Liz Rose Music, Creative NationPerformed by Parker McCollum“I Had Some Help” written by Ernest Keith Smith, Chandler Walters, Ashley Gorley, Morgan Wallen, Austin Post, Hoskins, Louis Bell, Ryan Vojtesak; Independently published by Big Loud Publishing, Ern’s Cadillac Music, Domain Capitol Group Performed by Post Malone & Morgan Wallen“Lies Lies Lies” written by Jessie Jo Dillon, Daniel Ross, Chris Tompkins, Josh Miller; Independently published by Big Machine Music, Concord Music Publishing, Boom Music GroupPerformed by Morgan WallenWINNER: “The Painter” written by Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins, and Ryan Larkins; Independently published by Big Machine MusicPerformed by Cody Johnson“Wind Up Missin’ You” written by Tucker Wetmore, Chris LaCorte, and Thomas Archer; Independently published by BackBlocks Music, Hang Your Hat Music, Concord Music Publishing, Combustion MusicPerformed by Tucker Wetmore
Songwriter of the year:
Rocky Block – Independently published by Big Loud PublishingWINNER: Jessie Jo Dillon – Independently published by Big Machine MusicAshley Gorley – Independently published by Domain Capitol GroupHunter Phelps – Independently published by Tape Room MusicTaylor Phillips – Independently published by Tape Room MusicJonathan Singleton – Independently published by 50 Egg Music
Top independent music publisher of the year:
Big Loud PublishingWINNER: Big Machine MusicConcord Music PublishingPurple Rabbit Music
Jennifer Lopez is set to return to the American Music Awards as both host and performer for this year’s show, which is set to air live from Las Vegas on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, on CBS, and streaming on Paramount+ in the U.S. This marks Lopez’s second time hosting the ceremony, a role she first took on in 2015 when she opened the show with “Waiting for Tonight,” which led into a dancing medley of 14 of the year’s biggest hits.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Lopez back to host the American Music Awards,” Jay Penske, CEO, Dick Clark Productions, said in a statement. “Jennifer’s incredible talent and incomparable stage presence make her the ideal host of the show. We know she will bring her one-of-a-kind energy to the official kick off celebration of summer.”
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Lopez teased her return to hosting on last fall’s top-rated American Music Awards 50th Anniversary Special on CBS, one of the most watched entertainment specials of the year. Lopez has performed on the AMAs more than 10 times.
Lopez has won three American Music Awards: favorite pop/rock female artist in 2003 and favorite Latin artist in both 2007 and 2011. In February 2001, Lopez famously became the only female artist to have the No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 (J.Lo) and No. 1 film at the box office (The Wedding Planner) simultaneously.
This will be the first regular American Music Awards broadcast in 2 and a half years, since the show in November 2022 that was hosted by comedian Wayne Brady. This will also be the first regular AMAs broadcast on CBS. The AMAs aired on ABC from 1974 to 2022.
This is also the first show since it moved to Memorial Day. The plan is for the show to air each Memorial Day, paying tribute to U.S. troops and veterans in addition to honoring the year’s hottest music stars. The show aired in January or February each year from 1974 through 2003, and then in October or November each year from 2003 to 2022.
Legendary producer Dick Clark created the show, which is known as the world’s largest fan-voted award show.
The 2025 AMAs will broadcast globally across linear and digital platforms. More details will be announced soon.
Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers will have access to stream live via the live feed of their local CBS affiliate on the service, as well as on demand. Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to stream live but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
The American Music Awards are produced by Dick Clark Productions, which is owned by Penske Media Eldridge, a joint venture between Eldridge Industries and Billboard parent company Penske Media.
Elton John and Brandi Carlile’s new collaborative album Who Believes in Angels?seems to have a good shot at a Grammy nomination for album of the year. Carlile was nominated in the category with both of her last two solo studio albums – By the Way, I Forgive You (at the 2019 ceremony) and In These Silent Days (2023). John was nominated three times in his 1970s heyday, with Elton John (1971), Caribou (1975) and Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy (1976).
Who Believes in Angels? was produced by Andrew Watt, who won a Grammy for producer of the year, non-classical in 2021 and was nominated for album of the year the following year for his work on the deluxe edition of Justin Bieber’s Justice.
What’s more, Ben Winston, one of the executive producers of the annual Grammy telecast, also served as an executive producer of An Evening With Elton John and Brandi Carlile, which aired on CBS on Sunday April 6. Does that give the album an edge in the Grammy voting process? No. But it shows that it’s front-and-center in terms of Grammy consciousness.
It may seem early to be thinking in terms of Grammy nominations, but it’s actually not all that early. We’re more than seven months into the Grammy eligibility year, which runs from Aug. 31, 2024 to Aug. 30, 2025.
If Who Believes in Angels? receives an album of the year nod, John will have a 55-year span of nominations in that category, which would put him in second place on the list of artists with the longest span of nods in that category. Tony Bennett has the longest span – 59 years from I Left My Heart in San Francisco (a nominee at the 1963 ceremony) to Love for Sale, his collab with Lady Gaga (a nominee at the 2022 ceremony). Ray Charles would fall to third place. His nods span 43 years, from Genius + Soul = Jazz (1962) to Genius Loves Company (2005).
Who Believes in Angels? is vying to become the 12th collaborative album to receive a Grammy nod for album of the year. It would be the third pairing where one artist was a generation older than the other. John is 35 years older than Carlile. There was a 60-year age gap between Bennett and Gaga; a 23-year age gap between Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.
You may have noticed that John’s double-album opus Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, widely regarded as his most classic work, was not listed among his nominees for album of the year. You may be wondering: How can that be? The album was released on Oct. 5, 1973, just 10 days before the end of the eligibility year, a bit late for it to register its full impact. John was nominated the following year with Caribou, a solid album, but not in the same league with Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. While Goodbye Yellow Brick Road should have been nominated, it probably wouldn’t have won. Stevie Wonder, then at his creative and commercial peak (and on a history-making Grammy roll), won that year for Innervisions.
Here’s a complete list of the 11 collaborations that have received album of the year nods, working backwards. Will Who Believes in Angels? join them? Place your bets. All chart references are to the Billboard 200; the years shown are the years of the Grammy ceremony.
2022: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga, Love for Sale
Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for LN