bbnews
Page: 260
Korean music company HYBE is more than getting by with its primary artist, BTS, on hiatus and its members pursuing solo projects and preparing for military duty. In 2022, HYBE’s revenue grew 41.6% to 1.78 trillion won ($1.41 billion at the Dec. 31, 2022 exchange rate), the company announced Tuesday (Feb. 21).
Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose 23.9% to 328.8 billion won ($260.5 million). Margins were thinner that in previous years, however. Last year’s operating margin (as a percent of revenue) fell to 13.4% from 15.1% in 2021 and 18.3% in 2020. Adjusted EBITDA margin dropped to 18.5% from 21.1% in 2021 and 20.2% in 2020.
HYBE breaks revenue into two main categories: artist direct-involvement and artist indirect-involvement. Direct involvement revenues cover such things as recorded music, touring and management. Recorded music sales improved 47% to 553.9 billion won ($438.9 million) and was the largest single revenue source. Concert revenue jumped 470.1% to 258.2 billion won ($204.6 million) as artists returned to touring after scaling back performances during the pandemic.
BTS may be taking a break but it’s still HYBE’s sales leader in album-loving Korea. Four HYBE artists were in the top 10 of Korea’s year-end album tally: BTS was No. 1 with 5.75 million units, Seventeen was No. 3 with 5.56 million units, Tomorrow X Together was No. 5 with 2.78 million units and ENHYPEN was No. 8 with 2.64 million units. Le Sserafim was the No. 15 artist with 1.29 million units. As a point of comparison, the top album in the U.S. last year, Taylor Swift’s Midnights, sold the equivalent of 1.8 million units.
Artist indirect involvement revenue grew only 9.7% in the calendar year. Merchandising and licensing improved 24.8% to 395.6 billion won ($313.5 million) and fan club revenue grew 47.1% to 67.1 billion won ($53.2 million).
In the fourth quarter, HYBE’s revenue grew 16.9% to 535.3 billion won ($424.2 million) in the fourth quarter of 2022. Recorded music revenue jumped 76.4% to 149.1 billion won ($118.2 million) and was the largest single source of revenue.
BTS’s global success has allowed HYBE to diversify itself and rely less on the K-pop super group. In 2017, Korea accounted for 72% of HYBE’s revenues compared to 14% for Japan and 9% for North America. In 2022, HYBE had grown 19-fold from 2017 and had almost evenly balanced business between its three main markets: Korea (33% of revenue), North America (32%) and Japan (28%). The rest of the world contributed just 7% of HYBE’s 2022 revenue — but that could change if the company’s newest investment works as expected.
HYBE’s recent acquisition of a leading stake in competing K-pop company SM Entertainment is an opportunity to develop in markets where it currently has little presence. CEO Park Jiwon explained during Tuesday’s earnings call that HYBE artists can benefit from SM Entertainment’s strong network and infrastructure in China and Southeast Asia. Likewise, HYBE believes it can help SM Entertainment in the North American market.
HYBE latest acquisition didn’t impact 2022 results but will help expand its presence outside of Korea in 2023. On Feb. 8, HYBE purchased QC Media Holdings, the parent company of Atlanta-based hip-hop label Quality Control Music, the home of Migos and Lil Baby, for $300 million. Quality Control will sit under HYBE America and the leadership of CEO Scooter Braun, whose Ithaca Projects was acquired by HYBE in 2021.
The 2023 NAACP Image Awards is announcing winners in several non-televised categories via streaming presentations all week long leading up to the live ceremony.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
During night one, hosted by actor Khleo Thomas, the NAACP presented a number of awards in the outstanding recording categories. Presenters included Crystal Renee Hayslett, Echo Kellum and Jotaka Eaddy.
On Monday night, Beyoncé took home the most awards, including outstanding female artist, outstanding soul/R&B song for “Cuff It” and outstanding album for Renaissance. The next top winner was Chris Brown with two awards for outstanding male artist and outstanding duo, group or collaboration (contemporary) with Wizkid for “Call Me Every Day” from his album Breezy.
Rihanna also picked up a win for outstanding music video/visual album for her song “Lift Me Up” from the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Other notable winners include Silk Sonic for outstanding duo, group or collaboration (Traditional) for “Love’s Train,” Black Panther: Wakanda Forever for outstanding soundtrack/compilation album, Quavo and Takeoff for outstanding hip hop/rap song for “Hotel Lobby,” and Erica Campbell for outstanding gospel/Christian song for “Positive.”
Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar tied for the most nominations in the music recording categories, with five, respectively. RCA Records/RCA Inspiration also received the most nominations across record labels, with 11 noms.
The NAACP will continue to recognize winners in non-televised categories virtually at 5 p.m. PT through Thursday, and at an awards dinner and program on Friday. Then on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, the 54th NAACP Image Awards will air live on BET from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium.
The NAACP Image Awards recognizes the achievements and performances of people of color across more than 80 categories. Find the full list of nominees here.
A complete list of the awards handed out the first night follows.
Outstanding International Song“Bad To Me” – Wizkid (RCA Records/Starboy/Sony Music International)Diana feat. Shenseea – Fireboy DML, Chris Brown (YBNL Nation / EMPIRE)“Last Last” – Burna Boy (Atlantic Records)“No Woman No Cry” – Tems (Def Jam Recordings) (WINNER)“Stand Strong” – Davido feat. Sunday Service Choir (RCA Records/Sony Music UK)
Outstanding Jazz Album – InstrumentalDetour – Boney James (Concord Records)Henry Franklin: Jazz Is Dead 014 – Henry Franklin, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Adrian Younge (WINNER)The Funk Will Prevail – Kaelin Ellis (NCH Music)The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni – Javon Jackson (Solid Jackson Records)Thrill Ride – Ragan Whiteside (Randis Music)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian Song“All in Your Hands” – Marvin Sapp (Elev8 Media & Entertainment LLC)“Fly (Y.M.M.F.)” – Tennessee State University (TSU/Tymple)“Positive” – Erica Campbell (My Block Inc.) (WINNER)“Whole World In His Hands” – MAJOR. (MNRK Music Group)“Your World” – Jonathan McReynolds (MNRK Music Group)
Outstanding Gospel/Christian AlbumAll Things New – Tye Tribbett (Motown Gospel)Hymns – Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Motown Gospel)Kingdom Book One – Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin (Tribl Records, Fo Yo Soul Recordings and RCA Inspiration) (WINNER)My Life – James Fortune (FIYA World/MNRK Music Group)The Urban Hymnal – Tennessee State University (TSU/Tymple)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Traditional)Kendrick Lamar feat. Blxst & Amanda Reifer – “Die Hard” (pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)Mary J. Blige feat. H.E.R. – “Good Morning Gorgeous Remix” (300)PJ Morton feat. Alex Isley and Jill Scott – “Still Believe” (Morton Records)Silk Sonic – “Love’s Train” (Atlantic Records) (WINNER)Summer Walker, Cardi B, and SZA – “No Love” (LVRN/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration (Contemporary)Beyoncé feat. Grace Jones and Tems – “MOVE” (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment)Chris Brown feat. Wizkid – “Call Me Every Day” (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment) (WINNER)City Girls feat. Usher – “Good Love” (Motown Records/Quality Control Music)Future feat. Drake and Tems – “Wait For U” (Epic Records)Latto feat. Mariah Carey and DJ Khaled – “Big Energy (Remix)” (RCA Records)
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album“About Damn Time” – Lizzo (Atlantic Records)“Be Alive” – Beyoncé (Columbia Records/ Parkwood Entertainment)“Lift Me Up” – Rihanna (Def Jam Recordings) (WINNER)LORD FORGIVE ME feat. FAT, Pharrell and OLU of EARTHGANG – TOBE NWIGWE (THE GOOD STEWARDS COLLECTIVE)The Heart Part 5 – Kendrick Lamar (pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation AlbumBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever – Music From and Inspired By – Ryan Coogler, Ludwig Göransson, Archie Davis and Dave Jordan (Hollywood Records) (WINNER)Bridgerton Season Two (Soundtrack from the Netflix Series) – Kris Bowers (Capitol Records)Entergalactic – Kid Cudi (Republic Records)P-Valley: Season 2 (Music From the Original TV Series) – Various Artists (Lions Gate Records)The Woman King – Terence Blanchard (Milan Records)
Outstanding Male ArtistBrent Faiyaz – Wasteland (Lost Kids)Burna Boy – Love, Damini (Atlantic Records)Chris Brown – Breezy (Deluxe) (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment) (WINNER)Drake – Honestly, Nevermind (OVO/Republic Records)Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers (pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)
Outstanding Female ArtistAri Lennox – age/sex/location (Dreamville/Interscope Records)Beyoncé – Renaissance (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment) (WINNER)Chlöe – Surprise (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment)Jazmine Sullivan – Hurt Me So Good (RCA Records)SZA – S.O.S. (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
Outstanding Soul/R&B Song“About Damn Time” – Lizzo (Atlantic Records)“Cuff It” – Beyoncé (Columbia Record/Parkwood Entertainment) (WINNER)“Good Morning Gorgeous Remix feat. H.E.R.” – Mary J. Blige (300)“Hurt Me So Good” – Jazmine Sullivan (RCA Records)“Lift Me Up” – Rihanna (Def Jam Recordings)
Outstanding Hip Hop/Rap SongBillie Eilish – Armani White (Def Jam Recordings)City of Gods – Fivio Foreign (Columbia Records)Hotel Lobby – Quavo, Takeoff (Motown Records/Quality Control Music) (WINNER)The Heart Part 5 – Kendrick Lamar (pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)Wait for U – Future feat. Drake and Tems (Epic Records)
Outstanding Albumage/sex/location – Ari Lennox (Dreamville/Interscope Records)Breezy (Deluxe) – Chris Brown (RCA Records/Chris Brown Entertainment)Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers – Kendrick Lamar (pgLang/Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope Records)Renaissance – Beyoncé (Parkwood/Columbia Records) (WINNER)Watch the Sun – PJ Morton (Morton Records)
This article originally appeared in THR.com.
Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” (via Columbia) is on track for a sixth U.K. chart title, though PinkPantheress might have other plans.
PinkPantheress’s viral hit “Boy’s a liar” (Warner Records) climbs to No. 2 on the midweek U.K. chart, and is hot enough to give Cyrus’ “Flowers” a duel in the second half of the chart cycle.
“Boy’s a liar” is already a career-high for the hotly-tipped British singer, songwriter and producer, soaring 8-3 on the most recent chart, published Feb. 17, doing so in its ninth week. It’s powered by a new cut featuring rising U.S. newcomer Ice Spice.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Meanwhile, Cyrus’ “Flowers” leads the Official Chart Update, and, if it holds its course, will log a sixth consecutive week at No. 1. It’s already the longest-reigning No. 1 single of 2023 so far.
Further down the chart blast, Nigerian musician, rapper and singer Rema eyes his highest-ever position with “Calm Down” (Mavin), set to climb 8-5; Dutch EDM star Tiësto and Canadian singer-songwriter Tate McRae’s “10:35” (Atlantic/Ministry of Sound) is set for a new peak, up 10-7; and Emerging Artists Chart champ Coi Leray’s is chasing a first top 10 berth with her viral rap number “Players” (Uptown/Republic Records), up 11-8.
The highest new entry on the Official U.K. Singles Chart should belong to Niall Horan, with “Heaven” (Capitol), lifted from the former One Direction singer’s forthcoming third solo album, The Show. “Heaven” is set to bow at No. 12. Since the members of 1D went their separate ways in 2015, the Irishman has logged two U.K. top 10 singles, and one albums chart crown, for 2020’s Heartbreak Weather.
Finally, following her performance on the BBC’s The Graham Norton Show, Pink’s “Trustfall” (RCA), the title track to her latest, ninth studio album, is set to lift 37-11, for what would be a new peak position. The Philly native should see a bump for album track “Never Gonna Not Dance Again,” which flies 39-19 on the chart blast.
All will be revealed when the Official Chart is published Friday.
It’ll take something special indeed to stop Pink from claiming the U.K. albums chart crown, as Trustfall (via RCA) sets the early pace.
Pink’s ninth studio album takes a strong lead at halfway stage. According to the Official U.K. Charts Company, Trustfall is outpacing its nearest rival by almost two-to-one, to lead an all-new top four at the midweek marker.
Should it hold its course, Trustfall will give the Philadelphia native her fourth U.K. chart leader, following Funhouse (from 2008), Beautiful Trauma (2017) and Hurts 2B Human (2019) — and third in succession.
Explore
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
With Pink all set for a return to the road, the pop superstar’s 2010 career retrospective Greatest Hits – So Far!!! is on track for a return to the top 40, blasting to No. 34 on the Official Chart Update.
Coming in at No. 2 on the latest chart blast is Inhaler’s Cuts & Bruises (Polydor), the Irish rockers’ sophomore effort.
It’s the followup to It Won’t Always Be Like This which, in 2021, saw Inhaler become the first Irish act to top the Official Chart with their debut LP in 13 years.
Meanwhile, Welsh rock act Those Damn Crows are swooping for a first U.K. top 10 appearance with Inhale/Exhale (Earache). It’s new at No. 3 on the chart blast. Those Damn Crows made their debut on the U.K. chart with 2020’s Point of No Return, peaking at No. 14.
Also eying a top 5 debut is Optical Delusion (London Music Stream), the latest serving from the veteran British electronic duo Orbital. Optical Delusion is tracking for a No. 4 start, for what would be the pair’s fourth top 10 album in the U.K., and first in nearly a quarter century; their last was 1999’s The Middle of Nowhere, which reached No. 4.
All will be revealed when the Official U.K. Albums Chart is published late Friday.
Nothing can crush “Flowers” (via Columbia) in the U.K., as Miley Cyrus’ track becomes the longest-reigning No. 1 single of 2023 so far.
The U.S. pop singer enters a fifth consecutive week atop the Official U.K. Singles Chart with “Flowers,” powered by 8.5 million streams across the cycle. That’s more than enough streams to lead all singles in that format for a fifth straight week.
“Flowers” is easily Miley’s biggest chart hit in the U.K., beating the single-week runs for her previous leaders “We Can’t Stop” and “Wrecking Ball,” both from 2013.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
After nabbing her first-ever U.K. top 10 spot earlier in the month, PinkPantheress pounces once more with “Boy’s a liar” (Warner Records), up 8-3 in its ninth week on the chart. It’s the third top 40 appearance for the British singer, songwriter and producer, and it’s helped up by a remix featuring rising U.S. rapper Ice Spice.
Linkin Park locks the highest new entry on the latest chart, published Feb. 17, with “Lost,” a previously unreleased track which features vocals from the band’s late leader singer Chester Bennington.
The nu-metal favorites bow at No. 18, for their first U.K. top 20 appearance in 14 years. “Lost” is one of six unreleased songs on Meteora 20, the 20th anniversary edition of their sophomore album. Meteora 20th Anniversary Edition will be released through Warner Records on April 7.
Further down the list, London rapper Strandz scores his first U.K. top 40 as “Us Against The World” (Relentless) jumps 42-27, while countryman Central Cee snags his 16th top 40 appearance with “Me & You” (Central Cee), new at No. 31.
Close behind is Brighton, England alternative-pop act Lovejoy with “Call Me What You Like” (Anvil Cat). It’s new at No. 32 for Lovejoy’s first top 40 appearance.
Finally, the Feb. 12 Brit Awards has juiced-up the chart performance of several winners, performers and nominees.
Among the beneficiaries is George Ezra “Green Green Grass” (Columbia), which lifts 19-14 after it was shortlisted for song of the year, eventually losing out to Harry Styles’ “As It Was” (Columbia), up 34-7 on the latest survey. Meanwhile, Lewis Capaldi’s “Forget Me” (Vertigo), which the Scotsman performed on the night, is up 44-37.
Paramore stands tall atop the U.K. albums chart as This Is Why (via Atlantic) blasts to No. 1.
This Is Why had led its closest rival at the midweek point by two-to-one, and it completes the job by securing the title.
According to the Official Charts Company, This Is Why, the Franklin, Tennessee-formed band’s sixth studio LP, was a particular hit on physical formats, which accounted for 76% of its final total.
The reunited trio of Hayley Williams, Zac Farro and Taylor York now has a third U.K. No. 1, including Brand New Eyes (from 2009) and Paramore (2013). This Is Why also leads the Official Vinyl Albums Chart, and it’s the best-seller in Australia.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Also new to the Official U.K. Albums Chart, published Feb. 17, is You Me At Six’s Truth Decay (Underdog), the Surrey, England group’s eighth studio album. It’s new at No. 4 for the rockers’ seventh consecutive top 10 appearance.
ABBA continues to mine Gold (Polydor) with their 1992 greatest hits collection, which improves 15-10. The set has now chalked up a ridiculous 1,085 weeks on the U.K. chart, and July 2021 became the first LP to log 1,000 weeks on the survey.
The Swedish pop legends have made a home of sorts in the U.K. with ABBA Voyage. Digital avatars of the band – or ABBA-tars, as the show’s producers insist on calling them – are performing through November at the purpose-built 3,000-capacity ABBA Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
Another legendary act makes an impact on the latest chart — The Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger and Co. bow at No. 21 with live hits collection GRRR! Live (Mercury Studios), for the Stones’ 54th top 40 appearance.
Finally, two major TV broadcasts produce chart bumps for several performers.
After performing a medley of hits for her Super Bowl halftime slot, Rihanna’s ANTI (Roc Nation) returns to the top 40 at No. 39. The Barbadian pop artist’s eighth studio album enjoys a 74% week-on-week gain as it improves 69 spots, the OCC reports, while RiRi’s 2007 album Good Girl Gone Bad (Def Jam) rises 41 places to No. 42.
Harry Styles won album, artist and song of the year at the 2023 Brit Awards. He’s a winner again as Harry’s House (Columbia/Sony) lifts 6-2, and his previous, sophomore set Fine Line improves 31-20 on the latest list.
And Brighton, England alternative pop duo Wet Leg’s chart-topping, eponymously-titled Domino Recordings debut flies 83 spots to No. 29, after winning for group of the year and best new artist at the BRITs.
Related Images:
Former Roadrunner Records executives Dave Rath and Cees Wessels are spearheading a fresh rock label, Blue Grape Music (BGM), Billboard can exclusively reveal.
Rath, former head of A&R at Roadrunner Records, and Wessels, founder and ex-CEO of Roadrunner, have a long — and loud — history with the harder-edged stuff. The pair played their parts in shaping the careers of Nickelback, Slipknot, Type O Negative, Killswitch Engage, Fear Factory, Sepultura, Turnstile and others.
The first signing to BGM is Code Orange, the two-time Grammy Award-nominated hardcore punk band from Pittsburgh, PA, and whose first release through the label is What Is Really Underneath?, a 14-track companion to 2020’s Underneath, a collection that is part-remix, part-soundtrack.
“I have been lucky enough to be on the ground floor with Dave Rath and Co. watching them build the foundation of Blue Grape Music,” comments Code Orange frontman Jami Morgan in a statement, unveiling the new project. “There is no group of people that I have more faith in to create a fresh, forward leaning home for rock music and beyond.
Expect BGM and its roster to operate in the harder lane.
“The focus of the label will lean toward all forms of rock music, along with music that may reflect the attitude that made rock music what it is,” Rath tells Billboard.
Blue Grape Music “strives to be a place where artists have the latitude, support, and resources to grow and create something meaningful,” he continues. “We look for music that takes the culture it came from and moves it forward to new places.”
Sony Music’s The Orchard handles distribution for BGM, which has the “muscle and reach of a major” with the “attention and dedication of an indie,” reads a statement. Each signing can expect to work with a team “carefully crafted to best serve their creative vision and goals,” the message continues.
To reach those goals, the venture taps Roadrunner alumnae Suzi Akyuz as senior vp of marketing, and Paolo d’Alessandro as executive vp of international.
Rath spent 21 years in the A&R and creative departments of Roadrunner, where he A&R’d albums by Slipknot, Korn, Gojira, Coheed and Cambria, Slash, The Amity Affliction, Trivium, Stone Sour, Dream Theater, Megadeth and more.
Wessels left Roadrunner in 2012, some 17 months after the completion of the rock and metal specialist’s sale to the Warner Music Group.
Blue Grape is headquartered in New York City with its European operation in Amsterdam. Additional signings will be revealed in the coming months.
“The collective history of BGM’s staff understands when to be patient, and when to move quickly,” Rath adds. “Our focus on providing artists with the support they need to express the best version of themselves is, first and foremost, our priority.”
SZA’s SOS era keeps unlocking achievements for the hitmaking singer-songwriter, who captures her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart as “Shirt” tops the tally dated Feb. 18.
The single pushes from No. 5 after a strong 19% jump in weekly plays that made it the most-played song on U.S. monitored R&B/hip-hop radio stations in the week ending Feb. 9, according to Luminate. Its sizable week-over-week improvement earned the track the weekly Greatest Gainer honor for the biggest play count increase among the chart’s 40 songs. KNDA-FM in Corpus Christi, Texas, led the way with the most plays this week, followed by KHTE-FM in Little Rock, Ark. as the second-biggest supporter and KBDS-FM in Bakersfield, Calif. in third.
With “Shirt,” SZA finally finds the right fit for a No. 1 on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay after seven previous top 10 efforts. She first broke the barrier in 2017 with her breakthrough hit, “Love Galore,” featuring Travis Scott, which reached No. 4, and became a staple at the format thanks to six more top 10s from her next 10 chart appearances. Here’s a full recap of SZA’s top 10 collection on Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay:
Song Title, Artist (if other than SZA), Peak Date, Peak Position“Love Galore,” featuring Travis Scott, No. 4, Sept. 2, 2017“The Weekend,” No. 4, Dec. 9, 2017“All the Stars,” with Kendrick Lamar, No. 9, March 31, 2018“Broken Clocks,” No. 8, May 12, 2018“Hit Different,” featuring Ty Dolla $ign, No. 10, Dec. 12, 2020“I Hate U,” No. 2, March 12, 2022“No Love,” with Summer Walker, No. 5, June 4, 2022“Shirt,” No. 1 (one week to date), Feb. 18, 2023
The count could grow in the very near future, as SZA’s latest hit, “Kill Bill,” repeats at No. 13. At just five weeks on the chart, it’s the youngest title in the top 15. And, despite the non-movement in rank, it improved 4% in plays in the latest tracking week.
Back to the current champ: In addition to securing SZA’s first chart-topper on the radio ranking, it returns one of the track’s co-writers and co-producers, Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, to the summit for the first time in 23 years. The hitmaker last reigned for his songwriting and production contributions with Destiny’s Child “Say My Name,” a three-week champ in 2000.
Elsewhere, “Shirt” rallies 7-3 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, which ranks songs based on combined audience totals from adult R&B and mainstream R&B/hip-hop radio stations. There, the song reached 19 million in audience, a 22% from its prior week’s total. Plus, “Shirt” climbs 4-3 on Rhythmic Airplay (up 10%) and flies 28-18 on the all-genre Radio Songs chart (up 21% to 34.2 million in total audience).
The NBA is taking things global for their upcoming halftime show at the 2023 All-Star Game. This year, the league tapped Burna Boy, Tems and Rema to anchor the Afrobeats-themed performance this Sunday night (Feb. 19) in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Explore
See latest videos, charts and news
See latest videos, charts and news
Along with the trio of Afrobeats stars, Post Malone will kick things off with a medley of hits at the show’s start. Jewel will perform the National Anthem, while Fast X star Vin Diesel will lead the player introductions for the newly named NBA All-Stars. The league will also honor LeBron James for breaking the scoring record two weeks ago. Last year, the NBA recruited DJ Khaled to perform at the halftime show, and he brought out Mary J. Blige, Snoop Dogg, Lil Wayne, Migos, Lil Baby and Gunna.
Before Sunday, the NBA will host a number of events leading up to the big night’s festivities, including this Friday’s (Feb. 17) Ruffles Celebrity Game. A myriad of musicians will play during this year’s outing, including Janelle Monae, 21 Savage, Cordae, Ozuna, Kane Brown, Nicky Jam and more.
In previous years, the NBA has reeled in a bevy of musical talents to play at its celebrity game, including J. Cole, Jack Harlow, Common and Quavo. The Migos frontman dazzled in both of his appearances. In 2018, he scored 19 points and won the MVP award. The following year, he had a game-high of 27 points.
For fans interested in watching the Celebrity Game, it begins at 7 p.m. ET and will air exclusively on ESPN. It will also be available on the ESPN App, while the All-Star game will air Sunday night at 8 p.m. ET on TNT.