Ed Sheeran to release ‘=’ in October

Welcome back, Ed Sheeran.

On Thursday (Aug. 19), the British musician announced the upcoming release of his fourth studio album. Titled = (Equals), the record is due out Oct. 29 through Atlantic Records. Fans have already gotten a firsthand listen to the new album with the release of its first single “Bad Habits.”

Pre-orders for the record are now available here.

“‘=’ (Equals) is a really personal record and one that means a lot to me,” explains the musician.

“My life changed greatly over the past few years – I got married, became a father, experienced loss, and I reflect on these topics over the course of the album. I see it as my coming-of-age record, and I can’t wait to share this next chapter with you.”

To coincide with the new album announcement, Sheeran has revealed the album’s tracklisting. The 14-song album will include songs about love “The Joker and the Queen,” “First Times,” “2step”), loss (“Visiting Hours”), resilience (“Can’t Stop the Rain”), and fatherhood (“Sandman,” “Leave Your Life”).

As if all of that wasn’t enough, Sheeran has also released the official performance video for the song “Visiting Hours.” The almost four-minute track finds Sheeran coming to terms with the loss of his mentor and friend, Michael Gudinski. The song was reportedly written shortly after his passing and features backing vocals from Gudinski’s close friends, Kylie Minogue and Jimmy Barnes.

Watch the video for “Visiting Hours” above.

= is the follow-up to 2017’s ÷.

÷ TRACKLISTING

1. “Tides”

2. “Shivers”

3. “First Times”

4. “Bad Habits”

5. “Overpass Graffiti”

6. “The Joker and the Queen”

7. “Leave Your Life”

8. “Collide”

9. “2step”

10. “Stop the Rain”

11. “Love in Slow Motion”

12. “Visiting Hours”

13. “Sandman”

14. “Be Right Now”

Kendrick Lamar, Ed Sheeran lead 2018 Billboard Music Awards nominations

The 2018 Billboard Music Awards nominees have been unveiled and it looks like Kendrick Lamar and Ed Sheeran are leading the pack with the most nominations this year. On Tuesday (April 17), the official list of nominees for this year’s event was announced, revealing that Lamar and Sheeran are tied with a total of 15 nominations apiece. Both Grammy winners’ nominations include Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album, Top Hot 100 Song, and Top Selling Album.

Coming in second with a total of 14 nominations is Bruno Mars. Mars, who is also a recent Grammy winner, is nominated for Top Radio Songs Artist, Top R&B Artist, and Top R&B Song which features two of his current hits (“That’s What I Like” and “Finesse” with Cardi B).

Right behind Mars is Post Malone with a total of 12 nominations. The “Rockstar” rapper’s nominations include Top Collaboration with 21 Savage for “Rockstar,” Top Streaming Songs Artist, and Top Streaming Song (Audio) which features two of his songs (“Rockstar” and “Congratulations”).

Injecting the awards show with a little bit of rock are the guys from Imagine Dragons who garnered a total of 10 nominations this year. The Las Vegas guys’ nominations include Top Radio Song, Top Duo/Group, and Top Selling Song which include two of their Evolve singles; “Believer” and “Thunder.”

Tied with a total of eight nominations apiece are Cardi B and Justin Bieber. The Bronx-based rapper’s nominations include Top Streaming Songs Artist, Top Streaming Song (Video) for “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” and Top New Artist.

As for Bieber, most of his nominations come in the form of song contributions (Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s “Despactio” and DJ Khaled’s “I’m the One”). The only non-contribtuion nomination the pop star received this year is in the Top Social Artist category.

The 2018 Billboard Music Awards will take place on May 20, live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The complete event will air live on NBC beginning at 8 p.m. EST. Tickets for the awards show went on sale last week and can currently be purchase here.

For now, the complete list of nominations for this year’s awards show can be seen below.

BILLBOARD MUSIC AWARDS 2018 NOMINEES:

Top Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift

Top New Artist:
21 Savage
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Khalid
Kodak Black

Billboard Chart Achievement Award:
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Drake
Sam Hunt
Ed Sheeran

Top Male Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran

Top Female Artist:
Camila Cabello
Cardi B
Halsey
Demi Lovato
Taylor Swift

Top Duo/Group:
The Chainsmokers
Coldplay
Imagine Dragons
Migos
U2

Top Billboard 200 Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Ed Sheeran
Chris Stapleton
Taylor Swift

Top Hot 100 Artist:
Imagine Dragons
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran

Top Streaming Songs Artist:
Cardi B
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran

Top Song Sales Artist:
Imagine Dragons
Kendrick Lamar
Bruno Mars
Post Malone
Ed Sheeran

Top Radio Songs Artist:
Halsey
Imagine Dragons
Bruno Mars
Charlie Puth
Ed Sheeran

Top Social Artist:
Justin Bieber
BTS
Ariana Grande
Demi Lovato
Shawn Mendes

Top Touring Artist:
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
Bruno Mars
Ed Sheeran
U2

Top R&B Artist:
Chris Brown
Khalid
Bruno Mars
SZA
The Weeknd

Top R&B Male Artist:
Khalid
Bruno Mars
The Weeknd

Top R&B Female Artist:
Beyoncé
Rihanna
SZA

Top R&B Tour:
Bruno Mars
Lionel Richie
The Weeknd

Top Rap Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Uzi Vert
Migos
Post Malone

Top Rap Male Artist:
Drake
Kendrick Lamar
Post Malone

Top Rap Female Artist:
Bhad Bhabie
Cardi B
Nicki Minaj

Top Rap Tour:
J. Cole
JAY-Z
Kendrick Lamar

Top Country Artist:
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

Top Country Male Artist:
Sam Hunt
Thomas Rhett
Chris Stapleton

Top Country Female Artist:
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris

Top Country Duo/Group Artist:
Florida Georgia Line
Old Dominion
Zac Brown Band

Top Country Tour:
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill

Top Rock Artist:
Imagine Dragons
Linkin Park
Portugal. The Man
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
twenty one pilots

Top Rock Tour:
Coldplay
Guns N’ Roses
U2

Top Latin Artist:
J Balvin
Daddy Yankee
Luis Fonsi
Ozuna
Romeo Santos

Top Dance/Electronic Artist:
The Chainsmokers
Calvin Harris
Kygo
Marshmello
ODESZA

Top Christian Artist:
Elevation Worship
Hillsong UNITED
Hillsong Worship
MercyMe
Zach Williams

Top Gospel Artist:
Anthony Brown and group therAPy
Travis Greene
J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise
Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Tamela Mann

Top Billboard 200 Album:
Drake – More Life
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Post Malone – Stoney
Ed Sheeran – ÷ (Divide)
Taylor Swift – reputation

Top Selling Album:
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
P!nk – Beautiful Trauma
Ed Sheeran – ÷ (Divide)
Chris Stapleton – From a Room: Volume 1
Taylor Swift – reputation

Top Soundtrack:
Black Panther
The Fate of the Furious: The Album
The Greatest Showman
Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2: Awesome Mix Vol. 2
Moana

Top R&B Album:
Khalid – American Teen
Bruno Mars – 24K Magic
SZA – CTRL
The Weeknd – Starboy
XXXTENTATION – 17

Top Rap Album:
Drake – More Life
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Lil Uzi Vert – Luv is Rage 2
Migos- Culture
Post Malone – Stoney

Top Country Album:
Kane Brown – Kane Brown
Luke Combs – This One’s for You
Thomas Rhett – Life Changes
Chris Stapleton – From a Room: Volume 1
Brett Young – Brett Young

Top Rock Album:
Imagine Dragons – Evolve
Linkin Park – One More Light
Panic! at the Disco – Death of a Bachelor
Portugal. The Man – Woodstock
U2 – Songs of Experience

Top Latin Album:
Nicky Jam – Fenix
Christian Nodal – Me Deje Llevar
Ozuna – Odisea
Romeo Santos – Golden
Shakira – El Dorado

Top Dance/Electronic Album:
Avicii – AVĨCI (01)
The Chainsmokers – Memories…Do Not Open
Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1
Kygo – Stargazing
ODESZA – A Moment Apart

Top Christian Album:
Elevation Worship – There is a Cloud
Hillsong UNITED – Wonder
Hillsong Worship – Let There Be Light
Alan Jackson – Precious Memories Collection
MercyMe – Lifer

Top Gospel Album:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy – A Long Way from Sunday
Travis Greene – Crossover: Live from Music City
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise – You Deserve It
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Heart. Passion. Pursuit
Marvin Sapp – Close

Top Hot 100 Song:
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber – “Despacito”
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble.”
Bruno Mars – “That’s What I Like”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “Rockstar”
Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”

Top Streaming Song (Audio):
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber – “Despacito”
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble.”
Lil Uzi Vert – “XO Tour LLIF3”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “Rockstar”
Post Malone ft. Quavo – “Congratulations”

Top Streaming Song (Video):
Cardi B – “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber – “Despacito”
Lil Pump – “Gucci Gang”
Bruno Mars – “That’s What I Like”
Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”

Top Selling Song:
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber – “Despacito”
Sam Hunt – “Body Like a Back Road”
Imagine Dragons – “Believer”
Imagine Dragons – “Thunder”
Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”

Top Radio Song:
The Chainsmokers and Coldplay – “Something Just Like This”
Imagine Dragons – “Believer”
Bruno Mars – “That’s What I Like”
Charlie Puth – “Attention”
Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”

Top Collaboration:
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana”
The Chainsmokers and Coldplay  “Something Just Like This”
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber – “Despacito”
French Montana ft. Swae Lee – “Unforgettable”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “Rockstar”

Top R&B Song:
Childish Gambino – “Redbone”
DJ Khaled ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller – “Wild Thoughts”
Khalid – “Young Dumb & Broke”
Bruno Mars – “That’s What I Like”
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse”

Top Rap Song:
Cardi B – Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil’ Wayne – “I’m the One”
French Montana ft. Swae Lee – “Unforgettable”
Kendrick Lamar – “Humble.”
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “Rockstar”

Top Country Song:
Kane Brown ft. Lauren Alaina – “What Ifs”
Sam Hunt – “Body Like a Back Road”
Dustin Lynch – “Small Town Boy”
Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line – “Meant to Be”
Brett Young – “In Case You Didn’t Know”

Top Rock Song:
Imagine Dragons – “Believer”
Imagine Dragons – “Thunder”
Linkin Park ft. Kiiara – “Heavy”
Portugal. The Man – “Feel It Still”
The Revivalists – “Wish I Knew You”

Top Latin Song:
J Balvin and Willy William ft. Beyoncé – “Mi Gente”
Becky G ft. Bad Bunny – “Mayores”
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber – “Despacito”
Maluma – “Felices Los 4”
Wisin ft. Ozuna – “Escapate Conmigo”

Top Dance/Electronic Song:
The Chainsmokers and Coldplay – “Something Just Like This”
Cheat Codes ft. Demi Lovato – “No Promises”
Clean Bandit ft. Sean Paul and Ann-Marie – “Rockabye”
Kygo and Selena Gomez – “It Ain’t Me”
Zedd and Alessia Cara – “Stay”

Top Christian Song:
Elevation Worship – “O Come to the Altar”
Hillsong Worship – “What a Beautiful Name”
Lecrae ft. Tori Kelly – “I’ll Find You”
MercyMe – “Even If”
Zach Williams -“Old Church Choir”

Top Gospel Song:
Anthony Brown & group therAPy – “Trust In You”
Travis Greene – “You Waited”
J.J. Hairston & Youthful Praise – “You Deserve It”
Tamela Mann – “Change Me”
Charlie Wilson – “I’m Blessed”

Lady Gaga, The Killers, Coldplay to cover Elton John for new tribute albums

 

Elton John may be saying farewell to his own yellow brick road with a massive final world tour, but don’t think that’s the only thing the iconic performer is giving fans before his final curtain call. On Thursday (March 15), it was announced that John will be releasing a huge 26-track double disc featuring covers of some of his iconic tunes. The records, which have been titled Revamp and Restoration, will feature artists from the pop, rock, and country genres of music putting their own spin on some of John and longtime lyricist Bernie Taupin’s biggest hits.

Revamp will feature a collection of predominately pop and rock artists covering some of John’s hits such “Tiny Dancer” (Florence + the Machine), “Candle in the Wind” (Ed Sheeran), “Your Song” (Lady Gaga), “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” (The Killers), and many more.

In a press statement, John reveals that he created a list of artists that he wanted to commission to work on the Revamp side of the double disc.

“On Revamp, I wrote out a wish list of people that I would love and asked them and to my surprise, most of them said yes, and we have quite an astonishing eclectic crew.”

As for Restoration, the second album, John explains that it was all about Taupin and what he wanted.

“God, we have so many great artists doing our songs, it’s quite incredible. Restoration was Bernie [Taupin]’s project and he’s a huge country fan. He came up with an astonishing list of country performers, both new and legendary.”

Unlike Revamp, Restoration will feature all country music artists. The record will bring together some of the newer faces of country alongside some classic country musicians. Current stars like Little Big Town, Marren Morris, Miranda Lambert, and Kacey Musgraves will join the likes of Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Rosanne Cash on the record.

For many of the artists featured on the records, this will not be their first time working with John and Taupin. Back in January, musicians including Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus, Alessia Cara, Coldplay’s Chris Martin, and Lady Gaga took part in CBS’ special Elton John: I’m Still Standing – A Grammy Salute. The show was put together by the Recording Academy to honor both John and Taupin for their contribution to the music world.

Revamp and Restoration currently has a tentative release date of April 6.

The covers album comes a few months after John announced his final massive outing for his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. The multi-year, 300-show excursion will kick off this fall after he wraps up his Las Vegas residency.

For now, the complete tracklisting for both Revamp and Restoration can be seen below.

Revamp Tracklisting:
1. “Bennie and the Jets” – Elton John, P!nk, Logic
2. “We All Fall in Love Sometimes” – Coldplay
3. “I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues” – Alessia Cara
4. “Candle in the Wind” – Ed Sheeran
5. “Tiny Dancer” – Florence + The Machine
6. “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” – Mumford & Sons
7. “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” – Mary J. Blige
8. “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” – Q Tip feat. Demi Lovato
9. “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” – The Killers
10. “Daniel” – Sam Smith
11. “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me” – Miley Cyrus
12. “Your Song” – Lady Gaga
13. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” – Queens of the Stone Age

Restoration Tracklisting:
1. “Rocket Man” – Little Big Town
2. “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” – Maren Morris
3. “Sacrifice” – Don Henley and Vince Gill
4. “Take Me to the Pilot” – Brothers Osborne
5. “My Father’s Gun” – Miranda Lambert
6. “I Want Love” – Chris Stapleton
7. “Honky Cat” – Lee Ann Womack
8. “Roy Rogers” – Kacey Musgraves
9. “Please” – Rhonda Vincent and Dolly Parton
10. “The Bitch is Back” – Miley Cyrus
11. “Sad Songs (Say So Much)” – Dierks Bentley
12. “This Train Don’t Stop” – Rosanne Cash and Emmylou Harris
13. “Border Song” – Willie Nelson

iHeartRadio Music Awards unveil list of 2018 nominees

Now that 2017 has come to an end, iHeartMedia is ready to celebrate the artists that were widely played on their radio stations throughout the year. On Wednesday (Jan. 10), iHeartMedia announced the nominees for the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Leading the pack with a total of seven nominations are Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee for their summer slam hit, “Despacito.” The song is nominated for “Song of the Year,” “Best Collaboration,” “Latin Song of the Year,” “Latin Artist of the Year,” “Best Lyrics,” “Best Music Video,” and “Best Remix.”

Coming in behind Daddy Yankee and Fonsi are Rihanna, Bruno Mars, DJ Khaled, Khalid, Shawn Mendes, Taylor Swift, The Chainsmokers, Ed Sheeran, and Camila Cabello with a total of five nominations a piece.

In addition to the typical categories such as “Song of the Year,” “Artist of the Year,” and others, this year will mark the addition of four new categories. “Best Remix,” “Best Boy Band,” “Cutest Musician’s Pet,” and “Best Solo Breakout” will make their debut at this year’s event. All four categories will be voted on by the fans. Voting for the socially elected categories began on Wednesday and will conclude on March 4.

In what may be hard for a “fan army” to process, all four One Direction guys (Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan) are nominated for the “Best Solo Breakout” category.

In trying to put the power of vote in the hands of the fans, fans will also get the chance to vote for the “Social Star Award” and the “Best Fan Army.” Voting for those two categories began on Tuesday and will conclude on March 11. Fans can vote through iHeartRadio’s social site, on the iHeartRadio app, or on the iHeartRadio website here.

This year’s awards show will also mark the first time that seven different awards are handed out during the seven days leading up to the live show. Each night at 8 p.m. ET, an artist will be presented with their award and will be given the opportunity to make an acceptance speech.

The 2018 iHeartRadio Music Awards will take place Sunday, March 11 from The Forum in Los Angeles. The event will air live on TBS, TNT, and truTV beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The show will also be simulcast on iHeartMedia’s stations nationwide, as well as on iHeartRadio, their all-in-one digital music and live streaming radio service.

As with the past years, the show will feature live performances, once-in-a-lifetime artist collaborations, celebrity guest appearances, and live award presentations. The complete list of nominees can be seen below.

Song of the Year

• Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee – “Despacito (ft. Justin Bieber)”
• Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”
• The Chainsmokers and Coldplay – “Something Just Like This”
• Bruno Mars – “That’s What I Like”
• DJ Khaled  – “Wild Thoughts (ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller)”

Female Artist of the Year

• Alessia Cara​
• Halsey
• Pink
• Rihanna
• Taylor Swift

Male Artist of the Year

• Bruno Mars
• Charlie Puth
• Ed Sheeran
• Shawn Mendes
• The Weeknd

Best Duo/Group of the Year

• Imagine Dragons
• Maroon 5
• Migos
• Portugal. The Man
• The Chainsmokers

Best Collaboration

• Maroon 5 – “Don’t Wanna Know (ft. Kendrick Lamar)”
• Zedd and Alessia Cara – “Stay”
• Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee – “Despacito (ft. Justin Bieber)”
• The Chainsmokers and Coldplay – “Something Just Like This”
• DJ Khaled  – “Wild Thoughts (ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller)”

Best New Pop Artist

• Camila Cabello
• Julia Michaels
• Liam Payne
• Logic
• Niall Horan

Alternative Rock Song of the Year

• Imagine Dragons – “Believer”
• Portugal. The Man – “Feel It Still”
• Imagine Dragons – “Thunder”
• Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Walk on Water”
• The Revivalists – “Wish I Knew You”

Alternative Rock Artist of the Year

• Cage the Elephant
• Imagine Dragons
• Judah & the Lion
• Kings of Leon
• Portugal. The Man

Best New Rock/Alternative Rock Artist

• Greta Van Fleet
• Judah & the Lion
• K.Flay
• Rag ‘n’ Bone Man
• The Revivalists

Rock Song of the Year

• Nothing More – “Go to War”
• Papa Roach – “Help”
• Foo Fighters – “Run”
• Theory of a Deadman – “Rx (Medicate)”
• Stone Sour – “Song #3”

Rock Artist of the Year

• Foo Fighters
• Highly Suspect
• Metallica
• Papa Roach
• Royal Blood

Country Song of the Year

• Sam Hunt – “Body Like a Back Road”
• Jon Pardi – “Dirt on My Boots”
• Luke Combs – “Hurricane”
• Dustin Lynch – “Small Town Boy”
• Thomas Rhett – “Unforgettable”

Country Artist of the Year

• Blake Shelton
• Jason Aldean
• Luke Bryan
• Sam Hunt
• Thomas Rhett

Best New Country Artist

• Brett Young
• Jon Pardi
• Kane Brown
• Lauren Alaina
• Luke Combs

Dance Song of the Year

• Kygo and Selena Gomez – “It Ain’t Me”
• Cheat Codes – “No Promises (ft. Demi Lovato)”
• Clean Bandit – “Rockabye (ft. Anne-Marie featuring Sean Paul)”
• The Chainsmokers and Coldplay – “Something Just Like This”
• Zedd and Alessia Cara – “Stay”

Dance Artist of the Year

• Calvin Harris
• Cheat Codes
• Kygo
• The Chainsmokers
• Zedd

Hip-Hop Song of the Year

• Migos – “Bad and Boujee (ft. Lil Uzi Vert)”
• Cardi B – “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
• Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.”
• Post Malone – “Rockstar”
• DJ Khaled  – “Wild Thoughts (ft. Rihanna and Bryson Tiller)”

Hip-Hop Artist of the Year

• DJ Khaled
• Drake
• Future
• Kendrick Lamar
• Migos

Best New Hip-Hop Artist

• 21 Savage
• Cardi B
• GoldLink
• Lil Uzi Vert
• Playboi Carti

R&B Song of the Year

• Jacquees – “B.E.D.”
• Khalid – “Location”
• SZA – “Love Galore (ft. Travis Scott)”
• Childish Gambino – “Redbone”
• Bruno Mars – “That’s What I Like”

R&B Artist of the Year

• Bruno Mars
• Childish Gambino​
• Khalid
• Rihanna
• The Weeknd

Best New R&B Artist

• 6LACK
• Kehlani
• Kevin Ross​
• Khalid
• SZA

Latin Song of the Year

• Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee – “Despacito”
• Nicky Jam – “El Amante”
• CNCO – “Hey DJ”
• J Balvin – “Mi Gente (ft. Willy William)”
• Enrique Iglesias – “Súbeme La Radio”

Latin Artist of the Year

• CNCO
• J Balvin
• Luis Fonsi
• Nicky Jam
• Shakira

Best New Latin Artist

• Abraham Mateo
• Bad Bunny
• Danny Ocean
• Karol G
• Ozuna

Regional Mexican Song of the Year

• Christian Nodal – “Adios Amor”
• Banda Carnaval – “Ella Es Mi Mujer”
• Calibre 50 – “Las Ultras”
• Gerardo Ortiz – “Regresa Hermosa”
• Calibre 50 – “Siempre Te Voy A Querer”

Regional Mexican Artist of the Year

• Banda Carnaval
• Banda Los Recoditos
• Banda Sinaloense MS de Sergio Lizarraga
• Calibre 50
• Gerardo Ortiz

Best New Regional Mexican Artist

• Christian Nodal
• Edwin Luna y La Trakalosa de Monterrey
• El Fantasma
• Ulices Chaidez y Sus Plebes

Producer of the Year

• Andrew “Pop” Wansel and Warren “Oak” Felder
• Andrew Watt
• Benny Blanco
• Justin Tranter
• Steve Mac

Best Lyrics (Socially Voted Category)

• Cardi B – “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
• Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee – “Despacito”
• Shawn Mendes – “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back”
• Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do”
• Ed Sheeran – “Perfect”
• Niall Horan – “Slow Hands”

Best Cover Song (Socially Voted Category)

• Shawn Mendes – “All We Got”
• HAIM – “Bad Liar”
• Niall Horan – “Issues”
• Khalid – “Lost”
• Camila Cabello and Machine Gun Kelly – “Say You Won’t Let Go”
• Harry Styles – “The Chain”
• Ed Sheeran – “Touch”
• Thirty Seconds to Mars – “The Tribute Song”

Best Fan Army presented by Taco Bell (Socially Voted Category)

• Ariana Grande – Arianators
• Justin Bieber – Beliebers
• BTS – BTS Army
• Camila Cabello – Camilizers
• EXO – EXO-L
• Fifth Harmony – Harmonizers
• Demi Lovato – Lovatics
• Shawn Mendes – Mendes Army
• Little Mix – Mixers
• Selena Gomez – Selenators
• Miley Cyrus – Smilers
• Taylor Swift – Swifties

Best Music Video (Socially Voted Category)

• Selena Gomez – “Bad Liar”
• Cardi B – “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)”
• Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee – “Despacito”
• DJ Khaled – “I’m the One (ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Lil Wayne and Chance the Rapper)”
• Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do”
• Miley Cyrus – “Malibu”
• Dua Lipa – “New Rules”
• Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”
• Harry Styles – “Sign of the Times”
• Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry”
• Katy Perry – “Swish Swish (ft. Nicki Minaj)”
• Bruno Mars – “That’s What I Like”
• Shawn Mendes – “There’s Nothing Holding Me Back”

Social Star Award (Socially Voted Category)

• Andrew Huang
• Anitta
• Christian Collins
• Conor Maynard
• dodie
• Gabbie Hanna
• JoJo Siwa
• Mariah Belgrod
• Max & Harvey
• RoomieOfficial

Cutest Musician’s Pet (Socially Voted Category)

• Batman – Demi Lovato
• Bear Rexha – Bebe Rexha
• Nugget – Katy Perry
• Olivia – Taylor Swift
• Pig Pig – Miley Cyrus
• Toulouse – Ariana Grande

Best Boy Band (Socially Voted Category)     ​

• AJR
• BTS
• CNCO
• In Real Life
• PRETTYMUCH
• The Vamps
• Why Don’t We

Best Solo Breakout (Socially Voted Category)

• Camila Cabello
• Harry Styles
• Liam Payne
• Louis Tomlinson
• Niall Horan

Best Remix (Socially Voted Category)

• Katy Perry – “Bon Appétit (ft. Migos)” – 3LAU
• Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee – “Despacito (ft. Justin Bieber)”
• Blackbear – “do re mi (ft. Gucci Mane)”
• Justin Bieber and BloodPop – “Friends (ft. Julia Michaels)”
• Camila Cabello – “Havana (ft. Daddy Yankee)”
• Lorde – “Homemade Dynamite (ft. Khalid, Post Malone and SZA)”
• Francis & The Lights – “May I Have This Dance (ft. Chance The Rapper)”
• J Balvin & Willy William – “Mi Gente (ft. Beyoncé)”
• CNCO and Little Mix – “Reggaetón Lento”

2015 American Music Awards Nominees Unveiled

The 2015 American Music Awards nominees have been unveiled and lets just say that the lineup features a slew of the artists that we continuously hear on the radio and read about on the web. On Tuesday morning (Oct. 13), DNCE’s Joe Jonas and Charlie Puth of “See You Again” fame, made the official announcement during Good Morning America. Leading the pack with a total of six nominations is Taylor Swift who’s nominated categories include “Song of the Year” for “Blank Space” and “Favorite Pop/Rock Album” for 1989. As of now, Swift has won a total of 16 AMAs, but if she wins all six of the categories she’s been nominated for, she will sweep right past Whitney Houston’s history-making 21 wins.

Trailing behind Swift with a total of five nominations apiece is Swift’s “biffle,” Ed Sheeran and The Weeknd. Both musicians will go head to head in the “Artist of the Year” category as well as the “Song of the Year” category. Coming in behind Sheeran and the Weeknd with a total of four nominations apiece are Sam Smith, Nicki Minaj, and Meghan Trainor. The full list of the AMA categories as well as the nominees can be seen below.

2015 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES:

Artist of the Year
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor
The Weeknd
One Direction
Luke Bryan
Ariana Grande
Maroon 5
Nicki Minaj
Ed Sheeran

Song of the Year
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face”

New Artist of the Year
Fetty Wap
Sam Hunt
ToveLo
Walk The Moon
The Weeknd

Favorite Pop/Rock Album
X, Ed Sheeran
In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith
1989, Taylor Swift

Favorite Male Artist: Pop/Rock
Nick Jonas
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith

Favorite Female Artist: Pop/Rock
Ariana Grande
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

Favorite Duo/Group: Pop/Rock
Maroon 5
One Direction
Walk the Moon

Favorite EDM Album
Calvin Harris
David Guetta
Zedd

Favorite Female Country Artist
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Carrie Underwood

Favorite Male Country Artist
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Sam Hunt

Favorite Country Duo/Group
Zac Brown Band
Florida Georgia Line
Little Big Town

Favorite Country Album
Old Boots, New Dirt: Jason Aldean
Anything Goes, Florida Georgia Line
Montevallo, Sam Hunt

Favorite Artist: Adult Contemporary
Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

Favorite Artist: Soul/R&B
Beyonce
Mary J. Blige
Rihanna

Favorite Soul/R&B Album
X: Chris Brown
Black Messiah, D’Angelo
Beauty Behind The Madness, The Weeknd

Favorite Artist: Rap/Hip-Hop
Drake
Fetty Wap
Nicki Minaj

Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album
2014 Forest Hills Drive, J. Cole
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late Drake
The Pinkprint, Nicki Minaj

Favorite Soundtrack
Fifty Shades of Grey
Empire
Pitch Perfect 2

T-Mobile’s Collaboration of the Year
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Rihanna & Kanye West feat. Paul McCartney, “FourFiveSeconds”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Skrillex & Diplo feat. Justin Bieber, “Where Are Ü Now”
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”

Favorite Artist: Latin
Enrique Iglesias
Ricky Martin
Romeo Santos

Favorite Artist: Contemporary Inspirational
Casting Crowns
Hillsong United
MercyMe

The 2015 American Music Awards will air live on Sunday, Nov. 22, on ABC. Jennifer Lopez is set to host the show for the first time. For more information about the show or to already cast your votes, head on over to AMAvote.com where the polls are officially open.

Ed Sheeran Concert Film to Debut in October

Weren’t able to make it to one of Ed Sheeran’s shows this year? Well, don’t worry about it because the British singer has announced that he will be releasing a concert film next month. The concert film is titled Jumpers for Goalposts and was recorded during Sheeran’s three-night stint at Wembley Stadium in July of this year.

The concert footage will feature the red-headed “teddy bear” performing several of his biggest hits such as “The A Team,” “Sing,” and “Thinking Out Loud” as well as his duet with Elton John. In addition to the live concert footage, the film will also tell the story of Sheeran’s rise to fame.

For fans in London, there will be a special event at Leicester Square on Oct. 22. The event will be broadcast live to theaters across the world that will be premiering the concert film. The event in London will have a special performance from Sheeran which will also be broadcast to all those participating locations. Tickets for the event will go on sale beginning next Thursday, Sept. 24.

Watch the trailer for Jumpers for Goalposts below.

This year has been a big year for Sheeran. In addition to his successful headlining tour, which he is currently in the middle of, the signer launched his own record label, Gingerbread Man Records; a subsidiary of Warner Music. If that wasn’t enough, Sheeran confirmed he had already signed his first artist to the label; songwriter Jamie Lawson.

Jumpers for Goalposts is set to premiere on Oct. 22. Additional screenings for the film is set to take place at select theaters, worldwide, during the weekend of Oct. 23-25. For more information about the movie, tickets, or locations, head on over to the film’s website here.

2015 MTV Video Music Awards Nominees Announced

After breaking the news yesterday that Miley Cyrus will be hosting the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards because the network would not “let her perform” following her infamous “Blurred Lines” performance with Robin Thicke, the network has now announced the complete list of nominees for the 32nd installment of the annual event.

Debuting exclusively on Apple’s “Beats 1 Chart” show earlier today, the nominees included the usual suspects whose music is constantly played on a loop on top 20 radio and on MTV (when they play music that is).

Leading the pack with the most nominations this year is Kendrick Lamar with five while Taylor Swift came in with a total of four. Beyoncé and Ed Sheeran came in behind Swift with a total of three nominations apiece.

The complete list of nominees for all the MTV VMA categories can be seen below with the exception of the socially voted categories. According to MTV, those categories will be announced at a later date. Voting for categories such as “Best Female Video,” “Best Male Video,” and “Video of the Year” are currently open on MTV’s VMAs website.

MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS 2015 NOMINEES:

Video of the Year
Beyoncé, “7/11”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”

Best Collaboration
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood”
Ariana Grande feat. the Weeknd, “Love Me Harder”
Jessie J feat. Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, “Bang Bang”
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”

Best Video With a Social Message
Jennifer Hudson, “I Still Love You”
Colbie Calliat, “Try”
Big Sean, “One Man Can Change the World”
Rihanna, “American Oxygen”
Wale, “The White Shoes”

Best Hip-Hop Video
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”
Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”
Big Sean, “I Don’t F—k With You”

Best Rock Video
Hozier, “Take Me To Church”
Fall Out Boy, “Uma Thurman”
Florence + the Machine, “Ship to Wreck”
Walk the Moon, “Shut Up and Dance”
Arctic Monkeys, “Why’d You Only Call Me When You’re High”

Best Female Video
Beyoncé, “7/11″
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Sia, “Elastic Heart”
Ellie Goulding, “Love Me Like You Do”
Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”

Best Male Video
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Nick Jonas, “Chains”
The Weeknd, “Earned It”
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright”

Best Pop Video
Beyoncé, “7/11”
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk”
Maroon 5, “Sugar”

Artist to Watch
Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”
Vance Joy, “Riptide”
George Ezra, “Budapest”
James Bay, “Hold Back The River”
FKA Twigs, “Pendulum”

Best Art Direction
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” (Charles Infante, art dir.)
Snoop Dogg, “So Many Pros” (Jason Fijal, art dir.)
Jack White, “Would You Fight For My Love?” (Jeff Peterson, art dir.)
The Chemical Brothers, “Go” (Michel Gondry, art dir.)
Skrillex & Diplo feat. Justin Bieber, “Where Are U Now” (Brewer, art dir.)

Best Choreography
Beyonce, “7/11″ (Beyoncé, Chris Grant, choreographers; Additional choreography: Gabriel Valenciano”)
OK Go, “I Won’t Let You Down” (OK Go, air:man, Mori Harano, choreographers)
Chet Faker, “Gold” (Ryan Heffington, choreographer)
Ed Sheeran, “Don’t” (Nappy Tabs, choreographer)
Flying Lotus feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Never Catch Me” (Keone, Mari Madrid, dir.)

Best Cinematography
Flying Lotus feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Never Catch Me” (Larkin Seiple, DP)
Ed Sheeran, “Thinking Out Loud” (Daniel Pearl, DP)
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” (Christopher Probst, DP)
FKA Twigs, “Two Weeks” (Justin Brown, DP)
Alt-J, “Left Hand Free” (Mike Simpson, DP)

Best Direction
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” (Joseph Kahn, dir.)
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk” (Bruno Mars & Cameron Duddy, dir.)
Kendrick Lamar, “Alright” (Colin Tilley & The Little Homies, dir.)
Hozier, “Take Me To Church” (Brendan Canty & Conal Thomson of Feel Good Lost, dir.)
Childish Gambino, “Sober” (Hiro Murai, dir.)

Best Editing
Beyonce, “7/11″ (Beyoncé, Ed Burke, Jonathan Wing, editors)
Ed Sheeran, “Don’t” (Jacquelyn London, editor)
Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar, “Bad Blood” (Chancler Haynes @ Cosmo Street, editor)
A$AP Rocky, “L$D” (Dexter Navy, editor)
Skrillex & Diplo feat. Justin Bieber, “Where Are U Now” (Brewer, editor)

Best Visual Effects
Taylor Swift, “Bad Blood” (Ingenuity Studios, vfx)
FKA Twigs, “Two Weeks” (Gloria FX, Tomash Kuzmytskyi, & Max Chyzhevskyy, vfx)
Childish Gambino, “Telegraph Ave” (Gloria FX, vfx)
Skrillex & Diplo feat. Justin Bieber, “Where Are U Now” (Brewer, vfx)
Tyler, the Creator, “F*cking Young/Death Camp” (Gloria FX, vfx)

The 2015 MTV Video Music Awards will air live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Aug. 30. The show will begin at 9 p.m. ET, right after the live red carpet coverage ends.

Ed Sheeran and Ray Liotta Team Up for “Bloodstream”

Everybody’s favorite ginger, Ed Sheeran is back with his latest music video for the track, “Bloodstream.”

The video, unlike all of his previous ones, does not feature the musicians at all. Instead, GoodFellas actor Ray Liotta, plays the key role in the almost-film-like music video.

The video begins with Liotta’s character floating in a pool which quickly switches to telling the story of his wealthy man and how unhappy he is. Even though he has lots of money which he can blow on things like electric guitars, tons of booze, lots of women, and even a horse that follow him around his huge mansion, he’s just not happy with life hence his suicide type tendencies.

Check out the sad and somber video below and remember that old saying your mother (father, grandparents or whatever) used to tell you, “money can’t buy happiness” and apparently for this guy, it can’t.

The “Bloodstream” music video premiered earlier in the day during the YouTube Music Awards. The song is featured on Sheeran’s recently released record, X.

Rock in Rio USA Add More Artists to Line-Up, Unveil “City of Rock” Streets

Rock in Rio USA announced several headlining artists for the upcoming inaugural gathering in Las Vegas back in January, but it looks like those aren’t the only one heading to Sin City for the two weekends.

Today, the festival took to the web to announce the complete line-up. The line-up includes a couple of more performers on the main stages, some DJs that will represent the countries the festival has already invaded (Spain and Portugal to name a few) and those cool “City of Rock” streets they hinted at when the idea was still being formed (each street represents the musical culture of either the United States, United Kingdom, or Brazil).

Check out the full schedule for the two weekend which have been divided in half. The Rock-centric weekend will take place May 8-9 while the Pop music-centric weekend will take place May 15-16.

ROCK WEEKEND:

May 8:

Main Stage:  No Doubt, Maná, The Pretty Reckless, Smallpools

Sunset Stage: Foster the People, Gary Clark Jr, Bleachers, Saints of Valory

Electronic Stage: AN21, Ftampa, Wax Motif, MVTH

Rock Street Brazil: Spock Frevo Orquestra, Pepeu Gomes, Leo Gandelman

Rock Street USA: DJ Druskee & MC Myron Marten, Academy of Villains, Rock in Rio Dance Crew

Rock Street UK: Stones the Beetles, Terra Celta

May 9:

Main Stage: Metallica, Linkin Park, Rise Against, Hollywood Undead

Sunset Stage: Deftones, Sepultura (feat. Steve Vai), Coheed and Cambria, Of Mice & Men

Electronic Stage: Caked Up, Gaslamp Killer, Felguk, Alok

Rock Street Brazil: Spock Frevo Orquestra, Pepeu Gomes, Leo Gandelman

Rock Street USA: DJ Druskee & MC Myron Marten, Academy of Villains, Rock in Rio Dance Crew

Rock Street UK: Stones the Beetles, Terra Celta

POP WEEKEND:

May 15:

Main Stage: Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Echosmith, Ivete Sangalo

Sunset Stage: Jessie J, Charli XCX, Tove Lo, James Bay

Electronic Stage: Whitney Fierce, Jeniluv, Valida, Heidi Lawden

Rock Street Brazil: Simoninha Feat. Toni Garrido, Marcos Valle, BossaCucaNova

Rock Street USA: DJ Druskee & MC Myron Marten, Rock in Rio Dance Crew

Rock Street UK: Stones the Beetles, Terra Celta

May 16:

Main Stage: Bruno Mars, Sam Smith, Empire of the Sun, Big Sean

Sunset Stage: John Legend, Joss Stone, Magic, Mikky Ekko

Electronic Stage: Behrouz, Renato Ratier, Uner, Dj Vibe

Rock Street Brazil: Simoninha Feat. Toni Garrido, Marcos Valle, BossaCucaNova

Rock Street USA: DJ Druskee & MC Myron Marten, Rock in Rio Dance Crew

Rock Street UK: Stones the Beetles, Terra Celta

Tickets for Rock in Rio USA are available on the festival’s website.

Watch the 2015 Grammy Awards Performances

After three and a half hours of sitting in front of a television, many people probably turned off the TV or changed the channel, we know we did at a few points.

For those who missed one of the many live performances that happened at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last night or just want to relive one of them, we have managed to get some of them together in one place.

Check them all out below.