News
ASCAP, BMI and SESAC open MusiCares relief fund for songwriters
Donations to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund have now exceeded $10million.
Story Highlights
- Donations to the MusiCares COVID-19 relief fund have now exceeded $10million.
- The Recording Academy says more is needed to meet the growing demand.
Performing Rights Organizations have joined in with the widespread donations to MusiCares, in aid of music professionals affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. ASCAP, BMI and SESAC have, together, opened a special MusiCares fund to specifically cater to songwriters and composers. Whilst the MusiCares fund (which has now exceeded $10million) was already open for music creatives in need of financial assistance, this newly-created songwriters fund will be available only to members and affiliates of the three performing rights organizations.
Though donations to the overall MusiCares fund has gone beyond expectations, so has the demand. Thus, according to a statement released today by The Recording Academy, more finances are needed to meet the needs of industry workers – as the coronavirus impact continues to take effect.
“It‘s inspiring to see every sector of the music industry band together during a time of need”, said Harvey Mason Jr. – Chairman of The Recording Academy.
Mason later added: “With the help of these latest contributions and the generous donations over the past few weeks, we‘ve been able to garner more than $10 million to provide aid for music people across all genres, crafts and disciplines affected by the coronavirus pandemic. That said, the need is still so great and these times remain critical for music people”.
the need is still so great and these times remain critical for music people
Echoing Harvey’s comments, Steve Boom – Chair of MusiCares – thanked ASCAP, BMI, SESAC and others who have extended an arm to grow the fund. But also emphasized that more is needed.
Boom shared:“We’re thrilled to see the continued support from organizations to help all the people who were depending on their next gig to make ends meet. There is still much more work to be done, and we hope that those who have supported us will continue to inspire others to do what’s needed for the music industry during this unprecedented time”.
BMI’s President, Mike O’Neil, said the company was ‘grateful’ to be able to join in with ASCAP and SESAC in being a help to the community of music creators during this time.
O’Neil closed by saying: “The creative community is resilient and will continue to inspire the industry as we get through this together”.
Elizabeth Matthews (Chief Executive of ASCAP) and John Josephson (SESAC Chairman/CEO) also acknowledged and thank each of the other two PROs – with the latter noting that “It is essential that we do all we can to make sure that our creators have the resources they need to navigate this crisis and continue practicing their craft”.
In addition to opening the MusiCares COVID-19 Relief Fund, The Recording Academy has made an appeal to Congress for further assistance for affected workers in the music industry. Local Chapters of the organization are also raising funds to help those within their respective regions.
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MBN Staff
Entertainment
2021 Grammy Awards: Winners List
The 63rd annual Grammy Awards took place at LA’s Convention Center, with no live audience. Beyoncé now holds the record for the most Grammy wins by any singer and any female artist in history.
Story Highlights
- The 63rd annual award show took place at LA’s Convention Center, with no live audience
- Beyoncé now holds the record for the most Grammy wins by any singer and any female artist in history
After postponing the event from January 31st to March 14th due to COVID-19, the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards took place this past Sunday night. Telecasting live from Downtown Los Angeles on CBS, the event mostly took place outdoors at the LA Convention Center, allowing them to use the Staples Center (the GRAMMYs’ usual venue) as a visual backdrop. Despite there being no live audience and viewership hitting a record-low, the night still ended up being historical on a number of levels.
The most nominated artist of the night was Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, who also ended up scooping the most awards – winning four of her nine nominations. This feat puts Beyoncé top of the list for the most Grammy wins by any singer in history, with a total of 28. She is now only beaten by Hungarian-British Conductor Georg Solti who won 31 during his career – and has tied with Quincy Jones, who also has 28.
View a list of winners and nominees below.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
- “Everything I Wanted” — Billie Eilish — Winner
- “Black Parade” — Beyoncé
- “Colors” — Black Pumas
- “Rockstar” — DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
- “Say So” — Doja Cat
- “Don’t Start Now” — Dua Lipa
- “Circles” — Post Malone
- “Savage” — Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
- “Folklore” — Taylor Swift — Winner
- “Chilombo” — Jhené Aiko
- “Black Pumas” (Deluxe Edition) — Black Pumas
- “Everyday Life” — Coldplay
- “Djesse Vol. 3” — Jacob Collier
- “Women in Music Pt. III” — Haim
- “Future Nostalgia” — Dua Lipa
- “Hollywood’s Bleeding” — Post Malone
SONG OF THE YEAR
- “I Can’t Breathe” — H.E.R. — Winner
- “Black Parade” — Beyoncé
- “The Box” — Roddy Ricch
- “Cardigan” — Taylor Swift
- “Circles” — Post Malone
- “Don’t Start Now” — Dua Lipa
- “Everything I Wanted” — Billie Eilish
- “If the World Was Ending” — JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels
BEST NEW ARTIST
- Megan Thee Stallion — Winner
- Ingrid Andress
- Phoebe Bridgers
- Noah Cyrus
- Chika
- D Smoke
- Doja Cat
- Kaytranada
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
- “Watermelon Sugar” — Harry Styles — Winner
- “Yummy” — Justin Bieber
- “Say So” — Doja Cat
- “Everything I Wanted” — Billie Eilish
- “Don’t Start Now” — Dua Lipa
- “Cardigan” — Taylor Swift
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
- “Future Nostalgia” — Dua Lipa — Winner
- “Changes” — Justin Bieber
- “Chromatica” — Lady Gaga
- “Fine Line” — Harry Styles
- “Folklore” — Taylor Swift
BEST POP/DUO GROUP PERFORMANCE
- “Rain on Me” — Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande — Winner
- “Un Dia (One Day)” — J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy
- “Intentions” — Justin Bieber featuring Quavo
- “Dynamite” — BTS
- “Exile” — Taylor Swift featuring Bon Iver
BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
- “American Standard” — James Taylor — Winner
- “Blue Umbrella” — Burt Bacharach & Daniel Tashian
- “True Love: A Celebration of Cole Porter” — Harry Connick Jr.
- “Unfollow the Rules” — Rufus Wainwright
- “Judy” — Renée Zellweger
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
- “Black Parade” — Beyoncé — Winner
- “Lightning & Thunder” — Jhené Aiko featuring John Legend
- “All I Need” — Jacob Collier featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign
- “Goat Head” — Brittany Howard
- “See Me” — Emily King
BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE
- “Anything for You” — Ledisi — Winner
- “Sit On Down” — The Baylor Project featuring Jean Baylor & Marcus Baylor
- “Wonder What She Thinks of Me” — Chloe x Halle
- “Let Me Go” — Mykal Kilgore
- “Distance” — Yebba
BEST R&B SONG
- “Better Than I Imagined” — Robert Glasper featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello — Winner
- “Black Parade” — Beyoncé
- “Collide” — Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG
- “Do It” — Chloe x Halle
- “Slow Down” — Skip Marley & H.E.R.
BEST R&B ALBUM
- “Bigger Love” — John Legend — Winner
- “Happy 2 Be Here” — Ant Clemons
- “Take Time” — Giveon
- “To Feel Love/D” — Luke James
- “All Rise” — Gregory Porter
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
- “Savage” — Megan thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé — Winner
- “Deep Reverence” — Big Sean featuring Nipsey Hussle
- “Bop” — DaBaby
- “Whats Poppin” — Jack Harlow
- “The Bigger Picture” — Lil Baby
- “Dior” — Pop Smoke
BEST MELODIC RAP PERFORMANCE
- “Lockdown” — Anderson .Paak — Winner
- “Rockstar” — DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
- “Laugh Now Cry Later” — Drake featuring Lil Durk
- “The Box” — Roddy Ricch
- “Highest in the Room” — Travis Scott
BEST RAP SONG
- “Savage” — Megan thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé — Winner
- “The Bigger Picture” — Lil Baby
- “The Box” — Roddy Ricch
- “Laugh Now Cry Later” — Drake featuring Lil Durk
- “Rockstar” — DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
BEST RAP ALBUM
- “King’s Disease” — Nas — Winner
- “Black Habits” — D Smoke
- “Alfredo” — Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
- “A Written Testimony” — Jay Electronica
- “The Allegory” — Royce da 5’9″
BEST LATIN POP OR URBAN ALBUM
- “YHLQMDLG” — Bad Bunny — Winner
- “Por Primera Vez” — Camilo
- “Mesa Para Dos” — Kany García
- “Pausa” — Ricky Martin
- “3:33” — Debi Nova
BEST LATIN POP OR URBAN ALBUM
- “YHLQMDLG” — Bad Bunny — Winner
- “Por Primera Vez” — Camilo
- “Mesa Para Dos” — Kany García
- “Pausa” — Ricky Martin
- “3:33” — Debi Nova
BEST REGGAE ALBUM
- “Got to Be Tough” — Toots & The Maytals — Winner
- “Upside Down 2020” — Buju Banton
- “Higher Place” — Skip Marley
- “It All Comes Black to Love” — Maxi Priest
- “One World” — The Wailers
BEST GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM
- “Twice as Tall” — Burna Boy — Winner
- “Fu Chronicles” — Antibalas
- “Agora” — Bebel Gilberto
- “Love Letters” — Anoushka Shankar
- “Amadjar” — Tinariwen
For a full list of this year’s winners and nominees, click here.
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MBN Staff
Entertainment
Grammy Awards Postponed, New Date Revealed
The 2021 Grammy Awards has been rescheduled. Details surrounding the format of the show still remain unclear.
Story Highlights
- March 14, 2021 has been confirmed as the new date for this year’s telecast due to COVID-19.
- Format and structure of the show still unknown.
In a joint statement from Harvey Mason, Jr (Interim President/CEO, The Recording Academy), Jack Sussman (EVP, Live Event, CBS Television), and the show’s Executive Producer Ben Winston, the 63rd Grammy Awards have been officially pushed back to March 14th, 2021. Citing ‘the deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles’ (where the ceremony is scheduled to be held) as the reason for the postponement, the statement confirmed what had already been speculated regarding the upcoming ceremony for some time.
It remains unclear if this pushback means the proposed March date will now include more participants than originally planned nor where or how it will be held or if The Daily Show’s Trevor Noah (below) is still slated to host.
According to Variety, a ‘limited’ show was being planned for the original date of January 31st – with only performers and presenters being allowed on-site (at The Staples Center), meaning nominees and winners would only make remote appearances. However, Recording Academy Interim CEO Harvey Mason, Jr. later stated that the event will be held “in and around Downtown Los Angeles”, and also mentioned plans to work with “independent venues” – which could mean we see it not held at Staples and perhaps take a similar production style to the 2020 BET Awards, where all presenters, performers and acceptance speeches were all pre-recorded and/or remote. The statement sent to Music Biz Nation regarding the new March date did not mention that it would be a live telecast – suggesting this may well be the case.
Top nominees for the 63rd Grammy Awards include Beyonce (leading with a total of 9 noms, with 2 for ‘Record of the Year’), followed by Roddy Ricch, Dua Lipa and Taylor Swift – who each have 6. You can view the complete list of nominees here.
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MBN Staff
2021 Grammy Awards: Winners List
Grammy Awards Postponed, New Date Revealed
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