SUMMER WALKER

Black culture, in all its glory, will be on display over the 4th of July holiday weekend in New Orleans as thousands converge for the in-person return of the Essence Festival of Culture.

R&B artist Summer Walker is facing backlash for wearing an outfit to a performance at the Crypto.com Arena that repurposed a traditional Hmong necklace called a xuav for a revealing two-piece. Centuries ago, the Hmong people were enslaved by the Chinese and forced to wear necklaces for identification. Today, xuavs are worn during traditional celebrations as a poignant symbol of the Hmong identity.

While John Legend was being honored for his musical achievements, the Grammy singer used the Recording Academy stage to pay homage to a Black music culture that shaped himself and the world.

The Grammys might be missing stars like Drake, The Weeknd and Kanye West as a performer, but the biggest night in music could still shine bright on the Las Vegas Strip.

Janet Jackson, Kevin Hart and Nicki Minaj are among the headliners announced for this summer’s Essence Festival of Culture.

Olivia Rodrigo praised prior female songwriters and music artists for giving her strength while accepting Billboard’s 2022 Woman of the Year honor.

Olivia Rodrigo has been named Woman of the Year by Billboard, landing her in the same company as Taylor Swift, Cardi B and Billie Eilish.

Interscope Geffen A&M (IGA), the home to Eilish, Lady Gaga and Lamar, has been named the No. (AP Photo)NEW YORK – Interscope Geffen A&M — the home to Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga — has been named the No. Billboard announced Thursday that the label, which is also known as IGA, tops its year-end chart for the first time since 2013. IGA is also the top Billboard 200 label with 68 albums released during the tracking period, 25 of which hit the Top 10. Warner Music Group’s Atlantic Records was 2019’s top Billboard 200 label.

NEW YORK – Roddy Ricch is the king of Apple Music: The rapper has the music platform’s most-streamed song and album of the year. The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” was the second most-streamed song of the year, followed by Australian singer Tones and I’s “Dance Monkey,” DaBaby and Ricch’s “Rockstar” and “Life Is Good" by Future and Drake. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart this year, was the most Shazamed song of the year (Apple acquired Shazam in 2018). Ranked by time spent viewing lyrics in Apple Music, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s raunchy hit “WAP” tops the list of most-read lyrics of 2020. Other songs in the Top 5 include “Dance Monkey,” YOASOBI’s “Yoru ni Kakeru,” Ricch’s “The Box” and Official HIGE DANdism “Pretender.”

He said music from his fifth studio album “Changes” was wrongly viewed as a pop album, rather than an R&B project. “I set out to make an R&B album,” he wrote on Instagram. It is not being acknowledged as an R&B album, which is very strange to me.”Bieber was nominated in the categories for best pop solo performance, best pop duo/group performance, best pop vocal album and best country duo/group performance. The singer said he loves pop music, but he wants to be respected for his work. “I grew up admiring R&B music and wished to make a project that would embody that sound,” he said.

And it earned him his first Grammy nomination in six years. 3 spot on the pop charts — is up for best rap song and best rap performance. And Anderson .Paak's “Lockdown," about police brutality and racial injustice, is up for best melodic rap performance and best music video. JAY-Z, THE SONGWRITERS, SHINESHappy wife, happy life: Jay-Z has lent his songwriting hand to his wife Beyoncé and he's earned Grammy nominations for it. PAUL McCARTNEY, THE ART DIRECTORPaul McCartney scored his 79th Grammy nominations this year — as an art director.

Others who may earn nominations include Lewis Capaldi, Summer Walker, Morgan Wallen, Doja Cat, BLACKPINK, Ingrid Andress, Snoh Aalegra, Skip Marley, Mickey Guyton and CNCO. Ricch should also earn nominations for his guest appearance on DaBaby’s international hit “Rock Star,” helping him become the show’s overall top nominee. ________FOLKS LOVE FOLKLORETaylor Swift’s last two albums, “Lover” and “reputation,” didn’t earn nominations for album of the year. The seven-member group’s hit “Dynamite” could snag a nomination for best pop duo/group performance, and their latest album could compete for best global music album. 3 on pop charts, should earn a nomination for best country performance and best country song.

NEW YORK – The 2020 MTV Video Music Awards will still go ahead despite the coronavirus pandemic. An MTV spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press on Monday that the show will take place Aug. 30 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the announcement during a briefing Monday, explaining that “the event will follow all safety guidance, including limited or no audience.”The announcement comes a day after BET successfully aired its virtual awards show on Sunday, which featured a number of highly produced pre-taped performances from DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Summer Walker and more artists.

The three-hour show will be jam-packed with heavy hitters currently dominating the pop charts and streaming services, including DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Summer Walker, Kane Brown and Chloe x Halle. The three-hour show will be jam-packed with heavy hitters currently dominating the pop charts and streaming services, including DaBaby, Megan Thee Stallion, Roddy Ricch, Summer Walker, Kane Brown and Chloe x Halle. Comedian, actress and TV personality Amanda Seales will host the 2020 BET Awards, which will air on CBS for the first time. Drake is the leading nominee: Hes up for six honors, including video of the year and best male hip-hop artist. Ricch and Megan Thee Stallion follow Drake with five nominations each.

Theo Wargo/Getty Images for TIDAL(CNN) - The 2019 Soul Train Music Awards are in the books, ending in a big night for Chris Brown and his song with Drake, "No Guidance," which took home three trophies. Free Spirit, KhalidSong of the Year"No Guidance," Chris Brown feat. Chris Brown, "Easy (Remix)"Lizzo, "Juice"Normani, "Motivation"Teyana Taylor, "WTP"Video of the YearLizzo, "Juice" *WINNERAlicia Key, "Raise A Man"Beyonc, "Spirit"Childish Gambino, "Feels Like Summer"Khalid, "Better"Best Collaboration PerformanceChris Brown feat. Saint Jhn, Wizkid & Blue Ivy Carter, "Brown Skin Girl"Cardi B & Bruno Mars, "Please Me"PJ Morton & JOJO, "Say So"Ty Dolla $ign feat. J. Cole, "Purple Emoji"The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company.

Summer Walker brought "The First And The Last Tour" to the Revention Center Wednesday nightThe wind whipped down Texas Avenue Wednesday night as the temperature dropped into the 40s downtown. Houstonians might have been cold outside but behind the doors of the Reventon Center a young singer was just starting to heat things up. So, Houston, who likes to twerk, asked Summer Walker as she sat on a stool between two exotic dancers center stage surrounded by purple smoke. More importantly who wants to get on this pole?The crowd at the Revention Center roared in approval as two audience members were plucked from the crowd. Stretch You Out blasted through the speakers as Summer and the dancers threw money in the air around the volunteers.