Pentatonix Performs Star Wars-Themed Medley at the American Music Awards

Posted on November 23, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

May the force and Princess Leia be with Kirstie Maldonado…

The 23-year-old half-Mexican, part Spanish-American singer and her fellow Pentatonix members performed a special Star Wars-themed medley at this year’s American Music Awards, complete with a surprise appearance by Han Solo himself.

The a cappella pop group was accompanied by a 65-piece symphony orchestra to sing portions of John Williams‘ epic Star Wars score, which will be ringing in fans’ ears again soon when the franchise’s newest installment, The Force Awakens, comes out in theaters next month.

After AMAs host Jennifer Lopez introduced a new clip from the film, Harrison Ford appeared onstage to remind the audience, many of whom might not know John Williams by name, of his many other famous scores they would certainly recognize, such as from Jaws, E.T. and Indiana Jones.

He then let Pentatonix take it from there, with Maldonado even wearing Princess Leia-esque buns in her hair.

The group’s beatboxer Kevin Olusola recently talked to Rolling Stone about his own Star Wars obsession, saying, “When we’re on tour, I’m planning on re-watching each movie before we go onstage; then I’ll be ready to go for when the newest one comes out next month.”

Pentatonix previously dazzled audiences at this year’s Country Music Awards with their performance of the Oak Ridge Boys’ “Elvira.”

Lovato to Perform with Alanis Morissette at the American Music Awards

Posted on November 21, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Demi Lovato is ready for jagged little performance…

The 23-year-old part-Mexican American singer/actress will perform with Alanis Morissette at the American Music Awards on Sunday.

The collaboration was announced by Twitter Music, showing off the platform’s new emojis with a comic image for Morissette that shows up with the hashtag #AlanisAMAs.

There’s still no word on what Lovato and Morissette, who earned five Grammy awards for her album Jagged Little Pill, will perform during the awards show.

They join a long list of previously announced performers that includes host and performer, Jennifer Lopez, as well as sets from Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Gwen Stefani, 5 Seconds of Summer, The Weeknd and a Star Wars performance from Pentatonix with a full symphony orchestra.

Lopez to Serve as Host & Performer at the American Music Awards

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Tom Castaneda

Jennifer Lopez is ready to multi-task…

The 46-year-old Puerto Rican singer, actress and American Idol judge is set to host and perform at this year’s American Music Awards, taking place on November 22.

The double-duty gig comes in advance of her recently announced Las Vegas residency, “All I Have,” which premieres in January at the AXIS at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.

No word on what song la Lopez will perform. She most recently appeared on Prince Royce’s song “Back It Up,” alongside her longtime collaborator Pitbull.

Meanwhile, Joe Jonas and Charlie Puth will appear on Good Morning America next Tuesday to announce nominees in six categories for the AMAs, with five additional categories to be announced immediately following via Snapchat.

The AMAs will be broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 22 at 8:00 pm on ABC.

Iglesias Named Favorite Latin Artist at the American Music Awards

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Iglesias is America’s favorite Latin music artist with a bullet…

The 39-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter picked up the sixth American Music Award of his career for Favorite Latin Artist during Sunday night’s award show.

With the win, Iglesias—who has been nominated in the category 10 times—extends his lead for the most wins ahead of fellow nominee Marc Anthony, a two-time winner.

Hosted by Pitbull, the AMAs were held the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.

Voting for all the categories closed earlier this month, except for New Artist of the Year, for which fans were able to vote through the first hour of the awards show

Here’s a look at this year’s American Music Award winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR: One Direction
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: 5 Seconds of Summer
SINGLE OF THE YEAR: Katy Perry, “Dark Horse” feat. Juicy J
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK: Sam Smith
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK: Katy Perry
FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK: One Direction
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK: One Direction, Midnight Memories
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY: Luke Bryan
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY: Carrie Underwood
FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY: Florida Georgia Line
FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY: Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP: Iggy Azalea
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP: Iggy Azalea, The New Classic
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B: John Legend
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B: Beyoncé
FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B: Beyoncé, Beyoncé
FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK: Imagine Dragons
FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY: Katy Perry
FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN: Enrique Iglesias
FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL: Casting Crowns
FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC: Calvin Harris
TOP SOUNDTRACK: Frozen
DICK CLARK AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE: Taylor Swift

Lopez & Iggy Azalea to Perform “Booty” at the American Music Awards

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

It’ll be a bootylicious weekend for Jennifer Lopez…

The 45-year-old Puerto Rican singer/actress and American Idol judge will bring her high-octane single “Booty” to the American Music Awards stage on Sunday alongside Iggy Azalea.

But Lopez and Azalea promise their performance will be completely network television-appropriate. This is the first time the duo will perform the sexy track together on television.

After TMZ reported Thursday they “have created excruciating stress” on the network censors and executives due to the risqué nature of the song and its music video, the awards top-nominated artist Azalea responded promising neither nipples nor vaginas will be exposed.

She added on Twitter, “with that being said, we aren’t performing in turtleneck sweaters either…. hahahahaha ;)”

Lopez and Azalea join a list of performers that includes 5 Seconds of Summer, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Charli XCX, Fergie, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Imagine Dragons, Jessie J, Lil Wayne, Lorde, Magic!, Nicki Minaj, One Direction and Sam Smith.

Pitbull will serves as the night’s host.

The 2014 AMAs will broadcast at 8:00 pm ET on November 23 on ABC, courtesy of Dick Clark Productions.

Blacc to Serve as a Presenter at This Year’s American Music Awards

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Aloe Blacc is set to make a statement at this year’s American Music Awards.

The 35-year-old Panamanian American singer has been added to the list of presenters set to take the stage at the upcoming AMAs.

Blacc joins Orange Is the New Black stars Taylor Schilling and Uzo Aduba, along with reality siblings Kendall and Kylie Jenner, as the latest additions.

Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Foxx, Julianne Hough, Jessie J, Heidi Klum, Olivia Munn and Emmy Rossum also are set to present at the fan-voted awards show, which will air live on ABC starting at 8:00 pm ET on Sunday, November 23, from the Nokia Theater L.A. Live.

As previously announced, the show will feature performances by 5 Seconds of Summer, Iggy Azalea, Mary J. Blige, Garth Brooks, Charli XCX, Fergie, Selena Gomez, Imagine Dragons, Lorde, One Direction, Sam Smith, Taylor Swift and Pitbull.

Pitbull will also serve as the event’s host. Voting is currently ongoing.

Fergie to Perform at This Year’s American Music Awards

Posted on October 27, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Fergie is heading back to the stage as a solo artist…

The 39-year-old part-Mexican American singer and Black Eyed Peas member has been added to the lineup of performers at this year’s American Music Awards.

Dick Clark Productions has confirmed that Fergie, as well as One Direction and Lorde, will perform at the fan-voted awards show, set to air live from 8:00 – 11:00 pm ET on November 23 on ABC.

Fergie will make her worldwide television debut performing her first single since 2006, “L.A. LOVE (la la),” the debut track from her upcoming sophomore album.

As previously announced, other musical artists scheduled to appear on the show include 5 Seconds of Summer, Charli XCX, Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith and Pitbull, who will also host the event at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live.

Pitbull Returning as Host of This Year’s American Music Awards

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Pitbull is proving to be the host with the most…

The 33-year-old Cuban American rap superstar, who is launching his own Sirius XM channel, has been named the host of the American Music Awards for a second straight year.

Hosting has become a nice side career for Pitbull, who also has a New Year’s Eve show on Fox.

Like last year, Pitbull will also perform a song from his new album at the 2014 AMAs, which will air live from the Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 23.

Iglesias Earns 10th American Music Awards Nomination in the Favorite Latin Artist Category

Posted on October 12, 2014 by Tom Castaneda

Enrique Iglesias has a chance to extend his Favorite Latin Artist lead…

The 39-year-old Spanish singer-songwriter has earned an American Music Awards nomination for Favorite Latin Artist, his tenth nod in the category since its creation in 1998.

Iglesias, who has won the AMA award five times in his career, has earned major praise from fans and critics alike for his latest single “Bailando.”

The single has been No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart for more than 20 weeks, and it even reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Dance Songs chart.

Iglesias will face off against Marc Anthony, a two-time winner in the category, and Romeo Santos.

The American Music Awards will be broadcast live from L.A. Live‘s Nokia Theatre on Sunday, November 23 from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.

Voting begins Monday in all categories except New Artist of the Year on AMAvote.com and via Twitter by tweeting the nominee’s name, category and #AMAs hashtag. Voting for the New Artist of the Year opens November 1 and closes in the first hour of the November 23 live telecast.

Here’s the full list of nominees:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Iggy Azalea
Beyoncé
Luke Bryan
Eminem
Imagine Dragons
John Legend
Lorde
One Direction
Katy Perry
Pharrell Williams

NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
5 Seconds of Summer
Iggy Azalea
Bastille
Sam Smith
Meghan Trainor

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCX “Fancy”
John Legend “All of Me”
MAGIC! “Rude”
Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J “Dark Horse”
Pharrell Williams “Happy”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
John Legend
Sam Smith
Pharrell Williams

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
Iggy Azalea
Lorde
Katy Perry

FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
Imagine Dragons
One Direction
OneRepublic

FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
Lorde “Pure Heroine”
One Direction “Midnight Memories”
Katy Perry “Prism”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – COUNTRY
Eli Young Band
Florida Georgia Line
Lady Antebellum

FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
Garth Brooks “Blame It On My Roots: Five Decades of Influences”
Eric Church “The Outsiders”
Brantley Gilbert “Just As I Am”

FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
Iggy Azalea
Drake
Eminem

FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
Iggy Azalea “The New Classic”
Drake “Nothing Was The Same”
Eminem “The Marshall Mathers LP 2”

FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
Chris Brown
John Legend
Pharrell Williams

FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B ·
Jhene Aiko
Beyoncé
Mary J. Blige

FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
Beyoncé “Beyoncé”
John Legend “Love in the Future”
Pharrell Williams “G I R L”

FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
Bastille
Imagine Dragons
Lorde

FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY
Sara Bareilles
OneRepublic
Katy Perry

FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN
Marc Anthony
Enrique Iglesias
Romeo Santos

FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
Casting Crowns
Hillsong United
Newsboys

FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
Avicii
Calvin Harris
Zedd

TOP SOUNDTRACK
Frozen 
The Fault In Our Stars 
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix, Vol. 1

Aguilera Reveals “Lotus” Track Listing

Posted on October 28, 2012 by Tom Castaneda

If you’re looking to learn more about Christina Aguilera’s soon-to-be-released album, you’re in luck…

Weeks before the scheduled release of her new album, Lotus, the 31-year-old half-Ecuadorian Grammy-winning singer spread the news of album’s final track listing via her Twitter account.

Lotus, Aguilera’s seventh studio album, will feature 13 tracks, including songs with fellow The Voice mentors Cee-Lo Green and Blake Shelton.

“#LOTUS song titles revealed! So excited for you all to hear the album. Weeks away! XoXtina,” Aguilera tweeted.

The album, which has cover art that shows a naked Aguilera in the middle of a lotus flower, features the album’s debut song “Your Body“, as well as the songs “Red Hot Kinda Love“, “Best of Me” and “Cease Fire.”

Aguilera’s duets with her The Voice co-mentors are “Make the World Move” with Green and “Just A Fool” with Shelton.

Fans who buy the deluxe edition will be treated to four special tracks, “Light Up the Sky“, “Empty Words“, “Shut Up” and “Your Body Martin Garrix Remix.”

To promote the release of the album, Aguilera will perform at the American Music Awards two days before it hits stores. Asked about what she had in store for her AMAs appearance, the singer-songwriter told MTV, “It’s very exciting. It’s definitely going to be a reflection of what Lotus means to me. If you take that album cover and give it a little performance twist, I’ll bring that album cover to life, so it’s going to be really fun.”

Full track listing for “Lotus” (Standard Issue):

“Lotus Intro”
“Army of Me”
“Red Hot Kinda Love”
“Make the World Move” feat. Cee-Lo Green
“Your Body”
“Let There Be Love”
“Sing for Me”
“Blank Page”
“Cease Fire”
“Around the World”
“Circles”
“Best of Me”
“Just a Fool” feat. Blake Shelton

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