Cardi B to Release Sophomore Album “Am I the Drama?” in September, Reveals Cover Art

Cardi B is preparing to bring the drama this September…

The 32-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar has finally revealed plans for her long-awaited sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, which will arrive on September 19.

Cardi BSeven years in the making, Cardi made the announcement official on Monday, June 23, with the LP’s gloomy cover art.

“AM I THE DRAMA? My new album is out September 19th! Preorder LINK IN BIO,” she wrote.

Cardi B hinted at being in album mode on Sunday, June 22, with a post to Instagram, featuring her narrating the arduous journey to reach this point in her decorated career.

“Seven years and the time has come. Seven years of love, light and loss,” Cardi said in the clip. “Seven years I gave them grace, but now I give them hell. I learned power’s not giving, it’s taking. I’m shedding feathers and no more tears. I’m not back, I’m beyond. I’m not your villain, I’m your karma. The time is here. The time is now.”

Cardi put the rap world on notice with her ineffable Invasion of Privacy album in 2018, which netted her two Billboard Hot 100 No. 1s (she now has a total of five) and went on to win best rap album at the 2019 Grammy Awards. Every track from her debut is at least certified platinum by the RIAA.

The album comes on the heels of Cardi dropping her thumping “Outside” single on Friday, June 19, setting the stage for the LP, which also includes smash hits “Up” and “WAP” on the 23-track LP.

Cardi B, Am I the Drama?

It’s been a long road for Cardi B and the Bardi Gang to her sophomore effort. Back in May, she chalked up waiting on verses from guests for the delay.

“I really need these f–king features,” she said in a repost of the Spaces. “And it’s like I’m not really trying to press or go crazy on these artists because I love them down. But it’s like come on now! I need that! I need that right now! Helloooo! Y’all don’t want to miss this opportunity. I’ll sing this s–t myself! But I really need y’all and I need y’all to hurry up and I love y’all. I feel like nobody want to miss being on this album.”

After filing for divorce from Offset last August, Cardi B is entering a new chapter of her life as she’s currently in a relationship with NFL star Stefon Diggs.

With a release date set for Sept. 19, the countdown to Am I the Drama? is on.

Kehlani Leads Pack of Latino Grammy Nominees with Three Nods

Kehlani tops the list of this year’s Latino/a Grammy nominees…

The nominees for the 2025 Grammy Awards have been announced with the 29-year-old part-Mexican American singer-songwriter and R&B superstar earning three nods, raising her career total to five nominations.

KehlaniKehalni is up for Best R&B Song for “After Hours,” Best Progressive R&B Album for Crash and Best Melodic Rap Performance for her collaborating with Jordan Adetunji on “Kehlani (Remix).”

Bruno Mars, a 15-time Grammy winner, has earned two nods this year.

The 39-year-old part-Puerto Rican singer-songwriter is nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for his global hit Lady Gaga-collaboration “Die with a Smile.”

Gustavo Dudamel, a 5-time Grammy-winner, has earned two Grammy nods.

The 43-year-old Venezuelan conductor is nominated for Best Orchestral Performance and Best Classical Compendium for conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s performance of Revolución Diamantina.

Madi Diaz has earned her first-ever Grammy nominations.

The 38-year-old half-Peruvian American singer-songwriter and musician earned nods for Best Folk Album for Weird Faith and Best Americana Performance for her Kacey Musgraves-collaborationDon’t Do Me Good.

Sheila E. has picked up two nods.

The 66-year-old half-Mexican American Grammy-nominated percussionist and singer, who raises her career Grammy nominations total to six, is up for Best Tropical Latin Album for Bailar and Best Global Music Performance for Bemba Colorá, which she performs alongside Gloria Estefan and Mimy Succar, a two time nominee this year.

Other Latino/a artists earning Grammy nods this year include Shakira, Bad Bunny, Edgar Barrera, Roberto Trujillo (Metallica), Jhene Aiko, Cardi B, Anitta, Miguel Zendon, Kali Uchis, Luis Fonsi, Kany Garcia, Peso Pluma, J Balvin and more.

The winners will be revealed at the Grammy awards show in Los Angeles on February 2.

Here’s the complete list of this year’s Grammy nominees:

Record of the Year
The Beatles – Now and Then
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Charli XCX – 360
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Album of the Year
André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Charli XCX – Brat
Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 4
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

Song of the Year
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile
Sabrina Carpenter – Please Please Please
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best New Artist
Benson Boone
Doechii
Chappell Roan
Khruangbin
Raye
Sabrina Carpenter
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims

Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Alissia
Daniel Nigro
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Ian Fitchuk
Mustard

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
Amy Allen
Edgar Barrera
Jessi Alexander
Jessie Jo Dillon
Raye

Best Pop Solo Performance
Beyoncé – Bodyguard
Billie Eilish – Birds of a Feather
Chappell Roan – Good Luck, Babe!
Charli XCX – Apple
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Ariana Grande, Brandy & Monica – The Boy Is Mine – Remix
Beyoncé Featuring Post Malone – Levii’s Jeans
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish – Guess Featuring Billie Eilish
Gracie Abrams Featuring Taylor Swift – Us.
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars – Die With a Smile

Best Pop Vocal Album
Ariana Grande – Eternal Sunshine
Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan – The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift – The Tortured Poets Department

Best Dance/Electronic Recording
Disclosure – She’s Gone, Dance On
Four Tet – Loved
Fred Again.. & Baby Keem – Leavemealone
Justice & Tame Impala – Neverender
Kaytranada Featuring Childish Gambino – Witchy

Best Dance Pop Recording
Ariana Grande – Yes, And?
Billie Eilish – L’Amour de Ma Vie [Over Now Extended Edit]
Charli XCX – Von Dutch
Madison Beer – Make You Mine
Troye Sivan – Got Me Started

Best Dance/Electronic Music Album
Charli XCX – Brat
Four Tet – Three
Justice – Hyperdrama
Kaytranada – Timeless
Zedd – Telos

Best Remixed Recording
Charli XCX – Von Dutch A. G. Cook Remix Featuring Addison Rae
Doechii & Kaytranada Featuring JT – Alter Ego (Kaytranada Remix)
Julian Marley & Antaeus – Jah Sees Them (Amapiano Remix)
Sabrina Carpenter – Espresso (Mark Ronson x FNZ Working Late Remix)
Shaboozey & David Guetta – A Bar Song (Tipsy) (Remix)

Best Rock Performance
The Beatles – Now and Then
The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
Green Day – The American Dream Is Killing Me
Idles – Gift Horse
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
St. Vincent – Broken Man

Best Metal Performance
Gojira, Marina Viotti & Victor le Masne – Mea Culpa (Ah! Ça ira!)
Judas Priest – Crown of Horns
Knocked Loose Featuring Poppy – Suffocate
Metallica – Screaming Suicide
Spiritbox – Cellar Door

Best Rock Song
The Black Keys – Beautiful People (Stay High)
Green Day – Dilemma
Idles – Gift Horse
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
St. Vincent – Broken Man

Best Rock Album
The Black Crowes – Happiness Bastards
Fontaines D.C. – Romance
Green Day – Saviors
Idles – Tangk
Jack White – No Name
Pearl Jam – Dark Matter
The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds

Best Alternative Music Performance
Cage the Elephant – Neon Pill
Fontaines D.C. – Starburster
Kim Gordon – Bye Bye
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Song of the Lake
St. Vincent – Flea

Best Alternative Music Album
Brittany Howard – What Now
Clairo – Charm
Kim Gordon – The Collective
Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds – Wild God
St. Vincent – All Born Screaming

Best R&B Performance
Chris Brown – Residuals
Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Jhené Aiko – Guidance
Muni Long – Made for Me (Live on BET)
SZA – Saturn

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Kenyon Dixon – Can I Have This Groove
Lalah Hathaway Featuring Michael McDonald – No Lie
Lucky Daye – That’s You
Marsha Ambrosius – Wet
Muni Long – Make Me Forget

Best R&B Song
Coco Jones – Here We Go (Uh Oh)
Kehlani – After Hours
Muni Long – Ruined Me
SZA – Saturn
Tems – Burning

Best Progressive R&B Album
Avery*Sunshine – So Glad to Know You
Childish Gambino – Bando Stone and the New World
Durand Bernarr – En Route
Kehlani – Crash
NxWorries – Why Lawd?

Best R&B Album
Chris Brown – 11:11 (Deluxe)
Lalah Hathaway – Vantablack
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Muni Long – Revenge
Usher – Coming Home

Best Rap Performance
Cardi B – Enough (Miami)
Common & Pete Rock Featuring Posdnuos – When the Sun Shines Again
Doechii – Nissan Altima
Eminem – Houdini
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Glorilla – Yeah Glo!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us

Best Melodic Rap Performance
Beyoncé, Linda Martell & Shaboozey – Spaghettii
Future, Metro Boomin & The Weeknd – We Still Don’t Trust You
Jordan Adetunji Featuring Kehlani – Kehlani (Remix)
Latto – Big Mama
Rapsody Featuring Erykah Badu – 3:AM

Best Rap Song
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar – Like That
Glorilla – Yeah Glo!
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Rapsody & Hit-Boy – Asteroids
¥$, Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign & Rich the Kid Featuring Playboi Carti – Carnival

Best Rap Album
Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol. 1
Doechii – Alligator Bites Never Heal
Eminem – The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)
Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You
J. Cole – Might Delete Later

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
Malik Yusef – Good M.U.S.I.C. Universe Sonic Sinema Episode 1: In the Beginning Was the Word
Omari Hardwick – Concrete & Whiskey Act II Part 1: A Bourbon 30 Series
Queen Sheba – Civil Writes: The South Got Something to Say
Skillz – The Seven Number Ones
Tank and the Bangas – The Heart, the Mind, the Soul

Best Jazz Performance
The Baylor Project – Walk With Me, Lord (Sound | Spirit)
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Juno
Dan Pugach & Nicole Zuraitis Featuring Troy Roberts – Little Fears
Lakecia Benjamin Featuring Randy Brecker, Jeff “Tain” Watts & John Scofield – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)
Samara Joy Featuring Sullivan Fortner – Twinkle Twinkle Little Me

Best Jazz Vocal Album
Catherine Russell & Sean Mason – My Ideal
Christie Dashiell – Journey in Black
Kurt Elling & Sullivan Fortner – Wildflowers Vol. 1
Milton Nascimento & Esperanza Spalding – Milton + Esperanza
Samara Joy – A Joyful Holiday

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Ambrose Akinmusire – Owl Song
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance
Kenny Barron – Beyond This Place
Lakecia Benjamin – Phoenix Reimagined (Live)
Sullivan Fortner – Solo Game

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
The Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra – And So It Goes
Dan Pugach – Bianca Reimagined
John Beasley Featuring Frankfurt Radio Big Band – Returning to Forever
Miguel Zenón – Golden City
Orrin Evans & The Captain Black Big Band – Walk a Mile in My Shoe

Best Latin Jazz Album
Donald Vega Featuring Lewis Nash, John Patitucci & Luisito Quintero- As I Travel
Eliane Elias – Time and Again
Hamilton de Holanda & Gonzalo Rubalcaba – Collab
Horacio ‘El Negro’ Hernandez, John Beasley & Jose Gola – El Trio: Live in Italy
Michel Camilo & Tomatito – Spain Forever Again
Zaccai Curtis – Cubop Lives!

Best Alternative Jazz Album
Arooj Aftab – Night Reign
André 3000 – New Blue Sun
Keyon Harrold – Foreverland
Meshell Ndegeocello – No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin
Robert Glasper – Code Derivation

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Aaron Lazar – Impossible Dream
Cyrille Aimée – À Fleur de Peau
Gregory Porter – Christmas Wish
Lake Street Dive – Good Together
Norah Jones – Visions

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Béla Fleck – Rhapsody in Blue
Bill Frisell – Orchestras (Live)
Julian Lage – Speak to Me
Mark Guiliana – Mark
Taylor Eigsti – Plot Armor

Best Musical Theater Album
Hell’s Kitchen
Merrily We Roll Along
The Notebook
The Outsiders
Suffs
The Wiz

Best Country Solo Performance
Beyoncé – 16 Carriages
Chris Stapleton – It Takes a Woman
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus – II Most Wanted
Brothers Osborne – Break Mine
Dan + Shay – Bigger Houses
Kelsea Ballerini & Noah Kahan – Cowboys Cry Too
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help

Best Country Song
Beyoncé – Texas Hold ’Em
Jelly Roll – I Am Not Okay
Kacey Musgraves – The Architect
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen – I Had Some Help
Shaboozey – A Bar Song (Tipsy)

Best Country Album
Beyoncé – Cowboy Carter
Chris Stapleton – Higher
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Lainey Wilson – Whirlwind
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion

Best American Roots Performance
The Fabulous Thunderbirds Featuring Bonnie Raitt, Keb’ Mo’, Taj Mahal & Mick Fleetwood – Nothing in Rambling
Rhiannon Giddens – The Ballad of Sally Anne
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Sierra Ferrell – Lighthouse

Best Americana Performance
Beyoncé – Ya Ya
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Empty Trainload of Sky
Madi Diaz & Kacey Musgraves – Don’t Do Me Good
Madison Cunningham – Subtitles
Sarah Jarosz – Runaway Train
Sierra Ferrell – American Dreaming

Best American Roots Song
Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends
Iron & Wine & Fiona Apple – All in Good Time
Mark Knopfler – Ahead of the Game
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Sierra Ferrell – American Dreaming

Best Americana Album
Charley Crockett – $10 Cowboy
Maggie Rose – No One Gets Out Alive
Sarah Jarosz – Polaroid Lovers
Sierra Ferrell – Trail of Flowers
T Bone Burnett – The Other Side
Waxahatchee – Tigers Blood

Best Bluegrass Album
Billy Strings – Live Vol. 1
Bronwyn Keith-Hynes – I Built a World
Dan Tyminski – Dan Tyminski: Live From the Ryman
The Del McCoury Band – Songs of Love and Life
Sister Sadie – No Fear
Tony Trischka – Earl Jam

Best Traditional Blues Album
Cedric Burnside – Hill Country Love
The Fabulous Thunderbirds – Struck Down
Little Feat – Sam’s Place
Sue Foley – One Guitar Woman
Taj Mahal – Swingin’: Live at the Church in Tulsa

Best Contemporary Blues Album
Antonio Vergara – The Fury
Joe Bonamassa – Blues Deluxe Vol. 2
Ruthie Foster – Mileage
Shemekia Copeland – Blame It on Eve
Steve Cropper & The Midnight Hour – Friendlytown

Best Folk Album
Adrianne Lenker – Bright Future
American Patchwork Quartet – American Patchwork Quartet
Aoife O’Donovan – All My Friends
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – Woodland
Madi Diaz – Weird Faith

Best Regional Roots Music Album
Big Chief Monk Featuring J’wan Boudreaux – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Kalani Pe’a – Kuini
New Breed Brass Band Featuring Trombone Shorty – Live at the 2024 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
The Rumble – Stories From the Battlefield
Sean Ardoin & Kreole Rock and Soul – 25 Back to My Roots

Best Gospel Performance/Song
Doe – Holy Hands
Melvin Crispell III – Yesterday
Ricky Dillard – Hold On (Live)
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Erica Campbell & Israel Houghton Featuring Jonathan McReynolds & Jekalyn Carr – One Hallelujah
Yolanda Adams – Church Doors

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
Bethel Music, Jenn Johnson Featuring CeCe Winans – Holy Forever (Live)
CeCe Winans – That’s My King
Elevation Worship Featuring Brandon Lake, Chris Brown & Chandler Moore – Praise
Honor & Glory & Disciple – Firm Foundation (He Won’t)
Jwlkrs Worship & Maverick City Music Featuring Chandler Moore – In the Name of Jesus
Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore Featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard – In the Room

Best Gospel Album
CeCe Winans – More Than This
Karen Clark Sheard – Still Karen
Kirk Franklin – Father’s Day
Melvin Crispell III – Covered Vol. 1
Ricky Dillard – Choirmaster II (Live)

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Brandon Lake – Coat of Many Colors
Doe – Heart of a Human
Elevation Worship – When Wind Meets Fire
Forrest Frank – Child of God
Maverick City Music, Chandler Moore & Naomi Raine – The Maverick Way Complete

Best Roots Gospel Album
Authentic Unlimited – The Gospel Sessions, Vol. 2
Cory Henry – Church
The Harlem Gospel Travelers – Rhapsody
Mark D. Conklin – The Gospel According to Mark
The Nelons – Loving You

Best Latin Pop Album
Anitta – Funk Generation
Kali Uchis – Orquídeas
Kany García – García
Luis Fonsi – El Viaje
Shakira – Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran

Best Música Urbana Album
Bad Bunny – Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
Feid – Ferxxocalipsis
J Balvin – Rayo
Residente – Las Letras Ya No Importan
Young Miko – Att.

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Cimafunk – Pa’ Tu Cuerpa
El David Aguilar – Compita del Destino
Mon Laferte – Autopoiética
Nathy Peluso – Grasa
Rawayana – ¿Quién Trae las Cornetas?

Best Música Mexicana Album (Including Tejano)
Carín León – Boca Chueca, Vol. 1
Chiquis – Diamantes
Jessi Uribe – De Lejitos
Peso Pluma – Éxodo

Best Tropical Latin Album
Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 – Radio Güira
Kiki Valera – Vacilón Santiaguero
Marc Anthony – Muevense
Sheila E. – Bailar
Tony Succar & Mimy Succar – Alma, Corazón y Salsa (Live at Gran Teatro Nacional)

Best Global Music Performance
Angélique Kidjo & Soweto Gospel Choir – Sunlight to My Soul
Arooj Aftab – Raat Ki Rani
Jacob Collier Featuring Anoushka Shankar & Varijashree Venugopal – A Rock Somewhere
Masa Takumi Featuring Ron Korb, Noshir Mody & Dale Edward Chung – Kashira
Rocky Dawuni – Rise
Sheila E. Featuring Gloria Estefan & Mimy Succar – Bemba Colorá

Best African Music Performance
Asake & Wizkid – MMS
Burna Boy – Higher
Chris Brown Featuring Davido & Lojay – Sensational
Tems – Love Me JeJe
Yemi Alade – Tomorrow

Best Global Music Album
Antonio Rey – Historias de un Flamenco
Ciro Hurtado – Paisajes
Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra – Alkebulan II
Rema – Heis
Tems – Born in the Wild

Best Reggae Album
Collie Buddz – Take It Easy
Shenseea – Never Gets Late Here
Various Artists – Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By the Film (Deluxe)
Vybz Kartel – Party With Me
The Wailers – Evolution

Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album
Anoushka Shankar – Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn
Chris Redding – Visions of Sounds De Luxe
Radhika Vekaria – Warriors of Light
Ricky Kej – Break of Dawn
Ryuichi Sakamoto – Opus
Wouter Kellerman, Éru Matsumoto & Chandrika Tandon – Triveni

Best Children’s Music Album
Divinity Roxx & Divi Roxx Kids – World Wide Playdate
John Legend – My Favorite Dream
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band – ¡Brillo, Brillo!
Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats – Creciendo
Rock for Children – Solid Rock Revival

Best Comedy Album
Dave Chappelle – The Dreamer
Jim Gaffigan – The Prisoner
Nikki Glaser – Someday You’ll Die
Ricky Gervais – Armageddon
Trevor Noah – Where Was I

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording
Barbra Streisand – My Name Is Barbra
Dolly Parton – Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestones
George Clinton – …And Your Ass Will Follow
Jimmy Carter – Last Sundays in Plains: A Centennial Celebration
Various Artists – All You Need Is Love: The Beatles in Their Own Words

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
London Symphony Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin & Bradley Cooper – Maestro: Music by Leonard Bernstein
Various Artists – The Color Purple
Various Artists – Deadpool & Wolverine
Various Artists – Saltburn
Various Artists – Twisters: The Album

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television)
Kris Bowers – The Color Purple
Hans Zimmer – Dune: Part Two
Laura Karpman – American Fiction
Nick Chuba, Atticus Ross & Leopold Ross – Shōgun
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Challengers

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media
Bear McCreary – God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla
John Paesano – Marvel’s Spider-Man 2
Pinar Toprak – Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora
Wilbert Roget II – Star Wars Outlaws
Winifred Phillips – Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord

Best Song Written for Visual Media
Barbra Streisand – Love Will Survive (From The Tattooist of Auschwitz)
Jon Batiste – It Never Went Away (From the Netflix Documentary “American Symphony”)
Luke Combs – Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma (From Twisters: The Album)
*NSync & Justin Timberlake – Better Place (From Trolls Band Together)
Olivia Rodrigo – Can’t Catch Me Now (From The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)

Best Music Video
A$AP Rocky – Tailor Swif
Charli XCX – 360
Eminem – Houdini
Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone – Fortnight

Best Music Film
Jon Batiste – American Symphony
June Carter Cash – June
Run-DMC – Kings From Queens
Steven Van Zandt – Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple
Various Artists – The Greatest Night in Pop

Best Recording Package
The Avett Brothers – The Avett Brothers
Charli XCX – Brat
iWhoiWhoo – Pregnancy, Breakdown, and Disease
Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (Baskerville Edition)
The Muddy Basin Ramblers – Jug Band Millionaire
Post Malone – F-1 Trillion
William Clark Green – Baker Hotel

Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package
Alpha Wolf – Half Living Things
John Lennon – Mind Games
Kate Bush – Hounds of Love (The Boxes of Lost at Sea)
Nirvana – In Utero
Unsuk Chin & Berliner Philharmoniker – Unsuk Chin
90 Day Men – We Blame Chicago

Best Album Notes
Alice Coltrane – The Carnegie Hall Concert (Live)
Ford Dabney’s Syncopated Orchestras – After Midnight
John Culshaw – John Culshaw – The Art of the Producer – The Early Years 1948-55
King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band & Various Artists – Centennial
Various Artists – SONtrack Original de la Película “Al Son de Beno”

Best Historical Album
King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band & Various Artists – Centennial
Paul Robeson – Paul Robeson – Voice of Freedom: His Complete Columbia, RCA, HMV, and Victor Recordings
Pepe de Lucía & Paco de Lucía – Pepito y Paquito
Prince & the New Power Generation – Diamonds and Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition)
Rodgers & Hammerstein & Julie Andrews – The Sound of Music (Original Soundtrack Recording) (Super Deluxe Edition)

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Charlotte Day Wilson – Cyan Blue
Kacey Musgraves – Deeper Well
Lucky Daye – Algorithm
Peter Gabriel – I/O
Sabrina Carpenter – Short n’ Sweet
Willow – Empathogen

Best Engineered Album, Classical
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Adams & Los Angeles Master Chorale – John Adams: Girls of the Golden West
Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Manfred Honeck – Bruckner: Symphony No. 7 – Bates: Resurrexit (Live)
Skylark Vocal Ensemble & Matthew Guard – Clear Voices in the Dark
Timo Andres, Andrew Cyr & Metropolis Ensemble – Timo Andres: The Blind Banister

Producer of the Year, Classical
Christoph Franke
Dirk Sobotka
Dmitriy Lipay
Elaine Martone
Erica Brenner
Morten Lindberg

Best Immersive Audio Album
Ensemble 96, Current Saxophone Quartet & Nina T. Karlsen – Pax
Peter Gabriel – I/O (In-Side Mix)
Ray Charles & Various Artists – Genius Loves Company
Roxy Music – Avalon
Trondheim Symphony Orchestra & Nick Davies – Henning Sommerro: Borders

Best Instrumental Composition
Akropolis Reed Quintet, Pascal Le Boeuf & Christian Euman – Strands
André 3000 – I Swear, I Really Wanted to Make a “Rap” Album but This Is Literally the Way the Wind Blew Me This Time
Chick Corea & Béla Fleck – Remembrance
Christopher Zuar Orchestra – Communion
Shelly Berg – At Last

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
Béla Fleck – Rhapsody in Blue(Grass)
Henry Mancini & Snarky Puppy – Baby Elephant Walk (Encore)
Jacob Collier Featuring John Legend & Tori Kelly – Bridge Over Troubled Water
Säje – Silent Night
Scott Hoying Featuring Säje & Tonality – Rose Without the Thorns

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
Cody Fry Featuring Sleeping at Last – The Sound of Silence
John Legend – Always Come Back
Säje Featuring Regina Carter – Alma
Willow – Big Feelings
The 8-Bit Big Band Featuring Jonah Nilsson & Button Masher – Last Surprise (From “Persona 5”)

Best Orchestral Performance
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & JoAnn Falletta – Kodály: Háry János Suite, Nyári este & Symphony in C Major
Esa-Pekka Salonen & San Francisco Symphony – Stravinsky: The Firebird
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina
ORF Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra & Marin Alsop – John Adams: City Noir, Fearful Symmetries & Lola Montez Does the Spider Dance
Susanna Mälkki & Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra – Sibelius: Karelia Suite, Rakastava & Lemminkäinen

Best Opera Recording
Los Angeles Philharmonic, John Adams & Los Angeles Master Chorale – John Adams: Girls of the Golden West
Lyric Opera of Kansas City & Gerard Schwarz – Moravec: The Shining
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Catán: Florencia en el Amazonas
The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Puts: The Hours
San Francisco Symphony Chorus & San Francisco Symphony – Saariaho: Adriana Mater

Best Choral Performance
Apollo’s Fire & Jeannette Sorrell – Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54
The Choir of Trinity Wall Street, Artefact Ensemble & Novus NY – Sheehan: Akathist
The Crossing, Donald Nally & Dan Schwartz – Ochre
Skylark Vocal Ensemble & Matthew Guard – Clear Voices in the Dark
True Concord Voices & Orchestra, Jeffrey Biegel & Eric Holtan – A Dream So Bright: Choral Music of Jake Runestad

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Caroline Shaw & Sō Percussion – Rectangles and Circumstance
JACK Quartet – John Luther Adams: Waves & Particles
Lorelei Ensemble & Christopher Cerrone – Christopher Cerrone: Beaufort Scales
Miró Quartet – Home
Yo-Yo Ma, Leonidas Kavakos & Emanuel Ax – Beethoven for Three: Symphony No. 4 and Op. 97 “Archduke”

Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Andy Akiho – Akiho: Longing
Curtis J Stewart, James Blachly & Experiential Orchestra – Perry: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra
Mak Grgić & Ensemble Dissonance – Entourer
Seth Parker Woods – Eastman The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc
Víkingur Ólafsson – J. S. Bach: Goldberg Variations

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
Fotina Naumenko – Bespoke Songs
Joyce DiDonato, Il Pomo d’Oro & Maxim Emelyanychev – Wagner: Wesendonck Lieder
Karen Slack & Michelle Cann – Beyond the Years
Nicholas Phan, Farayi Malek & Palaver Strings – A Change Is Gonna Come
Will Liverman & Jonathan King – Show Me the Way

Best Classical Compendium
Amy Porter, Nikki Chooi, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & JoAnn Falletta – Lukas Foss: Symphony No. 1 & Renaissance Concerto
Andy Akiho & Imani Winds – BeLonging
Danaë Xanthe Vlasse, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Michael Shapiro – Mythologies II
Experiential Orchestra, James Blachly & Curtis J Stewart – American Counterpoints
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & María Dueñas – Gabriela Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina

Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Andrea Casarrubios – Casarrubios: Seven for Solo Cello
Decoda – Coleman: Revelry
Esa-Pekka Salonen, Fleur Barron, Nicholas Phan, Christopher Purves, Axelle Fanyo & San Francisco Symphony Chorus & Orchestra – Saariaho: Adriana Mater
Eighth Blackbird – Lang: Composition as Explanation
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Master Chorale – Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina

Omar Apollo Releases Heart-Wrenching R&B Ballad “Dispose of Me”

Omar Apollo is slowing things down…

The 27-year-old Mexican American Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter has released the R&B ballad “Dispose of Me.”

Omar ApolloThe moving track serves as a testament to the rising star’s vocal prowess, as he shows off as much of his impressive range as possible.

Flowing from flawless falsetto to rumbling baritone, Apollo evokes the heartbreaking feeling the title promises within the first few seconds of this number, making “Dispose of Me” an absolute must-listen for anyone in need of a good cry.

After signing a record deal with Warner Records, his debut album, Ivory, was released in 2022 to positive reviews and earned him a Grammy Award nomination for Best New Artist at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

He sings in both English and Spanish.

Gloria Estefan to Receive Legend Award at Billboard Latin Women in Music Event

Gloria Estefan is set to receive a legendary recognition…

The 66-year-old Cuban superstar will be honored at the 2024 Billboard Latin Women in Music event, which will air exclusively on Telemundo on Sunday, June 9, at 9:00 pm ET.

Gloria EstefanThe special will also stream simultaneously on the Telemundo app and Peacock.

Estefan will be honored with the Legend Award, which is given to outstanding artists who have left a “unique and immeasurable legacy and have significantly impacted the industry throughout their careers with their musical work.”

The “Conga” and “Mi Tierra” hitmaker is renowned globally as a multi-talented singer and composer, celebrated for seamlessly blending her Cuban roots with mainstream music and paving the way for Latin musicians in the global arena. Billboard has hailed her as the most successful Latin “crossover” artist ever, underscoring her transformative impact on music and culture.

She has sold more than 100 million records. Her many honors include three Grammy Awards, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2017 and the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in 2019, the latter award in tandem with her husband Emilio Estefan.

Meanwhile, Ángela Aguilar will also be honored with the Musical Dynasty Award.

The title is given to artists who “keep a familial artistic legacy alive and honor the musical dynasty to which they belong.”

The Mexican singer is part of the esteemed Aguilar family, and, at 20 years old, she has carved out her own successful career with her talent while preserving the traditions of her family heritage.

With various hits under her belt, such as “Dime Como Quieres” with Christian Nodal at No. 8 on Hot Latin Songs and three No. 1s on the Regional Mexican Airplay chart, the Grammy-nominated singer is a force to be reckoned with. She was also featured in Billboard’s 21 under 21 in 2022 and 2023.

This celebration, which highlights the efforts of Latin women musicians who are “proactively working for positive change, inclusion and gender parity in the music industry,” will see the Cuban-American superstar receive the Legend title and the regional Mexican music star the Musical Dynasty honor.

Other Latin Women in Music recipients include Kany García, who will be given the Spirit of Change Award, and Ana Bárbara with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

In the coming weeks, additional honorees will be announced for the second annual Billboard Latin Women in Music ceremony, hosted by actress Jacqueline Bracamontes.

Cardi B Hints at Sophomore Album’s Release While Celebrating 6th Anniversary of “Invasion of Privacy”

Cardi B is promising her new album this year…

While celebrating the sixth anniversary of her Grammy-winning debut album, Invasion of Privacy, the 31-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar teased the release of her sophomore effort before year’s end.

Cardi BInvasion of Privacy was released in 2018, debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart and earning a Grammy win for best rap album at the 2019 Grammy Awards. The set’s tracklist includes Hot 100 No. 1 singles “Bodak Yellow” and “I Like It.”

Cardi B looked back at the success of her studio debut in a post on X on Saturday (April 6).

In her message, she hinted at what fans can expect from her long-awaited second album.

“6 years ago I released my first album and it broke so many records GAH LEE!!” she wrote. “6 years later I’m preparing to drop the next one this year.. it’s so different from what everyone is expecting and I’m sooo excited.”

“Love you guys and thank you for the support! I’ll talk to ya soon I been so busy these last few days,” added Cardi.

Cardi most recently unveiled the single “Enough (Miami)” on March 15 along with a Patience Harding-directed music video for the track. “Enough” arrived two weeks after she dropped “Like What (Freestyle).”

She’s also featured on “Puntería,” the opening track from Shakira’Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran album that was just released on March 22.

The follow-up LP to Cardi B’s Invasion of Privacy has yet to get an official release date.

Christina Aguilera to Serve as Presenter at This Year’s Grammy Awards Show

Christina Aguilera has a date with Grammy

The half-Ecuadorian American Grammy-wining singer will serve as a presenter at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Christina AguileraAguilera appears on a list of presenters that includes Samara Joy, Lenny Kravitz, Maluma, Lionel Richie, Mark Ronson, Meryl Streep, Taylor Tomlinson and Oprah Winfrey are set to present on the 2024 Grammy Awards, set for Sunday, Feb. 4.

Joy was the surprise winner of last year’s award for best new artist. Aguilera won in that same category 24 years ago.

Ronson, a seven-time Grammy-winner, received five nominations this year for his work on Barbie.

Richie won album of the year 39 years ago for Can’t Slow Down. He won song of the year the year after that for “We Are the World,” which he co-wrote with Michael Jackson.

Streep is nominated for best audio book, narration and storytelling recording for Big Tree. This is her seventh nomination. Streep has won three Oscars and three Primetime Emmys, but she has yet to win a Grammy (or a Tony).

Maluma received his third Grammy nod this year – best Latin pop album for Don Juan.

Additional performers will be announced in the coming days.

It’s unknown whether Taylor Swift will perform, though CBS has promoted the fact that she will be “in the building” to accept any awards she may win.

U2 is set to take the stage from Sphere in Las Vegas, where the band’s acclaimed U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere show is playing.

Trevor Noah will host the Grammys for the fourth consecutive year.

The 66th annual Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 4, live on both coasts beginning at 8:00 pm ET on CBS, and will stream live and on-demand on Paramount+ (live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

The telecast will be produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy for the fourth consecutive year. Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins are executive producers.

Anitta Hints at New “Very Cultural” and “Very Brazilian” Music

There could be new Anitta music coming out in the near future…

The 29-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter, who earned a nomination for Best New Artist at the 2023 Grammy Awards, has confirmed that her next album is ready.

AnittaAnitta made the announcement in a sit-down interview with Billboard News, describing the next album as “very cultural” and “very Brazilian.” 

“… I do have new music coming,” she explained. “I working on this album, very cultural, very Brazilian but in English and Spanish, finally the album that I think really represents me as an artist, I finally got it ready. And now I’m just working on music videos, the nice part.”

In April 2022, Anitta released her fifth studio and second multilingual album, Versions of Me, which was executive-produced by Ryan Tedder. The album included her massive hit single “Envolver.”

Ashanti to Star in Upcoming Drama about Homeless Community “No Address”

Ashanti has no address

The 42-year-old half-Afro-Dominican singer/actress will star opposite William Baldwin, Xander Berkley and Beverly D’Angelo in the upcoming drama No Address about a community of homeless people fighting eviction from their encampment.

AshantiThey have been announced as key cast by Robert Craig Films as shooting gets underway in Sacramento.

Further cast members include Ty Pennington, Lucas Jade Zumann, Kristanna Loken, Patricia Velasquez and Isabella Ferreira.

British LA-based Julia Verdin directs from a screenplay co-written with James J Papa.

Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin Ti” Wins IFPI Global Album Award

Bad Bunny is still makin’ history…

The 28-year-old Puerto Rican rapper and singer’s Un Verano Sin Ti has won the IFPI Global Album Award, becoming the first Latin artist to ever win the prize, according to the organization.

Bad BunnyIFPI, the trade association that represents recorded music industry worldwide, has announced that Un Verano Sin Ti  — which spent a total of 13 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 and became the first Spanish-language album to be nominated for album of the year at the Grammy Awards — topped the Top 20 Global Albums chart in 2022.

 

“We are incredibly excited to award Bad Bunny, the first Latin American artist to win an IFPI Global Award, with the Album of the Year Award,” Frances Moore, chief executive, IFPI, said in a statement. “His unique sound, encapsulated in his award-winning album Un Verano Sin Tihas captured the world’s attention on a remarkable scale over the last 12 months.

Elsewhere on the Top 20 Global Albums, which takes into account all consumption formats, spanning physical sales, digital downloads and streaming platforms across a calendar year, Taylor Swift’s Midnights came in second place.

Last week, the IFPI announced Swift was the global recording artist of the year, winning for a third time after already having topped the tally in 2014 and 2019.

Meanwhile, Harrys Styles’ Harry’s House took the third spot on the Top 20 Global Albums chart. His hit song “As It Was” was crowned with IFPI’s Global Single Award for 2022, an honor that recognizes the top performing single across all platforms, and all markets.

“This year’s Global Albums Chart bears testament to the incredible partnerships that exist between artists and record labels,” Moore added. “These partnerships nurture and support artists while they write and record their music before going on to promote albums on a global level, achieving extraordinary amounts of success around the world.”

Rounding out the top five global albums are BTS’ Proof and the the original soundtrack for Encanto came in at No. 5. Also on the list are Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour, Beyoncé’s Renaissance and Drake’s Certified Lover Boy. The full Top 20 list can be seen below.

IFPI Top 20 Global Albums of 2022
1/ Bad Bunny, Un Verano Sin Ti
2/ Taylor Swift, Midnights
3/ Harry Styles, Harry’s House
4/ BTS, Proof
5/ Encanto Cast, Encanto (OST)
6/ Stray Kids, Maxident
7/ Seventeen, Face the Sun
8/ Blackpink, Born Pink
9/ Olivia Rodrigo, Sour
10/ Ed Sheeran, =
11/ Enhypen, Manifesto: Day 1
12/ Morgan Wallen, Dangerous: The Double Album
13/ Doja Cat, Planet Her
14/ Stray Kids, Oddinary
15/ The Weeknd, Dawn FM
16/ Tomorrow x Together, minisode 2: Thursday’s Child
17/ Beyoncé, Renaissance
18/ Seventeen, Sector 17
19/ The Kid Laroi, F*ck Love (Mix Tape)
20/ Drake, Certified Lover Boy

Omar Apollo Releases New Single “3 Boys”

Omar Apollo releases a personal new single…

The 25-year-old Mexican American singer/songwriter and Best New Artist Grammy nominee has released this first single of 2023, “3 Boys.”

On the track, Apollo just can’t seem to let go, despite his best efforts as he attempts to move on from a relationship, but realizes that there will always be more than one in the relationship.

His silky vocals arc perfectly over an aching melody, arriving at a falsetto zenith with the song’s blissful chorus.

“When I first started writing songs I would often write about unrequited love,” says Apollo of the new single. “Eventually I wrote songs about the complexities that come with a relationship. “3 Boys” was my first time writing about something non-monogamous. Having more than one person to talk to. 🧐 I wrote the song on a rainy day in London. I spent most of December there, mostly just because I wanted to get out of America. I ended up going to the studio more than I thought I would. I wrote the song with a friend of mine, Dylan Wiggins. It seemed like we were both in the same mind state for a song like this. The song wrote itself really quickly. I also had my friend Mustafa help me with a few lines after I played it for him.

“3 Boys” comes after Apollo was nominated for Best New Artist at the 2023 Grammy Awards. Apollo released his debut studio album, Ivory, in April 2022.

The record features guest appearances from Daniel Caesar and Kali Uchis, as well as the R&B singer-songwriter’s biggest hit to date, “Evergreen.”

Later in 2022, he released a deluxe version of the album, Ivory (Marfil).