The 30-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar and Megan Thee Stallion have joined the performer lineup for the upcoming awards show.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion will reunite for a debut performance of their just-released single “Bongos” during the ceremony, which will air live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12th at 8:00 pm ET/PT.
In 2021, the duo were five-time VMA nominees for their hit single “WAP” including Song of the Summer, Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration and Best Hip Hop.
The song made history as the first female rap collaboration to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, then spending four weeks at the top spot as well as being certified platinum 8x in the U.S.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion join a performer lineup that includes Fall Out Boy, Metro Boomin with Future, A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Swae Lee & NAV, Peso Pluma, Nicki Minaj, Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Wayne, Anitta, Doja Cat, Kelsea Ballerini, Tomorrow X Together, Demi Lovato, Karol G, Måneskinand Stray Kids.
Minaj will reprise her dual role at the MTV VMAs as show emcee and performer for the live event. She’s expected to present the world premiere performance of her newest single, “Last Time I Saw You.”
Taylor Swift leads the pack in nominations with eight, including Video of the Year, Artist of the Year and Song of the Year for “Anti-Hero.”
The 30-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-wining rap superstar has joined voices with Megan Thee Stallion to release their latest joint single, “Bongos.”
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion are clearly not ready to give up their Hot Girl Summer i the new video for their latest joint single.
The Technicolor extravaganza that dropped on Friday, September 8 is filled to bursting with a rainbow of high-fashion looks, shoes so impossibly stacked that even Lady Gaga would have trouble balancing in them and, of course, lyrics that will keep censors working overtime.
For their first collaboration since 2020’s Billboard Hot 200 No. 1 smash “WAP,” the pair tapped Ukrainian director Tanu Muino, who kicks things off with a shot from behind of dancers in brightly colored bathing suits bouncing along to the song’s hypnotic “bong, bong, bong” refrain as they balance on beachside chaise lounges on geometrically shaped high heels.
After a quick glimpse of Cardi laying in the sand in a purple and pink bikini with a gigantic furry matching hat, the “Jealousy” rapper struts her stuff in Carnival-like blue, pink and yellow flamingo headdresses and matching bathing suits for a mansion full of men in bikinis as she busts out the song’s provocative first verse. “N—a eats this a– like a plum/ This p—y tight like a nun/ Better chew it up like it’s gum/ Then wipe your mouth when you’re done,” she raps over the song’s insistent beat.
“I’m hot like Nevada/ P—y get popped, piñata/ B–ch, I look like money/ You could print my face on a dollar,” Cardi adds before the “Beat it up (bong bong bong bong)” refrain comes around and Cardi twerks in front of an open fridge while rocking a burgundy string bikini and matching cascading braids.
Cardi B warned fans in a preview DJ Whoo Kid interview that fans shouldn’t expect the “Bongos” video to serve up the same energy she and Meg brought in the eye-popping “WAP” clip, but the two definitely share a similar high-fashion, all-the-colors-of-the-rainbow aesthetic, minus the latter’s celeb (and big cat) cameos, of course.
Cardi B kicks off the second “Bongos” verse modeling one of her wildest outfits ever, a body-hugging paisley bodysuit that matches the pattern on a couch she grinds her hips on while dissing unnamed “dusty-a– hoes.” After Cardi’s surfside hip-swiveling routine with a half dozen dancers, Megan gets her spot, entering the action in a provocative green monokini and matching headdress while posing on a diving board.
The 30-year-old half-Dominican American Grammy-winning rap superstar is joining forces with Megan Thee Stallion once again, this time on the new track “Bongos.”
Cardi B’s new track will be released on Friday (September 8, with the new track available to be pre-saved now via streaming services Spotify and Apple Music.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion unveiled the “Bongos” artwork with the announcement. The colorful visual shows the two rappers in coordinating blue and purple one-pieces and high heels, with their hair styled in playful, multi-colored curls, and lollipops in hand.
Cardi and Megan Thee Stallion haven’t shared further details yet, but this is their second collaboration — so fans are already hyped.
Their first song together — the NSFW smash hit “WAP,” released on Atlantic Records — spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2020.
“Y’all remember when the FCC almost sued me cuz I performed WAP at the Grammys? What about when all the republicans literally harassed me over it? On the news everyday… Y’all remember? Oooohhh cuz I do,” Cardi reminisced over the summer.
Last week, Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion won a court ruling tossing out a lawsuit that accused them of stealing the lyrics to “WAP” and Megan The Stallion’s “Thot Shit” from an earlier track called “Grab Em by the P—-.”
Last month, Cardi B also gave an update on her sophomore album that interestingly turned out to be a decoy — or maybe “Bongos” just came to be very recently.
“I’m not going to release any more collaborations,” she said for her Vogue México y Latinoamérica cover story. “I’m going to put out my next solo single. Right now, I’m working on the cover art and ideas for the next record because it’s definitely coming up. Everyone always tells me I should put the record out now. They did when I released ‘WAP’ [with Megan Thee Stallion] and when I released ‘Up,’ but I always let them know I’m not going to wait long after all these singles. So stay tuned because it’s coming out very soon.”
Amazon Music Live will return for season 2 with performances from several artists, including the 31-yea-old Colombian singer and songwriter.
Hosted by 2 Chainz, Amazon Music’s weekly livestreamed concert series, which is broadcast after Thursday Night Football will have performances starting September 21 at 9:00 pm PT with artists including Feid, Ed Sheeran, Lil Durk and more.
Amazon Music Live will broadcast live from Los Angeles and air on Prime Video and Amazon Music’s Twitch channel.
Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion, Kane Brown, Lil Wayne, Anuel AA, A$AP Rocky, Anitta and 21 Savage performed during season 1 of Amazon Music Live.
“We created Amazon Music Live to bring sports and music fans together on Thursday nights for a brand-new, can’t-miss event celebrating new music after the biggest game of the week,” said Ryan Redington, GM of Amazon Music. “Available to fans around the world on Prime Video and Twitch, AML became a massive new stage for artists to share their culture-defining new music after Thursday Night Football, and this year we’re going even bigger.”
Sheeran will kick off season 2 on September 21, just a week before he releases his seventh studio album Autumn Variations, due September 29. \
Feid will perform September 28, the night before he drops his new album Mor No Le Temas a la Oscuridad.
And Lil Durk will perform on Oct. 5.
More artists across all genres will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Join me each week when I’m turning Thursday night into music’s main stage with Amazon Music Live,” 2 Chainz said. “We’re returning to your screens live after Thursday Night Football with even more new music, more album drops and more wild performances than ever before. Amazon Music Live is the only place to be after the big game. Tune in and turn up.”
The 45-year-old Afro-Dominican American rapper will perform at this year’s ONE Musicfest 2023.
The festival, presented in partnership with Live Nation Urban, will take place October 28-29 at Piedmont Park in Atlanta.
Fabolous is part of a lineup that includes El Debarge, Jadakiss, Bryson Tiller and The-Dream.
Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, Brent Faiyaz and Megan Thee Stallion will headline the festival.
Among the additional performers who will be featured during the two-day concert are Tems, Kodak Black, Coi Leray, Coco Jones, and Jozzy along with surprise special guests.
There will also be a special salute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Helming that celebration will be Nelly, KRS-One, Killer Mike, 8Ball & MJG, DJ Quik, DJ Drama,
In a release announcing the lineup, ONE Musicfest founder J. Carter said, “We are beyond excited about the 14th annual ONE Musicfest. To have the opportunity to host Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, Megan Thee Stallion, Brent Faiyaz, and other iconic artists in the middle of Piedmont Park is a dream come true, especially on the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. It doesn’t get any better than this. It will be a premium experience for the artists, the attendees, and our partners. We look forward to our new home in Piedmont Park and delivering an elevated experience to our many fans.”
ONE Musicfest tickets are available here; for additional details, visit ONE Musicfest’s website.
The 30-year old half-Dominican American rap superstar has earned three nominations for this year’s music-heavy BET Awards.
Cardi B, a six-time BET Awards winner, is nominated for Best Female Hip Hop Artist, as well as Best Collaboration and Video of the Year Awads for her GloRilla hit single “Tomorrow 2.”
But Cardi B isn’t the only Latinx artist being recognized…
Ice Spice has earned four nods.
The 23-year-old half-Dominican rapper is nominated for Best New Artist and Best Female Hip Hop Artist, as well as Best Collaboration and Bet Her for her Pinkpantheress-collaboration “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2.”
Meanwhile, Mariah Carey has earned a nod.
The 54-year-old half-Venezuelan Grammy-winning singer, a four-time BET Awards nominee, is up for Best Collaboration
For “Big Energy (Remix),” featuring Mariah Carey and Dj Khaled
Celebrating creative expression and Black excellence across music, television, film, and sports, the 23rd BET Awards will be handed out on Sunday, June 25.
Last year’s winners included Will Smith, Kendrick nr, Megan Thee Stallion and Jazmine Sullivan.
Here’s a look at the nominees for the 2023 BET Awards:
Album of the Year
Anyways, Life’s Great, GloRilla
Breezy, Chris Brown
God Did, Dj Khaled
Her Loss, Drake & 21 Savage
Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers, Kendrick Lamar
Renaissance, Beyoncé
SOS, SZA
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
Ari Lennox
Beyoncé
Coco Jones
H.E.R.
Lizzo
SZA
Tems
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
Blxst
Brent Faiyaz
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Drake
The Weeknd
Usher
Best Group
City Girls
Drake & 21 Savage
Dvsn
Flo
Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
Quavo & Takeoff
Wanmor
Best Collaboration
Big Energy (Remix), Latto & Mariah Carey feat. Dj Khaled
Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2, Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice
Call Me Every Day, Chris Brown feat. Wizkid
Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, King Combs feat. Kodak Black
Creepin’, Metro Boomin, The Weeknd & 21 Savage
F.N.F. (Let’s Go), Hitkidd & GloRilla
Tomorrow 2, GloRilla & Cardi B
Wait For U, Future feat. Drake & Tems
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Cardi B
Coi Leray
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
21 Savage
Drake
Future
J. Cole
Jack Harlow
Kendrick Lamar
Lil Baby
Video of the Year
We (Warm Embrace) Chris Brown
2 Million Up, Peezy, Jeezy & Real Boston Richey feat. Rob49
About Damn Time, Lizzo
Bad Habit, Steve Lacy
First Class, Jack Harlow
Kill Bill, SZA
Tomorrow 2, GloRilla & Cardi B
Video Director of the Year
A$Ap Rocky For Awge
Benny Boom
Burna Boy
Cole Bennett
Dave Free & Kendrick Lamar
Director X
Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor
Best New Artist
Ambré
Coco Jones
Doechii
Flo
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Lola Brooke
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Bless Me, Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
Finished (Live), Tamela Mann
I’ve Got Joy, Cece Winans
Kingdom, Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin feat. Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore
New, Tye Tribbett
One Moment From Glory, Yolanda Adams
The Better Benediction (Pt. 2), PJ Morton feat. Lisa Knowles-Smith, Le’andria Johnson, Keke Wyatt, Kierra Sheard & Tasha Cobbs Leonard
Viewer’s Choice Award
About Damn Time, Lizzo
Break My Soul, Beyoncé
First Class, Jack Harlow
Jimmy Cooks, Drake feat. 21 Savage
Kill Bill, SZA
Last Last, Burna Boy
Super Freaky Girl, Nicki Minaj
Wait for U, Future feat. Drake & Tems
Best International Act
Aya Nakamura (France)
Ayra Starr (Nigeria)
Burna Boy (Nigeria)
Central Cee (UK)
Ella Mai (UK)
Ko (South Africa)
L7nnon (Brazil)
Stormzy (UK)
Tiakola (France)
Uncle Waffles (Swaziland)
Viewer’s Choice: Best New International Act
Asake (Nigeria)
Camidoh (Ghana)
Flo (UK)
Libianca (Cameroon)
Maureen (France)
Mc Ryan Sp (Brazil)
Pabi Cooper (South Africa)
Raye (Uk)
Werenoi (France)
Bet Her
About Damn Time, Lizzo
Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2, Pinkpantheress & Ice Spice
Break My Soul, Beyoncé
Her, Megan Thee Stallion
Lift Me Up, Rihanna & Ludwig Göransson
Players, Coi Leray
Special, Lizzo
Best Movie
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Creed 3
Emancipation
Nope
The Woman King
Till
Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Best Actor
Amin Joseph
Brian Tyree Henry
Damson Idris
Daniel Kaluuya
Demetrius ‘Lil Meech’ Flenory Jr.
Donald Glover
Michael B. Jordan
Best Actress
Angela Bassett
Coco Jones
Janelle James
Janelle Monáe
Keke Palmer
Viola Davis
Zendaya
Youngstars Award
Akira Akbar
Alaya High
Demi Singleton
Genesis Denise
Marsai Martin
Thaddeus J. Mixson
Young Dylan
Sportswoman of the Year Award
Alexis Morris
Allyson Felix
Angel Reese
Candace Parker
Naomi Osaka
Serena Williams
Sha’carri Richardson
Sportsman of the Year Award
Aaron Judge
Bubba Wallace
Gervonta Davis
Jalen Hurts
LeBron James
Patrick Mahomes
Stephen Curry
Mariah Carey will be livin’ with Pride this summer…
This upcoming Pride Month, the 52-year-old half-Venezuelan American Grammy-winning songstress will serve as a headliner alongside Megan Thee Stallion at L.A. Pride.
L.A. Pride organizers have announced that the two superstars will serve as the headliners for 2023’s L.A. Pride in the Park event.
Taking place at Los Angeles State Historic Park over two days, Pride in the Park will feature the “WAP” rapper leading the show on Friday, June 9, while the Elusive Chanteuse will receive top-billing for Saturday, June 10. Additional artists have yet to be announced for the concert.
In a statement posted to her Instagram, Carey celebrated the news under a poster of herself and Megan. “I’m thrilled and honored to be a part of LA Pride 2023,” she wrote. “I am happy to be back in-person celebrating with the LGBTQIA+ community here in Southern California and throughout all of the lands!!! Let’s come together to celebrate love, inclusion, and Pride.”
The “Savage” rapper also put out a statement, writing, “I can’t wait to headline LA Pride in the Park and celebrate the phenomenal LGBTQIA+ community. This incredible event advocates for diversity, inclusivity and equality, so I’m honored to perform and have a blast with all of the Hotties in attendance.”
Along with announcing the pair of artists as this year’s headliners, L.A. Pride also shared that the official theme of the festivities this year is “All Out With Pride,” aiming to celebrate “the LGBTQIA+ community’s diversity, resilience, and joy,” according to a statement.
“Mariah Carey and Megan Thee Stallion are the perfect artists to headline L.A. Pride in the Park this year as we expand to two days,” L.A. Pride’s board president Gerald Garth said in a statement. “These empowering and iconic women are sure to take the stage by storm to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community and will undoubtedly make this year’s L.A. Pride in the Park an unforgettable experience.”
Last year’s L.A. Pride festivities culminated in a headlining Pride in the Park set from Christina Aguilera, which featured guest appearances from stars like Mya, Kim Petras and Paris Hilton. “I’m so proud to call you my family,” Xtina said during her set last year. “You are a part of me and I’m so happy to bring this to you.”
Tickets for 2023’s L.A. Pride in the Park are now available to purchase on the L.A.Pride website.
Apple Music has named the 28-year-old Puerto Rican superstar its 2022 Artist of the Year.
It’s the first time since the Apple Music Awards launched in 2019 that a Latin artist has been recognized as AOTY, and the first time only one artist is named for the award.
Bad Bunny — whose Un Verano Sin Ti Album is also Apple Music’s most streamed album this year and the biggest Latin album of all time — is acknowledged for his excellence and influence on global culture in 2022. He now joins previous AOTY honorees including Billie Eilish, Lil Baby, Megan Thee Stallion, Taylor Swift and The Weeknd.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Bad Bunny, whose influence on every corner of culture could not be ignored in 2022,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Apple Music and Beats, in a statement. “Watching Bad Bunny ascend from an Apple Music Up Next artist in 2018 to our Artist of the Year this year has been nothing short of extraordinary. We congratulate him on his record-breaking year and for continuing to bring Latin music to a massive global audience.”
In addition to becoming Apple Music’s biggest Latin artist of all time by streams worldwide, Bad Bunny’s “Moscow Mule” holds the record for the biggest Latin song of all time by first-day streams worldwide.
He broke the record for most simultaneous entries by a single Latin artist with 22 songs on the Daily Top 100; reached No. 1 on the Daily Top 100 in 34 countries worldwide, more than any other Latin artist; and holds the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 Latin albums by first-day streams, just to name a few milestones.
“When I started, I didn’t have a global fan base,” he told Apple Music in an exclusive film. “I’m grateful for everything I’ve accomplished and everything I’ve experienced. The Latin music movement has grown so much. I would never take full credit or say, ‘It’s because of me.’ No, it’s every one of us. A whole generation. Our energy and presence are always felt.”
In celebration, the “Me Porto Bonito” singer curated a “La Fórmula” playlist with tracks from Myke Towers and Rauw Alejandro, among others, and fans can tune in to Apple Music 1, where it’s Bad Bunny Day with exclusive programming, specials, and more.
Chesca will be celebrating culture and creativity…
Penske Media Corporation has announced that the Puerto Rican singer will perform at its inaugural two-day culture and creativity festival LA3C.
Chesca is among a list of recently added performers that includes Piso 21 and Kyle.
In addition, Grammy-nominated producer TOKiMONSTA was announced as the Sunday headliner for the Hot Import Nights Stage, which will also include performance sets by Accia, Cuco and Rosegold. Additionally, VIBE, the leading entertainment and lifestyle brand in celebrating Black culture, will host a special 30th anniversary set featuring LA native producer and DJ Linafornia.
Click here for the full two-day event lineup, featuring headliners Maluma and Megan Thee Stallion.
Food, fine artists and on-site experiences for the event will be announced in the coming weeks.
Penske Media’s first-ever culture and creativity festival will take over the Los Angeles State Historic Park on December 10 and 11, 2022.
LA3C stands for Los Angeles the Capital of Culture & Creativity and aims to connect communities through the city’s music, food and art.
Additionally, LA3C will support the next generations of creative talent in Los Angeles through partnerships with nonprofit arts organizations Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) and Film Independent.
The festival and performance sets are slated to run from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. PT on the first day and 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. PT on day two. All attendees must be over 21 years of age.
Tickets for LA3C are now available to purchase here.
Gerardo Ortiz is helping celebrate culture and creativity…
The 33-year-old Mexican American Regional Mexican singer has been added to the lineup for the first-ever LA3C culture and creativity festival.
Sponsored by Penske Media, the event is set for December 10-11.
In addition to Ortiz, new additions to the main stage performance lineup include Free Nationals, Fonseca, Marc Segui, Shawn Wasabi, Monogem, Shea Diamond, and Chicocurlyhead.
The festival will take place at the Los Angeles State Historic Park in Los Angeles.
The name, LA3C, stands for Los Angeles the Capital of Culture & Creativity.
The diverse lineup of performers join previously announced headliner and three-time Grammy-winner Megan Thee Stallion and Latin chart-topper Maluma, with performances by K-Pop stage-breakers Seventeen and Snoop Dogg.
“We are thrilled to share our full music lineup today,” said Juan Mora, CEO of LA3C. “Our goals were to create a lineup that celebrates the range of musical genres Los Angeles offers including Pop, Hip-Hop, R&B, K-Pop, Regional Mexican Music, EDM and more and for attendees to discover new artists while enjoying names they know and love.”
LA3C has also announced its partnership with HIN Events LLC, Hot Import Nights Brand, the world’s largest indoor/outdoor automotive lifestyle event producer.
As part of the partnership, HIN Events will host a second stage featuring headliner Mustard and performance sets from AJ Hernz, ARIUS, Cam Girl, Freya Fox, Kill Bambi, Kim Lee, LOLO, Lucky Light, Madds, MEIRLIN, Peach, Rose Gold, Soda and Vice.
Additional talent for the two-day culture and creativity festival will be announced in the coming weeks including chefs, restaurants and artists.
Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion will reunite for a debut performance of their just-released single “Bongos” during the ceremony, which will air live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12th at 8:00 pm ET/PT.
