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.

On Nov. 5, the two year anniversary of her debut single “Over It,” Atlanta R&B singer Summer Walker released her follow-up album “Still Over It” through LVRN and Interscope Records. This led to messy online confrontations between Walker, London and the other mothers of his children Erica Racine and Eboni Ivory. Walker calls out London by name, speaks out on the other mothers of his children and even his own mother. Don’t settle for less — you don’t deserve it and neither does your family,” Walker said in a message to Apple Music. Featured image “Summer Walker – TCUS Logo-15” by thecomeupshow is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

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.”

The Weeknd, who was nominated for eight American Music Awards, was completely shut out of the Grammys, earning zero nominations despite having a No. “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.

That just happened to emerging R&B star Summer Walker right here in the Magic City. "Watch out Miami," the artist shared in an Instagram story, now published on Twitter. Walker is one of the brightest stars in today's urban pop game, but she's not burning anything after this gaff. Her hit "Playing Games" peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 in October, but according to fans on Twitter, the poor girl just played herself. All of those old ghosts have risen once more in the Twitter comments surrounding her weed snafu.

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.

Last Friday, rapper Tory Lanez released Chixtape 5, a star-studded, nostalgia-ridden R&B project inspired by the early 2000s. In his fifth installment of his Chixtape series, Lanez samples popular tracks from the past such as Cant Let You Go by Fabolous, I Luv Ya Girl by The-Dream and Foolish by Ashanti. However, on this project he goes above and beyond, enlisting original artists to be featured on the new tracks. Tory Lanezs creativity not only in his lyrical ability but also in incorporating skits, a story line, phone calls and references to the golden-era of R&B makes this cohesive body of work a nostalgic blast from the past. Put quite frankly, utilizing skits, phone calls and old-school R&B samples has been done time-and-time again.

The quest for love is often a twisted play of lust and loss, and Summer Walker is over it. Following her Last Day of Summer project and a co-sign from Drake on her Girls Need Love Too remix, rising Atlanta R&B star Summer Walker released her highly-anticipated debut album Over It last Friday, Oct. 4. Lennan continued, I love that Come Thru is a remix of Ushers You Make Me Wanna with Usher on it. The album comes full circle with Walker concluding with the song that started the hype, Girls Need Love Too featuring Drake. Referencing sentiments of infatuation heard in other tracks, Walker reiterates that the search for intimacy ultimately never ceases.

R&B singer-songwriter-producer Summer Walker plays live at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale on Monday, Dec. 18th. Doors open at 8 p.m. The show starts at 9 p.m.For tickets or more information click here. Copyright 2019 by WPLG Local10.com - All rights reserved.