GRUNGECAKE

Category: Awards and Certifications

  • Watch Lady Gaga’s theatrical performances of ‘Abracadabra’ and ‘The Dead Dance’ at the 2025 MTV VMAs

    À la Disco!

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    There’s a reason why the Queen of Pop was the most-nominated artist, receiving twelve times in 2025! Last night at the 2025 MTV VMAs, the network aired a pre-taped performance from Lady Gaga’s sold-out show at the renowned Madison Square Garden in New York City on September 6. In the clip, she sang two songs—one from her new album ‘Mayhem’ (‘Abracabra’) and another (’The Dead Dance’) from Netflix’s soundtrack for its series ‘Wednesday’.

    It’s been a while since we’ve all had the pleasure of watching Lady Gaga’s showmanship, her warm cheer, the camaraderie she shows to other artists by rising to her feet to clap for them—like she did with Ariana Grande for Lola Young—just ahead of collecting the Artist of the Year award, and how she eloquently addresses the public when she speaks. We celebrate Lady Gaga endlessly, as her concern and support for the general public always seems to come first. Check out the playback of the incredible performance.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHs1LCir63Q&h=315]

  • Watch Doja Cat’s sultry performance of ‘Jealous Type’ with Kenny G at the 2025 MTV VMAs

    “Oh, I’m jealous”

    Giving the world an outstanding performance isn’t new for American superstar Doja Cat! Last night to open the 2025 MTV VMAs, the ‘Jealous Type’ singer-rapper teamed up with the legendary Smooth Jazz saxophonist and musician Kenny G to deliver an electric eighties-inspired performance—laced with sultry and exquisite and choreographed moves fitting to the era—for the lead single from her exciting forthcoming album, ‘Vie’. It was the first time she performed it live. Check out the four-minute-plus video below to relive the moment, or watch it for the first time!

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXDCs3D5iDU&h=315]

    It was her third time performing at the VMAs. In 2021, she made her debut singing ‘Been Like This’ and ‘You Right’. Two years later, she performed shortened versions of singles (’Attention’, ‘Paint the Town Red’, and ‘Demons’) from her album ‘Scarlet’. Doja Cat’s album ‘Vie’ comes out on September 26.

    [/media-credit] Vie album cover

  • American singer-songwriter Conan Gray tops the charts with new album ‘Wishbone’

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    Today, multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter and former YouTuber Conan Gray tops the charts with his critically-acclaimed new album ‘Wishbone’, marking his highest debut album and biggest sales week of his career. ‘Wishbone’ makes massive debut at #1 on the Billboard Album Sales chart, and Top 3 on Billboard 200 chart. Upon release, ‘Wishbone’ was immediately received with praise from fans and critics alike. Billboard honoured the album as their “Editor’s Pick of the Week” with Rolling Stone declaring Conan has “never sounded more confident”.

    Conan performed songs from Wishbone for the first time on television with a special release day appearance on Today Show’s Summer Concert Series. Performing to a jam-packed audience of fans in New York’s iconic Rockefeller Plaza, the set included monumental performances of ‘This Song’, ‘Vodka Cranberry’, ‘Caramel’, and Conan’s multi-platinum hit ‘Heather’.

    On ‘Wishbone’, Conan Gray returns to his singer-songwriter roots after falling in love for the first time, showcasing his creative talents more than ever before. ‘Wishbone’ is entirely written by Conan Gray and executive produced by GRAMMY Award-winning longtime collaborator Dan Nigro. Nigro has worked with Conan since 2018, producing his multi-platinum hits ‘Heather’ and ‘Maniac’. Conan also worked with producers Ethan Gruska, Noah Conrad, Luka Kloser and Elvira on Wishbone. Alongside the album, Conan released a trilogy of music videos for ‘This Song’, ‘Vodka Cranberry’, and ‘Caramel’, following the love story of Wilson & Brando. The music videos are directed by Danica Kleinknecht (MkGee), co-starring Corey Fogelmanis, and filmed in Conan’s home state of Texas.

    ‘Conan Gray: The Wishbone Pajama Show’ with special guest hemlocke springs, will kick off on September 11 making stops across the United States including his first performance at the iconic Red Rocks Amphitheatre on October 6. The tour concludes with Conan’s Mexico debut (support TBA), including headlines in Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey.

  • Bad Bunny and Danny Ocean lead Premios Juventud 2025 nominations as awards head to Panama

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    The nominees for the 22nd annual Premios Juventud were unveiled on August 19, 2025, marking a significant moment in Latin Pop culture. In a packed announcement, Bad Bunny and Danny Ocean emerged as the year’s frontrunners—each scoring six nominations—the most of any artists this year. Hot on their heels are a cadre of prominent Latin music talents, including Anitta, Beéle, Carín León, Emilia, Myke Towers, Netón Vega, and Peso Pluma, each securing five nods.

    This year’s ceremony, slated for September 25, 2025, will take place at Panama City’s Figali Convention Center, marking the first time the prestigious event has been held outside the United States. The broadcast will air live on Univision, UniMás, Galavisión, and the ViX streaming platform.

    Under the theme “Evolucionando al ritmo de la música”, this edition introduces eight new categories that reflect the evolving interests of young Latin audiences. Among the additions are Best Alternative Mexican Music Song, Afrobeat Latino of the Year, and Podcast of the Year, further broadening the awards’ cultural scope. Fans are encouraged to head to the official website to vote for their favourites before the deadline on September 1.

    With its international debut location and expanded categories, the 2025 Premios Juventud promises to be a landmark celebration of Latin music’s most dynamic voices and cultural trends.

  • BET suspends Hip‑Hop Awards and Soul Train Awards indefinitely

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    In a major shift, Black Entertainment Television (BET) has indefinitely suspended its two key award shows—the BET Hip‑Hop Awards and the Soul Train Awards—on its linear television platform. The announcement was made in an interview with Billboard, where BET CEO Scott Mills confirmed that, whilst these shows won’t appear on BET’s cable channel for now, they are not permanently cancelled.

    Mills emphasised that the decision reflects broader trends in media consumption, noting that the network is exploring digital-first formats for these franchises. “It’s less about them being gone forever and more about reimagining them for today’s changing media landscape”, he said. BET still plans to invest in cultural celebrations: It continues to air events such as the BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and Stellar Awards.

    The move follows a steep decline in live television audiences across award shows. Nielsen data shows ratings for televised award ceremonies have fallen by more than thirty per cent since 2015, whilst the 2025 BET Awards saw a fifty per cent drop in viewership compared to the previous year. The BET Hip‑Hop Awards in 2024 had already scaled back significantly, staging a much smaller event at a Vegas nightclub with limited reach. Meanwhile, the Soul Train Awards failed to appear on the 2024 schedule, quietly disappearing without explanation.

    For years, the BET Hip‑Hop Awards stood as a rare televised platform celebrating Hip‑Hop artists—from heavyweight producers to underground lyricists—whilst the Soul Train Awards honoured the legacy of Soul, R&B, Jazz, Gospel, and Hip-Hop culture dating back to 1987 under the influence of Don Cornelius.

    Fans and industry observers are now left wondering how these storied ceremonies will take shape in the streaming era. As one Reddit commentator noted:

    “Award shows seem to be falling off these days … I’m sure having the BET Awards is enough regardless”.

    Ultimately, whilst the shows have gone dark on linear television for now, BET indicates that their legacy may yet live on—just in a different form.

  • The GRAMMYs add “Best Album Cover” category, spotlighting visual storytelling in music

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    In a move that feels long overdue yet perfectly timed, the Recording Academy has officially introduced a new GRAMMY Award category: Best Album Cover. Finally, the unsung visual architects behind the music—the photographers, graphic designers, illustrators, and creative directors—will get their moment on music’s biggest stage. As someone who’s spent decades writing about the artists pushing boundaries in sound and style, I’ve always believed the album cover is more than just packaging. It’s a portal. A first impression. A declaration of identity and intent. From Lil’ Kim’s ‘Hard Core’ to Burna Boy’s ‘Twice as Tall’, these visuals become part of the cultural conversation. They tattoo themselves into our collective memory.

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    This new category is a nod to the power of design in shaping how we feel about music before we even hit play. It celebrates the unsung creatives behind the bold, bizarre, and beautiful artworks that elevate records into experiences. And in an era where digital streaming dominates, it’s a poetic reminder that aesthetics still matter. With this addition, the GRAMMYs aren’t just rewarding sound—they’re embracing the full creative package. This is major for visual artists globally, especially those innovating across continents in places like Lagos, Johannesburg, Seoul, and Kingston. It creates an exciting new path to recognition for talents whose work defines the visual culture of music.

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    To the next generation of art directors sketching in dorm rooms, studios, and underground collectives—this is your time. Your canvas just became GRAMMY-eligible. Now, let’s see which covers turn heads and change the game.

  • Drake surpasses The Beatles on Billboard 200, solidifying his iconic legacy

    When Drake says he’s not finished, you better believe him.

    When the dust settles in the archives of music history, only a few names will shimmer with the same glimmer as the greats—The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, and now, once again, Aubrey Drake Graham. The Toronto-born rapper, singer, and global tastemaker has officially surpassed The Beatles on the Billboard 200 chart, adding another feather to his already ornate cap. The record-breaking feat places Drake ahead of the legendary British band for the most weeks in the Top 5 of the Billboard 200, a moment that speaks to more than just streaming numbers or sales—it speaks to cultural dominance, generational voice, and the evolution of Pop and Hip-Hop’s union. With his career rooted in vulnerability, sharp lyricism, and his uncanny ability to sonically shapeshift, Drake continues to defy expectations and make history in the process.

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    From ‘Take Care’ to ‘Views’, ‘Scorpion’, and more recently ‘For All the Dogs’, Drake has turned personal experience into collective expression. His latest milestone echoes the staying power of his brand—a carefully curated mix of emotional realness and mass appeal, matched with an unshakable business acumen. Drake is no stranger to eclipsing icons. He already beat The Beatles’ fifty-five-year record for the most Top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 back in 2019, commemorating the win with a tattoo of himself in front of the Fab Four. It was cheeky, bold, and pure Drake.

    As Hip-Hop celebrates over fifty years of existence, Drake’s journey is a testament to how far the genre has come—and where it can go. He stands as a bridge between eras, collaborating with emerging talent and legendary names alike, whilst continuing to represent the multicultural mosaic that is modern-day music. And whether it’s on a Dancehall riddim, a Trap beat, or a slowed-down R&B cut, he knows how to make it feel personal.

    Surpassing The Beatles doesn’t mean he’s done. If anything, it’s proof that the boy from Degrassi has become a pillar of the global music economy. And if history has taught us anything, it’s this: When Drake says he’s not finished, you better believe him. Keep streaming. Keep watching. Because Drake’s story is still being written.

  • XG wins ‘Best Visual Effects’ and ‘Performance of the Year’ at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan

    Last week (March 19), South Korea-based Japanese superstar group XG won two awards at the MTV Video Music Awards Japan (MTV VMAJ). In addition to winning the Best Visual Effects and Performance of the Year awards, they delivered an impressive live performance. The septet (seven-member group) shared their excitement about winning two awards that night by saying, “When it comes to performing, we’ve always valued teamwork and unity above all else, so this means a lot to us!” They also expressed their joy at the first award in an XG-style, adding, “We believe that aliens reside in every part of us, so we’re going to give our all in this performance!”

    XGALX CEO & Executive Producer Jakops (Simon) received the newly established Best Producer award. The members took a moment on stage to celebrate his achievement, saying, “Congratulations to our producer, Jakops (Simon), on winning Best Producer! We’re always so grateful to have you!” Their heartfelt message was met with loud applause from the audience.

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    During their MTV VMAJ live performance, the girls performed ‘Woke Up’, their first all-Rap song, which has held the #1 spot on the Billboard Global Japan Songs Excluding Japan chart for nine consecutive weeks. The music video also went viral, ranking on YouTube’s trending charts in nineteen territories, including #1 in the United States. They also performed ‘Is This Love’, which was released as a single on March 7. The track has charted on Spotify’s Viral Chart in thirteen countries, including the United States, Japan, Canada, Singapore, and Thailand. It was also selected as the track for Shiseido’s ANESSA global campaign.

    Upcoming stops include additional China shows in March (Hangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, and Chengdu) and Latin America in April (São Paulo and Mexico City), followed by the recently announced tour finale at Tokyo Dome. Lastly, in April, XG will make history as the only Japanese act to perform at Coachella 2025, one of the largest music festivals in the United States.

  • Yugoszn’s ‘True Love’ reaches new heights on Apple Music Charts

    Rising artist Yugoszn continues to show that he is the next thing in the global music scene as his track ‘True Love’ climbs the Apple Music charts in multiple countries. The song, which has dazzled audiences, has reached impressive positions in various regions, marking a significant milestone in the artist’s career.

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    On March 17, 2025, ‘True Love’ secured the 24th spot on Morocco’s Apple Music Top Tracks chart, demonstrating the song’s strong appeal in North Africa. Meanwhile, in Cameroon, ‘True Love’ climbed to an impressive 23rd position on March 16 before settling at 35th on March 17. The track also felt its presence in Benin, where it charted at #95 on March 15.

     

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    Beyond Africa, ‘True Love’ has garnered significant attention in the Middle East. The song ranked 114th in Jordan, 124th in Saudi Arabia, 141st in Oman, and 133rd in Sierra Leone, all on March 17. Additionally, it impacted Angola, peaking at #9 on March 15 before landing at #92 on March 17. Botswana also saw the song reach #159 on March 15.

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    Yugoszn’s success is not limited to ‘True Love’. Another one of his standout tracks,‘Solitude’, has made remarkable strides on Apple Music charts. In Kuwait, the song surged from #61 on February 1, 2025, to an impressive #28 on March 11, 2025, before landing at #102 on March 17.

    These milestones reflect Yugoszn’s growing international influence, highlighting his ability to connect with listeners across different cultures and regions. With his music resonating on a global scale, the artist is poised for even greater achievements in the future. Fans eagerly anticipate what’s next as he continues to cement his place in the industry.

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  • Drake’s ‘NOKIA’ tops Apple Music in the United States

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    Drake’s song ‘NOKIA’ has ascended to the number one position on the US Apple Music chart for the first time. This track is the third from his collaborative album with PARTYNEXTDOOR, titled ‘Some Sexy Songs 4 U’, to achieve this top spot. Released on February 14, 2025, ‘Some Sexy Songs 4 U’ debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, marking Drake’s fourteenth chart-topping album. This achievement ties him with Taylor Swift and JAY Z for the most number-one albums among solo artists.

    ‘NOKIA’ has also made a significant impact on other charts, debuting at #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has been praised for its electronic beat and innovative style, with Billboard’s Michael Saponara describing it as an “electronic banger that has girls running around with glowstick necklaces”, showcasing Drake as a “supreme innovator.”

    The success of ‘NOKIA’ on Apple Music underscores Drake’s continued influence and popularity in the music industry.