NBA: Agent blasts Drake over trolling of Antetokounmpo

Is rap star Drake getting into the heads of the Milwaukee Bucks, especially star player Giannis Antetokounmpo?

The recording artist and Toronto Raptors fan might take credit for having something to do with the Eastern Conference finals being tied at 2-2 after the Bucks dropped Games 3 and 4 in Toronto.

On Wednesday, a tweet from a senior executive for Octagon, the agency representing Antetokounmpo, called out Drake for his repeated trolling of the Bucks in general and specifically their superstar power forward.

"Imagine a gig & an athlete on VIP seats, right next to the band, stands up on the stage just to show off during the entire game, knowing cameras are on him, occasionally even massaging the singer," wrote Georgios Dimitropoulos, Antetokounmpo's former European agent before he was named senior director for Octagon Basketball Europe. "Security&him both allow it. Never seen anything as disrespectful as this before ..."

The tweet has since been deleted.

Sitting in his usual seat near the Raptors bench throughout Game 4 on Tuesday night when Toronto beat the Bucks, 120-102, Drake made his presence felt. He laughed when free throws were missed by Antetokounmpo, who hit only 6 of 10 (including an airball) but still scored 25 points.

In a double-overtime loss in Game 3, Antetokounmpo made 2 of 7 free throws and scored only 12 points.

On Wednesday, Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer spoke out about the so-called trolling.

"You can't help but occasionally see Drake just going into timeouts or in and out of timeouts, whether he's encouraging or cheering for Toronto," he said. "You know, trying to talk to referees. To say I don't see it at all would be inaccurate, but to say I give it much or any thought, you know, it's kind of 'same answer, same mantra.'

"I just tend to ignore and focus on our team, focus on whatever it is we need to be doing."

How much Drake gets away with might depend on his celebrity status, according to the coach.

"I don't know how much he's on the court," Budenholzer added. "It sounds like you guys are saying it's more than I realize. There's certainly no place for fans and, you know, whatever it is exactly that Drake is for the Toronto Raptors. You know, to be on the court, there's boundaries and lines for a reason, and like I said, the league is usually pretty good at being on top of stuff like that."

Bucks fans don't believe Drake is getting a bum rap, though. And neither does the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, with a headline that read: "Milwaukee totally hates Drake, somehow allowed to roam the court and troll Giannis."

Last year, the NBA reportedly warned the world-famous artist about "the use of bad language" after he traded barbs with Cleveland Cavaliers center Kendrick Perkins in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. The pair exchanged words as the Raptors and Cavaliers headed to the tunnels at halftime, and another harsh exchange followed at the end of the game.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Drake breaks record for most Billboard Music awards of all time

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Canadian rapper Drake broke Taylor Swift's record for most Billboard Music Awards of all time in Las Vegas on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).

The 32-year-old "Nice for What" singer has collected a total of 27 Billboard awards.

Picking up the Top Artist award, the most prestigious award of the night, he thanked his mother for her help establishing his career.

"I just want to thank my mom for all the times you drove me to piano when I didn't want to take piano. All the times you drove me to basketball and hockey -- that clearly didn't work out. All the times you drove me to 'Degrassi.' No matter how long it took me to figure out what I wanted to do, you were always there to give me a ride, and now we're on one hell of ride," he said.

Earlier, he mentioned the latest episode of popular HBO show "Game of Thrones," making a stabbing motion with his award and saying, "Shout out to Arya Stark for putting in that work last week."

Singer Mariah Carey took home the Billboard Icon Award and gave an emotional speech thanking her fans.

"To anyone who's ever told me that a song I wrote helped save your life, I thank you, because you saved mine," she said.

South Korean boy band BTS also thanked their fans, many of whom were in attendance at the show, after they won the Top Duo/Group award.

"This was only possible because of the little things we share together - the BTS and army power, right?" BTS member Suga said.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Taylor Swift, Brendan Urie open 2019 Billboard Awards

Brendan Urie (left) and Taylor Swift (right) perform “ME” to open the 2019 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA on Wednesday. Drake, who won the Billboard Top Artist award made history after winning a total of 12 awards.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Rap scores Grammy breakthrough while girl power rules awards show

LOS ANGELES -- "This is America," Childish Gambino's searing indictment of police brutality and racism, scored a breakthrough for rap on Sunday at the Grammy awards, where the top prize went to country artist Kacey Musgraves.

It won both record and song of the year, becoming the first hip hop track to win either of the top Grammy categories in 61 years. "This is America" also took Grammys for best music video and best rap performance.

However, Childish Gambino, the music alter ego of actor Donald Glover, was not around to accept the honor.

Both Glover and leading nominee Kendrick Lamar were Grammy no-shows in what was seen as a snub by the rappers for past disappointments when socially incisive rap material lost out to pop or R&B at the highest honors in the music business.

"I really wish he (Glover) was here right now. All of this was his vision and he deserves this credit," said songwriter Ludwig Goransson, who worked with Glover on the track.

"It speaks to people, it calls out injustice, celebrates life and reunites us all at the same time," Goransson said, accepting the award on Glover's behalf.

The album of the year Grammy went to Musgraves for "Golden Hour," reflecting a show and a year that was dominated by female performers and winners across multiple genres.

"I would have nothing without songs. It's all about the songs," said Musgraves, who also won three other Grammys.

SPRINGING A SURPRISE

Popular rapper Cardi B, who wore a black and silver mesh body suit to perform her song "Money," won her first Grammy, taking best rap album for "Invasion of Privacy."

The outspoken New Yorker seemed uncharacteristically overwhelmed by the win.

"Ooh. The nerves are so bad," she said, accepting her Grammy. "Maybe I need to start smoking weed."

Lady Gaga won three trophies and British pop singer Dua Lipa was named best new artist. Canadian rapper Drake, who was also not expected to show up, made a surprise appearance to accept the Grammy for best rap song for "God's Plan."

Drake, the biggest streaming artist of 2018, told musicians not to worry about winning prizes.

"The point is you've already won if you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you're a hero in your hometown," Drake said in his acceptance speech.

"If there's people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain and the snow and spending their hard-earned money to buy tickets to come to your shows, you don't need this right here, I promise you," he said.

Music, old and new, ruled in a live telecast that was largely politics-free, in contrast to U.S. awards shows in the past two years.

Hosted by Alicia Keys, the show featured rousing performances by Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Diana Ross, Camila Cabello, Dolly Parton, Miley Cyrus, Janelle Monae and Katy Perry, as well as a tribute to the late Aretha Franklin.

The Grammys sprang another surprise by bringing on former U.S. first lady Michelle Obama for an opening segment in which she joined Lady Gaga, Keys, Lopez and actress Jada Pinkett Smith to talk about the power of music.

"From the Motown records I wore out on the (Chicago) Southside to the 'Who Run the World' songs that fueled me through this last decade, music has always helped me tell my story," Obama told the cheering celebrity audience in Los Angeles.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Rap star Kendrick Lamar leads Grammy nominations with 8

NEW YORK - The soundtrack of Marvel's "Black Panther" propelled rap superstar Kendrick Lamar to the front of this year's Grammy pack with eight nominations, closely followed by fellow rapper Drake who scored seven.

Women performers also achieved far greater presence in the 2019 edition of the top music awards, with Cardi B, Lady Gaga and folk-rock singer Brandi Carlile all nabbing nominations across the top categories.

As with last year, hip-hop dominated across the board -- though in 2018, the Recording Academy fell under sharp criticism after rap mogul Jay-Z left empty-handed and Lamar was shut out of the general categories.

Thanks to the hit "Black Panther" film Lamar -- whose album "DAMN" won the Pulitzer Prize for music this year -- once again has a chance to win the coveted Album of the Year prize after three prior losses.

His song "All the Stars" is also in the running for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

He'll face competition at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, from fellow rappers Drake, Cardi B and Childish Gambino -- as well as Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, who snared nominations in both of those top categories for their hit "Shallow" from the film "A Star is Born."

Six of the 2019 nominees for Best New Artist are women, whose presence in the top categories marked a sharp departure from the previous gala, which saw women snubbed in the major prizes.

After that show the academy expanded the four big categories from five nominees to eight, while also creating a diversity task force responding to criticism that the show was consistently too male and too white.

After leading nominations last year, however, Jay-Z and his pop queen wife Beyonce were left out of the top categories despite acclaim for their joint project "Everything is Love."

The Carters did get two nominations for R&B and best music video, while perennial favorite Taylor Swift earned just one nomination for best pop vocal album.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Cardi B, Drake lead American Music nominations, Kanye West snubbed

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Rappers Cardi B and Drake led nominations on Wednesday for the American Music Awards with eight apiece in a line-up that included Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran but snubbed Kanye West and made Beyonce, Ariana Grande and Rihanna also-rans.

Late musician XXXTentacion, 20, who was shot dead in an apparent robbery in Florida in June, earned two nods, including best new artist and best soul/R&B album for his debut release “17.”

The fan-voted American Music Award nominations also included five nods for Cuban-born singer Camila Cabello, including new artist and best female artist, four for Bruno Mars, and six for hip-hop star Post Malone.

Boy band BTS became the first Korean group to be nominated for an American Music Award and will compete in the favorite social artist category.

Beyonce and Ariana Grande earned just one each, for tour of the year with husband Jay-Z and social artist respectively. Rihanna got a single nomination, for best female soul/R&B artist.

Kanye West, who released his chart-topping album “Ye” in June after grabbing headlines for an erratic Twitter storm, was empty-handed.

In the artist of the year category, Drake will compete with Taylor Swift, Post Malone, rock band Imagine Dragons, and British singer-songwriter Sheeran.

New York rapper Cardi B, who has had a breakout year with hits like “Bodak Yellow,” and “Finesse” with Bruno Mars, will compete for best new artist as well as best female artist in both the pop and rap categories.

“Perfect” singer Sheeran and Post Malone earned six nominations apiece while Swift got four, including best tour and pop album for “Reputation.”

The American Music Award nominations are based on streaming, album and digital song sales, radio airplay, social activity and touring between September 2017 and August 2018.

The winners are chosen by fans online and will be announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Oct. 8.

Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Marguerita Choy

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Drake pulls out of Toronto film festival

TORONTO, Canada - Rapper Drake pulled out of the Toronto film festival at the last minute on Thursday, citing a scheduling conflict on his current music tour.

He was due in the evening to introduce the film "Monsters and Men," about a Brooklyn community rocked by the police shooting death of a black man, to a Canadian audience.

Drake is executive producer of the film.

In a statement, his publicists said the film "is a project very close to Drake's heart," adding that he feels "strongly about its ability to positively inspire dialogue."

"But due to scheduling commitments on his current tour he unfortunately will not be able to attend and introduce the film at TIFF."

Drake first walked the red carpet at the Toronto International Film Festival last year for "The Carter Effect," about NBA player Vince Carter.

His was the second exit from TIFF this week, after organizers nixed director Melanie Laurent's "Galveston" from its Gala Presentations lineup, saying she would be unable to attend due to "work commitments."

Toronto requires filmmakers in its top movie category be present for screenings.

Organizers slotted "A Private War," about legendary war correspondent Marie Colvin in its stead.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Camila Cabello beats Beyonce, Drake for top VMA prizes

Cuban-born Camila Cabello beat out heavy hitters Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Drake to take home the two top prizes at the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) on Monday. 

Cabello, 21, was chosen artist of the year and won video of the year for her Latin-flavored hit "Havana," while rapper Cardi B picked up wins for best new artist and song of summer for her dance hit "I Like It" with J Balvin and Bad Bunny.

"I can't believe this is for me," said Cabello, who split from girl group Fifth Harmony in late 2016 to launch a solo career.

New York rapper Cardi B, 25, made her first public appearance since giving birth to her first child in July. But the feisty "Bodak Yellow" singer failed to make good on her leading 10 nominations going into the show as fans spread their votes far and wide.

"A couple of months ago people were saying, you're gambling your career by having a baby," Cardi B said. "I had a baby ... and now I'm still winning awards."

The biggest winner of the night was Childish Gambino, the music stage name of actor Donald Glover, who came away with three for his hard-hitting video "This Is America" about black identity and police brutality.

But the trophies were mostly in technical categories, including choreography and direction. Beyonce and Jay-Z's much talked-about "APES**T," which was shot inside the Louvre in Paris against the backdrop of some of the world's most famous art works, won just two of its eight nominations.

Canadian rapper Drake, one of the most popular artists in terms of sales and streaming, came away empty-handed, as did multiple Grammy winner Bruno Mars.

Neither Mars, Drake, Gambino, Beyonce nor Jay-Z attended the awards show in New York City, which featured performances by Ariana Grande - who won best pop video for "No Tears Left to Cry," - Nicki Minaj, Aerosmith, Shawn Mendes and Travis Scott.

Jennifer Lopez brought the audience to its feet with a song and dance medley of her biggest hits as she was presented with the annual Vanguard Award, named after Michael Jackson, recognizing her 20 years in show business.

"It's been an incredible journey of dreaming my wildest dreams and then watching them come true," said Lopez.

However, a promised tribute to Aretha Franklin following her death last week at age 76 consisted only of a speech by Madonna and a brief video clip from Franklin's early career.

The VMAs have a reputation for irreverence and provocative stunts but, aside from a segment on U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial immigration policies, there were few surprises.

Rapper Logic was joined onstage by dozens of immigrant children and their families wearing white t-shirts saying "We are all human beings," for a performance of his song "One Day."

The song is a protest against the policy that saw thousands of immigrant children separated from their parents in June after crossing the southern border with Mexico without documents.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Drake smashes streaming record with new album

NEW YORK - Drake has smashed streaming records with his new album "Scorpion," with Apple Music and Spotify both reporting unprecedented listenership in its first day.

Apple Music said on Instagram that the Canadian hip-hop superstar's fifth studio album was streamed 170 million times in the 24 hours since its release Friday.

The worldwide figure is the highest ever reported by any streaming service for an album over one day and comes even though Apple Music significantly trails industry leader Spotify in total users.

Drake has a lengthy relationship with Apple, which heavily promoted "Scorpion." The hotly anticipated album inexplicably appeared two hours late on Spotify.

But "Scorpion" also set a record on Spotify, which heavily featured the album after it went alive.

The site Spotifycharts, which tracks listening data, said that Spotify users streamed the album's 25 songs more than 132 million times over the first day.

The figures smash the previous record for one-day streaming -- rapper Post Malone's album "Beerbongs and Bentleys," which was streamed just under 79 million times on Spotify on the first day of its release in April.

Streaming records are being frequently broken as growing numbers of listeners embrace Spotify, Apple Music and competitors such as Deezer and Tidal, which allow unlimited on-demand music.

Just days ago, the Colombian reggaeton star J Balvin surpassed Drake as the artist with the most regular monthly listeners on Spotify -- but Drake quickly retook the crown with "Scorpion."

Drake has found massive success releasing sprawling albums and mixtapes of danceable tracks online without consideration to physical formats.

"Scorpion" features a posthumous duet with Michael Jackson, a collaboration with rap great Jay-Z and an admission that Drake secretly had a son with Sophie Brussaux, a French actress in pornographic films.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Adele, Beyonce each nominated in three top Grammy categories

LOS ANGELES — Beyonce became the most-nominated female artist in Grammy award history on Tuesday as she received a leading nine nods this year, followed closely by Drake, Rihanna and Kanye West with eight nominations each.

Beyonce's haul of nine included album, song and record of the year, the top three Grammy accolades, for her hit song "Formation" and visual album "Lemonade," a collection of songs about race, feminism and empowerment.

The R&B singer, 35, has been nominated 62 times in Grammy history and has won 20 Grammy awards over her career spanning two decades. Rapper Kanye West, who has eight nominations this year for his "The Life of Pablo" album, has notched 68 Grammy nominations over his career, and won 21 awards.

British singer Adele is also up for the top three awards with her hit ballad "Hello" and album "25" and has a total of five nominations. The singer previously swept all three top categories in 2012 with her "21" album.

Canadian pop star Justin Bieber's "Purpose," Canadian hip hop star Drake's "Views" and country music singer-songwriter Sturgill Simpson's "A Sailor's Guide To Earth" rounded out the contenders of album of the year.

The Grammy Awards are the top U.S. music honors and each year, members of the music industry choose nominees and winners across more than 80 categories.

This year's winners will be announced at a star-studded televised ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 12.

Other record of the year contenders include Lukas Graham's "7 Years," Rihanna's "Work" and Twenty One Pilots' "Stressed Out." Graham's "7 Years" is also nominated for song of the year alongside Mike Posner's "I Took a Pill in Ibiza" and Bieber's "Love Yourself."

Drake and Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna shared three of their eight individual nominations, two for their steamy duet on Rihanna's sultry "Work" and one for Rihanna as a featured artist on Drake's "Views."

Chance The Rapper landed seven nominations including the best new artist category, in which the 23-year-old Chicago native is up against pop duo The Chainsmokers, California rapper Anderson Paak and country music singers Kelsea Ballerini and Maren Morris.

Late British singer David Bowie, who died in January two days after the release of his final album "Blackstar," received four nominations including best alternative album.

Late music star Prince, who died in April, also landed one Grammy nomination for his final record, "Hit n Run Phase Two," in the best engineered non-classical album category alongside Bowie's "Blackstar."

source: news.abs-cbn.com