Kesha lets music do talking in powerful Time's Up Grammy performance

LOS ANGELES -- Dressed in white and accompanied by five fellow female artists, pop singer Kesha took the spotlight at the Grammys on Sunday to deliver a powerful ballad as part of the Time's Up movement to end workplace sexual harassment.

Kesha, 30, who has been battling her former record producer Dr. Luke for years in U.S. courts over allegations of emotional and sexual abuse, performed her defiant single "Praying" alongside Cyndi Lauper, Andra Day, Camila Cabello, Bebe Rexha and Julia Michaels and an all-female choir.

Dr. Luke has repeatedly denied Kesha's allegations.

Actress and musician Janelle Monae introduced Kesha, calling for the music industry as a whole to "create safe work environments, equal pay and access for all women."

"We come in peace but we mean business. And to those who would dare try to silence us, we offer you two words: Time's up," Monae said as the audience applauded.

The Time's Up movement was launched by more than 300 Hollywood industry figures earlier this month in response to sexual assault and harassment allegations against powerful men in entertainment, politics and other fields.

"It's not just going on in Hollywood or in Washington. It's right here in our industry as well. Just as we have the power to shape culture, we also have the power to undo the culture that does not serve us well," Monae said.

"Praying" is the lead single from "Rainbow," Kesha's first album in five years following her bitter legal fight over her record contract.

"You brought the flames and you put me through hell; I had to learn how to fight for myself," Kesha sang.

The singer broke down in tears at the end of her performance and hugged the artists accompanying her on stage. Host James Corden, with tears in his eyes, said, "Music often resonates more than the spoken word ever could."

Both "Praying" and "Rainbow" were nominated for Grammy awards this year but lost to Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" song and "Divide" album in the pop categories.

The music industry showed its support for women's equality and freedom from sexual harassment by wearing or carrying white roses at Sunday's Grammy Awards in solidarity with Time's Up.

Lady Gaga spoke the words "time's up" when she performed her song "Joanne," and rapper Kendrick Lamar wore a white rose as he accepted his numerous accolades on stage.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Madonna, Kesha, Dion rule the stage at emotional Billboard Awards

Madonna paid tribute to Prince, Kesha earned a standing ovation for her stirring rendition of "It Ain't Me, Babe" honoring Bob Dylan, and Celine Dion dedicated her Icon award to her late husband at Sunday night's emotion-packed Billboard Music Awards.

The three-hour live telecast from Las Vegas stuck to its tradition of a performance-heavy annual show featuring top recording stars in spectacular production numbers.

Britney Spears kicked things off, dazzling in a daring red outfit for a medley of her hits.

Canadian singer The Weeknd dedicated the first award to Prince, the Grammy-winning pop superstar best known for such hits as "Purple Rain" and "Let's Go Crazy," who died at his Minnesota home in April aged 57.

"I want to dedicate this award to the late great Prince," The Weeknd (real name Abel Tesfaye), said in accepting the Top Hot 100 Artist award.

Madonna ended the show with a Prince tribute that included "Nothing Compares 2 U," before she was joined by Stevie Wonder for "Purple Rain" as the audience rose to its feet, arms gently swaying above their heads and singing along.

Earlier, Kesha delivered an emotional rendition of Dylan's classic in a much-anticipated performance that was nearly canceled by her label in a legal dispute.

Kemosabe Records relented, saying Kesha had assured them she would not use her time as a platform to address her failed legal bid against Sony Corp's Sony Music and producer Dr. Luke. Kemosabe, founded by Dr. Luke, is a unit of Sony Music. The singer stood by her word.

While several awards were handed out during the show, including to British singer Adele who won the big prize, top artist and accepted via a video segment, it was performances by the likes of Ariana Grande, Dion, and Rihanna that ruled.

Dion, making her first televised singing performance since the death of her husband, Rene Angelil, tearfully accepted the Icon Award for lifetime achievement, which in a surprise was presented by her son, Rene-Charles.

"I'm so sorry, I don't want to cry in front of you," Dion told the audience. She ended by holding her award aloft and declaring, "Rene, this one's for you, the show must go on," echoing the title of the Queen song she had just performed.

Other top prizes went to Rihanna in the fan-voted chart achievement award, Justin Bieber for top male artist, Adele for both top female artist and Billboard 200 album, and The Weeknd for R & B song "The Hills." (Reporting by Dan Whitcomb and Chris Michaud; Editing by Chris Reese, Robert Birsel and Paul Tait)

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