Coronavirus cannot quell the artistic spirit, and that was no more evident than on Sunday as musicians gathered both virtually and in-person to celebrate one another and the world of sound.
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| The Weeknd and Kenny G. © Provided by New York Daily News The Weeknd and Kenny G. |
The Weeknd won the first award at the American Music Awards Sunday night, taking one home for Favorite Album – Soul/R&B.
Hosted live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles by Oscar-nominated Taraji P. Henson, Sunday’s show saw innovations such as saxophonist Kenny G and the Weeknd teaming up to offer a live rendition of the pop star’s hit “In Your Eyes.”
Kicking off the festivities were Canadian-born pop stars Justin Bieber and Shawn Mendes with their new duet “Monster,” whose chorus was, appropriately enough for a pandemic-isolated nation, “I’m lonely.”
Then Henson burst out amid several moderately distanced dancers, injecting her signature enthusiasm into the mix, and throwing “Rona” plenty of shade.
There were numerous nods to the pandemic and its effect on the proceedings. After the first dance number, someone wearing a sequined mask ran up and powdered Henson’s nose.
“I’m happy to be here,” wearing something other than sweats and with “some deodorant, which I think just expired,” Henson quipped. “You’re still at home, but tonight you’re home with me. And we’re gonna party.”
There were also lots of stars on hand – albeit in two-dimensional effigy.
“We got everybody in the house. Beyonce!” she said, gesturing toward the audience. “Dolly!”
The camera turned to reveal socially distanced, cardboard cutouts of the stars sitting in the first few rows.
There was a bit of a live audience, too – a smattering of people in the higher seats.
“We invited them in small groups, from the same families,” Henson said, noting that they were “all masked, all socially distanced … and just happy to be out of the house.”
The night was not without its tributes, starting with The Weeknd and his first win.
“Last time I received this award it was given to me by the late great Prince,” he said, dedicating the award to the late pop star.
He was among several artists with numerous nominations.
The Weeknd was in a dead heat with Roddy Ricch, with eight nominations each. Close behind was Megan Thee Stallion, with five.
Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny and Taylor Swift each were nominated four times.
Katy Perry returned to the stage on the 10th anniversary of her AMA “Firework” debut for another song premiere, a broadcast performance of “Only Love” from her fifth and most recent album, “Smile.”
The show also included performances by Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, BTS, Megan Thee Stallion, Shawn Mendes, Bad Bunny, Jennifer Lopez and Maluma, Dua Lipa, Katy Perry, Bebe Rexha with Doja Cat, Dan + Shay, Lewis Capaldi, Machine Gun Kelly, Lil Baby, Nelly and Bell Biv DeVoe.
BTS performed its iconic “Dynamite,” which blew up YouTube when it was released in August, garnering a record-setting 101 million views in its first 24 hours online, and did not disappoint on Sunday. Not to be outdone by itself, the K-pop sensation also debuted its first television performance of the new song “Life Goes On.”
Some of the performances were pre-taped because of the coronavirus pandemic, but that didn’t dim the enthusiasm.
The Weeknd and Ricch competed for the show’s top honor, artist of the year, along with Bieber, Taylor Swift and Post Malone.
a close up of Taylor Swift wearing a blue shirt: FILE - Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, N.J. on Aug. 26, 2019. Swift was nominated for four American Music Awards on Monday, Oct. 26. She has the chance to extend her lead as the most awarded artist in AMA history. She already has 29 wins. The AMAs will air on Nov. 22 on ABC. © Provided by New York Daily News FILE - Singer-songwriter Taylor Swift arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, N.J. on Aug. 26, 2019. Swift was nominated for four American Music Awards on Monday, Oct. 26. She has the chance to extend her lead as the most awarded artist in AMA history. She already has 29 wins. The AMAs will air on Nov. 22 on ABC.
Megan Thee Stallion, who released her highly anticipated debut album Friday, scored five nominations including a bid for new artist of the year. Six artists earned four nominations each, including Bieber, Swift, Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, DaBaby and Doja Cat.
Winners received their awards from the likes of Grammy-winning singer Ciara and current “Bachelorette” star Tayshia Adams.
The fan-voted show aired live on ABC at 8 p.m. EST. Nominees are based on streaming, album and digital sales, radio airplay and social activity, and reflect the time period of Sept. 27, 2019, through Sept. 24, 2020.
The excitement was sorely needed in a pandemic-weary world.
“Certainly now, music is a thing that unites us all,” Henson told Billboard earlier in the week. “We need these music awards shows. We can’t go to concerts! Come on, we need something!”
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