NEWS
MRC Live & Alternative and ABC have announced the first set of performers for the 2021 American Music Awards, airing live on Sunday, Nov. 21 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC.
Olivia Rodrigo will make her AMAs debut performance as the most nominated artist of the night with seven nominations. Bad Bunny, who snagged five nominations, will take the stage for the first time since 2018 for the world premiere performance of the Tainy and Julieta Venegas-assisted single “Lo Siento BB:/.”
Megan Thee Stallion will be teaming up with BTS for the debut live performance of “Butter” in its newer form.
Hosted by Cardi B, the American Music Awards will air live from Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater and will arrive on streaming on Nov. 22. Voting for all categories is open now via TikTok and accessible to participants globally by searching for “AMAs” in the app.
American Music Award nominees are based on key fan interactions as reflected on the Billboard charts, including streaming, album and song sales, and radio airplay. These measurements are tracked by Billboard and its data partner MRC Data. The nominees reflect the time period of Sept. 25 2020 through Sept. 23, 2021.
Sade will not be attending their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this week.
The English group, made up of Sade Adu, Paul Denman, Stuart Matthewman, and Andrew Hale, are among this year's inductees into the prestigious institution. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this Saturday.
However, a representative for Sade confirmed on Tuesday through the band's official website that none of the members would be attending the event.
"We're sorry that we won't be able to join everyone in person to celebrate alongside the other artists. However, our absence does not lessen how deeply this recognition means to us," they stated. "Being welcomed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a wonderful honour and a meaningful opportunity to express our gratitude, not just to everyone who voted for us, but to every person who has made our music part of their lives."
The representative also acknowledged their manager Roger Davies for his support and paid tribute to the late engineer and co-producer Mike Pela, who passed away in 2022.
"We owe so much to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey," they continued, before signing the message: "Sade, Stuart, Andrew, and Paul. Mike Pela, the fifth member of Sade... This recognition belongs to you just as much as it does to us, Mike. You will always be our soul mate."
Sade will be joining Oasis among the artists missing this year's ceremony. Liam Gallagher previously addressed his absence in a message on X, saying the journey was "too far" for him to make just "for the night".
The other musicians being recognised at this weekend's ceremony include Billy Idol, Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, the late Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
