NEWS
(L-R) Faith Fennidy, Madeline Edwards, Mickey Guyton and Brittney Spencer perform during the 55th annual Country Music Association awards at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 10, 2021 in Nashville.
Terry Wyatt/Getty ImagesMickey Guyton embraced her natural hair for an emotional performance of "Love My Hair" at the 2021 Country Music Association (CMA) Awards Wednesday evening (Nov. 10) live from Nashville's Bridgestone Arena.
Faith Fennidy, who was removed from her Catholic school at age 11 for wearing braids, presented the performance by opening up about how she personally inspired the song "Love My Hair." "A few years ago, I was sent home from school because my braids were said to be a distraction. It was devastating for me. But this next artist created this song to make sure girls like me feel seen and loved," she said before pausing in the midst of roaring applause. "And that's how you turn something very painful into something very positive. With your help, we can work together to ensure the next generation grows up in a respectful and open world for natural hair."
Guyton, Brittney Spencer and Madeline Edwards put their big, beautiful curly hair and billowing white gowns on full display while singing their truths as Black women who "used to think what God gave me wasn't fair/ I'd braid it all/ Just to hide the curls up there/ I found my freedom/ When I learned not to care/ Now I'm not scared/ To love who I am/ I love my hair." After the threesome harmonized on the chorus, they came together in an embrace.
Guyton was nominated for new artist of the year, which fellow Black country artist Jimmie Allen ended up winning that night. "Love My Hair" is from the 37-year-old singer's debut studio album Remember Her Name, which she released in September via Capitol Records Nashville.
Two-time entertainer of the year winner Luke Bryan made his hosting debut at the 55th annual CMA Awards.
NEWS
Sam Smith and Alicia Keys have joined forces for a duet of Smith’s ‘I’m Not The Only One’ – watch it below.
Smith was celebrating the 10th anniversary of his debut album ‘In The Lonely Hour’, which went on to make Smith the only artist to sell one million albums in the US and UK.
To commemorate the anniversary, Smith hosted a karaoke party at NYC’s gay bar Julius’, with drag queen Lady Bunny serving as the night’s emcee and DJ. Smith also unveiled a surprise duet with Alicia Keys, which they called “a dream come true.”
In response, Keys said: “This is amazing. Can you believe we never did this before? Except for right now? That’s crazy!”
The pair went on to sing Smith’s smash hit ‘I’m Not The Only One’, which would eventually peak in the UK Charts at number three – take a look at the collaboration below:
NME saw Smith perform live in London last year, rating their performance a full five stars: “Smith has delivered a beautifully designed show that echoes their creative evolution from lovelorn balladeer to something edgier and more transgressive. And the multigenerational crowd stays with them to the finish. Smith’s musical metamorphosis probably isn’t complete yet, but for now, this live triumph feels like a new high watermark.”
Meanwhile, Alicia Keys recently starred as one of Usher’s guest performers for his Super Bowl performance. She began by performing a clip of her own song ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ before Usher joined her to deliver a rendition of their 2004 collaboration ‘My Boo’.
She also surprised London fans last year in December with a 10-minute performance at St. Pancras Station, playing classics such as ‘Empire State of Mind’, ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ and ‘No One’ as well as her latest single, ‘Lifeline’.
Her last full-length album ‘Keys’ garnered three stars from NME: “With some judicious pruning and sharp sequencing, any Keys fan should be able to carve out a pretty satisfying playlist. So, in its own accidental way, it’s a double album that works perfectly for the streaming era.”
In other news, the BBC have promised Sam Smith’s Proms performance will be “entirely appropriate” after past ‘Satanic’ backlash.
