Rosalia Makes History with Grammy Nomination for Best New Artist

It’s a brand new (artist)day for Rosalia

The 26-year-old Spanish singer/songwriter has earned the first two Grammy nominations of her career, including a historic nod for Best New Artist.

Rosalia

Rosalia, a five-time Latin Grammy winner, is the first all-Spanish language singer to be nominated in the best new artist category. Other Latino artists have been nominated in the category over the years, including Vikki Carr in 1963, and Mariah CareyChristina Aguilera and Esperanza Spalding have won the award. Even José Feliciano won best new artist in 1969, bolstered by his hit version of the Doors’ “Light My Fire.” But the previous nominees and winners were not, however, honored for their work recorded exclusively in Spanish.

Rosalia’s second nomination comes in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category for her second studio album, El Mal Querer. The album took home all the Latin Grammy awards it was nominated for, including Album of the Year, one of the top awards of the night.

Bad Bunny picked up two nominations… in the same category.

The 25-year-old Puerto Rican Latin trap and reggaeton singer-rapper is nominated in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category for his Latin Grammy-winning debut album X 100PRE, as well as his collaborative album with J Balvin, Oasis.

Esperanza Spalding, a four-time Grammy winner, including Best New Artist, has picked up two nods this year. 

The 35-year-old part-Latinajazz bassist and singer is nominated in the Best Jazz Vocal Album category for her album12 Little Spells. She’s also up for Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals for serving as the arranger on her own single track “12 Little Spells (Thoracic Spine).”

Vince Mendoza is back in familiar territory…

The 58-year-old Latino music arranger, conductorand composer, a multi-Grammy winner, has picked up four nominations. 

He’s nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals category for his work on Trisha Yearwood’s “Over The Rainbow.” 

Mendoza picked up two nods in the Best Instrumental Composition category for conducting Fred Hersch & The WDR Big Band’s “Begin Again,” as well as composing “Love, A Beautiful Force,” his single with Terell StaffordDick Oatts and the Temple University Studio Orchestra.

Emilio Solla is in the running for a Grammy this year…

The Argentine pianist and composer is nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella category for arranging “La Novena,” his single with the Emilio Solla Tango Jazz Orchestra.

Diego Figueiredo picked up a nod

The 39-year-old Brazilian musician is nominated in the Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals category for arrangement alongside Cyrille Aiméeon Aimée’s “Marry Me A Little.”

Camila Cabello, a two-time Grammy nominee last year, has earned a nod this year…

The 22-year-old Mexican and Cuban singer and former Fifth Harmony member is nominated in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance category for her collaboration with Shawn Mendes, “Señorita.” 

Cardi B has earned a nod this year…

The 27-year-old half-Dominican American rap superstar, who picked up her first Grammy at this year’s awards show for her debut album Invasion of Privacy, is up for Best Rap Performance for her work opposite Offset on “Clout.”

Rodrigo y Gabrielahave reason to celebrate…

The Mexican acoustic guitar duo, comprised of Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero, picked up its first Grammy nomination. Rodrigo y Gabriela is nominated in the Best Contemporary Instrumental Album category for Mettavolution.

Jessie Reyez is a first-time Grammynominee…

The 28-year-old Colombian singer-songwriter is nominated in the Best Urban Contemporary Album category for her sophomore album Being Human In Public. The album picked up a Juno Award in her home country of Canada for RnB/Soul Recording of the Year.

Sebastian Plano is celebrating his Grammy nod…

The Argentine composer, producer and multi-instrumentalist is nominated in the Best New Age Album category for his albumVerve.

Melissa Aldana has picked up her first Grammy nomination…

The 30-year-old Chilean tenor saxophone player is nominated in the Best Improvised Jazz Solo category for “Elsewhere.”

The nominees in the Best Latin Jazz Album include Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band (Antidote), Thalma De Freitas with Vitor GonçalvesJohn PatitucciChico Pinheiro, Rogerio Boccato Duduka Da Fonse (Sorte!: Music By John Finbury), Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis Rubén Blades (Una Noche Con Rubén Blades), David Sánchez (Carib), and Miguel Zenón (Sonero: The Music of Ismael Rivera)

The Best Latin Pop Album nominees include an eclectic mix of artists: Luis Fonsi (Vida), Maluma (11:11), Ricardo Montaner (Montaner), Alejandro Sanz (#ELDISCO), and Sebastian Yatra (Fantasía).

In addition to Bad Bunny, J Balvin and Rosalia, the nominees in the Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album category include Flor De Toloache (Indestructible) and iLe(Almadura).

The Best Regional Mexican Music Album (including Tejano) include Joss Favela (Caminando), Intocable (Percepción), La Energia Norteña (Poco A Poco), Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea (20 Aniversario), and Mariachi Los Camperos (De Ayer Para Siempre).

The Best Tropical Latin Album nominees include Marc Anthony (Opus), Luis Enrique + C4Trio (Tiempo Al Tiempo), Vicente Garcia (Candela), Juan Luis Guerra 4.40 (Literal) and Aymée Nuviola (A Journey Through Cuban Music).

The Best Musical Theater Album nominees includeHadestown, with Eva Noblezada as one of the principal soloists, and Moulin Rouge! The Musical, with Karen Olivo as one of the principal soloists. It’s the first Grammy nod for both Noblezada, who is half-Mexican American, and Olivo, who is part Puerto Rican and Dominican American.

Gustavo Dudamelis back in the hunt for a Grammy

The 38-year-oldVenezuelan-Spanish conductor and violinist, who won his first Grammy in 2011, is nominated in the Best Orchestral Performance category for conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonnic’s Norman: Sustain.”

FKA Twigs has picked up her first Grammy nomination…

The 31-year-old part-Spanish singer is up for Best Music Video for her acclaimed music video for “Cellophane.”

Lizzo led the pack with eight nods, while Billie Eillish and Lil Nas Xfollowed close behind with six nominations each. All three musicians are first-time Grammy nominees.

Alicia Keyswill return as host the ceremony for the second year in a row, making her the third womanand the first female musician to host the show twice.

The Grammy Awardswill take place on January 26 at the Staples Centerin Los Angeles. The broadcast will air live on CBSat 5:00 pm PT/ 8:00 pm ET.

Here’s a look at the categories with Latino nominees:

GENERAL FIELD

Best New Artist
Black Pumas
Billie Eilish
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Maggie Rogers
Rosalía
Tank and the Bangas
Yola

POP FIELD

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance:
“Boyfriend” — Ariana Grande & Social House
“Sucker” — Jonas Brothers
“Old Town Road” — Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus
“Señorita” — Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album:
Ancestral Recall — Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
Star People Nation — Theo Croker
Beat Music! Beat Music! Beat Music! — Mark Guiliana
Elevate — Lettuce
Mettavolution — Rodrigo y Gabriela

R&B

Best Urban Contemporary Album:
Apollo XXI — Steve Lacy
Cuz I Love You (Deluxe) — Lizzo
Overload — Georgia Anne Muldrow
Saturn — Nao
Being Human In Public — Jessie Reyez

RAP

Best Rap Performance:
“Middle Child” — J.Cole
“Suge” — DaBaby
“Down Bad” — Dreamville ft. J.I.D, Bas, J. Cole, Earthgang & Young Nudy
“Racks In The Middle” — Nipsey Hussle ft. Roddy Ricch & Hit-boy
“Clout” — Offset ft. Cardi B

NEW AGE

Best New Age Album:
Fairy Dreams — David Arkenstone
Homage To Kindness — David Darling
Wings — Peter Kater
Verve — Sebastian Plano
Deva — Deva Premal

JAZZ

Best Improvised Jazz Solo:
“Elsewhere” — Melissa Aldana, soloist
“Sozinho” — Randy Brecker, soloist
“Tomorrow Is The Question” — Julian Lage, soloist
“The Windup” — Brandford Marsalis, soloist
“Sightseeing” — Christian McBride, soloist

Best Jazz Vocal Album:
Thirsty Ghost — Sara Gazarek
Love & Liberation — Jazzmeia Horn
Alone Together — Catherine Russell
12 Little Spells — Esperanza Spalding
Screenplay — The Tierney Sutton Band

Best Latin Jazz Album:
Antidote — Chick Corea & The Spanish Heart Band
Sorte!: Music By John Finbury — Thalma De Freitas With Vitor Gonçalves, John Patitucci, Chico Pinheiro, Rogerio Boccato & Duduka Da Fonseca
Una Noche Con Rubén Blades — Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra With Wynton Marsalis & Rubén Blades
Carib — David Sánchez
Sonero: The Music Of Ismael Rivera — Miguel Zenón

LATIN

Best Latin Pop Album:
Vida — Luis Fonsi
11:11 — Maluma
Montaner — Ricardo Montaner
#ELDISCO — Alejandro Sanz
Fantasía — Sebastian Yatra

Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album:
X 100PRE — Bad Bunny
Oasis — J Balvin & Bad Bunny
Indestructible — Flor De Toloache
Almadura — iLe
El Mal Querer – Rosalía

Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano):
Caminando — Joss Favela
Percepción — Intocable
Poco A Poco — La Energia Norteña
20 Aniversario — Mariachi Divas De Cindy Shea
De Ayer Para Siempre — Mariachi Los Camperos

Best Tropical Latin Album:
Opus — Marc Anthony
Tiempo Al Tiempo — Luis Enrique + C4 Trio
Candela — Vicente García
Literal — Juan Luis Guerra 4.40
A Journey Through Cuban Music — Aymée Nuviola

AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC

Best American Roots Performance:
“Saint Honesty” — Sara Bareilles
“Father Mountain” — Calexico With Iron & Wine
“I’m On My Way” — Rhiannon Giddens With Francesco Turrisi
“Call My Name” — I’m With Her
“Faraway Look” — Yola

MUSICAL THEATER

Best Musical Theater Album:
Ain’t Too Proud: The Life And Times Of The Temptations — Saint Aubyn, Derrick Baskin, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Jeremy Pope & Ephraim Sykes, principal soloists; Scott M. Riesett, producer (Original Broadway Cast)
Hadestown — Reeve Carney, André De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada & Patrick Page, principal soloists; Mara Isaacs, David Lai, Anaïs Mitchell & Todd Sickafoose, producers (Anaïs Mitchell, composer & lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast)
Moulin Rouge! The Musical — Danny Burstein, Tam Mutu, Sahr Ngaujah, Karen Olivo & Aaron Tveit, principal soloists; Justin Levine, Baz Luhrmann, Matt Stine & Alex Timbers, producers (Original Broadway Cast)
The Music Of Harry Potter And The Cursed Child – In Four Contemporary Suites — Imogen Heap, producer; Imogen Heap, composer (Imogen Heap)
Oklahoma! — Damon Daunno, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Ali Stroker, Mary Testa & Patrick Vaill, principal soloists; Daniel Kluger & Dean Sharenow, producers (Richard Rodgers, composer; Oscar Hammerstein II, lyricist) (2019 Broadway Cast)

MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media:
The Lion King: The Songs — (Various Artists)
Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood — (Various Artists)
Rocketman — Taron Egerton
Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse — (Various Artists)
A Star Is Born — Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper

COMPOSING/ARRANGING

Best Instrumental Composition:
“Begin Again” — Fred Hersch, composer (Fred Hersch & The WDR Big Band Conducted By Vince Mendoza)
“Crucible For Crisis” — Brian Lynch, composer (Brian Lynch Big Band)
“Love, A Beautiful Force” — Vince Mendoza, composer (Vince Mendoza, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts & Temple University Studio Orchestra)
“Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge Symphonic Suite” — John Williams, composer (John Williams)
“Walkin’ Funny” — Christian McBride, composer (Christian McBride)

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella:
“Blue Skies” — Kris Bowers, arranger (Kris Bowers)
“Hedwig’s Theme” — John Williams, arranger (Anne-Sophie Mutter & John Williams)
“La Novena” — Emilio Solla, arranger (Emilio Solla Tango Jazz Orchestra)
“Love, A Beautiful Force” — Vince Mendoza, arranger (Vince Mendoza, Terell Stafford, Dick Oatts & Temple University Studio Orchestra)
“Moon River” — Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier)

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals:
“All Night Long” — Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier Featuring Jules Buckley, Take 6 & Metropole Orkest)
“Jolene” — Geoff Keezer, arranger (Sara Gazarek)
“Marry Me A Little” — Cyrille Aimée & Diego Figueiredo, arrangers (Cyrille Aimée)
“Over The Rainbow” — Vince Mendoza, arranger (Trisha Yearwood)
“12 Little Spells (Thoracic Spine)” — Esperanza Spalding, arranger (Esperanza Spalding)

PACKAGE

Best Recording Package:
Anónimas & Resilientes — Luisa María Arango, Carlos Dussan, Manuel García-Orozco & Juliana Jaramillo-Buenaventura, art directors (Voces Del Bullerengue)
Chris Cornell — Barry Ament, Jeff Ament, Jeff Fura & Joe Spix, art directors (Chris Cornell)
Hold That Tiger — Andrew Wong & Fongming Yang, art directors (The Muddy Basin Ramblers)
i,i — Aaron Anderson & Eric Timothy Carlson, art directors (Bon Iver)
Intellexual — Irwan Awalludin, art director (Intellexual)

NOTES

Best Album Notes:
The Complete Cuban Jam Sessions — Judy Cantor-Navas, album notes writer (Various Artists)
The Gospel According To Malaco — Robert Marovich, album notes writer (Various Artists)
Pedal Steel + Four Corners — Brendan Greaves, album notes writer (Terry Allen And The Panhandle Mystery Band)
Pete Seeger: The Smithsonian Folkways Collection — Jeff Place, album notes writer (Pete Seeger)
Stax ’68: A Memphis Story — Steve Greenberg, album notes writer (Various Artists)

CLASSICAL

Best Orchestral Performance:
“Bruckner: Symphony No. 9” — Manfred Honeck, conductor (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra)
“Copland: Billy The Kid; Grohg” — Leonard Slatkin, conductor (Detroit Symphony Orchestra)
“Norman: Sustain” — Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)
“Transatlantic” — Louis Langrée, conductor (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra)
“Weinberg: Symphonies Nos. 2 & 21” — Mirga Gražinytė-tyla, conductor (City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra & Kremerata Baltica)

MUSIC VIDEO/FILM

Best Music Video:
“We’ve Got To Try” — The Chemical Brothers, Ellie Fry, video director; Ninian Doff, video producer
“This Land” — Gary Clark Jr., Savanah Leaf, video director; Alicia Martinez, video producer
“Cellophane” — FKA twigs, Andrew Thomas Huang, video director; Alex Chamberlain, video producer
“Old Town Road (Official Movie)” — Lil Nas X & Billy Ray Cyrus, Calmatic, video director; Candice Dragonas, Melissa Larsen & Saul Levitz, video producers
“Glad He’s Gone” — Tove Lo,  Vania Heymann & Gal Muggia, video directors; Natan Schottenfels, video producer

FKA Twigs Releases New Pensive Single “Sad Day”

FKA Twigs is feeling pensive…

The 31-year-old part-Spanish singer has released the single “Sad Day,” the fourth cut to arrive from her long awaited sophomore album, Magdalene.

FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs lightly sings through heartbreak, as bombastic 808s mimic explosives going off in a warzone to fill the chaotic background. 

“Would you make a, make a, make a wish on my love,” she sorrowfully repeats on the chorus.

“When I wrote my first album I was 23, and when I wrote my second album I was 30,” she told Billboard of her growth as a songwriter since her debut. “I think I’ve always been truthful, but I’ve been digging deeper for Magdalene; I knew I didn’t want to release any new music until I’d found the bottom of the well.”

FKA Twigs’ new album will be released this Friday, November 8 via Young Turks

The LP1 artist continues her North American tour this week with a show in Seattle.

Rosalia Leads the Pack of Latino/a MTV Europe Music Awards Nominees

Rosalia is expanding her popularity in Europe… 

The 26-year-old Spanish singer has received four MTV Europe Music Awards  (MTV EMAs), making her this year’s leading Latina/o nominee.

Rosalia

Rosalia, a rising force in the Latin music industry, is nominated for Best Videoand Best Collaborationfor her hit song “Con Altura,” featuring J. Balvinand El Guincho.

In addition, the two-time Latin Grammywinner is nominated in the Best Lookand Best Pushcategories.

Rosalia’s collaborator, J Balvin, is the top-nominated Latino this year…

In addition to his nods with Rosalia for “Con Altura” in the Best Videoand Best Collaboration categories, the 34-year-old Colombian reggaeton singer and fashionista is nominated for Best Look.

Camila Cabello, last year’s MTV EMAs Best Artistwinner, is nominated three times this year…

The 22-year-old Cuban & Mexican singer is nominated in the Best Songand Best Collaboration for “Señorita,” her sizzling collaboration with Shawn Mendes.

Additionally, Cabello is up for Best Pop

Becky Ghas earned her first-ever MTV EMAs nod.

The 22-year-old Mexican American bilingual singer is nominated in the Best Popcategory.

Cardi B, last year’s Best New (Act) winner, has earned a nod this year.

The 26-year-old half-Dominican American rap sensation is nominated in the Best Hip-Hopcategory.

FKA Twigs has earned some love this year…

The 31-year-old part-Spanish singer is nominated for her first-ever MTV EMAs in the Best Alternativecategory.

CNCO has earned their first-ever MTV EMAs nomination…

The Latin boy band is nominated in the Best Push category.

With the EMAs set to take place in Seville, Spain on November 3, MTVunveiled the nominees in key categories with a nod to the traditional Spanish cortado via foam cream visuals.

The awards show will air live on MTV in nearly 180 countries, with the red carpet sponsored by the upcoming Charlie’s Angels film.

Here’s the full list of nominations:

Best Video
Ariana Grande thank u, next
Billie Eilish bad guy
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus Old Town Road (Remix)
Rosalia, J Balvin ft. El Guincho Con Altura
Taylor Swift ft. Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco ME! 

Best Artist
Ariana Grande
J Balvin
Miley Cyrus
Shawn Mendes
Taylor Swift

Best Song
Ariana Grande 7 rings
Billie Eilish bad guy
Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus Old Town Road (Remix) 
Post Malone, Swae Lee Sunflower
Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello Señorita

Best Collaboration
BTS, Halsey Boy With Luv
Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus Old Town Road (Remix)
Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus Nothing Breaks Like a Heart
ROSALÍA, J Balvin ft. El Guincho Con Altura
Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello Señorita
The Chainsmokers, Bebe Rexha Call You Mine

Best New
Ava Max
Billie Eilish
Lewis Capaldi
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
Mabel

Best Pop
Ariana Grande
Becky G
Camila Cabello
Halsey
Jonas Brothers
Shawn Mendes

Best Live
Ariana Grande
BTS
Ed Sheeran
P!NK
Travis Scott

Best Rock
Green Day
Imagine Dragons
Liam Gallagher
Panic! At The Disco
The 1975

Best Hip-Hop
21 Savage
Cardi B
J. Cole
Nicki Minaj
Travis Scott

Best Alternative
FKA Twigs
Lana Del Rey
Solange
twenty one pilots
Vampire Weekend

Best Electronic
Calvin Harris
DJ Snake
Marshmello
Martin Garrix
The Chainsmokers

Best Look
Halsey
J Balvin
Lil Nas X
Lizzo
ROSALÍA

Biggest Fans
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
BTS
Shawn Mendes
Taylor Swift

Best Push
Ava Max
Billie Eilish
CNCO
H.E.R.
Jade Bird
Juice WRLD
Kiana Ledé
Lauv
Lewis Capaldi
Lizzo
Mabel
Rosalia

Best World Stage
Bebe Rexha Isle of MTV Malta 2019
Hailee Steinfeld Isle of MTV Malta 2018
Muse Bilbao, Spain 2018
The 1975 Lollapalooza Paris Festival 2019
twenty one pilots Lollapalooza Paris Festival 2019

Best U.K. & Ireland Act
Lewis Capaldi
Dave
Mabel
Ed Sheeran
Little Mix (Social Wildcard Winner)

Best U.S. Act
Lil Nas X
Ariana Grande
Billie Eilish
Lizzo
Taylor Swift

FKA Twigs Expanding the North American Leg of Her “Magdalene Tour”

FKA Twigs is expanding her North American reach…

The 31-year-old part-Spanish singer has announced an additional nine dates to her Magdalene Tour, which kicked off in May. 

FKA Twigs

The new North American shows are set to begin on November 3 at the Vogue Theatrein Vancouver, B.C. and run through November 20 when the trek closes at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Throughout the month of November, FKA Twigs will hit Seattle, Oakland, Denver, Chicago, Toronto and more to bring her eclectic performance to North American audiences. The Magdalenes how features her music, elaborate set designs, Wushu(Chinese Kungfu), pole dancing and more inspired by the revolutionary 19th century concept of “Gesamtkunstwerk” or “total work of art.”

FKA twigs launched her Magdalene world tour with two sold-out nights each at LA’s Palace Theatreand NYC’s Park Avenue Armory, continuing on to play headlining shows in Berlin, London, and Sydney, and performing at Primavera SoundWe Love Green Festival, and Afropunk.

The Magdalene tour features never before heard music from FKA Twig’s upcoming second album. The artist has released single “Cellophane” off the highly anticipated sophomore album that’s expected later this year.

Between dates for her November headlining tour, FKA Twigs will also perform at Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnawat Dodgers Stadiumin Los Angeles on November 9.

Fan and Spotify presales have begun with local presales starting Thursday (September 5). Tickets will be available to the general public on Friday (September 6). All sales will begin at 10:00 am local time. 

FKA Twigs Readying Sophomore Album “Mary Magdalene”

FKA Twigs is preparing for the next chapter of her musical career…

Five years since her debut album, the 31-year-old part-Spanish singer is finally mounting her full comeback, sharing album details and some of the horrors she’s faced since we last saw her.

FKA Twigs

In a cover story for UK magazine i-D, FKA Twigs goes through a selection of songs from her upcoming second album Mary Magdalene including one called “Holy Terrain” featuring rapper Future.

“I wasn’t sure whether he would even know who I am,” the singer says, explaining how the collaboration came to be. “I was like, ‘Hi, it’s Twigs. Let me know if you wanna talk about music or anything.’” When the rapper got back to her immediately she had a small fit of excitement.  “He’s such a sweetheart. I sent him the album and I called him up and was like, ‘Listen, Future… this is what my album’s about. It’s a really empowering, sensitive record, with a lot of feminine energy, and this song is probably the most fun track on it, but I still need lyrical content.’ And he said, ‘Okay, I’ve got it’. And his verse is beautiful.”

“He’s just talking about his downfalls as a man; how he’s sorry and asking for healing,” FKA Twigs adds. “I love sad Future. I love when he gets emo, when he expresses himself. It’s just so beautiful when he opens up.”

In expressing some of the hardships she has faced since releasing LP1, including breakups with actors Robert Pattinson and Shia LaBeouf, FKA Twigs reveals a particularly gruesome work experience she put herself through, shooting a Spike Jonze-directed advertisement for Apple only a week into recovering from an operation where tumors were removed from her uterus.

“I looked like death, I looked disgusting. I wasn’t supposed to be moving. And Spike’s like, ‘Okay, so we’re gonna play the song and I need you to dance around your living room to it,’” explains the singer. “I was fully going for it and literally feeling like my uterus was gonna fall out. I didn’t tell them about the surgery or that I had all these stitches in my bellybutton. It was grim. It was grim as f—.”

FKA Twigs wasn’t even meant to be walking for six weeks and here she was dancing. “When I was on set with Spike, the stitches in my bellybutton were splitting open. I told him: ‘Just so you know, if I start bleeding through this white shirt…’. I basically couldn’t lift my arms up, because all your organs stick together and you can’t stretch your stomach. I was involved in the choreography though, so I based all the movements on Audrey Hepburn as she was always moving like that – very forward and with a contracted stomach – because that’s all I could do.”

FKA Twigs still calls the commercial shoot “an amazing experience” though, and the advertisement both won favor both online and at many of the top advertisement awards.

FKA Twigs is set to release her album Mary Magdalene this fall. She will also appears in the upcoming film Honey Boy, written by LaBeouf.

FKA Twigs Earns Two Association of Independent Music (AIM) Nominations

FKA Twigs is earning special recognition…

The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has announced its numerous nominees for its annual awards ceremony, including two nominations for the 31-year-old part-Spanish singer.

FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs, whose real name is Tahliah Debrett Barnett, is nominated in the Best Independent Track category for her latest single “Cellophane,” her first release since “Good To Love” in 2016.  

Additionally, the Mercury Prize nominee earned a nod in the Best Independent Video for the song’s sensational music video. Directed by Andrew Thomas Huang, the video depicts FKA Twigs, a trained dancer, pole dancing in front of an audience.

Discussing the process of creating “Cellophane,” FKA Twigs said has said, “throughout my life I’ve practiced my way to being the best I could be, it didn’t work this time. I had to tear down every process I’d ever relied on. go deeper. rebuild. start again.”

“When I wrote ‘Cellophane’ over a year ago, a visual narrative came to me immediately, she adds. “I knew I had to learn to pole-dance to bring it to life.”

The 2019 AIM Independent Music Awards will take place on September 3 in London.

Here’s the complete list of the nominees:

UK Independent Breakthrough (in association with YouTube Music)
Black Midi
Ezra Collective
Gerry Cinnamon
IDLES
Jade Bird
 
International Breakthrough
Afro B
Jade Bird
Maribou State
Nilüfer Yanya
IDLES
 
Best Independent Track (in association with Facebook)
Dave, “Funky Friday (ft. Fredo)”
FKA Twigs, “Cellophane”
Fontaines D.C., “Boys In The Better Land”
Georgia, “About Work The Dancefloor”
JARV IS, “Must I Evolve”
Jai Paul, “Do You Love Her Now”
Holly Herndon, “Eternal”
Little Simz, “Selfish (ft. Celo Sol)”
Sharon Van Etten, “Seventeen”
Four Tet, “Teenage Birdsong”
 
Best Independent Album (in association with Spotify)
Better Oblivion Community Center, Better Oblivion Community Center
Christine And The Queens, Chris
Dave, Psychodrama
Fontaines D.C., Dogrel
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, End of Suffering
Jade Bird, Jade Bird
Jordan Rakei, Origin
Little Simz, GREY Area
Snapped Ankles, Stunning Luxury
Swindle, No More Normal

Best [Difficult] Second Album
Erland Cooper, Sule Skerry
IDLES, Joy as an Act of Resistance
Julia Jacklin, Crushing
Maribou State, Kingdoms In Colour
SOAK, Grim Town

One To Watch (in association with BBC Music Introducing)
Arlo Parks
Barney Artist
Georgia
KOKOROKO
Larkins
 
Best Small Label
Fuzz Club Records
Killing Moon
Local Action
Scruff of the Neck
Speedy Wunderground
 
Best Creative Packaging (in association with MCPS)
[Hand-picked and curated in collaboration with The Rolling Stones, Confessin’ The Blues compilation]
Murlo, Dolos
IDLES, Joy as an Act of Resistance
Various Artists, Sick Music 2019 compilation
Keith Richards, Talk Is Cheap
 
Best Independent Video (in association with Vevo)
Christine and the Queens, “5 Dollars”
Hot Chip, “Hungry Child”
John Grant, “He’s Got His Mother’s Hips”
Caleb Steph, “Black Boy”
FKA Twigs, “Cellophane”
 
Best Independent Label (in association with [PIAS])
Brownswood Recordings
Domino
Nuclear Blast
Partisan Records
Rough Trade

PPL Award For Most Played New Independent Artist
AJ Tracey
Cosmo Sheldrake
Freya Ridings
Guru Randhawa
Jorja Smith
 
Best Live Act (in association with Songkick)
AJ Tracey
Calpurnia
Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes
Gerry Cinnamon
IDLES

FKA Twigs To Release New Single “Cellophane”

FKA Twigs will be back on the radio soon…

The 31-year-old part-Spanish singer is planning to release her new single “Cellophane” this week.

FKA Twigs

“Throughout my life I’ve practiced my way to being the best I could be, it didn’t work this time,” she tweeted along with the release times for the song in various time zones. “I had to tear down every process I’d ever relied on. go deeper. rebuild. start again.” 

The announcement also featured a photo of the singer covered in gold body paint, wearing pointe shoes in front of a matching gold curtain.

The track will be FKA Twigs’ first new release since 2016 one-off single “Good to Love.” She hasn’t released an album or EP since 2015’s M3LL155X

Rosalia to Kick-Off This Year’s Red Bull Music Festival New York

Rosaliais ready for the bull…

The Red Bull Music Academy has revealed the lineup for its 2019 festival in New York, with the 25-year-old Spanish singer and rising star making the list.

Rosalía

The Latin Grammy-winning singer and songwriter will open the Red Bull Music Festival New York, performing music from her critically lauded 2018 album El Mal Querer with a full live band, brilliant dancers and LED visuals. 

For one of the first shows inside the newly renovated Webster Hall, the breakthrough performer will expand on her Red Bull show in Madrid last fall.

This year, during two evenings co-presented by Park Avenue Armory, 31-year-old part-Spanish singer FKA Twigs will debut an intimate and dramatic live show inside the Armory’s iconic Wade Thompson Drill Hall.

The festival will take place across New York beginning April 30 and close out on May 18 with Nyege Nyege Nightfeaturing a propulsive and bass-heavy set from Ugandan DJ Kampire, who will make her US debut, co-headlining with rising singeli duo MCZO & Duke.  

Tickets for Red Bull Music Festival New York go on sale Wednesday (March 20) at 10:00 am EST via redbull.com/nyc.

FKA Twigs Stars in Spike Jonze-Directed Short Film for Apple HomePod

FKA Twigs isn’t just a talented musician…

The 30-year-old part=Spanish singer proves she’s also an incredible dancer and actress in a brand-new short film directed by Spike Jonze to promote Apple HomePod.

FKA Twigs

In the nearly four-minute film, FKA Twigs comes home from a dull, dreary day at work. She begins to daydream and moves to the uptempo beat of Anderson .Paak’s funky new single “Til It’s Over.”

Her living room bends and twists along to the melody, turning a mundane night at home into a light-filled colorful fantasy.

“Til It’s Over” showcases .Paak’s unique vocals with a refreshing electronic mix.

Arca Releases Video for New Single “Desafío”

Arca is ready for a new challenge…

The 26-year-old Venezuelan electronic DJ, record producer and mixing engineer has released the official video for “Desafío,” just days after releasing his self-titled album.

Arca

The track is the revelatory centerpiece of Arca’s new LP, his third solo project.

The bleak video shows Arca, whose real name is Alejandro Ghersi, bruised and bound in a leather getup, dragged through a dark forest by wicked men.

The “Desafío” clip was directed by Jesse Kanda.

Arca, has produced for Bjork, Kanye West, FKA Twigs and Frank Ocean, among others.