ICYMI, and/or if you switched from the All-Star Game during the performances to catch SNL 40, here were the musical NBA All-Star 2015 Performances during tonite’s all-star game.
Nas was a surprise guest for Christina Aguilera’s starting lineup introduction (guess what he performed in his home city) and Nicki Minaj was Ariana Grande’s surprise guest at halftime. Watch ’em both below.
If you guessed “N.Y. State of Mind”, you read Nas’ mind. The song was made a lil over 20 years ago and today he performed it for the All-Star Game in Madison Square Garden. Pretty special, huh?
Ariana Grande, and that crazy hair, was just announced as the headline act for the usually star-studded NBA All-Star Halftime Show on February 15th at Madison Square Garden. Last year, if you recall, was heavy on hip hop with Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar with both earning rave reviews. Ariana’s not a surprise and should definitely appeal to the masses.
It’s just unfortunate that the NBA didn’t listen to its fans and who got the most likes yesterday…
Of the entertainment guests though, I’m rooting for Kevin Hart interviewing the All-Star Game MVP with the Inside The NBA crew. They got to do that again.
Ariana Grande & The Weeknd’s collab has seen a music video and a breakout performance on SNL.
Today, it takes an acoustic turn with this new version and accompanying video.
No studio set-up either, just Ariana, Weeknd, and the guitarist. For those who haven’t caught Weeknd in tour either, he proves here what he does there — he can really sing. Ariana too for that matter.
Jam sesh feel and for any fans of the song, this one might become your preferred version. *nods head*
The AMAs are ongoing at posting time and I’ll update as the night proceeds and the videos are uploaded to the interwebs.
The highlight for me so far was Lil Wayne debuting a new song from Tha Carter V alongside his new muse Christina Milian. It’s called “Start A Fire” and sounds like it could have some mainstream legs to it. Full song and explicit version TBD (Wayne’s entire second line was bleeped out for an awkwardly long amount of time… and it was probably fantastic.)
After Tunechi and Christina pranced off the stage, Nicki Minaj and Skylar Grey performed another rendition of “Bed of Lies” in all-white attire. It was a little strange to see some cuts of people dancing with it, but I appreciate that Nicki keeps pushing one of her deeper songs that doesn’t rely on sex appeal. Skylar’s voice was piercing throughout as she continues to slay those hooks. Always great to see the next A-list single she’s involved in.
More 2014 AMAs Performances by Iggy Azalea, Sam Smith & A$AP Rocky, Ariana Grande & The Weeknd, and Fergie with YG & DJ Mustard.
Added Mary J. Blige “Therapy”, Jessie J, Nicki Minaj, and Ariana Grande performing “Bang Bang”, and Iggy Azalea & J. Lo with “Booty” to close it out. Yup, this song closed it out. #JusSayin
Also debuted tonight: more of the “Guts Over Fear” video that drops in full tomorrow (or maybe with tonight’s midnight release of Shady XV) and Waka Flocka stars in a humorous commercial for Pine Bros. cough drops. I would rather watch this 5x than Fergie’s performance once.
Gowhere Hip Hop 