BBMAs: Commercial Success vs. Cultural Impact? Drake, Lamar Highlight the Divide

Drake is poised for a major comeback at the 2024 Billboard Music Awards, announced Monday. After a period of mixed reception to recent projects and personal challenges, the hip-hop titan enters the ceremony tied with Taylor Swift for the most BBMAs in history, each holding 39 wins. The stage is set for a potential record-breaking night.

The awards also highlight a compelling dynamic between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. While Drake seeks commercial dominance with eight nominations, including Top Artist, Lamar has captured cultural momentum with his critically acclaimed album "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers" and his surprise follow-up project, "GNX." Despite receiving only one nomination for Top Rap Album, Lamar's influence underscores the BBMAs' emphasis on commercial metrics over cultural impact.

This year's BBMAs tell an intriguing story: Can Drake reclaim his spot at the top of the music world? Or will the focus shift to artists like Lamar, who prioritize artistic innovation over chart-topping hits?

Country star Zach Bryan leads all nominees with 21 entries across 18 categories, followed by Swift with 17. The Top Artist category features a diverse group of contenders: Drake, Swift, Bryan, Morgan Wallen, and Sabrina Carpenter. Wallen boasts 15 entries across 13 categories, while Carpenter earned nine nominations, including her first for Top Artist and Top Hot 100 Artist.

Other notable nominees include Beyoncé for Top R&B Artist and Top R&B Album, and SZA, whose album "SOS" dominated the charts this year, making her a strong contender in several R&B categories.

The 2024 BBMAs introduce three new categories: Top Hard Rock Artist, Top Hard Rock Album, and Top Hard Rock Song. HARDY leads these categories, with Linkin Park and Falling in Reverse also receiving recognition.

The awards ceremony will air Thursday, Dec. 12, on Fox, Paramount+, and Amazon Fire TV Channels, marking its return to Fox for the first time since 2006. Actress and comedian Michelle Buteau will host the event.

Key Hip-Hop & R&B Nominees

Drake:

Top Artist

Top Male Artist

Top Billboard 200 Artist

Top Rap Artist

Top Rap Male Artist

Top Billboard 200 Album ("For All the Dogs")

Top Rap Album ("For All the Dogs")

Top R&B Song ("Search & Rescue")

Kendrick Lamar:

Top Rap Album ("Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers")

Beyoncé:

Top R&B Artist

Top R&B Album ("Renaissance")

SZA:

Top R&B Female Artist

Top R&B Album ("SOS")

Top Billboard 200 Album ("SOS")

Top R&B Song ("Kill Bill")

Lizzo:

Top Female Artist

Top Streaming Songs Artist

Doja Cat:

Top Female Artist

Top Hot 100 Artist

Top Streaming Songs Artist

Top Radio Songs Artist

See the complete list of nominees here.

Cabello, GloRilla Join Lil Wayne for College Football Playoff Concert

Courtesy Photo

Lil Wayne is set to headline the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! concert on Jan. 18, 2025, at State Farm Arena, kicking off a music-filled weekend leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship, amidst conversations about his controversial Super Bowl halftime show snub.

The New Orleans native, known for chart-topping hits like ‘A Milli’ and ‘Lollipop,’ will take the stage after being controversially excluded from the Super Bowl halftime show in his hometown.

“We are excited to have Lil Wayne headline the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! concert,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the College Football Playoff, of the five-time Grammy winner. “He is a talented artist who has had a significant impact on the music industry. We know he will put on a great show for our fans.”

Joining Wayne on Jan. 18 is Grammy-nominated rapper GloRilla, the rising star behind viral hits ‘F.N.F. (Let’s Go)’ and ‘Tomorrow 2.’

The following night, Jan. 19, features a pop-centric lineup headlined by Camila Cabello, known for global hits like ‘Havana’ and ‘Señorita.’ Cabello will be joined by Myles Smith, a British singer-songwriter recognized as Apple Music’s Up Next Artist, and Knox, a Nashville-based singer-songwriter who has gained a strong online following.

The weekend culminates on Jan. 20 with the Allstate Championship Tailgate at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The event will feature performances by country music star Kane Brown and iHeartCountry’s ‘On the Verge’ artist Ashley Cooke, along with interactive games, sponsor activations, and live ESPN broadcasts.

Tickets for AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! go on sale Monday, Nov. 25, at 10 a.m. ET via CollegeFootballPlayoff.com/ppl. The 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship will kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

From King of Rock to King of Wine: DMC's Latest Chapter

Photo Courtesy Old York Cellars

The King of Rock is now making his mark as the King of the Vine.

Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels, the legendary co-founder of Run-DMC, has always been a pioneer. Whether he was rocking stages in the 1980s or kicking down barriers for hip-hop to cross into mainstream culture, he was never content to stay in one lane. Now, the hip-hop icon is making waves in a different space: the wine industry. Since 2020, McDaniels has been crafting his own path in winemaking, staying true to what he’s always done — connecting people, creating culture, and making an impact.

For some, McDaniels' journey into wine might seem like a departure from his roots, but it’s really an evolution.

Run-DMC changed hip-hop forever. They were the first hip-hop group to go platinum, the first on MTV, and the first to bring the raw, street energy of hip-hop to mainstream America with tracks like “Walk This Way,” “It’s Tricky” and “King of Rock.” They were the bridge between genres, collaborating with Aerosmith and redefining what hip-hop could be. That same boundary-pushing spirit led McDaniels to venture into winemaking.

The 2022 King DMC Reserve Wine Collection, which will officially launch at Old York Cellars in Ringoes, N.J., on Nov. 30, is McDaniels’ latest chapter in this journey. The collection features two wines: a Reserve Red — a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Syrah — and a Reserve White, made from Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Vidal Blanc.

This marks the third vintage under the Darryl Mack Cellars label, a collaboration that began as a creative experiment but has since grown into a respected brand that reflects McDaniels’ signature style —authentic, impactful and made for everyone.

“Darryl views wine and food as part of his bigger vision of bringing people together,” David Wolin, owner of Old York Cellars, said in a release announcing the new vintages. That sentiment echoes what McDaniels has always been about — breaking down barriers, uniting people, and celebrating culture.

A portion of sales from the King DMC Reserve Collection benefits the Felix Organization, a non-profit that McDaniels co-founded in 2006 alongside Emmy-winning casting director Sheila Jaffe. The Felix Organization provides enriching opportunities for children in foster care—a cause close to McDaniels’ heart, as he himself was adopted. “The heart of this collection came from Darryl's passion for philanthropy,” Wolin said, implying that this venture isn’t just about bottles on a shelf; it’s about creating a legacy and giving back.

McDaniels has never been one to shy away from using his platform for more than entertainment. He’s been vocal about mental health, sharing his own struggles in his memoir and speaking publicly to encourage others to seek help. He’s also been an advocate for adoption, using his voice to support children in foster care and to raise awareness about the importance of family and community. His work with Old York Cellars is a continuation of that commitment—a blending of creativity, passion, and social impact.

For more information about Darryl Mack Cellars and the upcoming event, visit oldyorkcellars.com.