1. Beyoncé Performs “Flawless” in Paris
Grammy favorite Beyonce, with a staggering 16 awards already and now the show’s most nominated artist EVER, got recognized for Best Urban Contemporary Album, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for “Drunk In Love”, for last year’s surprise self-titled album.
2. Chris Brown performs “New Flame” at Powerhouse Philadelphia
Breezy’s album “X” scored nominations for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best R&B Performance for his collabo “New Flame”.
3. Pharrell Williams Performs Happy On “Good Morning America”
Williams’ huge Oscar-nominated hit from “Despicable Me 2” is up for Best Pop Solo Performance, and his album G I R L for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
4. Sam Smith performs “Stay With Me” on David Letterman
British soul singer Smith got noticed for his tearful ballad “Stay With Me” for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, and but also Best Pop Vocal Performance for the album “In The Lonely Hour” and Best New Artist.
5. John Legend Performs “All of Me” On Oprah’s Next Chapter
Legend’s universally praised love song “All of Me” earned a nod for Best Pop Solo Performance.
6. Mali Music Performs “Ready Aim” on ThisIsRnB Sessions
Music is a first-time nominee with his LP “Mali Is”. Real name, Jamaal Pollard, he’s been releasing tunes since 2008, and was briefly on Akon’s Konvict label.
7. Jhené Aiko Performs The Worst Future Festival
Aiko’s moment had arrived when she released the EP “Sail Out” that featured every girl’s breakup, you ain’t ish anthem “The Worst”. Aiko is officially a nominee for Best Urban Contemporary Album and Best R&B Song.
8. Ariana Grande Performs A Medley At The AMAs
Grande’s second album “My Everything” was picked for Best Pop Vocal Album, and with those chops, she might just win this category. She’s also up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance along with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj for their smashing “Bang Bang”.
9. Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX Perform “Fancy” on Good Morning America
Azalea’s huge hit with the Clueless-inspired video got a coveted nomination for Record of the Year and Best Pop/Duo Collaboration but she’s also a surprise nominee for other categories as her album The New Classic is also up for Best Rap Album and the very important Best New Artist.
10. Ziggy Marley Performs “I Don’t Wanna Live On Mars” on David Letterman
The eldest offspring of Bob and Rita returned with Fly Rasta this year and will compete for the Best Reggae Album category.
11. Kanye West Performs “Bound 2” In Seattle, WA During Yeezus Tour
Grammy winner West is up again for his hip-hop love track “Bound 2” that featured legend Charlie Wilson for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
12. Eminem And Rihanna Perform “The Monster” At The MTV Movie Awards
Em and Riri are up for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.
13. Common And Jhené Aiko Perform “Blak Majik” On Jimmy Kimmel
From Common’s “Nobody’s Smiling” album, him and Aiko are up for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. In this performance, the Dana Foglia Dance group are featured.
14. Nicki MInaj Performs “Anaconda” At Fashion Rocks In NYC
Nicki Minaj’s controversial “Anaconda” got noticed for Best Rap Song.
15. Wiz Khalifa Performs “We Dem Boyz” At SXSW
Recently divorced Khalifa’s street hit “We Dem Boyz” is up for Best Rap Song.
16. Kendrick Lamar Performs “i” On SNL
Lamar brought it home last year when he joined Imaginary Dragons for a live remix of the band’s hit “Radioactive” and his track “Maad City”. This year’s he’s up for Best Rap Song” for “i”.
17. Drake Performs “0 to 100” In Holmdel, NJ
“0 to 100″, one of Drake’s random single releases over the summer” got selected for Best Rap Song.
