Benson Boone Apologizes for Grabbing His Crotch Following Grammys Efficiency

5 years after boycotting the Grammys, the Canadian-singer, whose actual identify is Abel Tesfaye, returned to the stage for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards Sunday night time.

Performing a medley of music from his new album, Hurry Up Tomorrow, The Weeknd had the Grammys crowd on their toes as they witnessed the monumental second, with Taylor Swift, Alicia Keys and extra giving the Starboy singer a standing ovation on the finish of his set.

The efficiency was introed by Grammys chief, Harvey Mason Jr., who spoke about The Weeknd’s criticism of the group, which started in 2020, when his smash single “Blinding Lights” — which was shattering streaming information everywhere in the globe on the time, and nonetheless stays the most-streamed tune in Spotify historical past — was nominated for zero awards that yr.

Calling the Grammys corrupt, The Weeknd took to his Instagram to name out the group.

“The Grammys stay corrupt,” he wrote on the time. “You owe me, my followers and the complete business transparency.”

Scooter Braun echoed the musician’s disappointment on Twitter, tweeting out, “I agree. Congrats to all of the nominees however @theweeknd and Sal you deserved to be there as effectively and deserved higher. Good artist and sensible album.”

Justin Bieber, Teyana Taylor, Nicki Minaj and The Killers additionally voiced their frustrations with the Grammys on the time.

All of the chatter prompted a response from Mason, who cited the rising competitors in all genres, with an astounding 23,000 file entries per an interview with Selection for what many perceived as a scarcity of range amongst the 2020 nominees.

“We perceive that The Weeknd is dissatisfied at not being nominated. I used to be shocked and may empathize with what he is feeling,” Mason mentioned on the time.

He went on to reward the artist, including, “His music this yr was wonderful, and his contributions to the music neighborhood and broader world are worthy of everybody’s admiration.”

The stunning growth not solely led to The Weeknd’s boycott of the Grammys, however for Mason Jr. to overtake the present’s awards division and course of, making a youthful and extra numerous voting physique that’s largely to credit score for a few of Sunday night time’s nominees and winners.

Regardless of the modifications, The Weeknd has declined to submit his music for the awards — however that may seemingly change now that at truce has been struck between him and the Grammys and he has a newly launched album and tour on the way in which.

Hurry Up Tomorrow, the long-awaited third chapter of his After Hours trilogy, options Lana Del Rey, Travis Scott, Future, Florence + the Machine, Giorgio Moroder, Anitta and others.

The album, which was launched Thursday, was initially scheduled to be launched the week prior, however was delayed out of respect for the tragedy of the Los Angeles wildfires. Proceeds from the album monitor “Take Me Again To LA” can be donated to LA Regional Meals Financial institution, who’re offering emergency meals help to these immediately impacted by the LA wildfires.

Out of respect for these impacted by the disaster, The Weeknd additionally selected to cancel the deliberate album launch live performance at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl and donated 1 million {dollars} to LAFD Basis, GoFundMe’s Wildfire Aid Fund, and LA Regional Meals Financial institution as a substitute.

The album can be adopted in Could by the movie of the identical identify, starring the Weeknd with Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.