Music Alum Adam Blackstone Serves as Music Director for 2019 BET Awards Show

UArts music alum Adam Blackstone ’04 (Bass) continues to add to his remarkable resume, serving as music director for the 2019 BET Awards, held on June 24 at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles. He played bass for Little Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus on their mega-hit “Old Town Road” during the ceremony, and performed with Lifetime Achievement Award–winner Mary J. Blige and others. 

This spring, Blackstone was also music director for the iHeart Radio Awards in L.A., and has served in the same role for many major events, including the Super Bowl LII halftime show with Justin Timberlake, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award, and performances at the Oscars and the Grammys. He is a three-time Grammy Award nominee for music direction. 

In addition, he is music director for Nicki Minaj and Justin Timberlake, and has directed and played with artists including Dr. Dre, Eminem, Janet Jackson, Jay-Z, the Jonas Brothers, Kanye West, Demi Lovato, Maroon 5, Mike Posner, the Roots, and Jill Scott. 

He received UArts' Silver Star Alumni Award, the University's highest alumni honor, in 2014.