Mandatory Credit: Photo by MJ Photos/REX/Shutterstock (9336009a) Grammy Awards 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Press Room, New York, USA – 28 Jan 2018
Las Vegas will host the Grammys for the first time ever Sunday, one year after the coronavirus pandemic forced organizers to shake up the broadcast with a cabaret-style show heavy on performances.
Music’s most prestigious awards ceremony comes with the entertainment world on edge, just a week after a shocking twist at the Oscars that saw Will Smith slap Chris Rock onstage over a bad joke.
The incident is sure to prompt stiffer stage security and script vetting in Sin City, but there’s always a little room at the Grammys for things to get… weird.
Here’s a guide to the event, which comedian Trevor Noah will host:
Olivia Rodrigo sweep?
Two years after Billie Eilish cleaned up the “big four” prizes — Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist — viral pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo has the chance to do it again.
The former Disney channel actress — who posted record-breaking streaming numbers last year during her explosive ascent to pop’s upper echelons — has a total of seven nominations, including in all four of the most prestigious categories.
Rodrigo, 19, is among a coterie of pop stars including Justin Bieber and Doja Cat leading this year’s nomination pack.
The “drivers license” singer is also slated to perform, as are a variety of acts including BTS, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, H.E.R. and nominations frontrunner Jon Batiste.
Kanye antics
Kanye West, whose legal name is now Ye, released an album both this year and last, but it’s his questionable behavior that has made him music’s chaos agent at-large.
He scored five nominations this year, most for his album “Donda” — and will face off with longtime nemesis Taylor Swift in the best album category, where she has her sole 2022 chance at Grammys gold for “evermore.”
Neither are necessarily favorites to win the coveted prize.
But ever since West’s infamous “I’mma let you finish” stunt at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2009 — when he walked onstage and interrupted the then 19-year-old, who was accepting the award for Best Female Video — all the world’s Ye’s stage.
For weeks, the mercurial West has been airing personal attacks on comedian Pete Davidson, who is dating West’s ex-wife Kim Kardashian.
The Recording Academy had reportedly removed West from the performance lineup over his sometimes troubling behavior, but some sources said he could still join the lineup at the last minute.
And in any event, he’s still invited to the ceremony. Even with seven-second broadcast delays and bleeps, if the Oscars taught us anything, it’s that anything can happen.
Will the Carters show?
When the Grammy hopefuls were announced in November, rap mogul Jay Z became the most nominated artist in the show’s history, with 83.
He was previously tied with legendary producer Quincy Jones, who had 80.
At last year’s ceremony, Jay Z’s wife Beyonce became the show’s most decorated singer in history, with 28 career wins.
So far the rap billionaire from Brooklyn has 23 gramophones to his name.
But he’s never won in a major category, a similar issue to Beyonce’s, who despite holding a Grammy record for most wins has only triumphed once in the “big four” categories.
The Recording Academy faces perennial criticism that it’s too white and too male, and that it relegates Black artists to rap and R&B categories while refusing to reward them with the top prizes.
In 2018, Jay Z was the frontrunner with eight nominations, but didn’t win a single award.
Needless to say, the couple skipped the 2019 ceremony — and took home a single award, for Best Urban Contemporary Album.
Whether Jay and Bey will deign to show up Sunday in Vegas remains an open question.
Tony and Gaga
The perhaps improbable duo of Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga are riding the success of their second duet album “Love For Sale,” which earned six nominations.
It was the 61st and final studio album of Bennett’s career.
In 2014, the now 95-year-old became the oldest person ever to reach number one on the US album sales chart through a different collection of duets with Gaga, who became his friend and touring companion.
The iconic crooner recently revealed he’s been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, a condition he kept under wraps for years.
Bennett has stopped touring, but it’s not impossible that he will appear Sunday at Gaga’s side.
The 36-year-old pop titan closed last week’s Oscars ceremony alongside Liza Minnelli, another 20th century great Gaga has apparently befriended.
Presidential hat trick?
In the ever-eclectic Best Spoken Word Album category, which includes poetry, audio books, and storytelling, Barack Obama once again has the leading chance to win what would be his third Grammy.
The former president is up for his autobiography “A Promised Land,” two years after his wife Michelle bested her competition to take home the prize for the audiobook of her memoir “Becoming.”
Obama — who won the award both in 2006 and 2008 — faces competition from Dave Chappelle, Don Cheadle, poet J. Ivy and LeVar Burton, who is set to host the pre-broadcast ceremony.
Canadian rap superstar Drake asked for his two Grammy nominations to be withdrawn this year and the Recording Academy has honored his request, multiple sources told AFP Monday.
Drake had been up for two rap awards at January’s ceremony, but his mega-hit album “Certified Lover Boy” was conspicuously left out of the general field categories last month, and the artist has clashed with the Academy multiple times.
The singer is also currently facing multiple lawsuits over a rap concert in Texas last month during which ten fans were killed by a lethal crowd surge.
No explanation was provided by Drake’s representatives for his request.
A source close to the artist said the decision had been made by Drake and his management and had been honored by the Grammys.
A Recording Academy source familiar with the request confirmed those details to AFP, and Drake’s nominations have been removed from the official Grammys website, just as final-round ballot voting began.
Drake, one of the world’s top-selling and most influential musicians, has won four Grammys.
In a 2017 interview, he accused the Grammys of pigeonholing him as a rapper because he is Black.
“The only category that they can manage to fit me in is in a rap category, maybe because I’ve rapped in the past or because I’m Black,” he said on Apple’s Beats 1 radio.
At the 2019 Grammys, Drake again vented his frustration that Black hip-hop artists are not always given their due.
“We play in an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport,” Drake said as he accepted his lone award for Best Rap Song for “God’s Plan.”
“This is a business where sometimes it is up to a bunch of people that might not understand what a mixed-race kid from Canada has to say.”
Other top Black artists including The Weeknd, Frank Ocean and Jay-Z have all slammed the Grammys as irrelevant in recent years, especially citing its failure to recognize Black artists.
Last month, Drake was sued for having “incited mayhem” after he participated in the closing 15 minutes of Travis Scott’s headline set at the Astroworld festival — well after authorities had declared an emergency.
The 64th Grammy Awards ceremony is due to take place in Los Angeles on January 31.
A large Grammy award is seen outside the press room during the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards on January 26, 2020, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)
The list of nominees for the 64th annual Grammy Awards is out and Nigerian artists Wizkid and Femi Kuti earned nominations in two categories.
They both were nominated in the Best Global Music Performance and Best Global Music Album categories.
Femi Kuti’s Pà Pá Pà was nominated in the Best Global Music Performance category while Wizkid Featuring Tems Essence was nominated in the same category.
Wizkid’s Made in Lagos was nominated in the Best Global Music Album category and Femi Kuti and Made Kuti’s Legacy + made the same category.
Grammy winner, Burna Boy earned a nomination again with Do Yourself, a song by Angélique Kidjo.
Burna Boy and Wizkid made history after winning their first-ever Grammy in the 2021 Awards.
Burna Boy clinched the award for the ‘Best World Music” category with his ‘Twice As Tall’ album while Wizkid picked up the prize for his collaboration with American Singer Beyonce and her daughter Blue Ivy for the track “Brown Skin Girl” in the ‘Best Music Video” category.
Meanwhile, Jazzman and bandleader Jon Batiste led the pack with 11 nominations, followed by Justin Bieber, H.E.R., and Doja Cat with eight, as Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo nabbed seven.
The 64th annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast by CBS from Los Angeles on January 31, 2022.
– Album of the Year –
We Are — Jon Batiste
Love For Sale — Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe) — Justin Bieber
Planet Her (Deluxe) — Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever — Billie Eilish
Back Of My Mind — H.E.R.
Montero — Lil Nas X
Sour — Olivia Rodrigo
Evermore — Taylor Swift
Donda — Kanye West
– Record of the Year
“I Still Have Faith In You” — ABBA
“Freedom” — Jon Batiste
“I Get A Kick Out Of You” — Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
“Peaches” — Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“Right On Time” — Brandi Carlile
“Kiss Me More” — Doja Cat Featuring SZA
“Happier Than Ever” — Billie Eilish
“Montero” (Call Me By Your Name) — Lil Nas X
“drivers license” — Olivia Rodrigo
“Leave The Door Open” — Silk Sonic
– Song of the Year, recognizing songwriting –
“Bad Habits” — Fred Gibson, Johnny McDaid & Ed Sheeran, songwriters (Ed Sheeran)
“A Beautiful Noise” — Ruby Amanfu, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Alicia Keys, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Linda Perry & Hailey Whitters, songwriters (Alicia Keys And Brandi Carlile)
“Kiss Me More” — Roget Chahayed, Amala Zandile Dlamini, Lukasz Gottwald, Carter Lang, Gerard A. Powell II, Solana Rowe & David Sprecher, songwriters (Doja Cat Featuring SZA)
“Leave The Door Open” — Brandon Anderson, Christopher Brody Brown, Dernst Emile II & Bruno Mars, songwriters (Silk Sonic)
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” — Denzel Baptiste, David Biral, Omer Fedi, Montero Hill & Roy Lenzo, songwriters (Lil Nas X)
“Peaches” — Louis Bell, Justin Bieber, Giveon Dezmann Evans, Bernard Harvey, Felisha “Fury” King, Matthew Sean Leon, Luis Manual Martinez Jr., Aaron Simmonds, Ashton Simmonds, Andrew Wotman & Keavan Yazdani, songwriters (Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon)
“Right On Time” — Brandi Carlile, Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)
– Best New Artist –
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
FINNEAS
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie
– Best Music Video –
“Shot In The Dark” — AC/DC
“Freedom” — Jon Batiste
“I Get A Kick Out Of You” — Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
“Peaches” — Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
He competed with albums from Antibalas’ ‘The Fu Chronicles’, Bebel Gilberto’s ‘Agora’, Anoushka Shankar’s ‘Love Letters’ and Tinariwen’s ‘Amadjar’ to clinch the much-coveted prize.
Congrats Best Global Music Album winner – ‘TWICE AS TALL’ @burnaboy ✨ #GRAMMYs
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) March 14, 2021
Meanwhile, Wizkid picked up the prize for his collaboration with American Singer Beyonce and her daughter Blue Ivy for the track “Brown Skin Girl” in the ‘Best Music Video” category.
‘Brown Skin Girl’, a track off Beyonce’s ‘The Lion King: The Gift,‘ was nominated for the category alongside ‘Life Is Good’, a song by Future featuring Drake, ‘Lockdown’ by Anderson Park, ‘Adore You’ by Harry Styles, and ‘Goliath’ by Woodkid.
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) March 14, 2021
Burna Boy and Wizkid’s win comes years after Nigerian percussionist and recording artist, Sikiru Adepoju won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album in 1991.
Adepojuwas also part of Mickey Hart’s latest group Global Drum Project, whose title album won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary World Music Album at the 51st annual Grammy Awards in 2009.
The 63rd GRAMMY Awards recognize recordings released between September 1, 2019, and August 31, 2020.
See the full list of winners below (In Bold)…
1. Record Of The Year Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.
BLACK PARADE Beyoncé Beyoncé & Derek Dixie, producers; Stuart White, engineer/mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
COLORS Black Pumas Adrian Quesada, producer; Adrian Quesada, engineer/mixer; JJ Golden, mastering engineer
ROCKSTAR DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch SethinTheKitchen, producer; Derek “MixedByAli” Ali, Chris Dennis, Liz Robson & Chris West, engineers/mixers; Glenn A Tabor III, mastering engineer
SAY SO Doja Cat Tyson Trax, producer; Clint Gibbs & Kalani Thompson, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
EVERYTHING I WANTED – WINNER Billie Eilish Finneas O’Connell, producer; Rob Kinelski & Finneas O’Connell, engineers/mixers; John Greenham, mastering engineer
DON’T START NOW Dua Lipa Caroline Ailin & Ian Kirkpatrick, producers; Josh Gudwin, Drew Jurecka & Ian Kirkpatrick, engineers/mixers; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer
CIRCLES Post Malone Louis Bell, Frank Dukes & Post Malone, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
SAVAGE Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé Beyoncé & J. White Did It, producers; Stuart White, engineer/mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
2. Album Of The Year Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33% playing time of the album, if other than Artist.
CHILOMBO Jhené Aiko Fisticuffs & Julian-Quán Việt Lê, producers; Fisticuffs, Julian-Quán Việt Lê, Zeke Mishanec, Christian Plata & Gregg Rominiecki, engineers/mixers; Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, Julian-Quán Việt Lê, Maclean Robinson & Brian Keith Warfield, songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
BLACK PUMAS (DELUXE EDITION) Black Pumas Adrian Quesada, producer; Adrian Quesada, engineer/mixer; Eric Burton & Adrian Quesada, songwriters; JJ Golden, mastering engineer
EVERYDAY LIFE Coldplay Daniel Green, Bill Rahko & Rik Simpson, producers; Mark “Spike” Stent, engineer/mixer; Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters; Emily Lazar, mastering engineer
DJESSE VOL.3 Jacob Collier Jacob Collier, producer; Ben Bloomberg & Jacob Collier, engineers/mixers; Jacob Collier, songwriter; Chris Allgood & Emily Lazar, mastering engineers
WOMEN IN MUSIC PT. III HAIM Rostam Batmanglij, Danielle Haim & Ariel Rechtshaid, producers; Rostam Batmanglij, Jasmine Chen, John DeBold, Matt DiMona, Tom Elmhirst, Joey Messina-Doerning & Ariel Rechtshaid, engineers/mixers; Rostam Batmanglij, Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, Este Haim & Ariel Rechtshaid, songwriters; Emily Lazar, mastering engineer
FUTURE NOSTALGIA Dua Lipa Lorna Blackwood & Koz, producers; Josh Gudwin & Cameron Gower Poole, engineers/mixers; Clarence Coffee Jr. & Dua Lipa, songwriters; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer
HOLLYWOOD’S BLEEDING Post Malone Louis Bell & Frank Dukes, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
FOLKLORE – WINNER Taylor Swift Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, producers; Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Serban Ghenea, John Hanes, Jonathan Low & Laura Sisk, engineers/mixers; Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer
3. Song Of The Year A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
BLACK PARADE Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk & Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
THE BOX Larrance Dopson, Samuel Gloade, Rodrick Moore, Adarius Moragne, Eric Sloan & Khirye Anthony Tyler, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)
CARDIGAN Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
CIRCLES Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Kaan Gunesberk, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters (Post Malone)
DON’T START NOW Caroline Ailin, Ian Kirkpatrick, Dua Lipa & Emily Warren, songwriters (Dua Lipa)
I CAN’T BREATHE – WINNER Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
IF THE WORLD WAS ENDING Julia Michaels & JP Saxe, songwriters (JP Saxe Featuring Julia Michaels)
4. Best New Artist This category recognizes an artist whose eligibility-year release(s) achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.
INGRID ANDRESS
PHOEBE BRIDGERS
CHIKA
NOAH CYRUS
D SMOKE
DOJA CAT
KAYTRANADA
MEGAN THEE STALLION – WINNER
POP
5. Best Pop Solo Performance For new vocal or instrumental pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.
YUMMY Justin Bieber
SAY SO Doja Cat
EVERYTHING I WANTED Billie Eilish
DON’T START NOW Dua Lipa
WATERMELON SUGAR – WINNER Harry Styles
CARDIGAN Taylor Swift
6. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.
UN DIA (ONE DAY) J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy
INTENTIONS Justin Bieber Featuring Quavo
DYNAMITE BTS
RAIN ON ME – WINNER Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande
EXILE Taylor Swift Featuring Bon Iver
7. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new traditional pop recordings.
BLUE UMBRELLA (Burt Bacharach &) Daniel Tashian
TRUE LOVE: A CELEBRATION OF COLE PORTER Harry Connick, Jr.
AMERICAN STANDARD – WINNER James Taylor
UNFOLLOW THE RULES Rufus Wainwright
JUDY Renée Zellweger
8. Best Pop Vocal Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new pop vocal recordings.
CHANGES Justin Bieber
CHROMATICA Lady Gaga
FUTURE NOSTALGIA – WINNER Dua Lipa
FINE LINE Harry Styles
FOLKLORE Taylor Swift DANCE/ELECTRONIC MUSIC
9. Best Dance Recording For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.
ON MY MIND Diplo & SIDEPIECE Diplo & SIDEPIECE, producers; Luca Pretolesi, mixer
MY HIGH Disclosure Featuring Aminé & Slowthai Guy Lawrence & Howard Lawrence, producers; Guy Lawrence, mixer
THE DIFFERENCE Flume Featuring Toro y Moi Flume, producer; Eric J Dubowsky, mixer
BOTH OF US Jayda G Fred Again.. & Jayda G, producers; Fred Again.. & Jayda G, mixers
10% – WINNER Kaytranada Featuring Kali Uchis Kaytranada, producer; Neal H. Pogue, mixer
10. Best Dance/Electronic Album For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.
KICK I Arca
PLANET’S MAD Baauer
ENERGY Disclosure
BUBBA – WINNER Kaytranada
GOOD FAITH Madeon CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
11. Best Contemporary Instrumental Album For albums containing approximately 51% or more playing time of instrumental material. For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings.
AXIOM Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah
CHRONOLOGY OF A DREAM: LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD Jon Batiste
TAKE THE STAIRS Black Violin
AMERICANA Grégoire Maret, Romain Collin & Bill Frisell
LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL – WINNER Snarky Puppy ROCK
12. Best Rock Performance For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative rock recordings.
SHAMEIKA – WINNER Fiona Apple
NOT Big Thief
KYOTO Phoebe Bridgers
THE STEPS HAIM
STAY HIGH Brittany Howard
DAYLIGHT Grace Potter
13. Best Metal Performance For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative metal recordings.
BUM-RUSH – WINNER Body Count
UNDERNEATH Code Orange
THE IN-BETWEEN In This Moment
BLOODMONEY Poppy
EXECUTIONER’S TAX (SWING OF THE AXE) – LIVE Power Trip
14. Best Rock Song A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
LOST IN YESTERDAY Kevin Parker, songwriter (Tame Impala)
NOT Adrianne Lenker, songwriter (Big Thief)
SHAMEIKA Fiona Apple, songwriter (Fiona Apple)
STAY HIGH – WINNER Brittany Howard, songwriter (Brittany Howard)
15. Best Rock Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rock, hard rock or metal recordings.
A HERO’S DEATH Fontaines D.C.
KIWANUKA Michael Kiwanuka
DAYLIGHT Grace Potter
SOUND & FURY Sturgill Simpson
THE NEW ABNORMAL – WINNER The Strokes
ALTERNATIVE 16. Best Alternative Music Album Vocal or Instrumental.
FETCH THE BOLT CUTTERS – WINNER Fiona Apple
HYPERSPACE Beck
PUNISHER Phoebe Bridgers
JAIME Brittany Howard
THE SLOW RUSH Tame Impala R&B
17. Best R&B Performance For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings.
LIGHTNING & THUNDER Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend
BLACK PARADE – WINNER Beyoncé
ALL I NEED Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign
GOAT HEAD Brittany Howard
SEE ME Emily King
18. Best Traditional R&B Performance For new vocal or instrumental traditional R&B recordings.
SIT ON DOWN The Baylor Project Featuring Jean Baylor & Marcus Baylor
WONDER WHAT SHE THINKS OF ME Chloe X Halle
LET ME GO Mykal Kilgore
ANYTHING FOR YOU – WINNER Ledisi
DISTANCE Yebba
19. Best R&B Song A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
BETTER THAN I IMAGINED – WINNER Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello)
BLACK PARADE Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim “Kaydence” Krysiuk & Rickie “Caso” Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
DO IT Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Anton Kuhl, Victoria Monét, Scott Storch & Vincent Van Den Ende, songwriters (Chloe X Halle)
SLOW DOWN Nasri Atweh, Badriia Bourelly, Skip Marley, Ryan Williamson & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Skip Marley & H.E.R.)
20. Best Progressive R&B Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded progressive vocal tracks derivative of R&B.
CHILOMBO Jhené Aiko
UNGODLY HOUR Chloe X Halle
FREE NATIONALS Free Nationals
F*** YO FEELINGS Robert Glasper
IT IS WHAT IT IS – WINNER Thundercat
21. Best R&B Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new R&B recordings.
HAPPY 2 BE HERE Ant Clemons
TAKE TIME Giveon
TO FEEL LOVE/D Luke James
BIGGER LOVE – WINNER John Legend
ALL RISE Gregory Porter RAP
22. Best Rap Performance For a Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.
DEEP REVERENCE Big Sean Featuring Nipsey Hussle
BOP DaBaby
WHATS POPPIN Jack Harlow
THE BIGGER PICTURE Lil Baby
SAVAGE – WINNER Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé
DIOR Pop Smoke
23. Best Melodic Rap Performance For a solo or collaborative performance containing both elements of R&B melodies and Rap.
ROCKSTAR DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch
LAUGH NOW CRY LATER Drake Featuring Lil Durk
LOCKDOWN – WINNER Anderson.Paak
THE BOX Roddy Ricch
HIGHEST IN THE ROOM Travis Scott
24. Best Rap Song A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
THE BOX Larrance Dopson, Samuel Gloade, Rodrick Moore, Adarius Moragne, Eric Sloan & Khirye Anthony Tyler, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)
LAUGH NOW CRY LATER Durk Banks, Rogét Chahayed, Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Ron LaTour & Ryan Martinez, songwriters (Drake Featuring Lil Durk)
ROCKSTAR Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, Ross Joseph Portaro IV & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch)
SAVAGE – WINNER Beyoncé, Shawn Carter, Brittany Hazzard, Derrick Milano, Terius Nash, Megan Pete, Bobby Session Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe & Anthony White, songwriters (Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé)
25. Best Rap Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rap recordings.
BLACK HABITS D SMOKE
ALFREDO Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
A WRITTEN TESTIMONY Jay Electronica
KING’S DISEASE – WINNER Nas
THE ALLEGORY Royce 5’9″ COUNTRY
26. Best Country Solo Performance For new vocal or instrumental solo country recordings.
Stick That In Your Country Song Eric Church
WHO YOU THOUGHT I WAS Brandy Clark
WHEN MY AMY PRAYS – WINNER Vince Gill
BLACK LIKE ME Mickey Guyton
BLUEBIRD Miranda Lambert
27. Best Country Duo/Group Performance For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative country recordings.
ALL NIGHT Brothers Osborne
10,000 HOURS – WINNER Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
OCEAN Lady A
SUGAR COAT Little Big Town
SOME PEOPLE DO Old Dominion
28. Best Country SongA Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
BLUEBIRD Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby & Miranda Lambert, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
THE BONES Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins & Laura Veltz, songwriters (Maren Morris)
CROWDED TABLE – WINNER Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby & Lori McKenna, songwriters (The Highwomen)
MORE HEARTS THAN MINE Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis & Derrick Southerland, songwriters (Ingrid Andress)
SOME PEOPLE DO Jesse Frasure, Shane McAnally, Matthew Ramsey & Thomas Rhett, songwriters (Old Dominion)
29. Best Country Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.
LADY LIKE Ingrid Andress
YOUR LIFE IS A RECORD Brandy Clark
WILDCARD – WINNER Miranda Lambert
NIGHTFALL Little Big Town
NEVER WILL Ashley McBryde NEW AGE
30. Best New Age Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental new age recordings.
SONGS FROM THE BARDO Laurie Anderson, Tenzin Choegyal & Jesse Paris Smith
PERIPHERY Priya Darshini
FORM//LESS Superposition
MORE GUITAR STORIES – WINNER Jim “Kimo” West
MEDITATIONS Cory Wong & Jon Batiste JAZZ
31. Best Improvised Jazz Solo For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter’s name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.
GUINNEVERE Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, soloist Track from: Axiom
PACHAMAMA Regina Carter, soloist Track from: Ona (Thana Alexa)
CELIA Gerald Clayton, soloist
ALL BLUES – WINNER Chick Corea, soloist Track from: Trilogy 2 (Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade)
32. Best Jazz Vocal Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal jazz recordings.
ONA Thana Alexa
SECRETS ARE THE BEST STORIES – WINNER Kurt Elling Featuring Danilo Pérez
MODERN ANCESTORS Carmen Lundy
HOLY ROOM: LIVE AT ALTE OPER Somi With Frankfurt Radio Big Band Conducted By John Beasley
WHAT’S THE HURRY Kenny Washington
33. Best Jazz Instrumental Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new instrumental jazz recordings.
ON THE TENDER SPOT OF EVERY CALLOUSED MOMENT Ambrose Akinmusire
WAITING GAME Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science
HAPPENING: LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD Gerald Clayton
TRILOGY 2 – WINNER Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
ROUNDAGAIN Redman Mehldau McBride Blade
34. Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new ensemble jazz recordings.
DIALOGUES ON RACE Gregg August
MONK’ESTRA PLAYS JOHN BEASLEY John Beasley’s MONK’estra
THE INTANGIBLE BETWEEN Orrin Evans And The Captain Black Big Band
SONGS YOU LIKE A LOT John Hollenbeck With Theo Bleckmann, Kate McGarry, Gary Versace And The Frankfurt Radio Big Band
DATA LORDS – WINNER Maria Schneider Orchestra
35. Best Latin Jazz Album For vocal or instrumental albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded material. The intent of this category is to recognize recordings that represent the blending of jazz with Latin, Iberian-American, Brazilian, and Argentinian tango music.
TRADICIONES Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra
FOUR QUESTIONS – WINNER Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
CITY OF DREAMS Chico Pinheiro
VIENTO Y TIEMPO – LIVE AT BLUE NOTE TOKYO Gonzalo Rubalcaba & Aymée Nuviola
TRANE’S DELIGHT Poncho Sanchez
GOSPEL/CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC 36. Best Gospel Performance/Song This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best traditional Christian, roots gospel or contemporary gospel single or track.
WONDERFUL IS YOUR NAME Melvin Crispell III
RELEASE (LIVE) Ricky Dillard Featuring Tiff Joy; David Frazier, songwriter
COME TOGETHER Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins Present: The Good News; Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins & Jazz Nixon, producers; Lashawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins, Lecrae Moore & Jazz Nixon, songwriters
WON’T LET GO Travis Greene; Travis Greene, songwriter
MOVIN’ ON – WINNER Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music; Darryl L. Howell, Jonathan Caleb McReynolds, Kortney Jamaal Pollard & Terrell Demetrius Wilson, songwriters
37. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best contemporary Christian music single or track, (including pop, rap/hip-hop, Latin, or rock.
THE BLESSING (LIVE) Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship; Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe Carnes & Steven Furtick, songwriters
SUNDAY MORNING Lecrae Featuring Kirk Franklin; Denisia Andrews, Jones Terrence Antonio, Saint Bodhi, Rafael X. Brown, Brittany Coney, Kirk Franklin, Lasanna Harris, Shama Joseph, Stuart Lowery, Lecrae Moore & Nathanael Saint-Fleur, Songwriters
HOLY WATER We The Kingdom; Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash & Scott Cash, songwriters
FAMOUS FOR (I BELIEVE) Tauren Wells Featuring Jenn Johnson; Chuck Butler, Krissy Nordhoff, Jordan Sapp, Alexis Slifer & Tauren Wells, songwriters
THERE WAS JESUS – WINNER Zach Williams & Dolly Parton; Casey Beathard, Jonathan Smith & Zach Williams, songwriters
38. Best Gospel Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional or contemporary/R&B gospel music recordings.
2ECOND WIND: READY Anthony Brown & group therAPy
MY TRIBUTE Myron Butler
CHOIRMASTER Ricky Dillard
GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PJ – WINNER PJ Morton
KIERRA Kierra Sheard
39. Best Contemporary Christian Music Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, contemporary Christian music, including pop, rap/hip hop, Latin, or rock recordings.
RUN TO THE FATHER Cody Carnes
ALL OF MY BEST FRIENDS Hillsong Young & Free
HOLY WATER We The Kingdom
CITIZEN OF HEAVEN Tauren Wells
JESUS IS KING – WINNER Kanye West
40. Best Roots Gospel Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional/roots gospel music, including country, Southern gospel, bluegrass, and Americana recordings.
SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL Ernie Haase & Signature Sound LATIN
41. Best Latin Pop or Urban Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new Latin pop or urban recordings.
YHLQMDLG – WINNER Bad Bunny
POR PRIMERA VEZ Camilo
MESA PARA DOS Kany García
PAUSA Ricky Martin
3:33 Debi Nova
42. Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new Latin rock or alternative recordings.
AURA Bajofondo
MONSTRUO Cami
SOBREVOLANDO Cultura Profética
LA CONQUISTA DEL ESPACIO – WINNER Fito Paez
MISS COLOMBIA Lido Pimienta
43. Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano) For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new regional Mexican (banda, norteño, corridos, gruperos, mariachi, ranchera and Tejano) recordings.
HECHO EN MÉXICO Alejandro Fernández
LA SERENATA Lupita Infante
UN CANTO POR MÉXICO, VOL. 1 – WINNER Natalia Lafourcade
BAILANDO SONES Y HUAPANGOS CON MARIACHI SOL DE MEXICO DE JOSE HERNANDEZ Mariachi Sol De Mexico De Jose Hernandez
AYAYAY! Christian Nodal
44. Best Tropical Latin Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new tropical Latin recordings.
MI TUMBAO José Alberto “El Ruiseñor”
INFINITO Edwin Bonilla
SIGO CANTANDO AL AMOR (DELUXE) Jorge Celedon & Sergio Luis
40 – WINNER Grupo Niche
MEMORIAS DE NAVIDAD Víctor Manuelle AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC
45. Best American Roots Performance For new vocal or instrumental American Roots recordings. This is for performances in the style of any of the subgenres encompassed in the American Roots Music field including Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk or regional roots. Award to the artist(s).
COLORS Black Pumas
DEEP IN LOVE Bonny Light Horseman
SHORT AND SWEET Brittany Howard
I’LL BE GONE Norah Jones & Mavis Staples
I REMEMBER EVERYTHING – WINNER John Prine
46. Best American Roots Song A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Americana, bluegrass, traditional blues, contemporary blues, folk or regional roots songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
CABIN Laura Rogers & Lydia Rogers, songwriters (The Secret Sisters)
CEILING TO THE FLOOR Sierra Hull & Kai Welch, songwriters (Sierra Hull)
HOMETOWN Sarah Jarosz, songwriter (Sarah Jarosz)
I REMEMBER EVERYTHING – WINNER Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)
MAN WITHOUT A SOUL Tom Overby & Lucinda Williams, songwriters (Lucinda Williams)
47. Best Americana Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental Americana recordings.
OLD FLOWERS Courtney Marie Andrews
TERMS OF SURRENDER Hiss Golden Messenger
WORLD ON THE GROUND – WINNER Sarah Jarosz
EL DORADO Marcus King
GOOD SOULS BETTER ANGELS Lucinda Williams
48. Best Bluegrass Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental bluegrass recordings.
MAN ON FIRE Danny Barnes
TO LIVE IN TWO WORLDS, VOL. 1 Thomm Jutz
NORTH CAROLINA SONGBOOK Steep Canyon Rangers
HOME – WINNER Billy Strings
THE JOHN HARTFORD FIDDLE TUNE PROJECT, VOL. 1 (Various Artists) Matt Combs & Katie Harford Hogue, producers
49. Best Traditional Blues Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental traditional blues recordings.
ALL MY DUES ARE PAID Frank Bey
YOU MAKE ME FEEL Don Bryant
THAT’S WHAT I HEARD Robert Cray Band
CYPRESS GROVE Jimmy “Duck” Holmes
RAWER THAN RAW – WINNER Bobby Rush
50. Best Contemporary Blues Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental contemporary blues recordings.
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND YET? – WINNER Fantastic Negrito
LIVE AT THE PARAMOUNT Ruthie Foster Big Band
THE JUICE G. Love
BLACKBIRDS Bettye LaVette
UP AND ROLLING North Mississippi Allstars
51. Best Folk Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental folk recordings.
BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN Bonny Light Horseman
THANKS FOR THE DANCE Leonard Cohen
SONG FOR OUR DAUGHTER Laura Marling
SATURN RETURN The Secret Sisters
ALL THE GOOD TIMES – WINNER Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
52. Best Regional Roots Music Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental regional roots music recordings.
MY RELATIVES “NIKSO KOWAIKS” Black Lodge Singers
CAMERON DUPUY AND THE CAJUN TROUBADOURS Cameron Dupuy And The Cajun Troubadours
LOVELY SUNRISE Nā Wai ʽEhā
ATMOSPHERE – WINNER New Orleans Nightcrawlers
A TRIBUTE TO AL BERARD Sweet Cecilia REGGAE
53. Best Reggae Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new reggae recordings.
UPSIDE DOWN 2020 Buju Banton
HIGHER PLACE Skip Marley
IT ALL COMES BACK TO LOVE Maxi Priest
GOT TO BE TOUGH – WINNER Toots & The Maytals
ONE WORLD The Wailers GLOBAL MUSIC
54. Best Global Music Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental Global Music recordings.
FU CHRONICLES Antibalas
TWICE AS TALL – WINNER Burna Boy
AGORA Bebel Gilberto
LOVE LETTERS Anoushka Shankar
AMADJAR Tinariwen CHILDREN’S
55. Best Children’s Music Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new musical or spoken word recordings that are created and intended specifically for children.
ALL THE LADIES – WINNER Joanie Leeds
WILD LIFE Justin Roberts SPOKEN WORD 56. Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)
ACID FOR THE CHILDREN: A MEMOIR Flea
ALEX TREBEK – THE ANSWER IS… Ken Jennings
BLOWOUT: CORRUPTED DEMOCRACY, ROGUE STATE RUSSIA, AND THE RICHEST, MOST DESTRUCTIVE INDUSTRY ON EARTH – WINNER Rachel Maddow
CATCH AND KILL Ronan Farrow
CHARLOTTE’S WEB (E.B. WHITE) Meryl Streep (& Full cast) COMEDY
57. Best Comedy Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings.
BLACK MITZVAH – WINNER Tiffany Haddish
I LOVE EVERYTHING Patton Oswalt
THE PALE TOURIST Jim Gaffigan
PAPER TIGER Bill Burr
23 HOURS TO KILL Jerry Seinfeld MUSICAL THEATER
58. Best Musical Theater Album For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings. Award to the principle vocalist(s) and the album producer(s) of 51% or more playing time of the album. The lyricist(s) and composer(s) of a new score are eligible for an Award if they have written and/or composed a new score which comprises 51% or more playing time of the album.
AMÉLIE Audrey Brisson, Chris Jared, Caolan McCarthy & Jez Unwin, principal soloists; Michael Fentiman, Sean Patrick Flahaven, Barnaby Race & Nathan Tysen, producers; Nathan Tysen, lyricist; Daniel Messe, composer & lyricist (Original London Cast)
AMERICAN UTOPIA ON BROADWAY David Byrne, producer (David Byrne, composer & lyricist) (Original Cast)
JAGGED LITTLE PILL – WINNER Kathryn Gallagher, Celia Rose Gooding, Lauren Patten & Elizabeth Stanley, principal soloists; Neal Avron, Pete Ganbarg, Tom Kitt, Michael Parker, Craig Rosen & Vivek J. Tiwary, producers (Glen Ballard, composer; Alanis Morissette, composer & lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast)
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Tammy Blanchard, Jonathan Groff & Tom Alan Robbins, principal soloists; Will Van Dyke, Michael Mayer, Alan Menken & Frank Wolf, producers (Alan Menken, composer; Howard Ashman, lyricist) (The New Off-Broadway Cast)
THE PRINCE OF EGYPT Christine Allado, Luke Brady, Alexia Khadime & Liam Tamne, principal soloists; Dominick Amendum & Stephen Schwartz, producers; Stephen Schwartz, composer & lyricist (Original Cast
SOFT POWER Francis Jue, Austin Ku, Alyse Alan Louis & Conrad Ricamora, principal soloists; Matt Stine, producer; David Henry Hwang, lyricist; Jeanine Tesori, composer & lyricist (Original Cast) MUSIC FOR VISUAL MEDIA
59. Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media Award to the artist(s) and/or ‘in studio’ producer(s) of a majority of the tracks on the album. In the absence of both, award to the one or two individuals proactively responsible for the concept and musical direction of the album and for the selection of artists, songs and producers, as applicable. Award also goes to appropriately credited music supervisor(s).
A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD (Various Artists) Nate Heller, compilation producer; Howard Paar, Music Supervisor
BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC (Various Artists) Jonathan Leahy, compilation producer
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA (Various Artists) Savan Kotecha, compilation producer; Becky Bentham, music supervisor
FROZEN 2 (Various Artists) Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Tom MacDougall & Dave Metzger, compilation producers
60. Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media Award to Composer(s) for an original score created specifically for, or as a companion to, a current legitimate motion picture, television show or series, video games or other visual media.
AD ASTRA Max Richter, composer
BECOMING Kamasi Washington, composer
JOKER – WINNER Hildur Guðnadóttir, composer
1917 Thomas Newman, composer
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER John Williams, composer
61. Best Song Written For Visual Media A Songwriter(s) award. For a song (melody & lyrics) written specifically for a motion picture, television, video games or other visual media, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS [FROM CATS] Andrew Lloyd Webber & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
CARRIED ME WITH YOU [FROM ONWARD] Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)
INTO THE UNKNOWN [FROM FROZEN 2] Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, songwriters (Idina Menzel & AURORA)
NO TIME TO DIE [FROM NO TIME TO DIE] – WINNER Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas Baird O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
STAND UP [FROM HARRIET] Joshuah Brian Campbell & Cynthia Erivo, songwriters (Cynthia Erivo) COMPOSING/ARRANGING
62. Best Instrumental Composition A Composer’s Award for an original composition (not an adaptation) first released during the Eligibility Year. Singles or Tracks only.
BABY JACK Arturo O’Farrill, composer (Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra)
BE WATER II Christian Sands, composer (Christian Sands)
DONNA LEE – WINNER John Beasley, arranger (John Beasley)
HONEYMOONERS Remy Le Boeuf, arranger (Remy Le Boeuf’s Assembly Of Shadows)
LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING Alvin Chea & Jarrett Johnson, arrangers (Jarrett Johnson Featuring Alvin Chea)
URANUS: THE MAGICIAN Jeremy Levy, arranger (Jeremy Levy Jazz Orchestra)
64. Best Arrangement, Instruments, and Vocals An Arranger’s Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.
ASAS FECHADAS John Beasley & Maria Mendes, arrangers (Maria Mendes Featuring John Beasley & Orkest Metropole)
DESERT SONG Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick & Amanda Taylor, arrangers (Säje)
FROM THIS PLACE Alan Broadbent & Pat Metheny, arrangers (Pat Metheny Featuring Meshell Ndegeocello)
HE WON’T HOLD YOU – WINNER Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier Featuring Rapsody)
SLOW BURN Talia Billig, Nic Hard & Becca Stevens, arrangers (Becca Stevens Featuring Jacob Collier, Mark Lettieri, Justin Stanton, Jordan Perlson, Nic Hard, Keita Ogawa, Marcelo Woloski & Nate Werth) PACKAGE
65. Best Recording Package
EVERYDAY LIFE Pilar Zeta, art director (Coldplay)
FUNERAL Kyle Goen & Alex Kalatschinow, art directors (Lil Wayne)
HEALER Julian Gross & Hannah Hooper, art directors (Grouplove)
ON CIRCLES Jordan Butcher, art director (Caspian)
VOLS. 11 & 12 – WINNER Doug Cunningham & Jason Noto, art directors (Desert Sessions)
66. Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package
FLAMING PIE (COLLECTOR’S EDITION) Linn Wie Andersen, Simon Earith, Paul McCartney & James Musgrave, art directors (Paul McCartney)
GIANTS STADIUM 1987, 1989, 1991 Lisa Glines & Doran Tyson, art directors (Grateful Dead) MODE Jeff Schulz & Paul A. Taylor, art directors (Depeche Mode)
ODE TO JOY – WINNER Lawrence Azerrad & Jeff Tweedy, art directors (Wilco)
THE STORY OF GHOSTLY INTERNATIONAL Michael Cina & Molly Smith, art directors (Various Artists) NOTES
67. Best Album Notes
AT THE MINSTREL SHOW: MINSTREL ROUTINES FROM THE STUDIO, 1894-1926 Tim Brooks, album notes writer (Various Artists)
THE BAKERSFIELD SOUND: COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WEST, 1940-1974 Scott B. Bomar, album notes writer (Various Artists)
DEAD MAN’S POP – WINNER Bob Mehr, album notes writer (The Replacements)
THE MISSING LINK: HOW GUS HAENSCHEN GOT US FROM JOPLIN TO JAZZ AND SHAPED THE MUSIC BUSINESS Colin Hancock, album notes writer (Various Artists)
OUT OF A CLEAR BLUE SKY David Sager, album notes writer (Nat Brusiloff) HISTORICAL
68. Best Historical Album
CELEBRATED, 1895-1896 Meagan Hennessey & Richard Martin, compilation producers; Richard Martin, mastering engineer (Unique Quartette)
HITTIN’ THE RAMP: THE EARLY YEARS (1936 – 1943) Zev Feldman, Will Friedwald & George Klabin, compilation producers; Matthew Lutthans, mastering engineer (Nat King Cole)
IT’S SUCH A GOOD FEELING: THE BEST OF MISTER ROGERS – WINNER Lee Lodyga & Cheryl Pawelski, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Mister Rogers)
1999 SUPER DELUXE EDITION Trevor Guy, Michael Howe & Kirk Johnson, compilation producers; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer (Prince)
SOUVENIR Carolyn Agger, compilation producer; Miles Showell, mastering engineer (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark)
THROW DOWN YOUR HEART: THE COMPLETE AFRICA SESSIONS Béla Fleck, compilation producer; Richard Dodd, mastering engineer (Béla Fleck) PRODUCTION, NON-CLASSICAL
69. Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical An Engineer’s Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses.)
BLACK HOLE RAINBOW Shawn Everett & Ivan Wayman, engineers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Devon Gilfillian)
EXPECTATIONS Gary Paczosa & Mike Robinson, engineers; Paul Blakemore, mastering engineer (Katie Pruitt)
HYPERSPACE – WINNER Drew Brown, Julian Burg, Andrew Coleman, Paul Epworth, Shawn Everett, Serban Ghenea, David Greenbaum, John Hanes, Beck Hansen, Jaycen Joshua, Greg Kurstin, Mike Larson, Cole M.G.N., Alex Pasco & Matt Wiggins, engineers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer (Beck)
25 TRIPS Shani Gandhi & Gary Paczosa, engineers; Adam Grover, mastering engineer (Sierra Hull)
70. Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
JACK ANTONOFF • August (Taylor Swift) (T) • Gaslighter (The Chicks) (A) • Holy Terrain (FKA Twigs Featuring Future) (T) • Mirrorball (Taylor Swift) (T) • This Is Me Trying (Taylor Swift) (T) • Together (Sia) (S)
DAN AUERBACH • Cypress Grove (Jimmy “Duck” Holmes) (A) • El Dorado (Marcus King) (A) • Is Thomas Callaway (CeeLo Green) (A) • Singing For My Supper (Early James) (A) • Solid Gold Sounds (Kendell Marvel) (A) • Years (John Anderson) (A
DAVE COBB • Backbone (Kaleo) (S) • The Balladeer (Lori McKenna) (A) • Boneshaker (Airbourne) (A) • Down Home Christmas (Oak Ridge Boys) (A) • The Highwomen (The Highwomen) (A) • I Remember Everything (John Prine) (S) • Reunions (Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit) (A) • The Spark (William Prince) (S) • You’re Still The One (Teddy Swims) (S)
FLYING LOTUS • It Is What It Is (Thundercat) (A)
ANDREW WATT – WINNER • Break My Heart (Dua Lipa) (T) • Me And My Guitar (A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie) (T) • Midnight Sky (Miley Cyrus) (S) • Old Me (5 Seconds Of Summer) (T) • Ordinary Man (Ozzy Osbourne Featuring Elton John) (T) • Take What You Want (Post Malone Featuring Ozzy Osbourne & Travis Scott) (T) • Under The Graveyard (Ozzy Osbourne) (T)
71. Best Remixed Recording A Remixer’s Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses for identification.) Singles or Tracks only.
DO YOU EVER (RAC MIX) RAC, remixer (Phil Good)
IMAGINARY FRIENDS (MORGAN PAGE REMIX) Morgan Page, remixer (Deadmau5)
PRAYING FOR YOU (LOUIE VEGA MAIN REMIX) Louie Vega, remixer (Jasper Street Co.)
YOUNG & ALIVE (BAZZI VS. HAYWYRE REMIX) Haywyre, remixer (Bazzi) PRODUCTION, IMMERSIVE AUDIO
72. Best Immersive Audio Album Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Best Immersive Audio Album Craft Committee was unable to meet. The judging of the entries in this category has been postponed until such time that we are able to meet in a way that is appropriate to judge the many formats and configurations of the entries and is safe for the committee members. The nominations for the 63rd GRAMMYs will be announced next year in addition to (and separately from) the 64th GRAMMY nominations in the category
PRODUCTION, CLASSICAL
73. Best Engineered Album, Classical An Engineer’s Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.)
DANIELPOUR: THE PASSION OF YESHUA Bernd Gottinger, engineer (JoAnn Falletta, James K. Bass, Adam Luebke, UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus)
GERSHWIN: PORGY AND BESS David Frost & John Kerswell, engineers; Silas Brown, mastering engineer (David Robertson, Frederick Ballentine, Angel Blue, Denyce Graves, Latonia Moore, Eric Owens, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & Chorus)
HYNES: FIELDS Kyle Pyke, engineer; Jesse Lewis & Kyle Pyke, mastering engineers (Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion)
IVES: COMPLETE SYMPHONIES Alexander Lipay & Dmitriy Lipay, engineers; Alexander Lipay & Dmitriy Lipay, mastering engineers (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)
SHOSTAKOVICH: SYMPHONY NO. 13, ‘BABI YAR’ – WINNER David Frost & Charlie Post, engineers; Silas Brown, mastering engineer (Riccardo Muti & Chicago Symphony Orchestra) 74. Producer Of The Year, Classical A Producer’s Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.)
BLANTON ALSPAUGH • Aspects Of America – Pulitzer Edition (Carlos Kalmar & Oregon Symphony) • Blessed Art Thou Among Women (Peter Jermihov, Katya Lukianov & PaTRAM Institute Singers) • Dvořák: Symphony No. 9; Copland: Billy The Kid (Gianandrea Noseda & National Symphony Orchestra) • Glass: The Fall Of The House Of Usher (Joseph Li, Nicholas Nestorak, Madison Leonard, Jonas Hacker, Ben Edquist, Matthew Adam Fleisher & Wolf Trap Opera) • Kahane: Emergency Shelter Intake Form (Alicia Hall Moran, Gabriel Kahane, Carlos Kalmar & Oregon Symphony) • Kastalsky: Requiem (Leonard Slatkin, Steven Fox, Benedict Sheehan, Charles Bruffy, Cathedral Choral Society, The Clarion Choir, The Saint Tikhon Choir, Kansas City Chorale & Orchestra Of St. Luke’s) • Massenet: Thaïs (Andrew Davis, Joshua Hopkins, Andrew Staples, Erin Wall, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir & Toronto Symphony Orchestra) • Smyth: The Prison (Sarah Brailey, Dashon Burton, James Blachly & Experiential Orchestra) • Woolf, L.P.: Fire And Flood (Julian Wachner, Matt Haimovitz & Choir Of Trinity Wall Street)
DAVID FROST – WINNER • Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 9 (Jonathan Biss) • Gershwin: Porgy And Bess (David Robertson, Frederick Ballentine, Angel Blue, Denyce Graves, Latonia Moore, Eric Owens, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & Chorus) • Gluck: Orphée & Eurydice (Harry Bicket, Dmitry Korchak, Andriana Chuchman, Lauren Snouffer, Lyric Opera Of Chicago Orchestra & Chorus) • Holst: The Planets; The Perfect Fool (Michael Stern & Kansas City Symphony) • Muhly: Marnie (Robert Spano, Isabel Leonard, Christopher Maltman, Denyce Graves, Iestyn Davies, Janis Kelly, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & Chorus) • Schubert: Piano Sonatas, D. 845, D. 894, D. 958, D. 960 (Shai Wosner) • Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13, ‘Babi Yar’ (Riccardo Muti, Alexey Tikhomirov, Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus)
JESSE LEWIS • Gunn: The Ascendant (Roomful Of Teeth) • Harrison, M.: Just Constellations (Roomful Of Teeth) • Her Own Wings (Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival) • Hynes: Fields (Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion) • Lang, D.: Love Fail (Beth Willer & Lorelei Ensemble) • Mazzoli: Proving Up (Christopher Rountree, Opera Omaha & International Contemporary Ensemble) • Sharlat: Spare The Rod! (NOW Ensemble) • Soul House (Hub New Music) • Wherein Lies The Good (The Westerlies)
DMITRIY LIPAY • Adams, J.: Must The Devil Have All The Good Tunes? (Yuja Wang, Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic) • Cipullo: The Parting (Alastair Willis, Laura Strickling, Catherine Cook, Michael Mayes & Music Of Remembrance) • Ives: Complete Symphonies (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic) • LA Phil 100 – The Los Angeles Philharmonic Centennial Birthday Gala (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic) • Langgaard: Prelude To Antichrist; Strauss: An Alpine Symphony (Thomas Dausgaard & Seattle Symphony Orchestra) • Nielsen: Symphony No. 1 & Symphony No. 2, ‘The Four Temperaments’ (Thomas Dausgaard & Seattle Symphony)
ELAINE MARTONE • Bound For The Promised Land (Robert M. Franklin, Steven Darsey, Jessye Norman & Taylor Branch) • Dawn (Shachar Israel) • Gandolfi, Prior & Oliverio: Orchestral Works (Robert Spano & Atlanta Symphony Orchestra) • Singing In The Dead Of Night (Eighth Blackbird) • Whitacre: The Sacred Veil (Eric Whitacre, Grant Gershon & Los Angeles Master Chorale)
CLASSICAL
75. Best Orchestral Performance Award to the Conductor and to the Orchestra.
ASPECTS OF AMERICA – PULITZER EDITION Carlos Kalmar, conductor (Oregon Symphony)
LUTOSłAWSKI: SYMPHONIES NOS. 2 & 3 Hannu Lintu, conductor (Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra)
76. Best Opera Recording Award to the Conductor, Album Producer(s) and Principal Soloists.
DELLO JOIO: THE TRIAL AT ROUEN Gil Rose, conductor; Heather Buck & Stephen Powell; Gil Rose, producer (Boston Modern Orchestra Project; Odyssey Opera Chorus)
FLOYD, C.: PRINCE OF PLAYERS William Boggs, conductor; Alexander Dobson, Keith Phares & Kate Royal; Blanton Alspaugh, producer (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Florentine Opera Chorus)
GERSHWIN: PORGY AND BESS – WINNER David Robertson, conductor; Frederick Ballentine, Angel Blue, Denyce Graves, Latonia Moore & Eric Owens; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)
HANDEL: AGRIPPINA Maxim Emelyanychev, conductor; Elsa Benoit, Joyce DiDonato, Franco Fagioli, Jakub Józef Orliński & Luca Pisaroni; Daniel Zalay, producer (Il Pomo D’Oro)
ZEMLINSKY: DER ZWERG Donald Runnicles, conductor; David Butt Philip & Elena Tsallagova; Peter Ghirardini & Erwin Stürzer, producers (Orchestra Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin; Chorus Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin)
77. Best Choral Performance Award to the Conductor, and to the Choral Director and/or Chorus Master where applicable and to the Choral Organization/Ensemble.
CARTHAGE Donald Nally, conductor (The Crossing)
DANIELPOUR: THE PASSION OF YESHUAH – WINNER JoAnn Falletta, conductor; James K. Bass & Adam Luebke, chorus masters (James K. Bass, J’Nai Bridges, Timothy Fallon, Kenneth Overton, Hila Plitmann & Matthew Worth; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus & UCLA Chamber Singers)
KASTALSKY: REQUIEM Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Charles Bruffy, Steven Fox & Benedict Sheehan, chorus masters (Joseph Charles Beutel & Anna Dennis; Orchestra Of St. Luke’s; Cathedral Choral Society, The Clarion Choir, Kansas City Chorale & The Saint Tikhon Choir)
MORAVEC: SANCTUARY ROAD Kent Tritle, conductor (Joshua Blue, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Dashon Burton, Malcolm J. Merriweather & Laquita Mitchell; Oratorio Society Of New York Orchestra; Oratorio Society Of New York Chorus)
ONCE UPON A TIME Matthew Guard, conductor (Sarah Walker; Skylark Vocal Ensemble)
78. Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance For new recordings of works with chamber or small ensemble (twenty-four or fewer members, not including the conductor). One Award to the ensemble and one Award to the conductor, if applicable.
CONTEMPORARY VOICES – WINNER Pacifica Quartet
HEALING MODES Brooklyn Rider
HEARNE, T.: PLACE Ted Hearne, Steven Bradshaw, Sophia Byrd, Josephine Lee, Isaiah Robinson, Sol Ruiz, Ayanna Woods, Diana Wade & Place Orchestra
HYNES: FIELDS Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion
THE SCHUMANN QUARTETS Dover Quartet
79. Best Classical Instrumental Solo Award to the Instrumental Soloist(s) and to the Conductor when applicable.
ADÈS: CONCERTO FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA Kirill Gerstein; Thomas Adès, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)
BEETHOVEN: COMPLETE PIANO SONATAS Igor Levit
BOHEMIAN TALES Augustin Hadelich; Jakub Hrůša, conductor (Charles Owen; Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks)
DESTINATION RACHMANINOV – ARRIVAL Daniil Trifonov; Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor (The Philadelphia Orchestra)
THEOFANIDIS: CONCERTO FOR VIOLA AND CHAMBER ORCHESTRA – WINNER Richard O’Neill; David Alan Miller, conductor (Albany Symphony) 80. Best Classical Solo Vocal Album Award to: Vocalist(s), Collaborative Artist(s) (Ex: pianists, conductors, chamber groups) Producer(s), Recording Engineers/Mixers with 51% or more playing time of new material.
AMERICAN COMPOSERS AT PLAY – WILLIAM BOLCOM, RICKY IAN GORDON, LORI LAITMAN, JOHN MUSTO Stephen Powell (Attacca Quartet, William Bolcom, Ricky Ian Gordon, Lori Laitman, John Musto, Charles Neidich & Jason Vieaux)
CLAIRIÈRES – SONGS BY LILI & NADIA BOULANGER Nicholas Phan; Myra Huang, accompanist
FARINELLI Cecilia Bartoli; Giovanni Antonini, conductor (Il Giardino Armonico)
A LAD’S LOVE Brian Giebler; Steven McGhee, accompanist (Katie Hyun, Michael Katz, Jessica Meyer, Reginald Mobley & Ben Russell)
SMYTH: THE PRISON- WINNER Sarah Brailey & Dashon Burton; James Blachly, conductor (Experiential Chorus; Experiential Orchestra)
81. Best Classical Compendium Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s) and Engineer(s) of over 51% playing time of the album, if other than the artist.
ADÈS CONDUCTS ADÈS Mark Stone & Christianne Stotijn; Thomas Adès, conductor; Nick Squire, producer
SAARIAHO: GRAAL THÉÂTRE; CIRCLE MAP; NEIGES; VERS TOI QUI ES SI LOIN Clément Mao-Takacs, conductor; Hans Kipfer, producer
SEREBRIER: SYMPHONIC BACH VARIATIONS; LAMENTS AND HALLELUJAHS; FLUTE CONCERTO José Serebrier, conductor; Jens Braun, producer
THOMAS, M.T.: FROM THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK & MEDITATIONS ON RILKE- WINNER Isabel Leonard; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Jack Vad, producer
WOOLF, L.P.: FIRE AND FLOOD Matt Haimovitz; Julian Wachner, conductor; Blanton Alspaugh, producer
82. Best Contemporary Classical Composition A Composer’s Award. (For a contemporary classical composition composed within the last 25 years, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year.) Award to the librettist, if applicable.
ADÈS: CONCERTO FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA Thomas Adès, composer (Kirill Gerstein, Thomas Adès & Boston Symphony Orchestra)
DANIELPOUR: THE PASSION OF YESHUA Richard Danielpour, composer (JoAnn Falletta, James K. Bass, Adam Luebke, UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus)
FLOYD, C.: PRINCE OF PLAYERS Carlisle Floyd, composer (William Boggs, Alexander Dobson, Kate Royal, Keith Phares, Florentine Opera Chorus & Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra)
HEARNE, T.: PLACE Ted Hearne, composer (Ted Hearne, Steven Bradshaw, Sophia Byrd, Josephine Lee, Isaiah Robinson, Sol Ruiz, Ayanna Woods & Place Orchestra)
ROUSE: SYMPHONY NO. 5- WINNER Christopher Rouse, composer (Giancarlo Guerrero & Nashville Symphony) MUSIC VIDEO/FILM
83. Best Music Video Award to the artist, video director, and video producer.
BROWN SKIN GIRL – WINNER Beyoncé, Blue Ivy & WizKid Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & Jenn Nkiru, video directors; Astrid Edwards, Aya Kaida, Jean Mougin, Nathan Scherrer & Erinn Williams, video producers
LIFE IS GOOD Future Featuring Drake Julien Christian Lutz, video director; Harv Glazer, video producer
LOCKDOWN Anderson .Paak Dave Meyers, video director; Nathan Scherrer, video producer
ADORE YOU Harry Styles Dave Meyers, video director; Nathan Scherrer, video producer
GOLIATH Woodkid Yoann Lemoine, video director; Horace de Gunzbourg, video producer 84. Best Music Film For concert/performance films or music documentaries. Award to the artist, video director, and video producer.
BEASTIE BOYS STORY Beastie Boys Spike Jonze, video director; Amanda Adelson, Jason Baum & Spike Jonze, video producers
BLACK IS KING Beyoncé Emmanuel Adjei, Blitz Bazawule, Beyonce Knowles Carter & Kwasi Fordjour, video directors; Lauren Baker, Akin Omotoso, Nathan Scherrer, Jeremy Sullivan & Erinn Williams, video producers
WE ARE FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME Freestyle Love Supreme Andrew Fried, video director; Andrew Fried, Jill Furman, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sarina Roma, Jenny Steingart & Jon Steingart, video producers
LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE – WINNER Linda Ronstadt Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, video directors; Michele Farinola & James Keach, video producers
THAT LITTLE OL’ BAND FROM TEXAS ZZ Top Sam Dunn, video director; Scot McFadyen, video producer The 63rd GRAMMY Awards: Looking Ahead To The 2021 GRAMMYs
The Grammy awards celebrating music slated for January 31 in Los Angeles have been postponed due to COVID-19, which has been rapidly spreading in California, US media said Tuesday.
The 63rd annual ceremony’s delay comes less than four weeks before it was set to take place in the shadow of the pandemic that has dealt devastating blows to the music industry.
The Recording Academy did not respond to multiple AFP inquiries. The organization had said the show set for late January would be mostly virtual, but had not released specific plans.
Rolling Stone, which broke the news, reported that the ceremony’s organizers are aiming to reschedule for March.
Beyonce, Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift and rapper Roddy Rich are the top nominees at the normally star-studded gala. Comedian Trevor Noah was set to host the 2021 show.
The nominations were rolled out by stars across the globe speaking via video chat. Other awards shows, like the Emmys and the Latin Grammys, have been forced to go partially or fully virtual in light of pandemic restrictions on large gatherings.
Los Angeles is now among the centers of the coronavirus pandemic, with hospitals reeling from record cases and residents under a stay-at-home order.
The southern California surge follows Thanksgiving and the holiday season, with reports of oxygen rationing and patients forced to spend hours waiting in ambulances for beds to open.
The showbiz world was filled with excitement and controversy on Tuesday afternoon following the announcement of the nominations for the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
While popular singers like Burna Boy, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Post Malone, among others, were shortlisted in various categories, the exclusion of Canadian artistes, The Weeknd, was one fans never saw coming.
The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, had released a new album – After Hours – in March, a collection which was seen as one of the biggest commercial successes in the COVID-19 pandemic-stricken year.
Information and Communication Technology company, Alpha Data noted that the album already has about 1.8 billion streams.
The Weeknd’s latest single – Blinding Lights – has also become a hit thanks to popular TikTok dance trend, with 882 million streams.
Despite these metrics and a high level of visibility on other awards shows, the 30-year-old Canadian was left out of the list of 2020 Grammy Award nominees.
Reacting to Tuesday’s announcement, he accused the recording academy of corruption and bias.
A tweet posted by The Weeknd on Wednesday morning read:
The Grammys remain corrupt. You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency…
In response to The Weeknd’s tweet, interim boss of Grammy Awards, Harvey Mason, defended the recording academy, citing growing competition in all genres as the major factor for the artiste being left out of the list.
“We understand that The Weeknd is disappointed at not being nominated. I was surprised and can empathise with what he’s feeling,” he told Variety.
Mason, who showered praises on the artiste’s genius, added, “His music this year was excellent, and his contributions to the music community and broader world are worthy of everyone’s admiration.”
Despite the nomination snub, the star will headline the 2021 Pepsi Super Bowl LV Halftime Show on February 7, 2021, in Tampa Bay in Florida, the United States.
The organisation behind the Grammy Awards on Wednesday announced a number of changes to its category names, including changing “urban contemporary” to “progressive R&B.”
The Recording Academy’s move comes amid growing criticism in the music industry over the term “urban” that has long generalized genres including hip-hop and R&B but which many believe belittles the innovation of black music.
The renamed category “is intended to highlight albums that include the more progressive elements of R&B and may include samples and elements of hip-hop, rap, dance, and electronic music,” the academy said. “It may also incorporate production elements found in pop, euro-pop, country, rock, folk, and alternative.”
On Friday, the label Republic Records, a division of Universal, said it would stop using “urban” in its company lexicon.
While the origins of the term’s use in music jargon were not negative — a black New York radio DJ coined it in the 1970s — today it is considered an antiquated umbrella term that marginalizes the work of black music, especially as hip hop and R&B are among the globe’s most popular genres.
Past winners of the Grammys “Urban Contemporary” prize include Lizzo’s “Cuz I Love You,” Beyonce and Jay-Z’s “Everything Is Love” and Beyonce’s landmark visual album “Lemonade.”
In its rechristening announcement, the academy also said it would change Best Rap/Sung Performance to Best Melodic Rap Performance.
But the academy did not completely drop “urban:” it remains in categories including the newly titled field “Best Latin Pop or Urban Album.”
“Urbano” remains widely accepted as a transnational umbrella term that includes reggaeton, Latin hip hop, Latin trap and dancehall — all of which have exploded in popularity in recent years.
The academy told Rolling Stone that “we understand that in the current climate, sentiment might be changing. We are continuing to follow the conversation and are committed to making necessary adjustments.”
The Recording Academy also changed its controversial but prestigious “Best New Artist” award, removing the eligibility requirement that capped a specified number of releases.
And months, after the LA-based organization was roiled by scandal, triggered when its now-sacked CEO levelled accusations of sexual harassment and voting irregularities, the body has announced changes within its Nominations Review Committee.
The academy set term limits for the membership committee and vowed to better scrutinize conflicts of interest in the nomination process.
It was yet another interesting week in the world of showbiz.
Here’s a quick rundown of some of the week’s Vibez.
Naira Marley Dishes Some Good Advice To Marlians
Controversial hip hop artiste, Naira Marley yet again stirred social media after he cautioned fans to take their future seriously.
He took to twitter where he wrote, “as a Marlian you have to enjoy your youth but don’t destroy your future”.
While some hailed the singer for his words of advice, others expressed shock because Marlians claim to have “no manners”.
Some also asked the soapy crooner to tell his fans to take a cue from him because beyond his accolades as a musician, he is a college graduate with a distinction.
Cuppy On A New Mission
Popular DJ and daughter of billionaire businessman Florence Otedola, a.k.a DJ Cuppy is on a new mission.
The singer who is always shaking up the social media space with various fascinating posts has again defied critics and taken to Instagram to announce that she’s been working on her debut EP.
According to her, it’s already more than halfway done but she has asked fans for suggestions on what to name it.
Meanwhile, the gelato crooner also took to her insta-stories where she disclosed that she’s working towards earning $1 million by the end of 2020.
Zlatan Accused Of Masterminding Attack On Vic O
Upcoming singer, Vic O accused rapper, Zlatan of assaulting him with the help of his friends.
The singer took to Instagram where he shared a video of his badly bruised face.
According to him, he was attacked in the Lekki area of Lagos by men, numbering about eight who are allegedly loyal to Zlatan.
He went further to announce that the battle line has been drawn, between Zlatan and himself. Meanwhile, Zlatan is yet to react to the allegations.
Cause Of Juice Wrld’s Death Revealed
One month after rising artiste, Juice Wrld passed away, the cause of his death has been revealed.
According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, the rapper died of an accidental opioid overdose, specifically oxycodone and codeine toxicity”.
Juice Wrld is the latest in a string of famous musicians to die of an opioid overdose in recent years.
Meanwhile, his family has disclosed plans for a public tribute to be held for the late rapper in Chicago.
Davido Drops “2020 Letter To You”
On to some new music, Nigerian pop star, Davido has risen above all the drama that ushered him into the new year with the release of a freestyle track titled: ‘2020, Letter To You’.
In the new track, O.B.O advices everyone to be true to themselves.
He also says no one is perfect and so, everyone should learn to accept each other as they are and aim for higher.
‘Eyimofe’ To Premiere At Berlin International Film Festival
And to movies, Nigerian feature film ‘Eyimofe’ is set to premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival which starts in February 2020.
Written by Chuko Esiri and produced by Melissa Adeyemo, the film addresses the endless pursuit of migrants for greener pastures in Europe and the sad reality they often meet at the end.
‘Joseph’ Hits The Big Screens
Meanwhile, African-Carribean film, Joseph is also set to hit the big screens.
The movie chronicles the life of a young, successful medical doctor in the Caribbean whose curiosity about Africa sets him on a journey to an unknown world amidst warnings from friends and family.
Movie enthusiasts joined some cast and crew of the film for its premiere which took place in Lagos, Nigeria.
Diane Makes Fashion Statement
To some more exciting stuff, Mercy Johnson’s Epic Movie, the legend of Inikpi is finally out and some of our faves stepped out in style for the premiere which took place at the Film House Cinemas in Lekki.
Those in attendance included Yvonne Jegede, Paul Obazele, Ay Makun, Denrele, popular OAP, Lolo, and some of Big Brother Naija’s finest, Ceecee, Diane and Thelma.
Diane particularly wowed fans with what seemed to be a surprisingly bold fashion statement.
A photo she posted on Instagram, was accompanied with a caption that read: “be crazy enough to know you can do anything you want in life”. and fans could not hide their excitement in the comments.
Grammys: Fans Anticipate Burna’s Win
Finally, the Grammys is only few hours from now and our very own Burna Boy a.k.a African Giant, is a nominee for the ‘best world music category’, alongside heavyweights such as Angelique Kidjo.
A lot of fans are very optimistic and so far, social media has been buzzing, with #BurnaBoy as one of the top trends.
We have our fingers crossed and we’re wishing him all the best.
Music’s glitterati will sparkle on the red carpet at this Sunday’s Grammy awards, which honors the top hits and artists of the year.
Scandal at the Recording Academy, which puts on the show, has overwhelmed the lead-up to the glam event, but there are still plenty of musical moments to watch for.
Here is our quick guide to the event, which will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles:
Women Poised To Lead
Women dominated at last year’s gala and are leading the pack this year as well, with the twerking flautist Lizzo and the teenage goth-pop phenomenon Billie Eilish expected to battle for the top awards.
The Academy has long come under fire for failing to recognize women and people of color.
So in recent years, it expanded the nominee field from five to eight in the major four categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist.
Both Lizzo and Eilish are nominated for all of the “big four” prizes.
Other female frontrunners vying for Grammys gold include Lana Del Rey — whose 2019 album was considered by many critics as the best of the year — and R&B prodigy H.E.R., who is up for five awards and last year won two.
Pop sensation Ariana Grande is also among the top nominees, while flamenco revivalist Rosalia, up for Best New Artist, could become a rare Spanish-language winner in the general categories.
Generational Shift
Lizzo, Eilish and Lil Nas X are the top three contenders of the night with a combined age of 69 — a figure once closer to the average age of just one veteran star that would dominate the night.
The generational shift could mark a new era for the Recording Academy, which has long favored older pop and rock mainstays.
Eilish, who first gained fame online, was just 17 when the nominations were announced, making her the youngest artist ever to be up for all four top Grammy awards.
Her songwriting partner and brother Finneas, 22, meanwhile has five chances at Grammys glory.
Fans are expecting a rager of a performance from Lizzo, who routinely slings back tequila from the bottle onstage.
Fashion watchers will also be on red alert for the boisterous star’s latest ensemble — she donned a fluffy, hot pink Marc Jacobs jacket to this year’s Met Gala, which she proudly wore as she strutted through a New York airport the morning after.
‘Old Town Road’ All-Stars
Lil Nas X, the brain behind the year’s ubiquitous earworm “Old Town Road,” will take the stage to perform a pumped-up rendition of his country-trap smash.
His Grammy co-nominee for Record of the Year, Billy Ray Cyrus — who lent the song country-world street cred when Nashville snubbed it — will join him on stage, as will the eclectic DJ Diplo and K-pop megastars BTS.
The video-sharing app TikTok propelled the young rapper to fame — his song went viral and ultimately broke the record for the longest stretch atop the Billboard hot songs chart at 19 weeks.
The genre-bending mega-hit was removed from Billboard’s country music charts early last year — which critics alleged was industry white-washing as the artist is black.
Lil Nas X is bound to impress on the red carpet; the rapper is known for his campy Western outfits complete with fringe, vests or hats in garish colors.
– Barring none – Two artists who faced major legal troubles in 2019 — Meek Mill and 21 Savage — are up for Best Rap Album.
Mill ended his controversial legal saga in August after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge dating back more than a decade — a move that lifted the probation he dealt with for most of his adult life.
The plea deal, which saw additional charges against Mill dropped, resolved a case that had become a flashpoint in the national debate over the US criminal justice system’s treatment of black people.
21 Savage was meanwhile arrested just before last year’s Grammys gala in his hometown Atlanta, with US immigration agents saying he had been living stateside illegally since overstaying a visa that expired in 2006, when he was a minor.
The shock arrest surprised fans, who discovered the rapper — strongly associated with the southern capital of hip-hop — was in fact born in Britain.
Nipsey Hussle Tribute
Mill — along with artists including DJ Khaled, John Legend and Roddy Ricch — will perform a tribute to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, who is posthumously up for three awards after losing out on Best Rap Album to Cardi B in 2019.
The Eritrean-American born Ermias Asghedom was shot dead last March at age 33 in broad daylight, triggering an outpouring of grief in Los Angeles and among Hussle’s superstar peers, who hailed both his musical talents and tireless community organizing.
Both Legend and Khaled are up for a Grammy with Hussle for “Higher,” a collaboration released after the rapper’s death.
Long part of the underground rap circuit, Hussle struggled to find fame but began selling his own mixtapes.
Hip-hop royalty Jay-Z once bought 100 of them — for $100 each.
The multifaceted musician whose work ranged from composing Oscar-winning film scores to playing jazz piano to conducting the world’s elite orchestras — died Thursday, his management agency said. He was 89.
The prolific German-American musician — who won four Oscars, 10 Grammys and a coveted Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement honour during his storied career — also had his moments in the glare of the paparazzi’s flashbulbs.
One of his five wives was actress Mia Farrow, who had been married to Frank Sinatra when she met the musician.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the death this morning of our Conductor Emeritus Andre Previn,” the London Symphony Orchestra — where Previn once served as a principal conductor — said in a statement.
“He will be hugely missed by everyone at the LSO and remembered with great affection. May he always play all the right notes in the right order.”
The Recording Academy, which puts on the Grammy awards gala, praised Previn’s “ability to effortlessly combine genres.”
“Andre was an incomparable talent, and his legacy will live on through his countless compositions.”
Jazz and classical
Born Andreas Ludwig Priwin in Berlin on April 6, 1929, Previn was enrolled at the German capital’s Conservatory of Music at age six when his father realized he had perfect pitch.
The family fled Nazi Germany in 1939, moving to Los Angeles, where Previn’s great-uncle was the music director for Universal Studios.
An accomplished jazz pianist, he began working at MGM in 1946 while still in high school.
During his illustrious career in Hollywood, Previn won four Academy Awards for film composing, including for “Porgy and Bess” (1960) and “My Fair Lady” (1964).
But he left the studio in the 1960s to focus on classical music.
“At MGM, you knew you were going to be working next year, you knew you were going to get paid,” he told The Guardian in 2008. “But I was too ambitious musically to settle for it.”
“And I wanted to gamble with whatever talent I might have had.”
‘May you rest in glorious symphonies’
Previn served as music director for the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as the Houston and Pittsburgh Symphonies, and frequently guest conducted worldwide.
“In the recent years, he occupied his brilliant mind mostly with composing and worked tirelessly on new commissions until only a few days before his passing,” his management agency, IMG Artists, said in a statement, adding that several of Previn’s new works would premiere “in the coming season.”
His collaborators included musical titans like American opera singer Renee Fleming and Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
“So very saddened by the loss of the great Andre Previn,” tweeted Fleming.
“The @NYTimes says his music knew no boundaries, but I would say that of his talent and humanity as well.”
His mercurial tastes for music also applied to women: Previn married five times, most famously to Farrow, with whom he had three biological children.
The musician had left his second wife Dory Previn — a lyricist and singer who wrote tracks for a number of films with Previn, including 1967’s “Valley of the Dolls — for Farrow.
Previn also adopted three children with Farrow, including a daughter Soon-Yi, who in 1997 wed film director Woody Allen.
Allen was Farrow’s longtime partner after her split with Previn — so the marriage led to a major public feud.
“See you in the Morning beloved Friend,” tweeted Farrow, who posted several photos of her and Previn together.
Clive Davis speaks onstage during the Pre-GRAMMY Gala and GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Clarence Avant at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 9, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. Neilson Barnard / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP
Here is a list of nominees in the major categories for the Grammy Awards, which will be handed out on Sunday in Los Angeles.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with eight, followed by Canada’s Drake at seven.
Folk rocker Brandi Carlile is the most-nominated female artist with six nods:
– Album of the Year –
Cardi B, “Invasion of Privacy”
Brandi Carlile, “By The Way, I Forgive You”
Drake, “Scorpion”
H.E.R., “H.E.R.”
Post Malone, “Beerbongs & Bentleys”
Janelle Monae, “Dirty Computer”
Kacey Musgraves, “Golden Hour”
Various Artists, “Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By”
– Record of the Year, recognizing overall performance on a song –
Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin, “I Like It”
Brandi Carlile, “The Joke”
Childish Gambino, “This Is America”
Drake, “God’s Plan”
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, “Shallow” (from “A Star Is Born”)
Kendrick Lamar & SZA, “All The Stars” (from “Black Panther”)
Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar”
Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”
– Song of the Year, recognizing songwriting –
Kendrick Lamar and SZA, with songwriters Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears and Anthony Tiffith, “All The Stars” (from “Black Panther”)
Ella Mai with songwriters Larrance Dopson, Joelle James and Dijon McFarlane, “Boo’d Up”
Drake with songwriters Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels and Noah Shebib, “God’s Plan”
Shawn Mendes with songwriters Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris and Geoffrey Warburton, “In My Blood”
Brandi Carlile with songwriters Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth, “The Joke”
Zedd and Grey, with songwriters Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson and Marcus Lomax, “The Middle”
Lady Gaga with songwriters Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt, “Shallow”
Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) and Ludwig Goransson, “This Is America”
