It's over
Well that was an awfully long night that felt less like an awards show and more like an extended concert. Just nine awards were televised tonight in a ceremony that stretched to almost four hours and at many, many times, we really did feel the strain.
But for every misstep (the length, Jennifer Lopez’s Motown tribute, the decision to cut off so many key speeches), there was also plenty to applaud. After last year’s very male ceremony, tonight saw female winners almost double and host Alicia Keys prioritising music and positivity over wisecracks made for a refreshing change.
But next year, please for the sake of us all, keep it under three hours, yeah?
Here’s a look back at the big stories of the night:
And the question everyone’s really asking is:
who was she calling? 😂 pic.twitter.com/rPr70aOgCG
— Complex (@Complex) February 11, 2019
Just to make sure there’s no bad blood, producers are trying to explain that Drake’s microphone being cut was not supposed to be censorship
In the press room, we were told about Drake’s #GRAMMYs speech: “During Drake’s speech, he did take a natural pause and at that moment the producers did assume he was done."
— Krystie Lee Yandoli (@KrystieLYandoli) February 11, 2019
Updated
Cardi B has been celebrating her big win over on Instagram in exactly the way you would expect while also paying tribute to Mac Miller
In case you haven’t seen Jennifer Lopez’s Motown tribute and would like to make your own mind up then here you go
If you’re already to relive a very long night then here’s a whole bunch of lovely pictures:
And just a reminder of the night’s most gif-worthy moment
Alicia Keys with that dual piano flex 🔥👀#GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/TEP0joEyA3
— UPROXX (@UPROXX) February 11, 2019
One thing that’s surprised many is the lack of conversation surrounding 21 Savage on stage tonight with the rapper, currently facing deportation, only receiving a very late mention from composer Ludwig Göransson.
A Swedish producer was the only one to shout out 21 Savage tonight
— Alex Suskind (@AlexJSuskind) February 11, 2019
Ludwig Goransson gives the night's only real 21 Savage shoutout 3 and a half hours into the show.
— Craig Bro Dude (@CraigSJ) February 11, 2019
Here’s a chance to watch Cardi B’s speech, one of the more entertaining of the night:
According to her tweets, Ariana Grande is annoyed with the Grammys for inviting Mac Miller’s mother to the ceremony, knowing that her late son hadn’t won an award.
The tweets have now been deleted but Grande was responding to fans who queried her tweeting “trash” while Cardi B won best rap album. She later clarified why she was so angry.
So while This is America winning song of the year was a landmark win for rap, the fact that it also picked up record of the year is quite something too. It’s the first time either award has been given to a hip-hop track. Somewhere, far away from the Grammys, Donald Glover is surely celebrating.
WINNER: Album of the year - Kacey Musgraves: Golden Hour
Rushing to the finish line here, Kacey Musgraves won the night’s biggest award for her country pop crossover album. She was clearly one of the night’s big stars, appearing in three performances and winning a number of awards before the show even began. “Winning this doesn’t make my album any better than any other in this category,” a rather humble Musgraves said on stage.
But again, even for the night’s biggest award, she was cut off just a few sentences into her speech. If there’s one key learning from tonight, it’s that next year’s ceremony needs to be tighter. Running at almost four hours, it’s been wildly overlong.
WINNER: Record of the year - Childish Gambino: This is America
Damn, one of the night’s biggest awards has gone to one of the night’s biggest no-shows. It’s quite the win for Donald Glover, whose political anthem seemed like a less obvious choice over say Cardi B, Lady Gaga or Maren Morris. A big night for hip-hop.
But with time constraints, another speech that was cut short.
After a reminder of all the artists we’ve lost this past year, the Grammys unveiled their big Aretha Franklin tribute. Fantasia, Andra Day and Yolanda Adans came on stage to sing a note perfect rendition of (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.
The three were so perfectly picked (Fantasia sang at Aretha’s funeral last year) that they almost made up for the miscast Motown tribute earlier in the evening. Almost.
Updated
Before the final awards are announced, if they ever indeed are, here’s a reminder of who has won what tonight:
Hmmmmm
umm.... 👀 pic.twitter.com/TEXUBUSV2B
— Complex Music (@ComplexMusic) February 11, 2019
WINNER: Best new artist - Dua Lipa
Back on stage so soon, British singer Dua Lipa has taken home one of the night’s biggest awards, winning out in a competitive category. She’s cut off with music incredibly fast though, another sign that producers are aware of how late it’s running. They cut the mic too!
Feels like the awards are going to come thick and fast now, if they’re given the time to speak.
So many awards still but instead, now time for another one of the night’s big duets: St Vincent and Dua Lipa. Both sporting the same haircut and both indulging in some homoerotic posturing, they stop just short of anything that would get them in trouble with CBS.
Drake’s microphone was also cut in both the arena and the telecast, seemingly a rather deliberate tactic given that his speech was about the ultimate irrelevance of the Grammys.
This is probably on the way
drake’s notes app post on IG gonna be epic
— Jon Caramanica (@joncaramanica) February 11, 2019
WINNER: Best rap album - Cardi B - Invasion of Privacy
It’s been quite the month for the extremely talented R&B duo Chloe x Halle who, just a week after performing at the Super Bowl, have now nabbed a key slot tonight. After a rather lovely rendition of Where is the Love, they then announced the winner of tonight’s biggest rap award.
Bringing Offset on stage (sure to spark plenty of chatter surrounding their relationship status), Cardi B was a surprisingly nervous and teary winner. “Ooh the nerves,” she said. “Maybe I need to start smoking weed.”
It all ended rather awkwardly though with Cardi cut off mid-speech, not the first time that’s happened tonight.
In case you missed tonight’s starry opening then here you go:
One of tonight’s big winners Brandi Carlile is now on stage with a rousing performance of The Joke. She might not be familiar to a wider crowd but the folk/country singer has delivered one of the night’s best vocals, proving her earlier non-televised wins to be entirely worth it.
Before JLo performed her Motown tribute, Twitter was unsure. After JLo performed her Motown tribute, Twitter is pretty certain it was a disaster:
Guys. Motown was BLACK people, singing BLACK songs. I just...
— Reagan Gomez (@ReaganGomez) February 11, 2019
They really got JLo lip syncing Motown’s finest songs like there’s not 1000 black women with R&B vocals ready for this moment #GRAMMMYs
— Sylvia Obell (@SylviaObell) February 11, 2019
Me watching #jlo Motown tribute. #grammys pic.twitter.com/hlsdP1T0IC
— 💞Jacqueline McBride💞 (@McJacqueline2) February 11, 2019
WINNER: Best R&B album - H.E.R. - H.E.R.
Wahey! The infinitely talented 21-year-old has beaten out more seasoned performers for a surprise, deserved win. “It’s not even an album, it’s an EP!” she jokes on stage.
She also decided to bring her entire production team on stage, a nice touch, and a good sign that the Grammys is focusing on rewarding young, lesser-known talent.
Smokey Robinson is on stage to introduce a Motown tribute which gives him a chance to do a quick, seemingly impromptu duet with Alicia Keys.
Now, as feared the performance is being led by Jennifer Lopez, a singer who isn’t easily associated with Motown. She’s leading a medley, including Dancing in the Street and Mr Postman, and while it’s not a total disaster given her ability as a dancer, it’s a totally awkward fit.
It just feels like a bit from her Vegas concert which makes it a relief to see Robinson return to the stage. She’s then joined by Keys, a singer who would have made a much better choice for a Motown tribute. Now it’s Ne-Yo whose voice makes somewhat more sense but it’s too little too late and Lopez is still thrashing around the stage like she’s forgotten what she’s up there for. What a mess.
Same
I am “I hope nobody gets hurt on the side of Travis Scott’s cage” years old
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) February 11, 2019
Another one of tonight’s centrepiece performances and a chance for Travis Scott fans to see him do more than add a brief flash of energy to Maroon 5’s lifeless Super Bowl set.
Scott goes from being mournful with James Blake to jumping in a cage surrounded by fans crawling all over. He then indulges in a spot of crowdsurfing (as he also did during the Super Bowl) before moshing along for one of the night’s most energetic and most decidedly un-CBS moments of the night.
Another new trailer launched during the Oscars, this time for Ron Howard’s Pavarotti documentary
Oh and in case you were worried, Ariana Grande has not let a good dress go to waste:
Another one of tonight’s big performances: Lady Gaga singing her Grammy-winning song from A Star is Born. Given how famous her big screen rendition of Shallow has already become, it’s interesting to see her try and add a new spin and it’s very clearly an attempt to differentiate this from what we now know so well.
Rocking around the stage with more bravado than Ally could have managed in the moment, she delivers flawless vocals while displaying excess physical energy. It would have been thrilling to see her joined by Bradley Cooper but as mentioned before, he’s in the UK for the Baftas. That duet will have to wait for the Oscars ...
In case you missed Drake’s speech:
Talk that talk @Drake.pic.twitter.com/rH4IHUtidO
— Complex (@Complex) February 11, 2019
Now it’s time for Diana Ross, similarly sort of paying tribute to herself, but again like with Dolly Parton, it’s preferable to her sitting in the audience awkwardly watching a ragtag group sing her songs for her.
Introduced by her nine-year-old grandson, she’s on stage to sing The Best Years of My Life, an apt choice, and Ross is visibly moved by the opportunity, tearing up near the end before changing tack for Reach Out and Touch (Everybody’s Hand). She’s now going around the audience to get others involved (including Jaden Smith!) and everyone has remained on their feet throughout.
Updated
So interestingly Ariana Grande, a no-show tonight after a fallout with producers, had tweeted support for Drake’s anti-Grammys speech but deleted it soon after.
Here’s a screengrab though ...
WINNER: Best rap song - Drake: God's Plan
Oof finally, another award, thank God for that *checks watch*.
A competitive race here but Drake, the second most-nominated artist tonight wins out. And wait, Drake is actually there! Rumours had suggested he wasn’t going to attend but as a surprise, he entered from stage left to pick up his Grammy.
He makes a swift dig at the Grammys for finally including him in the right category (he had previously attacked them for calling Hotline Bling a rap song) before explaining that sold out tour dates and success outside of awards ceremonies is what really matters. It’s an interesting win-lose for the Grammys with Drake attending but then using his speech to sort of tear them apart. One of the night’s more interesting moments for sure.
Keys is running through a medley of songs she wishes she has written, including Killing Me Softly, Use Somebody, Doo Wop (That Thing) and Unforgettable, and it would have been a rotten waste to hire a talented singer and musician like this and not have her perform.
But yeah just a reminder that we’re almost two hours in and only three awards have been handed out on stage ...
Alicia Keys is playing two pianos at the same time. James Corden/most people in the world could never.
WINNER: Best country album - Kacey Musgraves: Golden Hour
No surprise here with the breakout country pop star winning the big country award of the night (it’s her third time on stage tonight already). “I love country music with everything that I am and I’m very proud to be charing my version of that with the world,” a very flattered and gracious Musgraves says to the crowd.
Another performance! Only two awards handed out in the first 90 minutes! Just saying!
But hey, here’s one of the night’s biggest moments: Cardi B. While many big stars decided not to perform or even attend tonight, the rapper, who boasts multiple nominations tonight, remains one of the best gets by eager producers.
She’s performing Money on a cushioned lounge club set, using her vibrant stage presence to remind us all just why she’s at the top of her game right now. She’s effortlessly in control and even an accidental necklace slip doesn’t put her off, vamping across the stage with style. I predict some major wins for her later.
I mean ...
H.E.R.
— Daniel D'Addario (@DPD_) February 11, 2019
○
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〉
￣￣┗┓ "G.U.Y."
┗┓ ヾ○ｼ
┗┓ ヘ/
┗┓ノ
┗┓
Already a Grammy winner tonight, one of the year’s breakout artists H.E.R. has now taken to the stage, complete with a see-through guitar! She’s been quickly racking up an impressive set of songs, released via EPs, and it’s great to see her given such a big stage.
Singing one of her more recent songs Hard Place, she’s joined by a choir to add even more soul and it’s a rousing reminder that the Grammys has made some good decisions this year. For once.
Dolly’s show-stopping performance is landing rather well on Twitter:
Folks, Dolly Parton is 73 years old.
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) February 11, 2019
I’ll have what she’s having.
Dolly Parton’s tribute to Dolly Parton is the content we all needed #Grammys
— George M Johnson (@IamGMJohnson) February 11, 2019
Dolly told EVERYONE to sing back-up and she would pay tribute to herself and y'all...
— Luminary Jones (@FeministaJones) February 11, 2019
I am now 115% committed to my life as a Dolly Parton stan
Oh and a rather big trailer was dropped last commercial break! Here’s a longer look at Aladdin, featuring Will Smith as a very swole genie
“Your life begins now... Aladdin”. Watch this special look at Disney’s #Aladdin, in theaters May 24. pic.twitter.com/XzZozU81DU
— Disney (@Disney) February 11, 2019
One of the biggest setpieces tonight now: a tribute to Dolly Parton. An all-star set of performers, including Miley Cyrus (again), Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Little BIg Town and Katy Perry, are here to do so.
It starts with the far less experienced Musgraves sing Perry off the stage before the pair is joined by Parton herself. After they all take turns to sing Here You Come Again, Cyrus, Parton’s god-daughter, joins her for a Jolene duet. It’s rare to see a Grammys tribute actually feature the person being celebrated and it’s a joy to see Parton have fun with younger generations all enjoying her music.
The medley continues, with help from Morris and then Little Big Town, and it’s an unusual example of a group performance on the Grammys that actually works as intended. Parton’s stage presence remains really quite something.
Just to add that Childish Gambino’s win for song of the year is quite a landmark victory. Apparently it’s the first time a hip-hop track has won that particular award. The same goes for record of the year so let’s see what happens later ...
Post Malone surprising millions now by actually singing rather well before launching into Rockstar, the song he was supposed to be reportedly performing with 21 Savage.
Instead, he’s then joined by Red Hot Chili Peppers and quite frankly, the mix of the two acts is a total mess. It’s hard to figure out who is singing what and why anyone thought this would be a good idea. Might be a problem with the volume of the microphones but it’s not pleasant. These duets are often a gamble and this one is most definitely a gamble that didn’t pay off.
WINNER: Song of the year - Childish Gambino: This is America
Something resembling a comedy skit now with Alicia Keys talking about her regret over not winning song of the year and instead, losing to John Mayer. He then joins her on stage. It’s not entirely not funny?
Weird to announce this one so early (it’s usually right near the end) but nice to see one of the year’s best songs get the attention it deserves, especially at a ceremony that often rewards the more obvious tracks.
Donald Glover isn’t in attendance though, one of many stars who isn’t, and there’s a bit of an awkward fumble on stage right after.
Google Pixel also just premiered a rather excellent new ad that sees Childish Gambino have a dance off with a “playmoji” version of himself. Shame he won’t be dancing at the actual ceremony though ...
A drastic tempo change now with Janelle Monae, up for some of the night’s biggest awards, performing Make Me Feel. There’s her trademark sci-fi slant to the staging, with a group of latex-clad women dancing with her on stage, sort of like her own stormtroopers.
It’s a strings-heavy take on the song and wait, Monae has now been joined by more women all wearing the much-talked about pink vagina pants. This should happen next year:
I feel like we're getting a glimpse of what Janelle Monáe would do with a Super Bowl halftime show, and I am HERE FOR IT. #Grammys
— Stephen Thompson (@idislikestephen) February 11, 2019
Kacey Musgraves, one of the last year’s biggest breakout stars, is on stage singing her ballad Rainbow. It’s a stripped back, slow moment and it’s nice to see her allowed to perform one of the lesser known tracks from her album rather than another performance of High Horse, which surely even she is sick of at this stage.
She’s already won best country performance and best country song tonight.
And here’s a look at that supergroup of women who got everyone on their feet in the opening: Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Alicia Keys, Michelle Obama and Jennifer Lopez.
WINNER: Best pop duo/group performance - Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper: Shallow
No real surprise here but a deserved win for the show-stopping song that brought the house down in A Star is Born. Gaga is there to collect it alone as Cooper is at the Baftas, which is probably for the best given that, well, we know what happened when this happened to Ally and Jackson.
Gaga uses her speech to discuss the importance of the film’s focus on mental health and offers some kind, worthy advice to a big crowd.
Shawn Mendes is on stage with a sort of half maybe slightly on fire piano, which has a sort of Monster House vibe to it as if it’s about to come alive and eat the poor lad. He’s moved from piano to guitar and has been joined by Miley Cyrus.
They are singing In My Blood, his anthem about overcoming anxiety. Cyrus is a nifty addition to the song and is always a hugely underrated live performer. It’s one of many duets tonight and with two live performances before an award has been handed out on stage, it’s also a reminder that tonight is going to be music-heavy.
Alicia Keys is here and after turning heads on the red carpet in red, she’s already had her first outfit change of the night. She arrived to a standing ovastion. “This is love, this is light, this is living,” she said to the crowd.
While she might not be a trained host, her experience as a performer means that she’s extremely comfortable in front of such a big crowd. Eschewing jokes, she’s choosing to focus on positivity while it’s easy to be cynical, it’s a refreshing change, especially given the fact we’ve had to see James Corden mug his way through this bit in years past.
There’s also quite the reveal with Keys introducing Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jennifer Lopez aka “some of her sisters”.
Each woman is talking about how much music means to them with Obama receiving the most electric reaction I’ve heard at an awards ceremony for years. “Music has always helped me tell my story,” she says.
It’s a smart way for producers to counter claims that last year’s ceremony was a tad too male and that this year’s ceremony is a tad too light on big names.
It begins!
The 61st Grammy awards has officially kicked off! Get settled in because it’s going to be an exhaustingly long night.
The first performer is Camila Cabello with some help from Ricky Martin, Young Thug , J Balvinand others. It’s a rather fantastic set with the singer belting out Havana in a West Side Story-esque stage production. She’s a technically flawless performer but given that it’s a song that was released almost 18 months ago, it feels like a slightly dusty way to kick things off.
But damn, that set is so impressive, I kind of want the rest of the night to take place here. There’s also an infectious party vibe that at least starts tonight off on a high note
In case you want to make some bets with friends, pets or imaginary partners, here’s our guesses for the biggest categories tonight:
Aaaaaaand the most retweeted tweet of the evening is from someone who isn’t going to be there this evening. Forgive the typo but a round of applause for Chrissy Teigen
no Grammys for us today. john got and EGOT and egot lazy pic.twitter.com/fRdcXtbFVR
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) February 10, 2019
Bookmark this! It’s an updating list of winners, including those who have already been announced. Many, many, many, more still to be added.
Is it an egg? Is it a whole load of meat? Nope, it’s Lady Gaga just wearing a very normal, but very nice, dress
Cardi B is here! With Offset! And a confusing dress!
Tonight’s most nominated female artist is Brandi Carlile, a folk-rock singer songwriter whose sixth album has seen her crossover into the mainstream. Eve Barlow spoke to her recently about the nominations and her plan to subvert the ceremony
More pictures of stars on the red carpet! Judge their outfits if you want!
Grande isn’t the only one who producers couldn’t secure for a slot tonight. According to the New York Times, Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Childish Gambino all turned down the chance to perform.
Drake has previously expressed frustration with the Grammys, starting in 2017 when he won best rap song and best rap/sung collaboration for Hotline Bling. He didn’t attend that night and later said: “Even though Hotline Bling is not a rap song ... the only category they can manage to fit me in is a rap category.” The following year he refused to submit his playlist More Life for consideration.
It’s unclear if Drake will even attend although well-known awards predictor YouTube has revealed it things that he will win the most Grammys tonight, based on the popularity of his videos.
Back to Jennifer Lopez, who’s received heat for reportedly heading up tonight’s Motown tribute. She has a defender! And it’s Smokey Robinson! Someone who knows a thing or two about Motown...
“I don’t think anyone who is intelligent is upset,” he said to Variety. “I think anyone who is upset is stupid.”
So there you go.
Photograph: AP
This year will see an emotional tribute to Aretha Franklin, who died last August. Her death was just prior to the VMAs which led to a last-minute, much-criticised speech from Madonna who shared some personal anecdotes before announcing best video of the year. While she was met with complaints labelling it self-indulgent, she later defended her words, claiming that it wasn’t intended to be a tribute.
Tonight will be see a more formal tribute to the singer from Yolanda Adams, Andra Day and American Idol alum Fantasia Barrino, who also performed at Franklin’s funeral last year.
Janelle Monae is pulling a classic Janelle Monae, in that she is looking like no one else on this or any other red carpet. As a non-fashion expert, I predict that fashion experts will be all over this tomorrow:
As mentioned before, she won’t be performing or even attending tonight but Ariana Grande has shared her gratitude for winning her first ever Grammy on Twitter:
i know i’m not there tonight (trust, i tried and still truly wished it had worked out tbh) and i know i said i try not to put too much weight into these things .... but fuck ....... 🥺 this is wild and beautiful. thank you so much.
— Ariana Grande (@ArianaGrande) February 10, 2019
We’ve been allowed a sneak peek of who will be sitting next to who and, well, the most surprising thing about these images is just how atrociously uncomfortable the seats look. I predict Gaga will spend most of the night cracking her neck.
Joy Villa, a singer mainly known for wearing attention-seeking far-right dresses on the Grammys red carpet has, well, made herself known yet again this year for wearing an attention-seeking far-right dress on the Grammys red carpet.
I guess it worked because here I am posting about it but yes, after her pro-life get-up last year, now here’s her build the wall outfit. Good luck making small talk tonight Joy!
Tonight’s host is 15-time winner Grammy award winner Alicia Keys, making a refreshing change from James Corden (although, a stack of wet books would have made a refreshing change from James Corden) and it’ll be the first time in 14 years that a woman has taken charge of the show.
She’s a confident performer but can she impress as a host? The above stab at comedy is, ahem, not exactly a laugh riot.
There’s also a small protest outside of the Grammy Museum on behalf of 21 Savage, who is no longer able to perform tonight because of ICE intervention. Footage here:
while some are walking the grammys red carpet, another small group is protesting in front of the grammy museum on behalf of 21 savage. #free21savage pic.twitter.com/V8iiGsA70m
— makeda (@makedaeaster) February 10, 2019
When you think of Motown, unless you also happen to be looking directly at a picture of her, it’s entirely unlikely that you’d think of Jennifer Lopez. The singer, whose music bears no resemblance to the soul empire, has raised eyebrows with the announcement that she will be headlining a Motown tribute during tonight’s ceremony. Twitter has been buzzing ...
Diana is alive. Mary is alive. Stevie is alive. Smokey is alive. So MANY of them are alive. https://t.co/ryrr7t12Qn
— Gilbert Whitley (@iAmJCotti) February 5, 2019
Jennifer Lopez doing a MOTOWN TRIBUTE at the Grammys? JENNIFER LOPEZ??? #Grammys2019 #AlwaysMissTheMark pic.twitter.com/CtAbCc38qX
— ☆ My World™ (@Mister_Reckless) February 5, 2019
When I think of Motown Jennifer definitely comes to mind...after 434,433,582 other people. https://t.co/9Gm7ez69uC
— Girl (@Jerron1234) February 5, 2019
The red carpet is filling up with stars, including Ricky Martin, Ella Mai, Leon Bridges, Camila Cabello and Questlove. Here’s a whole bunch of pics (more on the way):
Updated
21 Savage was set to attend tonight’s ceremony but as you may have heard, he was arrested last week and is being threatened with deportation because of Ice questioning his citizenship.
His co-manager took to Twitter to complain that those involved with the Grammys won’t let his mother take his ticket. Here’s what he has to say:
Sooo Grammys won’t release savages tickets to Savages mom to go to Grammys on his behalf ... that shit crazy smh ...
— Stone Mound Meezy (@MEGAMEEZY) February 10, 2019
We won’t be going to Grammys ... the politics and shit is ridiculous ...
— Stone Mound Meezy (@MEGAMEEZY) February 10, 2019
Everyone want us to be quiet bout shit that ain’t right man ... its crazy
— Stone Mound Meezy (@MEGAMEEZY) February 10, 2019
I won’t blame this on race ... I blame it on lame people being LAME ...
— Stone Mound Meezy (@MEGAMEEZY) February 10, 2019
Updated
Because there are just so many damn Grammys, a whole bunch have already been announced, including some rather big ones. It’s been a good night for Lady Gaga already and Ariana Grande, a no-show, has won her first Grammy.
Here are some of the big winners so far:
Best pop solo performance: Lady Gaga - Joanne
Best pop vocal album: Ariana Grande - Sweetener
Best music video: Childish Gambino - This is America
Best urban contemporary album: Beyonce and Jay-Z - Everything is Love
Best R&B song: Ella Mai - Boo’d Up
Best alternative music album: Beck - Colors
Best music film: Quincy
Best comedy album: Dave Chappelle - Equanimity & the Bird Revelation
Best Americana album: Brandi Carlile - By the Way, I Forgive You
Best song written for visual media: Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper - Shallow
One big name who won’t be performing, or even attending, tonight is Ariana Grande, despite being heavily featured in ads promoting the ceremony. Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich had originally said that Grande was initially slated to appear but “felt it was too late for her to pull something together”.
The singer responded on Twitter claiming this was incorrect. “I’ve kept mouth shut but now you’re lying about me,” she tweeted, explaining her absence was down to a stifling of creativity and self-expression.
It’s a major blow for the producers with Grande sitting pretty at the very top of the food chain and comes after a similar problem last year when Lorde refused to perform after only being offered a spot in a Tom Petty tribute over a solo sequence.
Time to face the music
Music’s biggest, and longest, night is here yet again with a host of major names lined up to either win, lose or perform. This year’s nominees are led by Kendrick Lamar, whose explosive opening was one of last year’s inarguable highlights, and after winning five awards that same night, he’s up for eight for his work on the Black Panther soundtrack.
It’s a film that’s featuring heavily this awards season, as the first superhero adventure ever to receive a best picture nomination, and just two weeks after it picked up the biggest award of the night at the SAGs, can it dominate the Grammys as well?
Competition comes in the form of Drake, Boi-1da, Brandi Carlile, Cardi B and Lady Gaga, whose Star is Born soundtrack should also be a force to reckon with. She’s one of many A-list performers scheduled for the night, alongside Janelle Monae, Miley Cyrus, Ricky Martin, Diana Ross and Shawn Mendes.
We’ll be here for the whole damn thing. Come sit with us.
