From the red carpet to the awards and performances of the night to the post-Grammy parties, you can follow us here for your full Grammys experience. Monday night’s 58th Grammy Awards saw Taylor Swift take home her second best album honor and ‘Uptown Funk’ the award for best record. Meghan Trainor took home best new artist and Ed Sheeran won for best song. In the performances, Adele sounded less-than-stellar and ‘Hamilton’ measured up to the hype, but Kendrick Lamar’s fiery set was the show-stealer and overshadowed much of the night. Now it’s time for the post-show praise and second-guessing.
What might Oscar learn from Grammy?
Is there a lesson the Motion Picture Academy might learn from the Recording Academy to make its award nominations more reflective of the world at large?
That question was put to veteran record company executive Clive Davis and Recording Academy President Neil Portnow in the days leading up to Monday night’s 58th Grammy Awards ceremony.
“I’m not coming out here to critique anyone,” Davis, 83, said with a smile last week at his hotel suite while making plans for his annual pre-Grammy Gala held Sunday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. “But I think you have to take a look at how you do things if you overlook a film like ‘Straight Outta Compton.’
“It tells a very powerful story, a very important story, one that is still very relevant today,” he said. “To overlook that....”
Compton mayor celebrates Kendrick Lamar’s Grammys
When Kendrick Lamar Duckworth won tonight, Compton won. Mr. Duckworth’s achievements further Compton’s legacy of ingenuity and excellence. He represents Compton’s evolution, embodying the New Vision for Compton: purpose, prosperity and progress. I appreciate — we appreciate — Mr. Lamar always representing Compton with great pride in any venue he’s in, from the White House to the Grammys.
— Aja Brown, Compton mayor
How this year’s mistake-prone Grammys mirrored messy social media ... and why that’s a good thing
When artists drift out of tune on live TV, or find that their bodies and schedules have failed them ... it’s a last vestige of the kind of animal fear that can grip even the mighty.
Adele’s piano-mic kerplunk. Rihanna calling in sick, and Lauryn Hill not showing up. Jack U’s shaggy-dog set of electro-emo with Justin Bieber.
This year’s Grammys were full of the rarest things in pop music today — mistakes. Not social media meltdowns, bizarre rap beefs or surprise album leaks patched over with duct tape on Tidal. These were earnest attempts to find greatness that fell dramatically, unmistakably flat.
And the Grammys were all the better for it.
For as much as fans like to complain about nearly every aspect of the Grammys, it’s perhaps the last public space where musicians must perform their craft on someone else’s terms.
Pop music today is defined by control. From the ubiquity of vocal tuning to the elite super-producers and songwriting summer camps and the omnipresence of laptops in live band setups — so much of modern pop is about leaving nothing to chance.
That insistence on perfection creates its own uncanny aesthetic.
Watch James Corden’s ‘inside gossip’ on Rihanna’s cancelled Grammys performance ... and what he had to do with it
James Corden, the late-night host most likely to share intimate moments with his audience, leaned into his desk not long after the conclusion of Monday’s Grammys ceremony and asked, “Do you want to hear some inside info — gossip” about Rihanna and the Grammys?
With his audience cheering and egging him on, “The Late Late Show” host revealed details about the Grammys performance we would have seen — if a doctor hadn’t intervened at the last minute to say that Rihanna “could really damage her voice,” as Corden put it, if she went forward with the song.
Corden, it turns out, was supposed to play a 1980s-era talk show host who would introduce Rihanna and then pretend to interview her on a show that would have been called “As It Lays.” Rihanna was going to sing “Kiss It Better” and showed up to rehearsal Saturday, Corden said, “a bit under the weather,” but ready to perform.
When Corden arrived on the Grammys red carpet Monday, he happily bragged to reporters about his role: “Oh, I’m introducing Rihanna. She’s asked me personally to be part of it.” When he got to the end of the red carpet and received the news that Rihanna was out, he gamely offered to go on in her place. “I’ve just had a wax,” he said he told the producers, explaining how he was ready to wear Rihanna-style hot pants in the cause of making sure the Grammys show would go on.
But it was not to be. The Grammys producers declined his offer. “No, James,” he said they told him. “We’ve just cut it. It’s done.”
Watch Corden tell the whole story in the video above.
Recording Academy President Neil Portnow addresses the biggest Grammy snafus, rumors and mysteries
The Grammys are a live event, and live events by nature aren’t perfect. Backstage in the press room Monday, Recording Academy President Neil Portnow spoke about the night’s snafus, including Adele’s performance problems, an absent Rihanna and the Lauryn Hill rumors.
Grammys fashion trends: Strategic skin-baring, high-slits and taking black to the next level
The Grammy Awards are usually reliable for over-the-top, censor-vexing fashion, but with the notable exception of Joy Villa, who dressed in what appeared to be animal bones, the stars who hit the red carpet at Monday’s show kept things noticeably dialed down. When old-school black and white is the most noticeable trend, you know you’ve got a tame red carpet.
2016 Grammy Awards: Complete list of winners and nominees
The full list of winners and nominees.
Urban Contemporary Album
“Ego Death,” the Internet
“You Should Be Here,” Kehlani
“Blood,” Lianne La Havas
“Wildheart,” Miguel
WINNER: “Beauty Behind the Madness,” the Weeknd
Grammys double take: Did Joe Perry really take the stage twice? In 2016?
Look, there was a lot going on -- especially right at the end, with that overstuffed “In Memoriam” sequence, Taylor Swift’s implied dig at Kanye West and the heavenly sight of Beyoncé dressed as a doily.
But the morning after the Grammy Awards, with our heads beginning to clear, a shocking fact is swimming to the surface, one that nobody seemed to notice during the show itself.
Joe Perry performed Monday night on two separate occasions. As part of the Grammy Awards. In 2016.
That’s right: The floppy-hat model best known as the guitarist in Aerosmith -- a rock band that hasn’t released a relevant album in well over a decade -- somehow gobbled up nearly 10 minutes of music’s biggest night.
How did this happen?
Watch Taylor Swift’s Grammys speech ‘to all the young women out there’ ... and Kanye too
Before Monday night’s Grammys ceremony, there was talk that a big win for Taylor Swift could register as a loss for the pop superstar in this year of heightened awareness over the need for more awards-season diversity. But when she was named winner of album of the year, a savvy Swift turned her acceptance speech into a inspirational call-out to women -- and a dig at Kanye West.
“As the first woman to win album of the year at the Grammys twice,” she said from the podium, “I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame. But if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going, you’ll look around and you will know that it was you and the people love you who put you there. And that will be the greatest feeling in the world. Thank you for this moment.”
‘Inimitable, inevitable’: Watch Lin-Manuel Miranda deliver the best Grammys speech of the night
When it’s time to party, the Grammys party hard
What does the music industry do after the biggest night of the year? Hit the Grammy after-parties for celebratory drinks, cookie bars and surprise performances.
Be it Missy Elliott at the Warner’s party or an impromptu Disney singalong, it all looks pretty great.
As show highlights diversity, Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar are among the big winners
The big winner at the 58th Grammy Awards ceremony on Monday night might not be any of the musicians who took home awards but the music industry’s full-court press promoting cultural diversity.
While the motion picture academy is under fire because of its recent full slate of acting nominees lacking a single person of color, the Recording Academy heaped awards and precious national TV performance slots to a long roster of Anglo, African American, Latino, Asian, straight, gay, young and veteran performers over the course of the 3 1/2 hour show from Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Lady Gaga goes Vegas with a rushed David Bowie tribute
The late, great David Bowie’s torch is almost too big for any single performer to carry. But Lady Gaga gave it her best shot during a heartfelt but rushed tribute to the singer’s legacy during the 58th Grammy Awards on Monday night.
Sporting a bright orange-red coif, a flashy white pantsuit and thick glittery makeup reminiscent of the Ziggy Stardust era, Gaga bounded through several of Bowie’s most famous songs backed by guitarist and Bowie collaborator Nile Rodgers in a very hectic six minutes.
The result felt more like a Las Vegas dinner theater revue than a solemn yet joyful shout-out to one of rock’s biggest icons.
Chris Stapleton on his Grammy win: ‘It’s crazy’
Chris Stapleton, on how his life has changed since his CMA breakthrough performance and now his multiple Grammy wins:
“It’s a life-changing thing, I’m sure this will amplify that. It’s crazy, it’s hard to digest and be fully aware of it. I’m holding these things and it still feels kind of fake.”
Adele explains her performance mishap
Just as the Internet stopped reeling over a surprisingly subpar Grammys performance from Adele, the British singer took to her personal Twitter account to set the record straight about what happened during her performance of “All I Ask.” Adele explains that “the piano mics fell on to the piano strings, that’s what the guitar sound was. It made it sound out of tune.” But, it wasn’t all bad news for singer, who decided to treat herself in honor of the mishap.
A theory on Meghan Trainor’s tears
Which performance stole the show at the Grammys?
After nearly 3 1/2 hours of performances, it is time to decide which one ultimately stole the show at the 58th Grammy Awards. What will you choose?
Watch and find out why Grammy attendees buy tickets
Ryan Faughnder talked to audience members who bought tickets to the Grammys about why they paid money to attend the awards show.
Check it out here.
Taylor Swift calls out Kanye West -- while holding her second album of the year Grammy
Sure, Kanye West put his thoughts about Taylor Swift into his “Famous” lyrics last week, but Swift on Monday put her thoughts about West into her acceptance speech after winning the Grammy Award for album of the year.
As the first woman to win album of the year at the Grammys twice, I want to say to all the young women out there: There are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame, but if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you are going, you’ll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there and that will be the greatest feeling in the world.
— Taylor Swift, referencing Kanye West in her album of the year acceptance speech
That would be an award in a category for which West wasn’t nominated -- and an award he said he would have to be promised before he’d attend the Grammys.
In case you forgot what Yeezy’s song says:
I feel like me and Taylor might still have sex / I made that ... famous
— Kanye West, referencing Taylor Swift in his new song ‘Famous’
Nice, right? Of course, he maintains that he “never dissed her.”
Looks as if TSwift didn’t really need a song to get her message across. Though having a national TV audience certainly didn’t hurt.
Those sound problems you heard during Adele’s performance were in fact sound problems
So confirms the Associated Press:
“A CBS spokesperson confirmed there was a five-to-eight second technical issue with the broadcast, adding without elaboration that it was outside the network’s control.
“Reps for Adele and the Recording Academy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.”
The Grammy audience gave Adele a standing ovation:
A photo album of Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy performance, which was fire. Literally.
Alabama Shakes sizzle with ‘Don’t Wanna Fight’
The Grammys are saving the rock for its latter half. The Alabama Shakes, who have already had a solid night by winning the alternative album Grammy for “Sound & Color,” performed its “Don’t Wanna Fight.”
The song is a showcase for vocalist Brittany Howard, who began the song with a room-halting howl. One can practically feel her temperature boil as the song builds, its messages of peace balanced with can’t-stand-it-anymore frustration. And yet she never strayed too far from her backing band, which sauntered with a rhythm and blues strut.
Bonnie Raitt aces tribute to B.B. King
Anyone who’s heard Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller” knows the man can cover a tune, as “Tennessee Whiskey” is one of his album stand-outs. So it’s no surprise he bat lead-off in a tribute to the great B.B. King, which also featured Gary Clark Jr. and Bonnie Raitt.
It was pensive, and though it probably didn’t need the string section (the Grammys will never miss a moment for overkill), the performance treated “The Thrill Is Gone” as more of a thoughtful slow-dance than a late-night scorcher. The guitarists gracefully passed off licks to one another, and images of King were tastefully shown above. The crowd roared when Raitt took the stage, and for good reason, as Raitt brought a dose of fire to the latter half of the song.
If only the Grammys had treated the tribute to David Bowie with such grace. Instead, Lady Gaga raced through tunes as if she was the star in a Las Vegas David Bowie review. She had the look, she has the voice, but there was soul.
Hollywood Vampires: 185 years of rock among them onstage
They may not be actual vampires, but the Hollywood Vampires celebrated the dead with a tribute to the late Motorhead founder Lemmy Kilmister. Featuring Alice Cooper (68), Aerosmith’s Joe Perry (65) and Johnny Depp (52), the band has 185 years of rock among them. They were joined by Duff McKagan on bass and and Matt Sorum on drums.
“Lemmy Kilmister was rock ‘n’ roll. He was a rebel and an outsider,” said Dave Grohl as he introduced the Vampires.
The band members performed their new song, “As Bad As I Am” with fire shooting behind them. After screamer Cooper wailed for some verses, Johnny Depp mumbled into the microphone and played a guitar solo. Perry did too.
They followed that with a take on Motorhead’s “Ace of Spades.” It’s a hard song to mess up. They didn’t mess it up.
Lauryn Hill was supposed to perform on the Grammys
The Weeknd was supposed to be joined by a special guest during his performance at the Grammys on Monday night: Lauryn Hill.
The iconic hip-hop and R&B performer was supposed to join the singer during his performance.
It would have been the night’s best-kept secrets — had it happened.
After moving through a medley of his smash hit “Can’t Feel My Face” and current single “In the Night,” there was buzz that the performance was missing a major moment, an appearance from Hill.
News that Hill was supposed to perform alongside the Weeknd — the pair were to duet on “In the Night” — came as a surprise to most.
Earlier Monday a Twitter user posted an image of the Weeknd and what appeared to be a covered up Hill with the news that she would join the singer onstage.
A rep for Hill — long known as a loose cannon when it comes to live showings — released a lengthy, strongly worded statement that said the singer pulled out because of “its last minute nature.”
“The Grammy’s announced a performance by Ms. Lauryn Hill prematurely and without approval. Ms. Hill had concerts all weekend, leaving no time to prepare, and was uncertain she would even be able to make it to LA in time to rehearse for the event,” said the statement sent to Vox.
“Any performance that could have happened was never confirmed, and should not have been advertised as such. Ms. Hill was invited to do a collaboration with an artist she appreciates. The performance was intended to be a surprise and unfortunately due to its last minute nature, was unable to come to fruition.”
Hill wasn’t the only no-show at Monday’s telecast. Rihanna was forced to pull out of the telecast in the eleventh hour because of bronchitis.
“Based on Rihanna’s examination, after Grammy rehearsal today, Rihanna’s doctor put her on vocal rest for 48 hours because she was at risk of hemorrhaging her vocal” cords, a statement from the singer read. “The antibiotics she has been on for three days did not kill the infection adequately therefore she cannot perform safely.”
Rihanna was set to debut a live performance of “Kiss It Better” from her recently released album “Anti.”
Praise for Lady Gaga’s David Bowie tribute floods Twitter
Twitter seems to blame poor sound for Adele’s subpar performance
The Grammys seemed fine with the performance, however.
A more human Adele arrives at the Grammys
Adele, whose “25” is more or less preordained to win the album of the year at the 2016 Grammy Awards, was in full vocal acrobatic mode tonight -- to mixed results.
Accompanied by a piano on “All I Ask,” Adele performed a Broadway-style belter that’s built for opera halls as much as it is concert halls. Her voice seemed just slightly below the level of perfect, but I found more joy in this performance than the ones of hers that are 100% flawless.
Seeing a great singer power through a gigantic ballad when she didn’t have her best stuff was like watching an Olympian fight through an injury to win gold. It’s still Adele, and she’s still uncannily precise. My quibble is that the songs of “25” challenge her to big notes rather than new directions.
Remember Justin Bieber’s first Grammys performance?
Why, Justin Bieber, why?
On a night when so many of his young peers are sapping the life from their songs, Justin Bieber appeared ready to join the club when he began his highly anticipated Grammys performance alone onstage with an acoustic guitar.
The pop superstar was singing his tender ballad “Love Yourself” and doing an OK job with it (at least until the final wobbly note).
But surely, you thought, he’ll shake off the old-fashioned vibes in time for “Where Are U Now,” his irresistibly futuristic collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo of Jack U.
Sadly, no.
With Skrillex on electric guitar, Diplo banging away at a drum set and Bieber yowling like a standard-issue emo kid, “Where Are U Now” basically transformed here into Imagine Dragons.
Et tu, Biebs?
It’s no meat dress, but Lady Gaga is Bowie-ready
Kendrick Lamar gives the show its first major Grammy moment
Kendrick Lamar.
The first Grammy performance of the night worthy of repeat viewing. There was a lot to unpack, and Lamar standing on stage with the word “Compton” superimposed over Africa will no doubt be the night’s lasting image. Suffice to say, Lamar made the case that the album of the year should be his, as his six or so minutes on stage were a rush of topical, historical and political images. It was protest music on a grand scale.
There were a number of bracing images in the performance -- a jail cell, handcuffs, a riot. It was hectic, it was aggressive, it was free jazz, it was confrontational. “You hate my people,” he rapped, his voice coated in venom and a rasp. “The Blacker the Berry” led into “Alright,” the latter delivered with a constant, strobe-like set-up. The camera cut left, cut right, and Lamar delivered one lyrical punch after another.
Celebrities take to Twitter to react to Kendrick Lamar’s Grammy performance
‘Don’t Wanna Fight’ by Alabama Shakes wins best rock performance
Alabama Shakes also won the Grammy Awards for rock song, alternative music album and engineered album (non-classical). Their album “Sound & Color” is also up for album of the year.
The other rock performance nominees were:
“What Kind of Man,” Florence and the Machine | Interview | Music video
“Something From Nothing,” Foo Fighters | Music video
“Ex’s & Oh’s,” Elle King | Music video
“Moaning Lisa Smile,” Wolf Alice | Music video
Reminder: ‘Hamilton’ musical coming to L.A. ... but not until 2017
“Hamilton” is coming to Los Angeles, but local audiences eager to catch the Broadway musical that has become a critical and audience sensation in New York will have to wait until next year.
Producers have said that the national tour of “Hamilton” will play at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood for a five-month engagement starting Aug. 11, 2017. No casting has been announced for the tour, which will open in spring 2017 in San Francisco.
The musical, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, gives a contemporary, hip-hop-inflected spin on the story of Alexander Hamilton, the Federalist founding father and first secretary of the Treasury.
Twitter responds to ‘Hamilton’ as the Grammys go Broadway
Eagles ‘Take It Easy’ in Grammy farewell to Glenn Frey
Immersed in the rich harmonies supplied by surviving members of the Eagles, veteran singer-songwriter Jackson Browne reprised the song he started writing nearly half a century ago, and finished only when he got help from his friend and Echo Park upstairs neighbor Glenn Frey, “Take It Easy,” in the Grammy Awards’ salute to the late founding member of the Eagles.
The song became an emotional sendoff for Frey, who died Jan. 18 at age 67, as his longtime cohorts sang, “We may lose and we may win, but we will never be here again/So open up I’m climbin’ in, and take it easy.”
Behind Browne on drums and adding his dusky voice was Don Henley, who started the Eagles with Frey when both were singing backup for singer Linda Ronstadt in the early 1970s.
For this performance, they also brought back guitarist Bernie Leadon, who left the group in 1975. He took the guitar solo in the song, while guitarist Joe Walsh strummed an acoustic instrument at Browne’s left.
As they spun out the signature “oohs” that helped the song become the Eagles’ first national hit in 1972, a giant photo of Frey appeared on the video screen behind them.
As the Beach Boys had done a decade earlier, the Eagles crafted a body of hits in the 1970s that came to define Southern California for millions of music fans worldwide.
Hits such as “Take It Easy,” “Hotel California,” “Best of My Love,” “One of These Nights,” “Lyin’ Eyes” and “Life in the Fast Lane” explored the multiplicity of themes that have played out for those who have come to the Southland in pursuit of grand dreams.
Detroit-reared musician Glenn Frey was one of them, and after arriving here in the late 1960s, he and Henley teamed up with Leadon and bassist Randy Meisener in the original iteration of the group.
The choice of “Take It Easy” made perfect sense as the vehicle for the Grammy tribute segment.
“We wanted to do something simple and elegant,” the band’s longtime manager Irving Azoff told The Times recently.
Here is the Times’ obituary on Frey.
Not impressed
Check out the best and worst dressed of the Grammy Awards
Click and find out the best and worst dressed of tonight’s Grammy red carpet.
Stevie Wonder taunts the sighted: ‘Nyah nyah!’
Y’all can’t read this, you can’t read Braille. Nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah nyah!
— Stevie Wonder, announcing song of the year
Rihanna cancels Grammys performance
Rihanna will not appear on the Grammys as previously announced, according to a rep for the singer.
The pop singer was slated to perform during the telecast but pulled out in the eleventh hour because of bronchitis.
Rihanna showed up to Staples Center and rehearsed twice but left afterward.
“Based on Rihanna’s examination, after Grammy rehearsal today, Rihanna’s doctor put her on vocal rest for 48 hours because she was at risk of hemorrhaging her vocal chords,” a statement from the singer read. “The antibiotics she has been on for three days did not kill the infection adequately therefore she cannot perform safely.”
Attendees on the red carpet said the singer didn’t appear in front of cameras and reporters.
Rihanna was set to debut a live performance of “Kiss It Better” from her recently released album, “Anti.”
Her performance was originally slated to happen after the mash-up of Andra Day and Ellie Goulding. However when the telecast returned from commercial break it skipped directly into the Lionel Richie tribute that wasn’t set until later.
Lemmy Kilmister on losing -- and winning -- Grammys
I’ve already got one anyway, from 2005, for ‘Sacrifice.’ I don’t mind it. It’s a nice thing to be respected by your so-called peers... But we don’t get to go on the red carpet or nothing. We have to go the day before with the Latin American jazz bands and get the awards.
— Lemmy Kilmister, Motorhead on the “Ace’s Space” podcast
Call the reception to the Lionel Richie tribute ‘mixed’
Few can touch Lionel Richie for hits, and when six singers -- including Richie -- take the stage in his honor the results were bound to be mixed, if not a little strange. Here’s a sample of reaction to John Legend, Demi Lovato, Luke Bryan, Meghan Trainor, Tyrese Gibson and Richie at the Grammys.
The Grammys had little love for David Bowie while he was alive
David Bowie is being feted by an organization that nominated him many times but awarded him only once. The artist, who died in January, wasn’t nominated for any of his classic albums from the 1970s. His first album of the year nomination, for “Let’s Dance,” had the misfortune of competing in 1984 -- against “Thriller.” He earned his only trophy that year for his video for “Jazzin’ for Blue Jean.” Most recently, Bowie earned nominations in 2014 for “The Next Day” and a song from it, “The Stars Are Out Tonight.” He lost.
He did, however, freak out a lot of people at the 1975 ceremony.
Remember when the Super Bowl dictated Grammy politics?
In 2004, the Grammys got embroiled in a scandal that began a week earlier in the midst of the Super Bowl halftime show. During the Janet Jackson headlining performance, a guest appearance by Justin Timberlake got out of hand when, at the end of “Rock Your Body,” Timberlake pulled off part of Jackson’s costume and exposed her bare breast to more than 100 million people worldwide.
Everything went off the rails in the aftermath, including CBS rescinding Jackson’s invitation to the ceremony, where she was to introduce a tribute to Luther Vandross. Timberlake, however, faced no repercussions, not only attending the ceremony, but performing twice (once with the Black Eyed Peas and once with Arturo Sandoval) and taking home two Grammys.
Remember when Amy Winehouse dominated the 2008 Grammy Awards?
Amy Winehouse has returned to the pop culture conversation in recent months, thanks to an Oscar-nominated documentary centered on the life, death and music of the devastatingly talented young jazz singer. At the apex of her career in 2008, Winehouse won five Grammy Awards, including record of the year.
Check out her acceptance speech below and reminisce on the inimitable talent that was Amy Winehouse.
Demi Lovato wins Lionel Richie’s approval
The Grammys are only about an hour old, and they’ve already settled into mid-tempo slow dances. A pairing of Elle Goulding and Andra Day packed all the fireworks of the end credits of a romantic comedy. The artist’s strolled around each other for a smash-up of “Rise Up” and “Love Me Like You Do.” Goulding’s went for nightclub elegant, and Day tried to overpower, but the Grammys certainly aren’t brining the heavy hitters to start.
The pace didn’t exactly elevate after a break, as audiences had to settle in for a five-plus minute tribute to Lionel Richie.
John Legend was cool and Grammy-calm, while Demi Lovato had Richie hollering approval in the audience. Luke Bryan’s “Penny Lover” was a head-scratcher, Meghan Trainor seemed out of place and Tyrese Gibson finally provided a proper handoff to Richie, who ran up to stage for a sing-along to “All Night Long.” Richie ended the performance by shouting, “That’s how we do it right there.”
Was it directed at Bryan? Probably not, but the Grammys would have been better served by having Richie arrive a little earlier to his own party. Still, his landing on the stage resulted in the night’s first standing O.
Remember when Arcade Fire winning album of the year caused the Internet to meltdown?
When Arcade Fire won the Grammy for album of the year in 2011, it spurred a lot of shock from large swathes of music fans, even inspiring a NSFW tumblr entitled “Who Is Arcade Fire,” which focused on capturing outraged reactions from bewildered Grammy audience members.
Check out Arcade Fire frontman Win Butler backstage after taking the big prize.
The White House is happy Kendrick Lamar won best rap album too
Max Martin is getting a raw deal here
The brilliant Swedish producer Max Martin is a man capable of putting more emotion into a pop song than virtually anyone else making records.
So why were performances of two of his songs -- the Weeknd’s “In the Night” and Ellie Goulding’s “Love Me Like You Do” -- such lifeless drags?
The Grammys can overdose on dazzle, sure. But nobody wants to go to study hall.
How Taylor Swift, Adele and the Weeknd made 2015 a pivot point for pop producer Max Martin
Twitter blasts the Weeknd’s performance
The Weeknd already scooped up a handful of Grammys before his performance during the ceremony Monday evening, but despite his massive breakout year -- his shining moment on the Grammy stage didn’t go over without some tough criticisms from Twitter.
Amid a medley that included his smash “Can’t Feel My Face” and “In the Night,” Twitter lighted up with jokes and puns directed at his shaky start.
A few of our favorite jabs below:
Chris Stapleton wins for best country album
“I’d like to thank Taylor Swift for leaving country so people like me can win this award.”
— Steven Zeitchik, L.A. Times (via Twitter), commenting on Chris Stapleton’s win
For the record: An earlier version of this card mistakenly attributed this quote to Chris Stapleton in his acceptance speech.
The red carpet is over, but some looks are forever
And there’s always room for Lady Gaga.
Drake’s Grammy woes?
Drake has accrued his share of woes tonight. Nominated for rap song, rap album, rap/sung collaboration (with Nicki Minaj) and rap performance, the Canadian rapper came up empty-handed. The beneficiary of those woes? Kendrick Lamar, whose work from “To Pimp a Butterfly” ran the rap categories.
Sasha Frere-Jones and Kirk Franklin have a moment and more tweets from the Grammys
The Weeknd turns it up -- and then quickly down -- at the Grammys
The Weeknd started his performance trapped in a box with hyperactive lights flashing “Xs” and “O’s.” It was fitting, considering “Can’t Feel My Face” is the sound of the world closing in on someone. Looking dapper in a tuxedo, the Weeknd appeared a long way removed from the drug-induced paranoid, even flashing some slick footwork.
The stage opened up, but the performance began to feel even more claustrophobic. As the Weeknd transitioned to a stripped down “In the Night,” it had the panicked feel of an ambulance coming into view at slow-motion. Say, wasn’t this one of the Weeknd’s biggest hits? The artist here wanted theatrics not excitement.
The hottest red-carpet accessories? Family members
The Grammys may be shaping up as a family-themed event, at least in the audience. Justin Bieber walked the red carpet with Jaxon Bieber, his 6-year-old half-brother, giving the little dude a smooch after coaching him on getting his swag on for the cameras.
ASAP Rocky was there with his mom, who told an interviewer she was excited to see the Weeknd perform.
Andra Day had both parents on hand. “They always keep me calm and grounded,” she said on the red carpet feed.
Then there was Thundercat, who added a little hand-made love to his ensemble for the evening.
Kendrick Lamar dedicates his Grammy for best rap album to hip-hop
This is for hip-hop... we will live forever, believe that.
— Kendrick Lamar
Lamar also thanked his parents, Paula and Kenneth Duckworth, his fiancée, Whitney Alford, and his record label, Top Dawg.
A bolder, more confident Taylor Swift gives the Grammys an upbeat opener
The dress sparkled. The trees looked like they belonged in a Disney fairy tale. This must mean Taylor Swift is opening the Grammys.
Swift’s “Out of the Woods” opened what was destined to be a 3 1/2-hour affair. Like the bulk of songs for “1989,” “Out of the Woods” is heavy on the chorus. The song boasts some big Shania Twain-like guitar strikes and some pulsating beats, giving the Grammys a safe pop moment to start.
After the performance, host LL Cool J teased what has become a destined to be talked-about appearance from Kendrick Lamar, but there was nothing topical or controversial here.
Swift screamed and hollered, showing no signs of timidity that marked some of her early career Grammy performances. Today, Swift is a bolder, more confident artist, and though “1989” is about little more than the trials and tribulations of the life of a 1 percenter, she provided a slick, upbeat opener.
Swift is competing tonight for album of the year, where her “1989” will go up against efforts from Lamar, the Alabama Shakes, the Weeknd and Chris Stapleton.
Swift has been nominated three times for the album of the year trophy, winning the prize for her album “Fearless.” Swift’s “Red” was bested in the top category by Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories” at the 56th Grammy Awards.
Although voters have clearly embraced Swift, they haven’t necessarily embraced her shift into pop, as the bulk of her Grammy wins have come in the country field, where songs such as “Mean” and “Fearless” won the country song honors.
But earlier today, the artist’s “1989” won the pop vocal album. In addition to album of the year, she’s competing in record of the year and song of the year (“Blank Space”), but “Blank Space” earlier lost in the pop solo performance category to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
Taylor Swift was thinking old school
“A new Grammy moment” is how LL Cool J described Taylor Swift’s show-opening performance of her song “Out of the Woods.”
Yet Swift herself was thinking old school.
“Right now it’s 1989,” the pop superstar said during the song, referring to her quintuple-platinum blockbuster that’s up for several Grammys tonight, including album of the year.
With spindly trees and plenty of fog, the performance itself looked like an outtake from Disney’s “Maleficent” -- only with a bit more side eye from the sparkly star.
All the David Bowie songs that Lady Gaga performed
In her tribute to the late David Bowie, Lady Gaga moved through the artist’s 1970s and ‘80s work without regard for his final quarter century of art. Below, her set-list.
In order:
“Space Oddity”
“Changes”
“Ziggy Stardust”
“Suffragette City”
“Rebel Rebel”
“Fashion”
“Fame”
“Under Pressure” (bass-line)
“Let’s Dance”
“Heroes”
A look back at the life of Grammy lifetime achievement winner Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz, known as the Queen of Latin Music, is being honored tonight by the Grammy Awards with a lifetime achievement award. Born in Havana in 1925, Cruz started singing in cabarets as a teenager, despite her father’s hopes that she would grow up to become a teacher.
Cruz became the most popular Latin artist of the 20th century, earning 23 gold albums, a National Medal of Arts and six Grammy awards, before earning her seventh tonight.
In 2003, Cruz died of a brain cancer, spurring worldwide vigils. More than 200,000 fans paid their final respects at Miami’s Freedom Tower.
In 2013, Jennifer Lopez honored the songstress by performing a medley of Cruz’s hits at the American Music Awards.
To learn more about the life of Celia Cruz, check out Los Angeles Times coverage of the singer’s death, her life and Lopez’s 2013 AMA performance.
Hungry? Get in line, friends
Over at one of the snack bars, it’s business as usual, no matter how nicely the customers are dressed. And no, the food ain’t free.
Grammys, yes. Glammys? Not 100%.
Lyric: Best metal performance song ‘Cirice’ by Ghost
What are the metalheads singing about? What else? Thunder, fear, scars, candles. Behold, the lyrics to the metal performance winners Ghost, who won for “Cirice.’
I feel your presence amongst us You cannot hide in the darkness Can you hear the rumble? Can you hear the rumble that’s calling? I know your soul is not tainted Even though you’ve been told so Can you hear the rumble? Can you hear the rumble that’s calling? I can feel the thunder that’s breaking in your heart I can see through the scars inside you I can feel the thunder that’s breaking in your heart I can see through the scars inside you A candle casting a faint glow You and I see eye to eye Can you hear the thunder? Can you hear the thunder that’s breaking? Now there is nothing between us From now our merge is eternal Can’t you see that you’re lost? Can’t you see that you’re lost without me? I can feel the thunder that’s breaking in your heart I can see through the scars inside you I can feel the thunder that’s breaking in your heart
— Ghost, “Cirice”
Joy Villa’s dress steals the red carpet focus
We’re not sure who made Joy Villa’s Grammy Awards dress -- and we’re not sure we want to -- but it was definitely pulling focus on the pre-show red carpet. It looks like it very well could have been made from the rib cage of some prehistoric animal -- or some of the set pieces from “Game of Thrones.”
If you ask us, she’s trying to cement herself on the worst-dressed list since the only reason we remember her is because she wore one of last year’s most bizarre outfits as well, essentially a length of Caltrans orange barrier tape.
Zendaya ups the tuxedo game in double-breasted DSquared2
The tuxedo look wasn’t confined to the men on the Grammy Awards red carpet. Zendaya opted for a double-breasted number by the DSquared2 label. And, if we’re not mistaken, she’s sporting a baby mullet hairstyle.
Fashion from the ‘hmm, that’s a choice’ category
Joni Mitchell on winning and losing
Joni Mitchell has never been known to mince words, and that just won her a Grammy. The artist penned her own notes to her 2014 collection, “Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting to Be Danced.” Below, her thoughts on music not being a competition -- just in time for the awards competition.
“I couldn’t work with a producer. I found that out early. They were tyrannical and trendy. They would have squelched my need for risk and invention. They would have straightened out all the quirks and oddities and steered me towards the dog race where the bigger profits were. I didn’t want to think about music in terms of winning or losing. Music is not a sport. If I had to race, I wanted to be the rabbit. I had a painter’s ego — I took pride in discovering new things. I had a painter’s ability to self-adjudicate.
— Joni Mitchell, from her notes to “Love Has Many Faces”
Remember Carrie Underwood’s stunning butterfly projector dress from 2013 Grammys?
Carrie Underwood is performing with Sam Hunt tonight, but it was just her and her dress stealing the spotlight at the 2013 Grammys. Underwood wore an impeccable white strapless gown that was then used as a canvas to project colorful images on, including butterflies and flowers.
Ellie Goulding rocks Stella McCartney on the red carpet
Ellie Goulding chose a Stella McCartney bespoke, blush-colored, V-neck gown for her spin down the red carpet. From the front she fit right in with the “basic elegance” trend we’ve seen so far this evening, but the back of the dress brought a little dash of rock ‘n’ roll thanks to the diamond drape details.
Adele has arrived ... so has Johnny Depp
For Adele, Johnny Depp, Tori Kelly, Audra Day and others, the red carpet leads to the Staples Center stage, where they’ll perform during the awards.
Kaley Cuoco rocks the peek-a-boo pantsuit
The words “pantsuit” and “sexy” aren’t often in the same sentence, but Kaley Cuoco is proving the exception, hitting the Grammy Awards red carpet in a sparkly white sleeveless pantsuit with a front detail that bares a triangle of midriff and a deep V of cleavage. No word on the provenance of the pantsuit (yet) but we’ll update you if we find out.
Lady Gaga ready to bring the emo to David Bowie tribute
Iconic rock provocateur David Bowie is set to be feted by Lady Gaga, and it’s already got her in tears.
In the hours before Monday’s ceremony the pop star uploaded a clip of herself getting done up in heavy eyeshadow and a single tear coming down her face. Thankfully she’s careful not to ruin the glittery, blue makeup applied to her face because that would be a mistake.
The short clip is drama at its finest, darling.
After Bowie’s death in January, Ken Ehrlich, the longtime producer of the Grammys, began discussing a tribute with the singer and her manager.
Chic’s Nile Rodgers, who produced Bowie’s hit 1983 album “Let’s Dance,” will serve as music director for the performance, which is said to be a medley covering a canon of the beloved, boundary-pushing rock star’s life.
Choose your shoes wisely, red carpet denizens
The Times’ Tre’vell Anderson has more looks from the red carpet, including some from Diplo, Yolanda Adams and Aloe Blacc.
Kanye West calls out the Grammys, Grammys respond
Kanye West, always outspoken, always artistically challenging and also a three-time loser for the album of the year Grammy (although we would argue he should be a three-time winner), is already thinking about the 2017 Grammy telecast. This afternoon, the artist tweeted that he’s not showing up unless he’s promised album of the year.
The Recording Academy is making no such promises.
And considering Adele will have an album in contention at next year’s telecast, West, frankly, shouldn’t get his hopes up. In fact, the organization is wondering if West’s membership may have lapsed.
West, of course, has a new album out this weekend titled “The Life of Pablo.” You probably haven’t heard it, as it’s only available via one streaming service.
LL Cool J again? Five Grammy hosts who would cause a buzz for next year
Pop thrives on change. Why is LL Cool J hosting again when Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein are available? Here are five host options to consider for next year.
Sons of Jam Master Jay on honoring their father’s legacy
Run DMC will be the first hip-hop group to get a lifetime achievement award from the Grammys at tonight’s ceremony. Accepting on behalf of their father, Jason Mizell, better known as Jam Master Jay, will be his sons Jason Jr. and TJ, who stars on WE tv’s “Growing Up Hip Hop.”
“This is an incredible experience. We’re just glad that we’re able to honor our father’s legacy and keep his name alive,” said Jason.
As for establishing careers apart from their father and his group members’ massive name:
“It’s tough but we’re doing the best we can,” said TJ.
Watch the Grammys with us: We’re here, there, everywhere
Taylor Swift rocks the crop top -- and a bob -- on the red carpet
Taylor Swift hit the red carpet in a midriff-baring (orange) crop top and (pink) skirt ensemble, also with a daring leg slit. But the focus-stealer? That would be the new ‘do she was rockin’ - a bob.
Selena Gomez wears a ‘date-night’ Calvin Klein dress
Selena Gomez explained her choice of a simple but sparkly blue Calvin Klein dress to E!’s Ryan Seacrest this way: “I wanted something simple like I would wear on a date -- and this is what I picked. And my date tonight is Taylor Swift!”
‘Uptown Funk’ producer Jeff Bhasker wins producer of the year (non-classical)
The producer’s award was the final award handed out during Monday’s pre-telecast ceremony.
The other nominees were:
Dave Cobb
Diplo
Larry Klein
Blake Mills
Who are these people and why is this happening?
Swedish heavy metal band Ghost took home the Grammy on Monday afternoon for metal performance.
Who are these mysterious masked men?
Actually no one is quite sure.
Five of the six anonymous members are known only as Nameless Ghouls and wear identical, face-covering costumes. More notable is the appearance of the vocalist, who wears a prosthetic mask painted like a skull and goes by Papa Emeritus.
The band released its third album, “Meliora” in 2015.
Kendra Foster gives fiery speech after winning for ‘Really Love’
Kendra Foster, who wrote “Really Love” with D’Angelo, noted in her speech that she and D’Angelo had far more on their minds than music when working on the song that would appear on D’Angelo’s “Black Messiah,” which moments later won the R&B album award.
“Not only was it a sonic musical masterpiece, but we also had a lot to say in it,” she said. “The conversation isn’t over when it comes to struggles and injustice. That comes to the rest of the community, not just the black community.”
Look, perhaps, for a bit of a social conscious theme on Monday night’s telecast. Kendrick Lamar, for instance, is cleaning up wins in the rap fields Monday afternoon and will perform Monday night. The Alabama Shakes, who have a thing or two to say themselves about the state of the world, will also perform Monday evening and have already won a couple of awards. A little politics, however, would be welcome, as the Grammys have proven to be adept at tributes and medleys but not always so hot at capturing the country’s political pulse.
Alabama Shakes win rock song and alternative music album
The band’s “Don’t Wanna Fight” won rock song and “Sound & Color” won alternative music album.
The other nominees for rock song were:
“Ex’s & Oh’s,” Dave Bassett and Elle King, songwriters (Elle King)
“Hold Back the River,” Iain Archer and James Bay, songwriters (James Bay)
“Lydia,” Richard Meyer, Ryan Meyer and Johnny Stevens, songwriters (Highly Suspect)
“What Kind of Man,” John Hill, Tom Hull and Florence Welch, songwriters (Florence + the Machine)
The other nominees for alternative music album were:
“Vulnicura,” Björk
“The Waterfall,” My Morning Jacket
“Currents,” Tame Impala
“Star Wars,” Wilco
So what happens when Kendrick & Taylor are in the same Grammy category?
It turns out that sometimes they can both win.
While Taylor Swift versus Kendrick Lamar is expected to be the night’s big album of the year showdown, there are no indications of a feud. In fact, Swift and Lamar showed this afternoon that they can make an award-winning team.
Earlier today, the clip for Swift’s “Bad Blood” featuring Lamar took home the Grammy for music video. Producer Ron Mohrhoff accepted the trophy, joking he would call Swift, who had phoned in earlier in the telecast. It wasn’t to be. “I don’t have her number,” he said.
Lamar led the Grammy nomination field with 11. Swift had a respectable seven. And sometimes they overlapped. Swift’s “Bad Blood” was also nominated for pop duo/group performance, but here the pair lost to “Uptown Funk” from Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.
The regular folks are waiting to get into Staples
Talk about your little black dresses -- Staples Center holds about 20,000 for a concert, which means it takes a while to fill the building. A youthful herd of well-dressed folks are standing in line right now in the L.A. sun, eager to get into the Grammy Awards venue.
‘Black Messiah’ by D’Angelo and the Vanguard wins R&B album
The other nominees were:
“Coming Home,” Leon Bridges
“Cheers to the Fall,” Andra Day
“Reality Show,” Jazmine Sullivan
“Forever Charlie,” Charlie Wilson
Carrie Underwood hits the red carpet in back-to-basics elegance
Carrie Underwood kicked things off on the Grammy Awards red carpet in back-to-basics elegance - a black, shoulder-baring gown with an up-to-the-hipbone left leg slit, swept-back hair and a glittery statement necklace. We don’t know (yet) who made the dress but it’s clear who’s making the dress an early red-carpet standout.
No shortage of statement-making outfits on the red carpet
Our compatriot Tre’vell Anderson is on the red carpet and he’s been capturing some of the standout looks via his Twitter feed. Here’s a taste:
‘Earned It’ by the Weeknd wins R&B performance
The other nominees were:
“If I Don’t Have You,” Tamar Braxton
“Rise Up,” Andra Day
“Breathing Underwater,” Hiatus Kaiyote
“Planes,” Jeremih featuring J. Cole
Grammy fashion watch: Dogs and diamonds, Faith and flasks
Chris Stapleton wins his first Grammy, and then gets bested by ‘Girl Crush’
Country star Chris Stapleton -- an album of the year nominee tonight for “Traveler” -- won an early Grammy for country solo performance for the album’s title track.
It was his first Grammy win. “I’ve never had one of these and that’s amazing. I’ve been sitting out in this audience a couple times, and the third time is the charm, I guess,” he said.
Moments later, however, “Traveler” was bested in the country song category by Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” a songwriter’s category awarded to Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose.
“Girl Crush” is nominated for song of the year as well, which will be given out during the telecast. It’s a rather sensual song, one that chronicle’s a woman’s envy for her ex’s new lover.
It’s a take not often seen in pop -- or country, for that matter. It also feels important, with so much of country radio having been dominated by men and their songs of booze, as it walks a difficult, emotional minefield of jealousy and lust from a distinctly female point of view.
Chris Stapleton’s ‘Traveller’ wins country solo performance
The other nominees were:
“Burning House,” Cam
“Little Toy Guns,” Carrie Underwood
“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” Keith Urban
“Chances Are,” Lee Ann Womack
Skrillex and Diplo’s ‘Jack U’ wins dance/electronic album
The EDM artists’ “Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack U” won during the pre-telecast ceremony.
The other nominees were:
“Our Love,” Caribou
“Born in the Echoes,” the Chemical Brothers
“Caracal,” Disclosure
“In Colour,” Jamie XX
Little Big Town’s ‘Girl Crush’ wins country song
The other nominees were:
“Chances Are,” Hayes Carll (Lee Ann Womack)
“Diamond Rings and Old Barstools,” Barry Dean, Luke Laird and Jonathan Singleton (Tim McGraw)
“Hold My Hand,” Brandy Clark and Mark Stephen Jones (Brandy Clark)
“Traveller,” Chris Stapleton (Chris Stapleton)
Antonio Sanchez vindicated after Oscar rejection
Composer Antonio Sanchez took a shot at the Academy Awards in his acceptance speech for “Birdman,” winning in the score, soundtrack or visual media category.
Last year, the heavily rhythm-based score was disqualified from Oscar contention for the perception that it relied heavily on other incidental music used in the film.
Sanchez disagreed, of course. “This is especially sweet after being eliminated from another award show that star with an ‘O’ and ends with ‘scars,’” he said.
He went on to dedicate his “Birdman” win to jazz musicians who are struggling to reach a non-jazz audience.
James Bay preps for tonight’s Grammy performance
Buddy Guy keeps the blues alive
At least I know the blues is not dead yet.
— Buddy Guy, accepting his Grammy for blues album for “Born to Play Guitar.” Guy lamented the lack of support for blues albums and artists in the music industry today, recalling days he could drive down the street and hear Muddy Waters blaring from car windows.
Live from the 2016 Grammys red carpet
We’re bringing you dispatches straight from the Grammys carpet. But if you want even more details, snapshots and an insider’s look right in the heart of the action, follow Los Angeles Times reporter Tre’vell Anderson as he works the long line that is the Grammy pre-show.
Jason Isbell talks road to sobriety on Grammy pre-show
Jason Isbell‘s country-leaning “Something More Than Free” picked up a couple of early Grammys, one for Americana album and one for American roots song for its “24 Frames.” Isbell’s album bested works from Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, Brandi Carlile, the Mavericks and the Punch Brothers.
Accepting the award for his album, Isbell referenced how his “life turned around a few years ago.”
Thanks, Isbell said, to “all the people who helped me get sober and taught me how to work again. Thank you. Thank you for that.”
There will be some rootsy rock on tonight’s Grammy telecast, especially courtesy of album of the year nominee Chris Stapleton, but here’s hoping these Grammy wins further increase Isbell’s profile. Known best for his work with the Drive-By Truckers, Isbell’s “Something More Than Free” is a harrowing document of dealing with personal demons, its arrangements equally quiet and haunting.
Jason Crabb celebrates Grammy nomination, daughter’s birthday
Jason Crabb is nominated for best contemporary Christian album, but tonight it’s not about him. It’s all about his daughter Ashley who’s celebrating her birthday.
“Oh my God,” she said. “It’s exciting to be here.”
And her fashion for the night is on point. Her short pink puffy dress matches her braces and the cowboy boots show her Nashville flair.
As for her father, he’s glad to be in the number.
“I thank the Grammys for recognizing all music because we Christians don’t get this often.”
Ricky Martin’s ‘A Quien Quiera Escuchar’ wins Latin pop album
The other nominees were:
“Terral,” Pablo Alborán
“Healer,” Alex Cuba
“Sirope,” Alejandro Sanz
“Algo Sucede,” Julieta Venegas
Pentatonix sends a winning acceptance video
The Pentatonix, namely Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstin Maldonado and Kevin Olusola, won the Grammy for arrangement, instrumental or a cappella, during the pre-show and sent an adorable video showing their excitement.
The other nominees were:
“Bruno Mars,” Paul Allen, Troy Hayes, Evin Martin and J Moss (Vocally Challenged)
“Do You Hear What I Hear?” Armand Hutton (Committed)
“Ghost of a Chance,” Bob James (Bob James and Nathan East)
“You and the Night and the Music,” John Fedchock (John Fedchock New York Big Band)
Get your programs!
Mavericks bring a little friskiness to the Grammy pre-show
Longtime rootsy rockers the Mavericks brought a sexy, Latin flair to the usually PG Grammy pre-show,, singing the nominated song “All Night Long.” The track, which doesn’t leave much to the imagination, is up for American roots song.
Grammy commuters checking in
Angelique Kidjo sings her acceptance speech
Let’s say no to hate and violence through music
— Angelique Kidjo, accepting the Grammy for world music album for her “Sings.” The first part of her acceptance speech was sung -- “The Thank You Song,” she said. She then proceeded to give an impassioned speech about breaking down barriers via music.
The L.A. mayor’s office is just as into the Grammys as we are
Rocky Dawuni on being the first Ghanian to score a Grammy nomination
As the first Ghanian and only second African to receive a Grammy nomination for reggae album, Rocky Dawuni is proud to represent his home.
“It’s a big deal and the symbolism is really what matters to me because young people back home can see this and know that if they have the focus, work hard and keep the vision in sight, they too can make it.”
It’s time for jazz at the Grammys!
Unlike the evening telecast, which tends toward flair and bombast, the Grammy pre-show is a quieter, more subdued affair.
It even has some jazz.
Proving once again that jazz fans love themselves some young geniuses, one of the early performances today came courtesy of Joey Alexander, who performed Eddie Harris’ “Freedom Jazz Dance.”
Earlier, the Alabama Shakes’ “Sound & Color” won a Grammy in the best engineered album, non classical category. The award went to engineer Shawn Everett and mastering engineer Bob Ludwig.
Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’ wins early Grammy
And we’re off! Taylor Swift, whose “1989” is nominated for album of the year, is already a winner and brunch time isn’t even over yet. The collection took an early Grammy for best pop vocal album, besting releases from Kelly Clarkson, Florence & the Machine, Mark Ronson and James Taylor.
Swift has a total of seven nominations. Could this early win be setting up a clean sweep for the young artist?
Behind-the-scenes look at the making of tonight’s Grammys
A blast of feedback exploded from the PA system inside Staples Center on Friday afternoon during the first day of rehearsals for Monday’s 58th Grammy Awards ceremony, jolting the dozen or so onlookers in the otherwise deserted arena. The noise was coming from a stage positioned mid-arena or, more specifically, from the scruffy performer standing on the circular riser and strumming an acoustic guitar.
“Was it in your ears?” head floor manager Gary Hood asked a startled Justin Bieber after seeing him recoil at the sound.
Bieber signaled, “No,” but Hood insisted, “Take them out anyway,” referring to Bieber’s in-ear sound monitors, nicknamed “ears,” that performers wear to hear themselves better during such large-scale performances. Had the blast been channeled through those earphones, they might have blown out Bieber’s eardrums.
Three Grammy story lines to watch
Welcome to Presidents Day at the Grammys.
From the first award to the last performance, we’ll be here offering reactions as instantly as possible. So please forgive typos.
The bulk of the trophies will be presented in an afternoon, Web-only broadcast dubbed “The Premiere Grammy Awards Ceremony,” which starts at 12:30 p.m. (unless there are technical difficulties). We will just call it the pre-show.
With only about eight awards expected to be handed out this evening, the emphasis, as always, will be on the music. Twenty or so performances -- by the likes of Taylor Swift, the Weeknd and Lady Gaga -- will be spread among 3 1/2 hours.
The big show begins at 5:30 p.m. But as we get ready for the first awards to be handed out during the 12:30 p.m. pre-show, here are three story lines to follow.
The ever-unpredictable album-of-the-year race.
If the Grammys were purely a popularity contest (they are not), then Taylor Swift’s retro-pop-focused “1989” would be the clear front-runner, having sold more than 5.7 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. Considering that she’s won the top prize before – for her 2008 album “Fearless” – Swift may be considered the artist to beat. She’s also become a vocal proponent for artist rights, having spoken out on numerous occasions against the economics of music streaming. If there’s a caveat, it’s that voters rarely award an album that’s as relentlessly pop as “1989” its top prize.
That should leave an opening for local rapper Kendrick Lamar, whose “To Pimp a Butterfly” is a complicated, thoughtful statement, an album that chronicles inner-city turmoil as much as one’s own struggles to find a place in a community. Songs such as “Alright” became a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement, making it the rare mainstream album that became a political statement. Over the last few years, numerous cities around the country have struggled with episodes of police violence, and “To Pimp a Butterfly” reflected all the confusion, rage and soul-searching that came as a result, making it the most deserved of the five nominations.
But there are other strong contenders. “To Pimp a Butterfly” is a confrontational work that’s not an easy listen, and Grammy voters have been reticent to give the top prize to rap artists. In recent Grammy history, artists such as Beck, Mumford & Sons and Adele have taken home album of the year, all of them trafficking in more traditional styles. So don’t count out the Alabama Shakes, whose “Sound & Color” is an adventurous work that touches on soul, blues and R&B. Vocalist Brittany Howard is a powerhouse, and the frustration and anger in songs such as “Don’t Wanna Fight” is topical without alienating.
Chris Stapleton’s “Traveller” is a more polite affair. Of the five album of the year nominees, it’s definitely the most conventional, a standout more for how it deviates from the beer-and-party atmosphere of country radio than anything it says itself. But Stapleton is a longtime industry pro, and he has worked with the likes of Kenny Chesney, Darius Rucker and George Straight, among many others. Consider it a long shot, but voters like their heritage-sounding works.
One big tribute telecast?
The music community has been hit with a number of major losses in recent weeks and months – David Bowie, Glenn Fry, Earth, Wind & Fire’s Maurice White, B.B. King, Lemmy Kilmister and Jefferson Airplane founder Paul Kantner, to name but few. All are deserving of recognition on the Grammy stage, and we know that the Grammys are plotting a major tribute to Bowie, one to be headlined by Lady Gaga, as well a performance by the surviving members of the Eagles. The surviving members of Earth, Wind & Fire, recipients of a lifetime achievement Grammy, will also appear on the show, and expect a multi-artist salute to King.
Elsewhere during the night, local R&B star Miguel will pay tribute to Michael Jackson, as he’s expected to perform a track from Jackson’s landmark 1979 album “Off the Wall.” Oh, and then, of course, there’s a segment honoring this year’s MusicCares person of the year, Lionel Ritchie.
We don’t know where to trim – it has, after all, been a tough few months for the music community – but with so many looks back, will this year’s Grammys truly be able to offer a look ahead?
Who can top Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime show?
The Grammys have a tough act to follow – and it’s an unexpected one. That is, last week’s Super Bowl halftime show, which boasted an invigorating set piece from Beyoncé.
Her “Formation” felt like a rousing call to action, one that honored her own legacy as much as it did black history. With dancers wearing Black Panther-style berets, it played out like civil rights activism. It was riveting and felt of the moment.
With nearly 20 performances slated for this evening, will anything on the Grammys be as current and topical? Probably not whatever Justin Bieber and Sam Hunt are cooking up, but there are plenty of engrossing possibilities.
Broadway’s hip-hop smash “Hamilton,” for one, could be a surprise highlight, and while Lamar will no doubt bring the drama, watch for the world to fall in love with the Alabama Shakes’ Howard. She’s a howler – and a growler – and when she sings, spines can rattle.
2016 Grammy Awards: Complete list of nominees
This year’s top nominees for the 58th Grammy Awards — presented by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences — include Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar (who received 11 nominations), megastar Taylor Swift (seven nominations), and Canadian crooner the Weeknd (seven).
Story lines for this year’s nominations include the return of R&B star D’Angelo, whose first release in 14 years scored him a record of the year nomination for “Really Love,” as well as nods for R&B song and R&B album. Artists Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift earned the trifecta of nominations with album, record and song of the year categories.
The entire list of nominees follows:
GENERAL
Record of the Year
“Really Love,” D’Angelo and the Vanguard
“Uptown Funk,” Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
“Thinking Out Loud,” Ed Sheeran
“Blank Space,” Taylor Swift
“Can’t Feel My Face,” the Weeknd
Album of the Year
“Sound & Color,” Alabama Shakes
“To Pimp a Butterfly,” Kendrick Lamar
“Traveller,” Chris Stapleton
“1989,” Taylor Swift
“Beauty Behind the Madness,” the Weeknd
Everything you need to know about watching the Grammys tonight
It’s music’s biggest night once again: The 58th Grammy Awards will take place tonight, jumping from the usual Sunday-night time slot as it bestows numerous gilded gramophones on the industry’s creme de la creme.
So what channel is this thing on? Who’s is the host? Who are the nominees? Here’s everything you need to know.
Grammy nominee playlist rounds up tonight’s contenders
Need an “Uptown Funk” refresher? Brush up on the Grammy nominees before the winners are announced tonight with this collection nominated artists and songs in the official Grammy Awards Spotify playlist.
‘Hamilton’ wins best musical theater album
Following the cast’s live satellite performance from the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York, the hip-hop musical won the Grammy for best musical theater album.
The other nominees were:
“An American in Paris”
“Fun Home”
“The King and I”
“Something Rotten!”
‘Glory’ wins song written for visual media
“Glory” from “Selma” won the Grammy Award for song written for visual media during the pre-telecast ceremony. An executive from Paramount accepted the award on behalf of Common, John Legend and the film’s director, Ava DuVernay.
The other nominees were:
“Earned It (Fifty Shades Of Grey),” Ahmad Balshe, Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville and Abel Tesfaye (the Weeknd, “Fifty Shades of Grey”)
“Love Me Like You Do,” Savan Kotecha, Max Martin, Tove Nilsson, Ali Payami and Ilya Salmanzadeh (Ellie Goulding, “Fifty Shades Of Grey”)
“See You Again,” Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth and Cameron Thomaz (Wiz Khalifa Featuring Charlie Puth, “Furious 7”)
“Til It Happens to You,” Lady Gaga and Diane Warren (Lady Gaga, “The Hunting Ground”)
Louis C.K. wins comedy album
Louis C.K.’s “Live at Madison Square Garden” album was named the top comedy album during the pre-telecast ceremony.
The other nominees were:
“Back to the Drawing Board,” Lisa Lampanelli
“Brooklyn,” Wyatt Cenac
“Happy. And A Lot.,” Jay Mohr
“Just Being Honest,” Craig Ferguson
‘Bad Blood’ wins music video
Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar’s squad-happy music video, directed by Joseph Kahn and produced by Ron Morhoff, won the music video Grammy Award during the pre-show.
The other nominees were:
“LSD,” ASAP Rocky; Dexter Navy, video director; Shin Nishigaki, video producer | Video
“I Feel Love (Every Million Miles),” the Dead Weather; Cooper Roberts and Ian Schwartz, video directors; Candice Dragonas and Nathan Scherrer, video producers | Video
“Alright,” Kendrick Lamar; the Little Homies & Colin Tilley, video directors; Brandon Bonfiglio, Dave Free, Andrew Lerios and Luga Podesta, video producers | Video
“Freedom,” Pharrell Williams; Paul Hunter, video director; Candice Dragonas and Nathan Scherrer, video producers | Video
‘Traveller’ by Chris Stapleton wins best country album
Chris Stapleton won the Grammy Award for country solo performance during the pre-telecast ceremony and “Traveller” is also nominated for album of the year.
The other country album nominees were:
“Montevallo,” Sam Hunt
“Pain Killer,” Little Big Town
“The Blade,” Ashley Monroe
“Pageant Material,” Kacey Musgraves
‘Amy’ wins music film
The Amy Winehouse documentery, “Amy,” directed by Asif Kapadia and produced by James Gay-Rees, won the Grammy Award for music film during the pre-telecast ceremony.
The other nominees were:
“Mr. Dynamite: The Rise of James Brown,” James Brown; Alex Gibney, video director; Peter Afterman, Blair Foster, Mick Jagger and Victoria Pearman, video producers
“Sonic Highways,” Foo Fighters; Dave Grohl, video director; John Cutcliffe, John Silva, Gaby Skolnek and Kristen Welsh, video producers
“What Happened, Miss Simone?” Nina Simone; Liz Garbus, video director; Liz Garbus, Amy Hobby, Jayson Jackson and Justin Wilkes, video producers
“The Wall,” Roger Waters; Sean Evans and Roger Waters, video directors; Clare Spencer and Roger Waters, video producers
Kendrick Lamar’s ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’ wins best rap album
The Compton rapper also won Grammy Awards for rap performance, rap song and rap sung/collaboration.
The other nominees were:
“2014 Forest Hills Drive,” J. Cole
“Compton,” Dr. Dre
“If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late,” Drake
“The Pinkprint,” Nicki Minaj
‘Alright’ by Kendrick wins rap performance and rap song
The other nominees were rap performance were:
“Apparently,” J. Cole
“Back to Back,” Drake
“Trap Queen,” Fetty Wap
“Truffle Butter,” Nicki Minaj featuring Drake and Lil Wayne
“All Day,” Kanye West featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom and Paul McCartney
The other nominees were rap song were:
“All Day,” Ernest Brown, Tyler Bryant, Sean Combs, Mike Dean, Rennard East, Noah Goldstein, Malik Yusef Jones, Karim Kharbouch, Allan Kyariga, Kendrick Lamar, Paul McCartney, Victor Mensah, Charles Njapa, Che Pope, Patrick Reynolds, Allen Ritter, Kanye West, Mario Winans and Cydel Young (Kanye West featuring Theophilus London, Allan Kingdom and Paul McCartney)
“Energy,” Richard Dorfmeister, A. Graham, Markus Kienzl, M. O’Brien, M. Samuels and Phillip Thomas (Drake) | Review
“Glory,” Lonnie Lynn, Che Smith and John Stephens (Common and John Legend) | Interview
“Trap Queen,” Tony Fadd and Willie J. Maxwell (Fetty Wap)
‘Where Are U Now’ by Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber wins dance recording
Skrillex and Diplo’s dance recording with Justin Bieber won during the pre-telecast ceremony.
The other nominees were:
“We’re All We Need,” Above & Beyond featuring Zoe Johnston | Music video
“Go,” the Chemical Brothers | Music video
“Never Catch Me,” Flying Lotus featuring Kendrick Lamar| Music video
“Runaway (U & I),” Galantis | Music video
‘Really Love’ by D’Angelo and Kendra Foster wins R&B song
The other nominees were:
“Coffee,” Brook Davis and Miguel Pimentel, songwriters (Miguel)
“Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey),” Ahmad Balshe, Stephan Moccio, Jason Quenneville and Abel Tesfaye, songwriters (the Weeknd)
“Let It Burn,” Kenny B. Edmonds, Jazmine Sullivan and Dwane M. Weir II, songwriters (Jazmine Sullivan)
“Shame,” Warryn Campbell, Tyrese Gibson and DJ Rogers Jr., songwriters (Tyrese)
‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran wins song of the year
Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud” also won the Grammy Award for pop solo performance during the pre-telecast ceremony and the British crooner’s record is also up for record of the year, which will be announced later in the telecast.
The other nominees for song of the year were:
“Alright,” Kendrick Duckworth, Mark Anthony Spears and Pharrell Williams, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar) | Review
“Blank Space,” Max Martin, Shellback and Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift) | Review | Music video
“Girl Crush,” Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna and Liz Rose, songwriters (Little Big Town) | Review | Music video
“See You Again,” Andrew Cedar, Justin Franks, Charles Puth and Cameron Thomaz, songwriters (Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth) | Interview | Music video
Meghan Trainor wins best new artist
The other nominees were:
Courtney Barnett | Interview
James Bay
Sam Hunt | Interview
Tori Kelly | Interview
‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran wins pop solo performance
The other nominees were:
“Heartbeat Song,” Kelly Clarkson | Interview | Music video
“Love Me Like You Do,” Ellie Goulding
“Blank Space,” Taylor Swift | Review | Music video
“Can’t Feel My Face,” the Weeknd | Review | Music video
‘Uptown Funk’ by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars wins record of the year
The other nominees were:
“Really Love,” D’Angelo and the Vanguard
“Thinking Out Loud,” Ed Sheeran | Review | Interview
“Blank Space,” Taylor Swift | Review
“Can’t Feel My Face,” the Weeknd | Review
