Confirmed superstars, rising stars and even a crooner in their nineties: all generations are represented this April 3 for the 64th edition of the Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, where the eclectic jazzman Jon Batiste and the revelation Olivia Rodrigo are favorites.
The ceremony was to take place on January 31 in Los Angeles, as tradition dictates, but the pandemic passed by and the organizers had to postpone the event. As no time slot was available before June in the big halls of LA, they fell back on Las Vegas, a city of parties and gambling accustomed to glitter and stars.
The big favorite of this evening is the talented jazzman Jon Batiste, with eleven nominations in total. Virtuoso pianist, conductor, anti-racist activist and Oscar-winning composer for the music of the animated film Drunk, Jon Batiste is also very well known to the general American public: since 2015, he has been the musical director of the very popular television show The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Heir to a long line of musicians from New Orleans, the 35-year-old artist will defend his album at the Grammy Awards We Are and the title Freedom in the major categories, but it competes in almost all styles (R&B, jazz, classical…)
Canadian megastar Justin Bieber, social media darling, will be nominated in eight categories, as will HER, darling of the Grammy Awards, and rising star Doja Cat, during this ceremony presented by comedian Trevor Noah.
Another darling of the Academy, Billie Eilish, who has just obtained an Oscar with the song of the last James Bond (No time to die), will run for seven trophies but this time risks finding Olivia Rodrigo on her way, even younger than her with only 19 years old. Some recording professionals predict that the great pop sensation launched by the Disney series High School Musical is able to repeat the grand slam achieved by Billie Eilish two years ago, winning the four most prestigious trophies. It is in any case given as an ultra-favorite in the category revelation of the year.
With six nominations in total, the improbable duo formed by pop diva Lady Gaga and crooner Tony Bennett, aged 95 and absent from the evening because he suffers from Alzheimer’s disease, could also create a surprise with the covers album Love For Sale.
Kanye West will also be in the running with his album dona. He will face the Evermore by Taylor Swift, who he rudely snatched the microphone from in 2009 as she took the stage to receive an award at the MTV Music Awards. The singer did not wish to compete this year at the Grammy Awards with Fearless (Taylor’s Version)re-recording of his 2008 album which had already won four trophies.
Among the rappers, the competition will pit Kanye West against veteran Nas, J. Cole and Tyler, the Creator, but Drake, who was selected, asked the Academy to withdraw his two candidacies, without giving a reason. His hit album Certified Lover Boy had been ignored in the generalist categories during the nominations and the artist, very influential and among the most listened to, has repeatedly taken the beak with the Grammy Awards. He accuses them in particular of confining him to the category of rappers because he is black.
The explosives Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, who ignited the Grammy stage last year by rubbing against each other, legs spread on a giant bed for a duet on the tube WAPwill this time be adversaries in the category “best rap performance”.
BTS, sacred monster of K-pop, will defend its global success Butter but it is his only nomination for the Grammy Awards, where the South Korean group is struggling to establish itself. He will perform on stage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, along with Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Jon Batiste, HER, Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow.
As named, Kanye West ist invited in the room but specialized media indicated that he was no longer welcome on stage. In question, virulent attacks on social networks against comedian Pete Davidson, in a relationship with his ex-wife Kim Kardashian, and Trevor Noah which have earned Yes a brief suspension from Instagram. Trevor Noah has publicly spoken out against the decision to exclude him from the party. The organizers of the Grammy Awards will be keen to avoid an incident, just a week after the slap of Will Smith on the stage of the Oscars which had eclipsed the party and the artists rewarded.