A glittering array of star-studded events are typically held in the week leading up to the Grammy Awards.
However, this year, the city, which typically teems with music industry legends this year, has experienced a significant decline in festivities as a result of the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Even the infamously raunchy after-parties have been called off.
In the aftermath of LA’s most harrowing fire disaster, which took 24 days to extinguish completely and claimed 29 lives while destroying over 16, 000 properties, the Grammys, also known as the “Oscars for music”, faced uncertainty. With entire neighbourhoods reduced to ashes, many in the music community have suffered personal and professional losses, losing homes, studios, and equipment.
In the sparse lead-up to the show, parties have typically been the focus instead of fundraising efforts. According to showrunners, the ceremony will also have a different appearance.
Harvey Mason Jr., the Recording Academy CEO, shared that the event will adopt a reimagined format, feature a toned-down red carpet, and embrace a more reflective mood. He emphasized the important economic role that the Grammys play, particularly for the service sector, and defended the organization’s decision as a testament to resilience, arguing that a cancellation would not be beneficial for the city or the music industry.
During a webcast, Mr Mason made a compelling argument for the continuance of the Grammy’s event saying: “Cancelling, pushing, moving does not accomplish what us standing together does”. He describes the show as a beacon of support and unity, stating that it will be “unifying and coming together, honoring music, but also using the power of music to heal, rebuild, and provide services to people who need it.”
“I believe this may be one of the most significant Grammy weeks we’ve ever had.”
According to Mr. Mason, they spoke with a number of public officials in an interview with the New York Times to find out whether the show’s continued success would have an impact on fire response plans, including conversations with California’s governor and the city’s mayor.
He said, “They very strongly suggested that we continue to host the event.” Everyone said there’s nothing good that comes from postponing. “
Despite the green light from authorities, concerns remain within the industry about the optics of the occasion. Elyn Kazarian, a creative director, stated to the BBC, “I don’t believe the Grammys should be held.” It’s just very strange to me that famous people will walk down the red carpet and show them expensive clothing while suffering and destroying their livelihoods elsewhere.
The city of Los Angeles will be the center of the ceremony, according to showrunners, and the fires will be a theme throughout the entire ceremony.
The show will “make LA a character in the night of Grammys,” according to Ben Winston, one of the three executive producers of the show, and it would pay tribute to first responders. The show’s main objective will be raising money for fire relief efforts.
At Sunday’s 67th Grammy Awards, Taylor Swift and Beyonce will compete for the album of the year award. The ceremony will see performances from Brat star Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish and Chappell Roan, with Beyonce being the most recognised artist with 11 nominations.
The 43-year-old’s Cowboy Carter album could become the awards ‘ most decorated LP, a title currently held by Santana’s Supernatural, which received nine awards in 2000, and one of the record’s singles, Texas Hold ‘ Em, is up for the record of the year, song of the year and country song of the year.
Should it win the top award, the LP would be Beyonce’s first record to win best album, having previously failed with 2008’s I Am… Sasha Fierce, 2013’s Beyonce, 2016’s Lemonade and 2022’s Renaissance.
But the former Destiny’s Child member will face still competition from Swift, 35, whose The Tortured Poets Department has been nominated. Swift herself has also received five other nominations.
The Anti-Hero singer won album of the year four times with Midnights in 2024, making it the first time since then. The US star made the announcement in her acceptance speech at the ceremony that her 11th studio album would become the most-streamed artist on Spotify in a single day.
Swift and Beyonce’s albums will also square off against Charli XCX’s Brat, Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N ‘ Sweet, Billie Eilish’s Hit Me Hard And Soft and Chappell Roan’s The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess for the album of the year Grammy.
Beyonce won the most awards in a lifetime at the Grammys ceremony in 2023, making history with her 32nd nomination. Kendrick Lamar, Charli XCX, Post Malone and Billie Eilish follow Beyonce as joint-second most-nominated artists, each with seven nods.
Elsewhere, The Beatles are up for two awards for their 2023 song Now And Then, created with the help of artificial intelligence (AI). The Fab Four have received awards for best rock performance and record of the year.
British singer-songwriter Raye has also won awards for non-classical’s best new artist and song. In the best new artist category, she will compete against Roan, rising rapper Doechii, Benson Boone, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, Carpenter and Khruangbin, despite the latter pair releasing their debut studio albums almost a decade ago in 2015.
The 2025 awards, which will see 94 awards handed out, are given to recordings commercially released in the US between September 16 2023, to August 30 2024.
Eilish’s hit song What Was I Made For won song of the year at last year’s ceremony. from the Greta Gerwig movie Barbie, and Miley Cyrus’ viral summer sensation Flowers won the year award.
Source: Mirror
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