<\/p>\n
Olivia Dean took home the best new artist award at the 68th annual Grammy Awards<\/a>, while Bad Bunny accepted the best m\u00fasica urbana album award for \u2018Deb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos\u2019 to a thunderous standing ovation, saying to the audience, \u201cBefore I say thanks to God, I\u2019m gonna say: ICE out.\u201d<\/p>\n The awards are airing live from Los Angeles on CBS and Paramount+. Comedian Trevor Noah has returned to host the show for his sixth consecutive time \u2014 and his last.<\/a><\/p>\n But who else will win? Read along as AP reporters follow tonight\u2019s awards and music\u2019s biggest stars.<\/a><\/p>\n The Latest:<\/p>\n BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE: \u2018Messy,\u2019 Lola Young<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know what I\u2019m going to say because I don\u2019t have any speech prepared,” Young said. “Obviously, I don\u2019t. It\u2019s messy, do you know what I mean?\u201d<\/p>\n After a decade, Bruno Mars is releasing a new album<\/p>\n It\u2019s been nearly a decade since performer Bruno Mars released a solo album, with \u201c24K Magic\u201d having been released in 2016. But he\u2019s performing a new solo single \u201cI Just Might,\u201d released last month, and his fourth studio album \u201cThe Romantic\u201d is scheduled to drop on Feb. 27.<\/p>\n Who else is calling for ICE out? The Biebers, for two<\/p>\n Bad Bunny started his speech by saying \u201cICE out\u201d \u2014 no shock considering the Puerto Rican artist skipped the U.S. on his recent tour out of concern for fans who might be subject to federal immigration raids outside his shows.<\/p>\n A similarly unsurprising sight were the \u201cICE OUT\u201d pins worn by Billie Eilish and Finneas. But viewers might not have expected to see the buttons attached to Justin and Hailey Bieber, who don\u2019t normally address American politics.<\/p>\n BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM: \u2018Mayhem,\u2019 Lady Gaga<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve been making music since I was a little girl and every time I\u2019m here, I still feel like I need to pinch myself,” she said in her acceptance speech.<\/p>\n BEST CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY ALBUM: \u2018Beautifully Broken,\u2019 Jelly Roll<\/p>\n \u201cI believe that music had the power to change my life, and God had the power to change my life,” he said in his acceptance speech. “I want to tell y\u2019all right now: Jesus is for everybody, Jesus is not owned by one political party. Jesus is not owned by no music label. Jesus is Jesus.\u201d<\/p>\n Kendrick Lamar is now the most-awarded rapper in Grammys history<\/p>\n Kendrick Lamar stands atop hip-hop\u2019s Grammy hill: He\u2019s now the most-awarded rapper in the ceremony\u2019s history. So far, he\u2019s won four awards including best rap song, melodic rap performance, rap performance and rap album. His latest victory of the night means Lamar broke Jay-Z\u2019s record to become the rapper with the most career Grammys. Jay-Z has 25; after he took home rap album, Lamar\u2019s total is 26. He entered with the most Grammy nominations with nine. He\u2019s also up for album of the year.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an honor to be here,\u201d he said in his acceptance speech. He was presented the award by Queen Latifah and Doechii. \u201cHip-hop is always going to be right here. … We\u2019re gonna be having the culture with us.\u201d<\/p>\n BEST MUSICA URBANA ALBUM: \u2018Deb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos,\u2019 Bad Bunny<\/p>\n \u201cBefore I say thanks to God, I\u2019m gonna say: ICE out,\u201d Bad Bunny said, accepting his award. \u201cWe\u2019re not savage, we\u2019re not animals, we\u2019re not aliens, we are humans and we are Americans.\u201d<\/p>\n What\u2019s eligible for a Grammy?<\/p>\n Recordings commercially released in the U.S. between Aug. 31, 2024 and Aug. 30, 2025 were eligible for nominations.<\/p>\n Sabrina Carpenter\u2019s \u201cMan\u2019s Best Friend,\u201d up for six Grammys, released just one day before the cutoff. Taylor Swift\u2019s \u201cThe Life of a Showgirl,\u201d on the other hand, dropped in October and will have to wait until the 2027 show.<\/p>\n BEST NEW ARTIST: Olivia Dean<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna say I\u2019m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” Dean said in her acceptance speech. \u201cI\u2019m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.\u201d<\/p>\n Who\u2019s up for best new artist?<\/p>\n The best new artist award is for musicians, duos or groups who produce at least five songs or an album, and who have recently made waves in music culture. Up for the Grammy:<\/p>\n 1. Olivia Dean <\/p>\n 2. KATSEYE <\/p>\n 3. The Marias <\/p>\n 4. Addison Rae <\/p>\n 5. sombr <\/p>\n 6. Leon Thomas <\/p>\n 7. Alex Warren <\/p>\n 8. Lola Young <\/p>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n BEST RAP ALBUM: \u2018GNX,\u2019 Kendrick Lamar<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not good at talking about myself, but I express it through the music,\u201d the best rap album winner said.<\/p>\n The year\u2019s notable snubs<\/p>\n What was that? Lorde and her latest album \u201cVirgin\u201d<\/a> were shut out this year. Her previous project \u201cSolar Power\u201d got the silent treatment at the 2022 awards.<\/p>\n And no blinding lights for The Weeknd, who called the award show \u201ccorrupt\u201d<\/a> over a previous snub but seemed to squash the beef with a return to the Grammys stage last year. His album \u201cHurry Up Tomorrow\u201d was submitted in over a dozen categories but wasn\u2019t recognized.<\/p>\n There are no rap or country artists in the best new artist lineup, despite artists like Ella Langley and Megan Moroney having big years.<\/p>\n Sabrina Carpenter has baggage to claim<\/p>\n After Trevor Noah\u2019s monologue, Sabrina Carpenter took flight with an airport-themed rendition of \u201cManchild.\u201d<\/p>\n Carpenter had an elaborate set for her performance in a faux airline terminal. There was a giant arrivals\/departures board in the old style of numbers and letters that flipped instead of today\u2019s digital version.<\/p>\n Noah jokes like it\u2019s 1999<\/p>\n Host Trevor Noah said in his opening monologue that Ms. Lauryn Hill is performing tonight, for the first time since 1999.<\/p>\n \u201cDo you understand how long ago that is?\u201d he said from a circular platform in the middle of the audience. \u201cBack in 1999, the president had had a sex scandal, people thought computers were about to destroy the world, and Diddy was arrested.\u201d<\/p>\n Don Lemon is at the Grammys<\/p>\n Don Lemon posed on the red carpet with his husband Tim Malone and singer Brandi Carlile, who kissed him on the cheek.<\/p>\n Lemon was originally in town to cover the Grammys, but was arrested and hit with federal civil rights charges<\/a> over his previous coverage of an anti-immigration enforcement protest at a Minnesota church. He was released from custody Friday.<\/p>\n In a statement posted to social media, Lemon said his actions were protected by the First Amendment and that he \u201cwill not be silenced.\u201d<\/p>\n What will Trevor Noah say?<\/p>\n All eyes will be on the six-time host, who has usually kept overt politics out of his duties, but has had a few zingers for President Donald Trump.<\/p>\n Reacting to Bad Bunny\u2019s sizzling opening performance in 2023, Trevor Noah raved: \u201cAbsolutely incredible! You know, every time I listen to him, I get hips I never knew I had. It even makes Trump want to learn Spanish.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump also got zinged in 2025 in his monologue, with the comedian quipping that \u201cthere\u2019s been a few changes in Washington, so I\u2019m going to enjoy tonight, because it may be my last time I get to host anything in this country.\u201d<\/p>\n Sunday caps Noah\u2019s run that started in 2021 as the world emerged from the pandemic and endured against a backdrop of wars, wildfires and federal agents clashing with protesters in U.S. cities.<\/p>\n An apt opening for the Grammys<\/p>\n The Grammys are underway with a high-octane performance of \u201cAPT.\u201d by Bruno Mars and Ros\u00e9.<\/p>\n Chappell Roan \u2018started a movement,\u2019 Sabrina Carpenter says<\/p>\n Sabrina Carpenter couldn\u2019t help but note how quiet the photographers were on the Grammys carpet, exclaiming: \u201cChappell (Roan) really started, she started a movement.\u201d<\/p>\n During the 2024 MTV Music Awards, Roan confronted a photographer on the carpet who seemingly told her to \u201cshut the f— up,\u201d sparking a conversation about red carpet etiquette.<\/p>\n The Osbournes speak ahead of \u2018very emotional\u2019 ceremony<\/p>\n On the red carpet, the Osbourne family spoke about what will be their first Grammy awards since their patriarch, Ozzy Osbourne died last year. He\u2019ll receive a special tribute during the in memoriam segment.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were at sound check the other day, and it\u2019s going to be quite the show,\u201d Jack Osbourne said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to be very emotional for me,\u201d Kelly Osbourne added.<\/p>\n 6 legends receive the Grammys\u2019 Lifetime Achievement Award<\/p>\n Chaka Khan, Cher, Carlos Santana, Paul Simon, Fela Kuti and Whitney Houston received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy at the Grammys Special Merit Awards on Saturday night.<\/p>\n \u201cMusic has been my prayer, my healing, my joy, my truth,\u201d Khan said as she accepted the award. \u201cThrough it, I saved my life.\u201d<\/p>\n She was the only recipient who appeared at the ceremony at the small Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles on the eve of Sunday\u2019s main Grammys ceremony.<\/p>\n Family accepted the Lifetime Achievement Awards for the Nigerian Afrobeat legend Kuti, who died in 1997, and the singing superstar Houston, who died in 2012.<\/p>\n The audience gave a collective moan of disappointment when academy President Harvey Mason jr. said Cher wasn\u2019t there.<\/p>\n \u25b6 Read our dispatch from the event<\/a><\/p>\n A few storylines to watch<\/p>\n There is a plethora of potential history-making moments at this year\u2019s award show \u2014 and some that already have happened. Here are a few to keep in mind:<\/p>\n 9. A K-pop artist won a Grammy for the very first time. Of course, that depends on your definition of \u201cK-pop,\u201d according to experts. <\/a> \u201cGolden\u201d from \u201cKPop Demon Hunters\u201d won song written for visual media at the Premiere Ceremony. <\/p>\n 10. Rap is king\u2026 sort of. For the first time ever, three albums are up for the top prize of album and rap album of the year simultaneously. Those are Clipse, Pusha T and Malice\u2019s \u201cLet God Sort Em Out,\u201d Kendrick Lamar\u2019s \u201cGNX\u201d and Tyler, the Creator\u2019s \u201cChromakopia.\u201d If any of those win, it will be only the third time in Grammy history that the top prize has been awarded to a rap record. <\/p>\n 11. The Bad Bunny effect: The Puerto Rican superstar is also up for album of the year, along with five other nods. But it is the top prize that is most interesting: If he wins, it will be the first for an all-Spanish-language record. <\/p>\n 12. New country for country music: This year, the Grammys renamed country album <\/a> to contemporary country album and added a traditional country album category, a distinction that exists in other genres. But the news arrived right after \u201cCowboy Carter\u201d won best country album, inspiring backlash online. Who will win contemporary country? That\u2019s anyone\u2019s guess. <\/p>\n 13. Best new artist is a hot category: With a lineup made up of Olivia Dean, Katseye, The Marias, Addison Rae, sombr, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren and Lola Young, it is a particularly tight race. <\/p>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A change to who gets considered a \u2018new\u2019 artist<\/p>\n The best new artist category is constantly evolving<\/a> as the Grammys try to keep up with ever-complicated measures of fame. A screening committee determines whether artists have attained the necessary \u201cbreakthrough or prominence\u201d required for nomination.<\/p>\n But there\u2019s a new exception this year: acts featured on previous album of the year nominees are now considered new enough for eligibility. Their contributions just have to fall below 20% of the album\u2019s playing time.<\/p>\n The Grammys embrace the cheese \u2014 quite literally<\/p>\n The star attraction inside the Crypto.com Arena is a, wait for it, 640-pound (290-kilogram) block of cheddar cheese.<\/p>\n Which would be totally on brand if the Grammys were being held in Wisconsin.<\/p>\n The block is inspired by multiple musical genres, with guitars, mics, and keyboards carved into it.<\/p>\n The sculpture is drawing puzzled looks and questions from the well-dressed crowd eager to pose with it.<\/p>\n Nearby is a grilled cheese station that\u2019s using the excess cheese trimmed from sculpture for artisan sammies selling for $22 each.<\/p>\n Shaboozey speaks through tears about his family\u2019s sacrifices and immigrant roots<\/p>\n First-time Grammy winner Shaboozey became emotional backstage as he reflected on immigration, his family\u2019s sacrifices and why he felt compelled to address the topic publicly.<\/p>\n He reflected on the broader role immigrants play in American life and music.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I think about the people who made my life easier or helped me along the way, we\u2019re all from somewhere else,\u201d said Shaboozey, who won best country duo\/group performance with Jelly Roll. He described watching his mother work long shifts as a registered nurse to support their family.<\/p>\n \u201cCountry music itself is an immigrant story,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Asked why he spoke on the subject, Shaboozey said it was personal, not political.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s my lineage,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n 9 categories left to go!<\/p>\n Whew. At more than 3 1\/2 hours, the Premiere Ceremony has concluded. While a whopping 86 Grammy categories were announced, there\u2019s more to go for the telecast.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re wondering why it takes the telecast another 3 1\/2 hours to hand out nine awards, don\u2019t forget about the 19 or so performances promised.<\/p>\n A Grammy for an 8-year-old<\/p>\n The father-daughter combo of Fy\u00fctch and Aura V won the Grammy for best children\u2019s album, and at 8 years old she is among the youngest winners ever.<\/p>\n One of country music\u2019s Peasall sisters also won a Grammy at 8, and Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s daughter Blue Ivy got one at 9.<\/p>\n Aura V’s father in an impassioned speech said \u201cshoutout to Ms. Rachel, she ain\u2019t on this record but she\u2019s doing God\u2019s work!\u201d<\/p>\n The Dalai Lama beats a Supreme Court justice<\/p>\n The Dalai Lama won a Grammy for his narration of the audiobook \u201cMeditations: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.\u201d Among his competition: Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who was expected to attend the Grammys.<\/p>\n The Dalai Lama was not there to accept the award, but Rufus Wainwright did so on his behalf.<\/p>\n J Balvin says the political moment is personal<\/p>\n The Colombian singer said that even though he isn\u2019t facing immigration enforcement like others in the Latino community, he stills want to support his people.<\/p>\n \u201cI used to paint houses in Orlando, I used to work with a lot of people who were really hustling and trying to make a better future,\u201d J Balvin said.<\/p>\n \u201cSo it\u2019s the fact that I felt it, I lived it, too, you know. So it\u2019s even better when you really know how it feels,\u201d he said. \u201cBut also it\u2019s beautiful when people are with us who don\u2019t know how it feels.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019s nominated for best m\u00fasica urbana album for his project \u201cMixteip.\u201d<\/p>\n Steven Spielberg is the newest EGOT<\/p>\n Steven Spielberg<\/a> completed the awards grand slam and joined the EGOT club.<\/p>\n His Grammy win for the film \u201cMusic by John Williams\u201d can go in his trophy case next to his three Oscars, four Primetime Emmys (and many more daytime Emmys) and a Tony as a producer of the musical \u201cA Strange Loop.\u201d<\/p>\n He\u2019s the 22nd member of the EGOT club, joining Mel Brooks, Audrey Hepburn, Whoopi Goldberg and many others.<\/p>\n Spielberg released a statement saying \u201cThank you to all the Grammy voters, whose recognition of \u2018Music by John Williams\u2019 means the world to me.\u201d<\/p>\n Artists don anti-ICE pins<\/p>\n Entertainment\u2019s awards season has coincided with the Trump administration\u2019s mass deportation campaign<\/a> in Minneapolis, forcing artists to decide whether and how to join the growing cultural revolt<\/a> against immigration crackdowns.<\/p>\n Those questions again surfaced Sunday as music\u2019s biggest stars walked the red carpet<\/a> at the Grammys. Activists spent the week pressing celebrities to don pins protesting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence in cities, working with their teams to spread the message and circulating them at the many events leading up to the ceremony.<\/p>\n Organizers saw a stronger showing of support Sunday than at last month\u2019s Golden Globes<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are folks who are known for six-stage shows, crazy costumes, being kind of rebellious, punk rock \u2014 like that\u2019s the music industry. And so, I think it makes sense that we would see good support,\u201d Maremoto Executive Director Jess Morales Rocketto said. \u201cThese pins are about so much more than a red carpet moment. It\u2019s about people taking a stand and doing what they can to show up to say that ICE should be out of our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n \u25b6 Read more about the anti-ICE pins on the Grammys carpet<\/a><\/p>\n How the AP\u2019s live show comes together<\/p>\n Our team of hosts spends weeks preparing for the hourslong live show, researching the less well-known categories (\u201cCategory 73: best score soundtrack for video games and other interactive media,\u201d anyone?) and reaching out to representatives of the biggest pop stars to ask them to stop and chat with us on Grammys day.<\/p>\n \u201cI think what sets AP\u2019s live show apart is the wealth of music knowledge that we have between our three hosts. We all have different respective music tastes, and that means that we are pretty much ready to speak with whoever comes to say hi!\u201d says Liam McEwan, who is hosting alongside Leslie Ambriz and Gary Gerard Hamilton.<\/p>\n We adorn the space with simple black curtains and add color with a spray of flowers on top of our AP podium. As the talent wrangler, I have access to the full red carpet to find nominees and other musicians as they make their way into the arena and bring them over to be interviewed.<\/p>\n \u201cMy highlights from past shows include interviewing hip-hop legends that I grew up listening to during our first live show, interviewing Omar Apollo and The Marias the year they received their first nominations and celebrating Grammy wins with winners from the Premiere Ceremony on the red carpet,\u201d Ambriz says.<\/p>\n Joni Mitchell accepts award for best historical album<\/p>\n Joni Mitchell took the stage at the Grammys to accept the award for best historical album for \u201cArchives Vol 4, The Asylum Years.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cGood evening ladies and gentleman!\u201d she said, standing next to fellow winner Patrick Milligan.<\/p>\n After a stretch of silence, she said \u201cOh I won?\u201d then talked about the records of the era covered by the release, including \u201cCourt and Spark\u201d and \u201cFor the Roses.\u201d She said she was mad at the music business and wanted to put a \u201chorse\u2019s ass\u201d on the latter\u2019s cover but said they wouldn\u2019t let her.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very honored to receive a Grammy for those records,\u201d Mitchell, wearing an \u201cICE OUT\u201d pin, said. \u201cThank you. I guess that\u2019s it.\u201d<\/p>\n The album covers that inspired … the album cover nominees<\/p>\n 14. \u201cBoys for Pele\u201d by Tori Amos \u2014 Cody Critcheloe, an art director on Perfume Genius\u2019 \u201cGlory\u201d <\/p>\n 15. \u201cHorses\u201d by Patti Smith and the world-building covers for works by Bjork and Caroline Polachek \u2014 Perfume Genius <\/p>\n 16. \u201cLoad\u201d and \u201cReload\u201d by Metallica, \u201cPower\u201d by Ice-T, \u201cFollow the Leader\u201d by Eric B. and Rakim \u2014 Luis \u201cPanch\u201d Perez, the director of photography for Tyler, the Creator\u2019s \u201cChromakopia\u201d <\/p>\n 17. Andy Warhol\u2019s banana for \u201cThe Velvet Underground & Nico,\u201d \u201cRevolver\u201d by the Beatles, the covers that came out of the record label Vertigo and the design group Hypnosis in the 1970s \u2014 Neil Krug, an art director on Djo\u2019s \u201cThe Crux\u201d <\/p>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u25b6 Read more about the best album cover category, and this year\u2019s nominees<\/a><\/p>\n New country categories confound<\/p>\n Country albums have been split<\/a> in two this year, but it might be hard to tell the difference between the two sets of nominees.<\/p>\n A best traditional country album has been added, while the existing category has been renamed best contemporary country album.<\/p>\n The traditional nominees include Willie Nelson\u2019s \u201cOh What A Beautiful World,\u201d<\/a> his son Lukas Nelson\u2019s \u201cAmerican Romance,\u201dCharley Crockett\u2019s \u201cDollar A Day,\u201d Margo Price\u2019s \u201cHard Headed Woman\u201d and Zach Top\u2019s \u201cAin\u2019t In It For My Health.\u201d<\/p>\n The contemporary entries are Kelsea Ballerini\u2019s \u201cPatterns,\u201d<\/a> Tyler Childers\u2019 \u201cSnipe Hunter,\u201d Eric Church\u2019s \u201cEvangeline vs. The Machine,\u201d Jelly Roll\u2019s \u201cBeautifully Broken\u201d and Miranda Lambert\u2019s \u201cPostcards from Texas.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n Some think the split was brought on by Beyonc\u00e9 winning best country album last year for \u201cCowboy Carter.\u201d<\/a> The Recording Academy president says the changes had been in the works, though.<\/p>\n How many performances can we expect to see?<\/p>\n Nineteen or so, telecast producers told the AP. In addition to all the best new artist nominees, performers include Bruno Mars, Ros\u00e9, Tyler, the Creator, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter<\/a>, Justin Bieber, Clipse and Pharrell Williams.<\/p>\n Kehlani calls out ICE onstage<\/p>\n Accepting her Grammy for best R&B performance, Kehlani wore an \u201cICE OUT\u201d pin and ended her speech with, \u201cF— ICE.\u201d The previous award recipient, non-classical songwriter of the year Amy Allen, also wore a pin.<\/p>\n Yungblud reme<\/p>\n mbers Ozzy Osbourne<\/p>\n \u201cThe last time I saw Ozzy Osbourne, he asked me if there was anything he could do for me,\u201d Yungblud recounted, standing next to Sharon Osbourne onstage and accepting the best rock performance award. Yungblud\u2019s response? The music was enough. The singer is part of a tribute tonight to the late rock star<\/p>\n Mariah Carey\u2019s secret grunge album was part of her MusiCares tribute<\/p>\n Mariah Carey has blended pop, R&B, gospel and hip-hop into hit songs over five decades<\/a>. But it was hearing a couple of cuts off her 1990s secret grunge album that had the superstar on her feet clapping.<\/p>\n Foo Fighters blasted through \u201cSomeone\u2019s Ugly Daughter\u201d with Taylor Momsen on lead vocals. They followed up with \u201cLove is a Scam\u201d as Carey sang along from her front table.<\/p>\n Carey was honored for her musical achievements and philanthropic efforts as MusiCares Person of the Year on Friday night, two days before the Grammy Awards<\/a>. The award is given in the week ahead of the Grammys by MusiCares, a charity that supports musicians in need.<\/p>\n \u201cShe is one of one,\u201d longtime collaborator Babyface said. \u201cMariah, you are every songwriter and producer\u2019s dream. You strike a lot of gold. You are a blueprint of a great songwriter.\u201d<\/p>\n \u25b6 Read more from our dispatch from the event<\/a><\/p>\n Spielberg gets a Grammy<\/p>\n Steven Spielberg has a Grammy to go with his three Oscars. He won best music film as a producer of \u201cMusic by John Williams.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018Sinners\u2019 sinks teeth into Grammys<\/p>\n \u201cSinners\u201d won a pair of Grammys days after getting a record 16 Oscar nominations<\/a>. It won best compilation soundtrack for visual media and best score soundtrack for visual media.<\/p>\n And the first Grammy goes to…<\/p>\n Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo\u2019s \u201cDefying Gravity,\u201d which won best pop duo\/group performance. Neither was on hand to accept it.<\/p>\n Just how many Grammy Awards are there?<\/p>\n There are 95 awards at this year\u2019s Grammys, including two new ones: best album cover<\/a> and best traditional country album.<\/p>\n All those awards can\u2019t fit into a three-hour telecast, so most of them \u2014 86, to be precise \u2014 are presented at the Premiere Ceremony.<\/p>\n But the major awards \u2014 including album of the year, record of the year, song of the year and best new artist \u2014 are presented during the main awards ceremony.<\/p>\n The Premier<\/p>\n e Ceremony is underway<\/p>\n The pre-telecast awards ceremony, where the majority of the Grammys are handed out, opens with a performance of Earth, Wind & Fire\u2019s \u201cShining Star\u201d performed by Israel Houghton, Lila Ike, Grace Potter, Maggie Rose and Trombone Shorty.<\/p>\n The ceremony is being hosted by Darren Criss. Presenters \u2014 who announce batches of awards \u2014 include \u00c9dgar Barrera, Jesse Welles, Jimmy Jam, Sierra Hull, Trombone Shorty, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Dave Koz. Performers include Zara Larsson, Spiritbox, Tasha Combs Leonard and Criss and \u201cMaybe Happy Ending\u201d co-star Helen J. Shen.<\/p>\n What is the Grammys\u2019 Premiere Ceremony?<\/p>\n The Grammys have nearly 100 awards to hand out. There\u2019s simply not enough time to fit all of that, plus performances and acceptance speeches, into a three-hour, prime-time telecast. That\u2019s where the Premiere Ceremony comes in.<\/p>\n The Premiere Ceremony runs for three hours, starting at 12:30 p.m. Pacific\/3:30 p.m. Eastern. It\u2019s where categories like best audiobook narration are handed out and it\u2019s often where many stars earn their EGOT \u2014 like Viola Davis,<\/a> in 2023 \u2014 or where people more famous for realms outside entertainment \u2014 like Barack Obama and Michelle Obama \u2014 pick up a Grammy. (The Obamas have two Grammys each.)<\/p>\n Cheat sheet: The top nominees<\/p>\n Kendrick Lamar leads the pack with nine nominations including nods in record, song and album of the year for \u201cGNX.\u201d It\u2019s the third time he\u2019s netted simultaneous nominations in the night\u2019s biggest categories.<\/p>\n Trailing close behind are Lady Gaga and her \u201cMayhem,\u201d Jack Antonoff and Canadian record producer\/songwriter Cirkut with seven nominations each.<\/p>\n Leon Thomas, Sabrina Carpenter, Bad Bunny and audio engineer Serban Ghenea follow with six.<\/p>\n Best album cover is a standalone category for the first time in 50 years<\/p>\n The nominees for the return of the best album cover category are Wet Leg\u2019s \u201cMoisturizer,\u201d Bad Bunny\u2019s \u201cDeb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos,\u201d Tyler, the Creator\u2019s \u201cChromakopia,\u201d Perfume Genius\u2019 \u201cGlory\u201d and Djo\u2019s \u201cThe Crux.\u201d The award goes to the project\u2019s art directors, which includes recording artists in all cases except for \u201cGlory.\u201d<\/p>\n In recent years, covers had been assessed as part of the best recording package category, which considers all physical materials and images. The package for Charli xcx\u2019s \u201cBrat,\u201d with its pop culture-infiltrating green, won last year. That category lives on this year too, with a different crop of nominees.<\/p>\n For the creative teams, the standalone cover award amplifies what goes into building the visual worlds of music. \u201cWhen a cover in a campaign hits right,\u201d photographer Neil Krug, nominated for \u201cThe Crux,\u201d told the AP, \u201cit\u2019s part of the language and the fabric of what makes a great record a great record.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
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