Were the Grammys on?

Local paper ran a pic of India.Arie, with a caption noting that she DIDN'T win. Hands empty, meekly waving at the throng of reporters, but happy, I'd guess. I'd rather see pics of that than of, say, Santana filling a wheelbarrow with little gramophones.

Actually, I'd rather see Amy Fisher box Tonya Harding.

The whole idea of cool Grammies is funny. Maybe they should have an awards show called the Coolies where musical stars are rated based on their perceived coolness factor. The Academy thinks Bono is the COOLEST, daddy-o!

EVIL MAN.

To divert the thread back towards its original course, congrats to Joshua Bell.

HA HA.

seeing people say on twitter the grammys performances have all been great this year & there hasn't been any other nonsense? what is going on?

also what's going on with the categories, when did they separate out melodic rap performance as its own thing, is that new this year? and the way the r&b categories are divided now seems pretty weird, who says 'progressive r&b'?

also love that they're still doing their classic thing of giving awards to artists for mediocre works decades after their commercial & critical peaks but this time it's like, nas & the strokes

John Prine won two grammys posthumously, that was cool.

xxp Me, from another thread:

When asked “what’s your favorite thing to listen to?,” I respond: albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded progressive vocal tracks derivative of R&B.

Noticing that Big Thief’s “Not” (which feels a million years old) was up for an award drove home how loopy the “Sept. 1 – Aug. 31” eligibility period is. An album or song that comes out in September 202x won’t show up at the telecast until *18 months* later (March 202x+2). That’s just crazy, especially given the speed of things today. Why don’t they just make it the calendar year??

That said, I guess this gives Taylor two potential AOTY wins spread out over two years.

i think ideally there would be an award for every genre on everynoise, which would exclude progressive r&b though

Pretty sad and a bit chilling to see Toots Hibbert, John Prine and Chick Corea (maybe more) all win posthumous Grammy's after dying this past year.

The Replacements' Dead Man's Pop reissue got one for historical liner notes - they've been nominated before but I think this is the first time one of their releases picked up a trophy.

That mega-$$$ Wilco special edition, which we were all clowning on, ended up winning for “best package” or something.

ttps://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/mar/11/the-grammys-have-a-major-problem-with-global-diversity-lip-service-isnt-going-to-solve-it?fbclid=IwAR1tmzxswloH5Szdz_W1ZV44Xuo8fnuoYqIeqMlLRQZMPmsJ8C8gG8pVXH0

Re the former Grammy world music category now called global music

“It seems the surest way to win in the category is to have won before. Some 23 of 37 winners have won a Grammy previously, including each winner of the past eight years during which time Angélique Kidjo won three times

it's crazy that awards shows still require cable. or in this case paramount+ in the states, which has star trek and fuck all else. it's promotion -- put that shit online for free!

The main part of the Grammys was on CBS in US, that I thought one could see without a fancy cable subscription?

Bill Burr the GOAT Lolol
Rare comedian that will joke about stuff like this pic.twitter.com/Aq5dzKva0E

— Tmo (@_ThomasT) March 14, 2021

congratulations on being edgy Mr Burr. you really showed em

i watched part of it on broadcast - cbs - just with bunny ears

xp lol Bill you're not going to get kicked off the Mandalorian with weak anti-woke mad libs mumbling

calling that a "joke" is really being generous

there hasn't been any other nonsense

the whole things was 3.5 hours long, there was plenty of nonsense.

mostly performances though, which is as it should be

Saw a minute of it (my kid got a free trial of whatever service to stream it). I kind of liked the battle of the band look of each act standing around watching the other perform, but at times I also got late '70s/early '80s Solid Gold vibes from the whole tacky affair. I find the antiseptic "live" performances in front of no one even more strangely artificial than ever.

fwiw I think Bill Burr is generally kinda funny but yeah there's no joke there and it's kind of pathetic seeing so many Twitter edgelords revel in the fact that he "offended" a bunch of feminists when in reality I don't think a single person is complaining about it

For those who care, a Billboard analysis of how this year’s elimination of the “nomination review committees”—originally put in place back in 1995, in an effort to make nominations more reflective of current trends—may have impacted the 2022 noms.

Decades of crazy selections

And omissions

Abba gets first nomination for their comeback release decades after their prime:

ABBA’s record of the year nomination for “I Still Have Faith in You” is a shocker. For one thing, the group had never previously been nominated for a Grammy in any category, though its masterminds Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus were nominated individually for their work on the Mamma Mia soundtrack (Andersson) and the Chess musical cast album (both of them).

Sounds like ABBA (and others) were late additions (thanks to last-minute expansions).

didn't marilyn manson just get nominated for something this year, post-allegations?

gonna go ahead and continue thinking my thought, which is that the grammys (and all similar organizations) should be burned to the ground and any remains placed into the memory hole.

genuinely reprehensible. fucking deplorable.

That wouldn’t place Kanye in the memory hole (he’s the reason MM is on a list of names). Ironically, if those review committees had still be in place, they potentially could’ve vetoed Donda.

(… although it’s interesting that that last minute expansion of the AOTY nominees from 8 to 10 is what allowed Donda to sneak in)

The Grammys are useful to me in that they provide a roadmap of what buffoonery I can expect of the Oscars about five years ahead of time.

im glad donda is present

Personally, I’m glad Evermore is present (it apparently snuck in along with Donda, I’mma let you finish, when the AOTY category was expanded from 8 to 10 nominees).

I’m sure many folks are tired of Swift getting Grammy nods—but I think Evermore is not only her best album, but one that (in a way) stands apart from the rest of her catalog, and sets a standard for how good a contemporary album in that style can be. It’s a terrific album that deserves a nomination (and if frickin’ Doja Cat can make it in…).

So basically zero reason to do this

winning best rap grammy and then getting taken away in handcuffs is a pretty baller PR move.

Mike, still killer:

Hours after he was released from police custody in Los Angeles after police said he was involved in a physical altercation on Grammys night, the rapper Killer Mike said in a radio interview Monday morning that the arrest was a mere blip in a triumphant night when he won three Grammys.

“We hit a speed bump and then we head back to the party, man,” the rapper told the hosts of the Atlanta-based Big Tigger Morning Show, saying that he had just left his final party in Los Angeles following the awards show.

I ain’t even mad because it’s pretty iconic for a rap artist to get arrested the same day you won 3 grammys.

A few thoughts, realizing I'm late to the party itt:

- Chapman/Combs duet was magnificent, and as a defender of the Combs cover from the beginning, I'm so glad to see the response has been resoundingly positive and seems to be putting the "appropriation" criticism to bed; his obvious reverence for her -- mirroring the audience's -- was just a joy to watch. There is a long tradition of covers in country music, and it's undeniably wonderful that reintroduced this legend to a new generation of (country) music fans.
- Joni performance got me teary eyed and was a close second. When she changed up the lyrics, I melted.
- Miley performance kicked ass, and AFAICT, was done completely live without overdubs. Really thought when "Flowers" won that she'd take the Album award, too. Her speech was hilarious and authentic and decidedly Miley.
- Olivia performance was very good and made me realize just what a beast of a song "Vampire" is to sing. Could anyone else in the AOTY category could carry that tune (maybe Miley?)? Super impressed with her and just wish she would have been recognized for what was a phenomenal year and album.
- Lana also robbed but that was more expected.
- Trevor Noah was truly awful. That the Recording Academy needed to note their host was from South Africa as a way of proving how diverse the show was? Possibly worse.
- Travis Scott's performance was...bizarre. Someone will need to explain the chair smashing to me.
- SZA, Victoria Monet, and Lainey Wilson all gave great speeches. It was very cool to see a trend emerge throughout the night of women in their 30s who've clearly been hustling and working their asses off for more than a decade get rewarded, and rightly so (ahem, Jay Z). In earlier years, these awards go to less interesting artists.
- I am always blown away by Oprah. What a magnetic orator and human being. Was Fantasia lip syncing?
- Taylor's one of my all-time favorite artists, but she's always been pretty cringe at these award ceremonies, and last night was especially bad (album announcement, Lana drag, Celine snub, awkward speeches). Midnights is such a weird record for the Academy to select for this award! Felt to me like an award for her "year" than for the album itself.

- SZA, Victoria Monet, and Lainey Wilson all gave great speeches. It was very cool to see a trend emerge throughout the night of women in their 30s who've clearly been hustling and working their asses off for more than a decade get rewarded, and rightly so (ahem, Jay Z). In earlier years, these awards go to less interesting artists.

otm

Very good post, Indexed… agree with everything (more or less)

The "Vampire" perf had an extra dose of ~theatricality~... which maybe should have felt OTT, but I think it worked well for that setting. I've seen so many live performances of that song by now, and never tire of it... but that was also one of the best, I think (searching Threads for reactions afterward, I saw someone write – "I love this like I love 'The Rocky Horror Show'... which, yeah, I get; even though Rocky's not my particular jam)

I'm not a Jon Batiste fan, but I liked gospel singer Ann Nesby who was part of his performance. She was testifying.

Wasn't until toward the end of "Optimistic" that I noticed Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis appeared to be on stage with them

Recoding this and excited for TS: Sabrina Carpenter vs. Chappell Roan preforming

Opened up with all star band doing I Love LA

Billie Eilish was next and now Sabrina Carpenter

Meaningless Grammy Awards

also discussion here

Just tuned in and watching my DVR. Excited about the performances

This is starting well, Sabrina Carpenter to The Marías to Addison Rae. Bee approved, in fact I'm not sure i need to see anymore

Justin Bieber did Yukon in his underwear

Lady Gaga always puts on a show, wished I liked her songs more

Just not into Bruno Mars either.

ranked performances:

1. Doechii "Catfish" "Denial Is a River"
2. Chappell Roan "Pink Pony Club"
3. Sabrina Carpenter "Espresso" "Please Please Please"
4. Charli XCX "Von Dutch" "Guess"
5. The Weeknd Playboi Carti "Cry for Me" "Timeless"

Worst had to be Chris Martin and who are Khruangbin?

― Bee OK, Monday, February 3, 2025 10:37 PM (eleven months ago)

"Wildflower" won Song of the Year.

No one is illegal on stolen land

Post Malone: official pinch-hitter vocalist for award-show tributes

I watched the first hour or so with my son. He was most impressed by Katseye.

Ozzy tribute with Post Malone was pretty great.

D’Angelo tribute ruled

Cher looks the same, queen

Cher almost walked off the stage before Trevor Noah reminded her she had to announce the nominees for Record of the Year. Then, after announcing the nominees, she froze because she didn't realize she had to open the envelope to read the winner. Then she opened the envelope and said the winner was Luther Vandross (it was "Luther" by Kendrick Lamar). God bless.

Got to love live TV

v funny

1. Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild
2. Addison Rae - Fame is a Gun
3. Justin Bieber - Yukon
4. KATSEYE - Gnarly
5. Tyler, The Creator -

Album of the Year: Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny after winning an earlier award -

"Before I say 'thanks to God,' I'm going to say 'ICE Out.' We are not savages, we are not animals, we are not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans."

that Tyler performance was awesome

Someone at the Wall Street Journal dusted off a Madonna column from 1985 and subbed in the name "Sabrina Carpenter."

https://i.ibb.co/FkrmKrBb/Screenshot-2026-02-02-at-9-51-14-AM.png

Also, odd to focus on Sabrina when Chappel Roan showed up in a dress held up by nipple rings.

Ozzy tribute with Post Malone was pretty great.

― Bee OK, Sunday, February 1, 2026 9:59 PM (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

D’Angelo tribute ruled

― werewolves of laudanum (VegemiteGrrl), Sunday, February 1, 2026 10:02 PM (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

Would have loved to see T-Pain take lead on "War Pigs" but Post Malone was serviceable, and the band killed it -- I expect GNR to tear it up but Chad Smith was especially impressive. Loved the final shot of Ozzy's portrait as the band left the stage.

D'Angelo tribute was mostly great. The shot of Ms. Lauryn Hill singing while glancing down at the empty keyboard <<tears>>. Bilal really stole the show -- if you didn't see him, look that video up. By the end it felt a little like The Grammys thought it was a good opportunity to do a clown car of black vocalists, but hey, it's wonderful that so many people showed up for him.

I wasn't familiar with Bilal but he was the one person who I felt did justice to D'Angelo

xps I thought the Tyler performance was bizarre and overwrought. Cars, explosions, fake deaths...Give me Bieber's stripped down (literally) "Yukon" performance -- where he sang the whole thing live and barely even glanced at the crowd -- any day over that art-directed disaster.

Bilal is incredible, he came up with that whole Soulquarian crew but is closer to a jazz performer than a songwriter, I think. If you haven't seen the BET Prince tribute where he does The Beautiful Ones, go find it, that's even more impressive and I think he's the only one who could have done it.

Just watched. Can confirm.

yeah i could have watched a whole D’Angelo tribute just w Bilal

xpost Tyler's one of my favorites, but agree, i thought Bieber was better - really well done.

i've heard only seconds here and there of mk.gee ... was Bieber's performance mk.gee-ish?

my son actually got to attend the Grammys, he would say "no" (as someone who likes mk.gee). He did love the Tyler performance though.

Caramanica on Bieber's performance (gift link):

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/02/arts/music/grammys-justin-bieber-performance.html?unlocked_article_code=1.JFA.I6Uk.fuKN9sLqvqQ1&smid=url-share

everyone otm about bilal. i have heard plenty of regular artists and jobbers try to sing "how does it feel" and none of them can truly find the song's pocket, or hit the vocal run on the "i-i-i-i just want to be your man" without seriously straining themselves. bilal did both very gracefully

for those trying to hear more from him: his 2024 album, adjust brightness is really great, and 1st born second and airtight's revenge deservedly occupy rarified air in the neo-soul canon

I like 'In Another Life' too, the one with the retro Adrian Younge production. This is probably the best showcase for his own music though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB7fhyqh0IM

I skipped the Grammys so I just found out that I know the woman who won Best Solo Classical Vocal album

Thanks Jordan