Grammy Week

24 Jan 2025

AMERICANAFEST to Hold Pre-Grammy Salute to the Songs of John Hiatt

The Americana Music Association and Americana Music Foundation announced its annual AMERICANAFEST Pre-Grammy Salute for 2025 in celebration of John Hiatt. The event will be held at the Troubadour in West Hollywood, Calif. on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m. PT. General public tickets will be available through the Troubadour’s website on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at 10 a.m. PT.

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This year’s salute will serve as a benefit to MusiCares and its aid to those in need during the Los Angeles wildfires.

“Americana has hosted its annual Pre-Grammy Salute every year since 2013 and this year, in light of the incredible devastation brought to California by the recent fires, our only thought was, ‘How can we help?’,” Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association said in a statement. “We’re turning our Troubadour show into a fundraiser, with proceeds going to MusiCares. We hope a sold-out show will help, even in a small way, those who have lost everything.”

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Previous AMERICANAFEST Pre-Grammy salutes have paid tribute to the songs of Paul Simon (2024), Lucinda Williams (2023), Willie Nelson (2020), John Prine (2019), Emmylou Harris (2018), Loretta Lynn (2017), Glenn Frey (2016), Phil Everly (2014), and Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell & Friends (2013). The Troubadour hosted all evenings except for 2018, when the Grammys were held in New York City.

Co-presented by Vector Management and the Americana Music Association and Foundation, all Pre-Grammy Salutes have been produced by Michelle Aquilato and Americana Music Association executive director Jed Hilly.

Hiatt, 72, is a 10-time Grammy nominee, with nominations spanning country, rock, contemporary folk and Americana/American roots categories. He has yet to win a Grammy.

Hiatt has placed 16 albums on the Billboard 200, with 11 of them making the top half of the chart.

23 Jan 2025

Raine’s Grammy Week Party to Move Ahead as Wildfire Relief Fundraiser

As wildfires continue to threaten Los Angeles amid dangerous “red flag” conditions, the boutique bank Raine has announced that its Grammy Week event will be reframed as a fundraiser for music professionals affected by the massive Palisades and Eaton blazes.

The event, to be held on Jan. 30 at the San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., will be co-hosted by Raine, the National Music Publishers’ Association, and music industry publications Music Business Worldwide and HITS. Donations will go to the Recording Academy and MusiCares’ Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort supporting music workers impacted by the disasters. Those interested in attending are being asked to donate a minimum of $250, which can be done at the event’s RSVP page. Questions can be directed to wildfirefundraiser@raine.com.

Raine partner Fred Davis says they chose to turn the event into a fundraiser — rather than cancel it altogether — to make the most of the attendees’ “enormously charitable” nature.

“So many in our music community have been devastated by their losses. It hurts,” Davis tells Billboard. “I have grown up in this industry. I have a responsibility to help.”

The Raine event would have been the music and entertainment industry-focused bank’s second Grammy Week cocktail party, but invitations went out one day before the Palisades Fire broke out on Jan. 7. That blaze went on to destroy more than 6,600 buildings and homes across more than 23,000 acres, while 11 people lost their lives. The Eaton Fire, which started later the same day in Altadena, is estimated to have destroyed more than 9,000 structures and killed 17. Both of those fires continue to burn but are nearing full containment, though a newer blaze, the Hughes Fire, exploded on Wednesday (Jan. 22) north of L.A. and prompted widespread evacuations in the Castaic Lake region. It has since burned more than 10,000 acres and is at 24% containment.

Notably, the Raine event is one of the few to remain on the Grammy Week calendar in the wake of the wildfires, with the majority of the major bashes either canceled or postponed. Those that remain, including the annual MusiCares Person of the Year and Clive Davis Galas put on by the Recording Academy, have similarly been re-spun as fundraisers for wildfire relief.

The Grammys themselves, which are still scheduled to be held on Feb. 2 at Crypto.com arena in Downtown Los Angeles, will go forward, according to academy, “with a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”

13 Jan 2025

Universal Music Group Cancels All 2025 Grammy-Related Events

Just hours after the Recording Academy announced that it plans to go ahead with the 67th annual Grammy Awards telecast on Feb. 2 as scheduled despite the wildfires that have devastated parts of Los Angeles in the past week, Universal Music Group (UMG) announced it is canceling all of the company’s Grammy-related events, including its artist showcase and after-Grammy party, and will instead “redirect the resources that would have been used for those events to assist those affected by the wildfires.”

“Our deepest gratitude goes to the first responders and emergency personnel, who continue to perform heroically,” said the company in a statement. “L.A. is home to so many of us. We are committed to helping and supporting the music community, our artists, our teams and the people of Los Angeles get through this horrific episode.”

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The Recording Academy made a similar statement of concern even as it came to a different conclusion.

“Our hearts go out to everyone affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles,” Recording Academy and MusiCares CEO Harvey Mason jr. and Tammy Hurt, chair of the board of trustees, said in a statement released earlier today. “This city is our home, and we mourn the loss of life and destruction that have come to it in recent days.

“In close coordination with local authorities to ensure public safety and responsible use of area resources, the 67th Grammy Awards telecast on CBS on Feb. 2 will proceed as planned,” they continued. “This year’s show, however, will carry a renewed sense of purpose: raising additional funds to support wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders who risk their lives to protect ours.”

Those local authorities reportedly include the office of Mayor Karen Bass, public safety agencies and fire marshals.

The Recording Academy’s plan is to go ahead with the telecast. It has made no decision about other Grammy Week events, such as the MusiCares Person of the Year event (which this year is set to honor the Grateful Dead) and the Recording Academy’s Special Merit Awards.

A major ancillary Grammy event, the Milk & Honey party, was canceled on Sunday (Jan. 12) with a pointed message on founder Lucas Keller‘s Instagram Story. “I regret that we will be canceling our annual award season pre-Grammy event in partnership with Reservoir and others. … It would be tone deaf to celebrate and I hope all other companies will follow suit,” he wrote. “Don’t come to town for the Grammy’s and take up hotels that people need desperately. Release your hotel blocks or donate them. In the meantime, if you can, please give money to MusiCares at this link to support wildlife relief. Everything counts.”

The Recording Academy and MusiCares launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort last week with an initial $1 million donation to support music creatives and professionals. “Thanks to additional contributions, we have already distributed over $2 million in emergency aid to those most in need — and we remain steadfast in our commitment to providing ongoing assistance,” Mason and Hurt said in their statement.

08 Jan 2025

Kirk Franklin to Receive 2025 Black Music Icon Award at Recording Academy Black Music Collective Event

On Thursday, Jan. 30, artist, songwriter and producer Kirk Franklin will be celebrated at the fourth annual Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Franklin will receive the Black Music Icon Award, which celebrates Black music creators whose “commitment to their craft has profoundly shaped the industry and whose legacy of service inspires countless people around the world.”

“Kirk has not only revolutionized gospel music but has also bridged the gap between genres, redefining the possibilities of musical expression and inspiring generations with his message of hope and faith,” Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “His unwavering dedication to his craft and his legacy of service embody the very essence of the Black Music Icon Award. We look forward to honoring Kirk for his profound influence on the industry and the countless lives he continues to touch worldwide.”

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Franklin, 54, has won 20 Grammys since 1997, including collaborations with Maverick City Music and Tori Kelly. He has also won 23 GMA Dove Awards, 23 Stellar Awards, an American Music Award and a Soul Train Music Award, among others.

Adam Blackstone will return as music supervisor for the Recording Academy Honors event. Blackstone won a Primetime Emmy in 2022 as music director of The Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Starring Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent

MVD Inc. will returning for the fourth consecutive year to produce the event.

05 Dec 2024

Warner Music Group’s Paul Robinson to be Honored at 2025 Entertainment Law Initiative Grammy Week Luncheon

Paul Robinson, Warner Music Group’s executive vp/general counsel, will be recognized on Friday, Jan. 31, when the Recording Academy Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI) hosts its annual Grammy Week luncheon at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Robinson will receive the 2025 ELI Service Award.

“As a part of its mission, the Recording Academy works to advocate for creators, and the Entertainment Law Initiative advances this through legal representation, celebrating the achievements of entertainment law practitioners, and providing year-round educational opportunities to cultivate future leaders in the field,” Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “Paul exemplifies these values, and we are proud to honor him … for his three decades at Warner Music Group, where he has championed fair practices and guided the industry through transformative changes.”

Robinson joined Warner Music Group’s legal department in January 1995 as associate general counsel. In December 2006, he was appointed to his current role, in which he is responsible for WMG’s worldwide legal, business affairs, public policy, compliance and corporate governance functions. Before joining WMG, Robinson was a partner at the New York City law firm of Mayer, Katz, Baker, Leibowitz & Roberts.

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The Entertainment Law Initiative was established by the Recording Academy to foster discussion on legal issues shaping the music industry. Each year, the recipient of the Service Award is selected by the ELI’s executive committee.

The ELI Grammy Week Luncheon also recognizes the winner and runners-up of the Entertainment Law Initiative writing competition.

Individual tickets, along with a limited number of discounted student tickets, will be available for purchase on Wednesday, Dec. 11. For more information, visit https://www.recordingacademy.com/entertainment-law-initiative.

Grammy Week culminates with the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 2, broadcasting live on CBS and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+ from 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the telecast, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and be streamed live on live.Grammy.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.

20 Nov 2024

Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing to Honor Producer/Engineer/Mixer Jimmy Douglass

On Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, four days before the 67th annual Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy Producers & Engineers (P&E) Wing will honor producer, engineer and mixer Jimmy Douglass at its annual Grammy Week Celebration. The event will take place at The Preserve LA in East Hollywood.

“Our P&E Wing proudly celebrates Grammy Week each year with a special evening that unites producers, engineers and artistic professionals to honor a truly deserving creator,” Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said in a statement. “This year, we’re thrilled to pay tribute to the extraordinary Jimmy Douglass, who has led groundbreaking creative and technical efforts in the recording industry, encouraging artists to transcend genre boundaries and contributing to iconic musical projects that will resonate for generations.”

“Throughout his illustrious career spanning more than four decades, Jimmy’s visionary approach to producing, engineering and mixing has shaped some of music’s most iconic recordings,” said Maureen Droney, vp of the P&E Wing. “Jimmy consistently pushes the boundaries of sound by bringing unconventional techniques into the studio while inspiring countless artists along the way.”

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Douglass (also known as The Senator) is a five-time Grammy winner for his work on Justin Timberlake’s “SexyBack” (best dance recording, 2007); Timberlake’s “Love Stoned/I Think She Knows” (best dance recording, 2008); John Legend & The Roots’ Wake Up! (best R&B album, 2011), CeCe Winans’ Let Them Fall in Love (best gospel album, 2018) and Andra Day’s The United States vs. Billie Holiday (best compilation soundtrack for visual media, 2022).

Douglass has also received five album of the year nominations for his work on Missy Elliott’s Under Construction, Timberlake’s Justified and FutureSex/LoveSounds, Pharrell Williams’ Girl, and Jay-Z’s 4:44. He has additionally notched two record of the year nods for Timberlake’s “What Goes Around…Comes Around” and Jay-Z’s “The Story of O.J.”

In addition to paying tribute to Douglass, the event will celebrate the year-round work of the Producers & Engineers Wing and its members.

Grammy Week culminates with the 67th Annual Grammy Awards at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025, broadcasting live on CBS and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+ from 8-11:30 p.m. ET/5-8:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the telecast, the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater at 12:30 p.m. PT/3:30 p.m. ET and be streamed live on live.Grammy.com and the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel.

04 Feb 2024

Jon Bon Jovi, Bell Biv DeVoe & A CeeLo DJ Set: Inside Primary Wave x Billboard No. 1s Pre-Grammy Party

Primary Wave’s annual pre-Grammy party went down Saturday night at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, and this year, for the first time, it celebrated Billboard No. 1s.

So it makes sense that a crowd of hitmakers was in the building to celebrate Grammy Weekend, including Jon Bon Jovi, who had just been honored the night prior as MusiCares Person of the Year and is the voice of four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits with his namesake band. Melissa Etheridge was also there, alongside wife Linda Wallem, and she’s a Billboard chart-topper too, including the Adult Contemporary No. 1 smash “I’m the Only One.”

Then there was Bell Biv DeVoe — the trio of Ricky Bell, Michael Bivens and Ronnie DeVoe — who scored three No. 1s on Billboard‘s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in their early ’90s heyday. They were the perfect people for Billboard‘s Rania Aniftos to ask “what is the key to making a hit song?” on the red carpet Saturday night.

“Be yourself, have fun, make sure you’re enjoying it,” Bell offered. “Make sure it’s what you would really listen to when you go to the clubs or jump in your car. Just keep it true in that aspect.”

Bivens chimed in next: “I would say get a hot beat. Don’t nothing happen without the beat. Then go straight to the chorus and get something that they want to remember. And then just tell a story that you think connects to men and women.”

Finally, DeVoe said, “It’s about that moment in time too, like being real as far as what you’re feeling in your life at that time. The biggest albums were about a moment in time in any given artist’s career. Whether it’s Prince, Purple Rain or Mary J. Blige, What’s the 411? There’s so many classics based on people’s pain and their victory at any time. A song should speak to that.”

CeeLo was in charge of the night’s music, spinning everything from Usher’s “Yeah!” and Too $hort’s “Blow the Whistle” to his own “F**k You! (Forget You),” a No. 1 hit on Billboard‘s Pop Airplay chart in 2011.

Also at the Waldorf Astoria for the party: Lauren Spencer-Smith, Fifth Harmony alumni Ally Brooke & Dinah Jane, Grandmaster Flash, Gavin Rossdale, “Lovin On Me” co-writer & co-producer Sean Momberger, Johnny Gill, Bonnie McKee, Israeli & Palestinian boy band as1one, Eric Benét, charlieonafriday, Pat Houston, Donna Houston, Damien “DDOT” Washington, Domani Harris, Armani White, James Charles, Crystal Kung Minkoff
Dom Fenison & Chanel West Coast, Terry Washington and, last but not least, The Hamburglar, who surprised the party with Happy Meal boxes filled with McDonald’s cheeseburgers and french fries.

Find photos from the party below:

02 Feb 2024

Inside the Billboard + NMPA Grammy Week Showcase: Noah Kahan, Kelsea Ballerini & More

As always, NMPA president David Israelite kicked off its annual Grammy week showcase (in partnership with Billboard) with a gentle reminder: The bar will close during performances, and guests are expected to remain silent.

It’s all part of the NMPA’s ethos to better support songwriters, and throughout the night, attendees also had the pleasure of watching songwriters support one another. At one table sat Jack Antonoff, Lana Del Rey and Kelsea Ballerini. Jelly Roll, Lainey Wilson and hit songwriter Jessie Jo Dillon were seated to their right, with Dan Nigro and Chappell Roan seated just behind and Leon Thomas and his mother nearby.

Throughout the intimate and star-studded evening on Wednesday (Jan. 31), the audience was treated to performances by best new artist nominees Jelly Roll and Noah Kahan, rising pop star Conan Gray and country star Kelsea Ballerini — plus an impassioned speech from Del Rey about Vanguard Award recipient Antonoff, during which she couldn’t help but announce her upcoming country album Lasso, out this September.

Kahan, who was being honored with the Rising Star award, joked before his set that “I’ve been around longer than this [award title] would suggest … Don’t tell the Grammys.” Later, Nigro contested his own award title, saying, “I don’t consider myself a hitmaker” — though his track record on the charts proves otherwise.

Dillon — who is Grammy nominated for songwriter of the year alongside Edgar Barrera, Shane McAnally, Justin Tranter and Theron Thomas — summarized the evening best while accepting her Breakthrough Songwriter award. “There is no music without songs and no songs without songwriters — and we deserve to be compensated fairly.”

As for each performer, they all shared a similar sentiment about the life-changing power of a hit — and how they would never have gotten there where they are today without their incredible and trusted co-writers.

“Our community is really interesting and there’s a lot of anxiety sometimes,” shared Antonoff during the night’s final speech. “I feel very very proud to be here.”

31 Jan 2024

Grammy Week 2024: Jordin Sparks, Jelly Roll, Kylie Minogue & More Stars at Events

It’s Music’s Biggest Week, haven’t you heard? As the 66th Grammy Awards draw nearer (Feb. 4), the stars have descended upon Los Angeles for a week jam-packed with events, galas, panels and performances in celebration of Music’s Biggest Night.

This year, SZA leads all nominees with nine nods for her 10-week Billboard 200 No. 1 album SOS. That record boasts the Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit “Kill Bill” — up for record and song of the year — as well as additional Grammy-nominated top 10 hit “Snooze” (No. 2). R&B breakout star Victoria Monét, Boygenius member Phoebe Bridgers and engineer/mixer Serban Ghenea tie for the second-most nominations of the night with seven each. All three artists are up for record of the year for “On My Mama,” “Not Strong Enough” and “Worship,” respectively. Finally, seven additional artists racked up six nods each: Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, Jon Batiste and Brandy Clark.

So far, a genre-spanning spread of performers has been announced for Sunday night’s telecast, including Eilish, Rodrigo, SZA, Billy Joel, Burna Boy, Dua Lipa, Luke Combs, Travis Scott, U2 and Joni Mitchell in her debut Grammy performance. In addition, this year’s lifetime achievement honorees include, Donna Summer, Gladys Knight, Laurie Anderson, N.W.A, Tammy Wynette and The Clark Sisters.

From Coco Jones‘ illuminating conversation with Billboard’s Gail Mitchell at the Grammy Museum L.A. Live on Jan. 29 to James Fauntleroy‘s address at the Grammy Week 1500 Sound Academy Panel that same day, see photos from across every star-studded Grammy Week event so you can keep track of where your favorite celebs are celebrating.

30 Jan 2024

Lenny Kravitz to Receive 2024 Global Impact Award at Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective

Lenny Kravitz has been announced as the first of three 2024 Recording Academy Global Impact Award honorees. The award will be presented at the third annual Recording Academy Honors presented by the Black Music Collective on Thursday (Feb. 1) at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

This is a CEO Merit Award that recognizes Black music creators “whose dedication to the art form has greatly influenced the industry and whose legacy of service inspires countless individuals worldwide, celebrating those who, through leadership and passion, empower others to embrace their authentic selves and contribute to positive change.” Harvey Mason Jr. has been the Academy’s CEO since May 2021, after serving as interim CEO for about a year.

Kravitz won Grammy Awards in four consecutive years (1999-2002) for best male rock vocal performance for “Fly Away,” “American Woman,” “Again” and “Dig In.”

The 2023 Recording Academy Global Impact Award Honorees were Grammy-winning artists Dr. Dre, Missy Elliott and Lil Wayne and leading music executive Sylvia Rhone.

Adam Blackstone will return for the third consecutive year as music supervisor for the Black Music Collective event. MVD Inc will also return for the third consecutive year to produce the event. Music executive and photographer Lenny S will curate the Icons Gallery, an art activation paying tribute to generations of influential Black music icons.  

The third annual Recording Academy Honors, sponsored by Amazon Music and City National Bank, will take place three days before the 66th annual Grammy Awards, set for Feb. 4 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

As previously announced, Kravitz will receive the Music Icon Award at the 2024 People’s Choice Awards on Feb. 18, and will take the stage for a multi-song performance.

Kravitz had both success and disappointment on the awards trail with “Road to Freedom,” which he wrote, performed and produced for the Netflix film Rustin. The soul-stirring anthem brought him a Golden Globe nomination for best original song – motion picture and a Critics Choice Awards nod for best song, but it was passed over on Tuesday Jan. 23 for an Oscar nod for best original song.

Kravitz was selected as a 2023 Hollywood Walk of Fame inductee and will release a new album, Blue Electric Light, on May 24.