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We all knew that Taylor Swift would be in the house for the 2025 Grammys, which are set for Sunday (Feb. 2), because she was named in a CBS promo for the show. But now we learn that she will have an official role on the show – as a presenter. Swift is the first presenter to be announced for the show. More are expected on Friday (Jan. 31).
Swift, of course, may also win one or more Grammys on the show, which is being held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. She is nominated in six categories, including the top three awards – album, record and song of the year. She is vying to win album of the year for what would be a record-extending fifth time with her smash album The Tortured Poets Department, which topped the Billboard 200 for 17 nonconsecutive weeks.
Of the 14 previous years where Swift has been a Grammy nominee, she has headed home with at least one award exactly half the time. And in years where she has gone into the show with six or more nominations, as she has this year, she has never been shut out. In 2010, when she had eight nominations, she won four. In 2015, when she had seven nominations, she won three. In 2021, when she had six nominations, she won one. And last year, when she had six nominations, she won two. Here’s a mind-blowing fact: In all four of the previous years where she had six or more nods, she won album of the year.
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Swift’s other nominations this year are record and song of the year and best music video for “Fortnight,” a collaboration with Post Malone; best pop vocal album for The Tortured Poets Department, and best pop duo/group performance for Gracie Abrams’ “us.,” on which she is featured.
Live from Crypto.com Arena in L.A. and hosted by Trevor Noah, the 67th annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on Sunday (Feb. 2) at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS. The show will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
This year’s telecast will carry an added sense of purpose: raising funds to support L.A. wildfire relief efforts and honoring the bravery and dedication of first responders.
A series of special performances will highlight the show, including a salute to the life and legacy of Grammy legend Quincy Jones, tributes to the spirit of Los Angeles, and the annual In Memoriam segment.
This is the fifth consecutive year that Noah has hosted the show. He will become the first comedian to host the Grammys five times. He’s also a Grammy nominee for best comedy album for Where Was I. If he wins, he’ll become just the second Grammy host to win on a night that he or she hosted. Kenny Rogers was the first, in 1980.
The 67th Annual Grammy Awards will be produced by Fulwell 73 Productions for the Recording Academy for the fourth consecutive year. Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins are executive producers.
This year’s Premiere Ceremony, where the vast majority of Grammys are presented, will stream live at 3:30 p.m. ET/12:30 p.m. PT on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and on the Grammy website. The show will be held at Peacock Theater in the LA Live complex in Los Angeles (which also encompasses Crypto.com Arena). Justin Tranter, a Grammy nominee for song of the year for co-writing Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe,” is set to host the Premiere Ceremony for the second year in a row.
Following the news of iconic British singer and actress Marianne Faithfull’s death, the Rolling Stones have paid tribute to their longtime friend. The band’s official X account posted a throwback video of a young Mick Jagger and Keith Richards performing “As Tears Go By,” a song written by the duo and offered to Faithfull, who […]
Back in February 2008, Will Smith was among the attendees at ESSENCE magazine’s inaugural Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, honoring the late actress Ruby Dee, industry legend Suzanne dePasse, actress Jurnee Smollett and Smith’s wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith. As he passed by my table, I stopped him and asked, “When might you record a new album?”
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And he politely replied with a laugh, “I think that train has left the station.”
In sharing that memory with him during a Zoom call earlier this week about his new single and album, the Grammy winner breaks again into his signature laugh, noting, “Trains are funny like that.” Then he goes on to acknowledge, “This is a beautiful time in my life.”
That’s because of the formal announcement of Smith’s first album in more than 20 years, Based on True Story, due in March via SLANG Recordings. In tandem with that reveal came the release of his new single “Beautiful Scars” with Big Sean and featuring Obanga. Produced by OmArr and LeXoskeleton, the song was world-premiered during an iHeartRadio Live interview with Smith and is one of four singles preceding the album’s arrival.
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That rollout began last year with “You Can Make It” featuring Fridayy and Sunday Service Choir (his first No. 1 on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart: “My grandmother is DJing in heaven right now”), “Work of Art” with Russ and featuring Smith’s son Jaden and “TANTRUM” with Joyner Lucas. All four songs will be included on what is Smith’s most personal and introspective album to date.
That introspection is chief among the subjects that Smith delved into during his Billboard chat, which also touches on his plans to release not one but three albums under the Based on a True Story banner (which Smith describes as “three seasons of a TV musical show”), the writers and producers he’s been collaborating with and performing live over the coming year. He most recently performed two sold-out shows in December in San Diego at The Observatory North Park. And Smith is already booked to headline France’s 2025 Positiv Festival on July 31.
“Getting back out city to city, seeing people and feeling the energy keeps me creatively alive,” says the Philadelphia native and fervent fan of the Super Bowl-bound Eagles (“It’s time for my Eagles; we’re unbeatable”). “Like how they’re doing the kick drums a little different in Chicago than in other places; like what’s happening with Afrobeats. I’m excited to go around the world and meet artists. I’m more artistic than I’ve ever been, a better actor than I’ve ever been, a better poet than I’ve ever been … I’m going to be better on stage than I’ve ever been. I’m just on fire about this next creative phase of my life and career.”
What prompted your decision to record a new album?
It started with [2022 film] Emancipation. It was a drama set during slavery, the first time I really did a deep dive on that period in America. So I go into this character, getting a really profound comprehension of the relationship between God and suffering. People in those circumstances were generally spiritual; you have to be to survive those circumstances. So I’m in this character and it was miserable making a film like that, getting called n—a all day long. Then Covid hit and I had to be in that character, live in that space longer than I thought. Three to four months turned into almost a year. And that had never happened to me as an actor before. I started having dreams as the character.
That’s a long way to say that a well opened up inside of me, a well of understanding of art and pain … all kinds of things that I didn’t even know were in there. Then after the Oscars, that spiritual investigation continued and a whole world woke up inside that I didn’t even know was there. Dreams, visions; parts of my inner landscape that I had no awareness of prior to three years ago. And that opened up this bubbling to share what I’m seeing and experiencing, to explore. A big part of my music now is about that: the ecstatic kind of joy I remember from church when I was growing up; the ability to try to make this place more bearable. You know, I’ve always had a wild imagination; that’s part of who I am. But there’s something new happening with me that’s demanding I explore musically.
Talk about the origin of “Beautiful Scars.”
Sometimes it can seem like the worst thing that’s ever happened to you, that’s completely unsurvivable, can turn out to be one of the most magnificent experiences of our lives. And that was the fun of doing The Matrix-inspired video. That’s one of the beautiful scars of my career that I turned down. There’s also a Japanese art called Kintsugi: instead of throwing away broken dishes, they paint them with gold. And they make the “broken dish” become even more beautiful than the original. That’s the concept of “Beautiful Scars.” That there’s a real process of transformation and alchemy in any situation. Like healing is art and creating a life is an artistic process. Learning to love the parts of ourselves that others might deem ugly. Somebody might call it a scar. But we see it as beautiful, something that will be one of the greatest assets of our lives going forward.
Big Sean and Will Smith
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What were you looking for in choosing the collaborators for these first four songs?
It’s people who were with me during my difficult time after the Oscars. Joyner was one of the first people to reach out and offer whatever help he could. So this first round of collabs are friends and allies.
How did you land on the title Based on a True Story?
I’ve probably recorded 60 songs by now, so I was trying to come up with one name for the whole body of work. I’m talking so many different tempos and energy: there’s a gospel record, then a hardcore hip-hop record. It was about just letting whatever come out in a really wild, colorful and varied way. What I decided to do is separate the material into seasons like a television show. So I’m releasing three seasons of this television musical show and calling the 10 tracks for each season “episodes” instead of songs. The first season is called Rave in the Wasteland. The actual date hasn’t been picked yet, but I’m releasing season one at the end of March. It’s about the idea of learning to dance in your darkest moment. It’s also all the things I wrote directly after the Oscars. The second season is called The Gift of Madness and that’s a Quincy Jones quote. Quincy was doing an interview once where somebody said Quincy, you’ve picked Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey and Will Smith. What did you see in those people in seed form? And Quincy said all three of them have the gift of madness, that they believe impossible shit can happen. So season two’s music lends itself to that: belief and possibilities, much more upbeat and joyful. We’re looking to release that in June. For yet-untitled season three, we’re looking at the end of the year.
On the writing and production side, what other collaborators did you bring on board?
I’m working with two young writers/rappers that were a big part of working with Joyner: Chiller and Symba. They’re sitting with me on every single track, making sure I’m getting my ideas out right, helping me transition to current flows, track selection and all of that. They’re keeping me from going too old school. There’s also my longtime friend OmArrRambert. We grew up on the same block together and he was a dancer for DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. Then when I did The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, he was a big part of all the wardrobe looks on the show. His first shot at producing was working on [Smith’s 1997 debut solo album] Big Willie Style. The first song that he executive produced was “Men in Black” for which he found The Trackmasters [production duo Poke & Tone]. Now this is the first project that he’s solely executive producing.
When you stepped back into recording, what advice did your children Jaden and Willow give you?
Jayden was like, “Dad, just don’t waste a lot of time thinking about it. Write it, record it, release it. Don’t get so precious that you don’t put it out.” He also said just release singles. That was really hard for me as I like to have a complete thought, a body of work. And Willow kept telling me, “Dad, don’t try to make hits. Just make what you think and feel. And if it’s a hit, it’s a hit. If it’s not, it’s not. Focus on expression and not trying to have it land in a certain way.” What I learned is that that’s how you can start to be contrived as an artist. I want to be free. That was one of the difficulties having a No. 1 gospel record. I was like, “Oh, no. I’m not going to be allowed to do all the other stuff I want to do.” So I’m trying to stay open to explore and create honestly, to give myself the freedom to embrace my full humanity.
Beyond the festival in France this summer, are you planning to tour in support of the new album?
I’ve never done a full tour. Everybody I say that to thinks, “Well no, you must have done a tour before as DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince.” We did do dates on tours. But we had our big single in 1988 [“Parents Just Don’t Understand”] and we won the Grammy in 1989. Then Fresh Prince of Bel-Air started in 1990. I was shooting that for nine months out of the year for the next six years. So I’ve never actually built a stage and done a tour. I am excited about the combination of absolute nostalgia that people feel with songs like “Miami,” “Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It” and “Summertime,” then being able to make a show, which is the idea for Based on a True Story. So I’m starting outside of the country this summer; my getting in shape. My dream is to work my way into a stadium tour. I’ll probably do arenas this year and next year to see can I build a big enough, exciting enough show to require a stadium run. I have gigantic ideas about staging, using music, acting and screens — I’ve had a show in my mind for almost a decade, So I’m excited, in terms of the new technology, to finally be able to build this thing I’ve been seeing in my head.
Given your musical legacy, what matters most to you as an artist now?
The highest pleasure for me is to watch people listen, clap, cry or be riveted by the creation of a memorable moment. At the end of the day, what you want is people being able to say, “Remember that time when…?” and the recalling of the memory is as ecstatic as the initial experience. Music really has a way to do that. Movies definitely can do it, but not the way music can. When you hit that corresponding vibration in somebody’s heart with a song, it’s a whole different kind of thing.
Christian Nodal unveiled his new PA’L CORA EP. 02 on Thursday (Jan. 30), part of the PA’L CORA series that he launched in 2024. Sonically, the Mexican artist further solidifies his distinct mariacheño sound — a subgenre fusing mariachi’s strings and horns with the norteño accordion — with other rhythms such as tropical (“Contigo al […]
The BRIT Awards has announced the first slate of live performers for its 2025 ceremony. JADE, Myles Smith, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims and The Last Dinner Party will all perform live during the event at London’s O2 Arena on March 1. All of the performers are nominated in a number of categories. Myles Smith has already […]
Marc Cohn has taken took Instagram to reveal his hope amid his Parkinson’s disease diagnosis. “I feel like it’s time to tell you, my fans, what many of my colleagues, friends and family already know. About 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease,” he wrote alongside a photo of himself on stage. “I […]
Katy Perry feels confident in the future of American Idol, even if she’s no longer a part of the show.
The pop star shared how she really feels about Carrie Underwood replacing her as a judge on the long-running competition series, telling People on Thursday (Jan. 30) she thinks her seat is in good hands.
“She was born on that show,” Perry said of the “Before He Cheats” singer. “I think she knows how to steer it.”
The “Woman’s World” singer’s comments come about six months after it was announced that Underwood would be taking over her seat on the judge’s panel, which is also comprised of Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan. Perry announced her departure a few months prior during a February visit to Jimmy Kimmel Live!, explaining at the time, “I love the show so much, but I want to go see the world and maybe bring new music.”
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To People, Perry emphasized that Underwood is bringing a new perspective to the show that neither of her co-judges can provide. “She actually truly knows … what it feels like to be in [the contestants’] shoes,” the “Firework” artist said. “We could only metaphorically feel that as judges.”
The country star competed on Idol back in 2005, winning the show’s fourth season. In August, Underwood said that the show “feels like home” in an interview with Good Morning America and said, “I feel like being on both sides of the coin, I’ll be able to hopefully offer some insight and help.”
“I can’t lie. I just can’t,” she added at the time of her judging style. “You can tell. I feel like I’ll be very honest, but hopefully, you know, I can be very constructive and encouraging.”
Perry’s comments about Underwood come shortly after the country drew a mixed reaction for her choice to perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony earlier this month, with the “Jesus, Take The Wheel” artist singing “America the Beautiful” a cappella after technical difficulties messed with her background music. Leading up to the event, Underwood defended her decision to perform, saying in a statement: “I love our country and am honored to have been asked to sing at the Inauguration and to be a small part of this historic event.”
She added, “I am humbled to answer the call at a time when we must all come together in the spirit of unity and looking to the future.”
Boi-1da and Sarah Harmer are earning special honors.
The Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) has announced both Canadian artists as special award recipients at this year’s Juno Awards.
Globally successful record producer Boi-1da (born Matthew Samuels) will receive the International Achievement Award during The Juno broadcast live on CBC on March 30. This award recognizes Canadian artists who have attained exemplary success on the world stage and it honors Canadian talent who have raised the profile of Canadian music around the world. Boi-1da is the first producer recipient of the award, and just the 10th in total. He won a Grammy for best rap song six years ago for co-writing Drake‘s hit “God’s Plan.” His 19 nominations include two nods for the coveted producer of the year, non-classical award, in 2019 and 2023.
Harmer will receive the 2025 Humanitarian Award at The Juno Awards Gala, on Saturday, March 29 at the Vancouver Convention Centre. This award recognizes Canadian artists or industry leaders whose work has positively enhanced the social culture of Canada. Harmer is being honored for eloquently using her voice to advocate for major environmental issues.
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“This year’s Juno Special Award Recipients exemplify the very best of what Canadian music has to offer,” Allan Reid, president and CEO of CARAS, said in a statement. “From creating superstar recordings to leading with compassion in their humanitarian efforts, we are excited to celebrate Boi-1da and Sarah Harmer for their work and profound impact.”
It is almost 20 years since Boi-1da’s first recognized production credit, for the track “Do What You Do” on Drake’s 2006 mixtape Room for Improvement. That launched a career that now boasts these impressive stats: 60+ platinum singles, 19 Grammy nominations (with one win), four RIAA-certified Diamond records and four Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hits as both a songwriter and producer – Eminem’s “Not Afraid,” Rihanna’s “Work” (featuring Drake), Drake’s “God’s Plan” and Drake’s “First Person Shooter” (featuring J. Cole).
Boi-1da has produced tracks for superstars including Rihanna, Eminem, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Kanye West and Beyoncé, among others.
“It’s a huge honour,” he says. “Canada has always been home, and its music scene shaped me into the producer I am today. To be able to take that foundation and contribute to music on a global scale means everything. I hope this inspires the next generation of Canadian artists and producers to dream big and know that the world is listening.”
Singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer began her musical career with roots-rock bands The Saddletramps and Weeping Tile, prior to launching a solo career that took off with her 2000 sophomore album, You Were Here, which went platinum. Five more full-length albums have brought her both commercial success and international critical acclaim.
Harmer’s record as an environmental activist runs long and deep. In 2005, she co-founded citizen’s organization PERL (Protecting Escarpment Rural Land) and supported it via a tour of the Niagara Escarpment region. A documentary DVD of this tour was released in 2006 as Escarpment Blues. Harmer also coauthored a book about the campaign, The Last Stand: A Journey Through the Ancient Cliff-Face Forest of the Niagara Escarpment.
She is credited with leading the successful effort to prevent an open-pit gravel mine in a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve on the Escarpment in Ontario and has been active in different community environmental groups, including the Reform Gravel Mining Coalition, and pipeline protests.
“I truly appreciate this honour,” says Harmer of this special award. “I accept on behalf of all the people who volunteer their time to speak up to protect land, water, and the web of life in their communities, and beyond. Musicians who use their platforms to amplify these struggles give a huge boost to the collective fight. Now more than ever we need to use our powers to build community and respect the natural world that underpins our lives.”
Harmer is no stranger to recognition at the Juno Awards, having taken home 10 trophies for her solo work.
This article was originally published by Billboard Canada.
We’re just days away from the 2025 Grammys Awards, which means one of today’s biggest hits will be crowned song of the year. This year’s nominees include Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” Billie Eilish’s “Birds of a Feather,” Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ’Em,” Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” Lady Gaga and […]
2025 got off to a rough start in the music world, with two music greats passing away on the first day of the new year. Argentine artist and composer Leo Dan — known for his romantic tracks such as“Cómo Te Extraño Mi Amor,” “Mary Es Mi Amor” and “Pídeme La Luna” — died at age […]
