Tonight, Hollywood’s glitz and glamour converge for Music’s Biggest Night: The 67th Grammy Awards. Held amidst the backdrop of recent devastating wildfires, this year’s ceremony carries a profound meaning, serving as a testament to the entertainment industry’s resilience.
The Recording Academy,composed of “a learned academy of musicians,producers,recording engineers,and other musical professionals”,will bestow 94 coveted Grammy Awards across a diverse spectrum of genres,from mainstream Album of the Year to the niche Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. while the ceremony promises to be a festivity of musical excellence, the shadow of the wildfires looms large.
These wildfires, which ravaged neighborhoods and impacted vital industries, forced the cancellation of numerous Grammy Week functions, including prominent parties hosted by major labels and platforms like spotify. Yet, Harvey Mason Jr., the Recording Academy’s chief, declared the gala would proceed as planned. A poignant tribute to Los Angeles’ first responders and a fundraising effort for wildfire relief will underscore the evening’s message of unity and strength.
Beyond acknowledging the tragedy, the Grammys will spotlight Ireland’s rich musical heritage. Fontaines D.C., nominated for Best Rock Album for their critically acclaimed fourth album, romance, aim to bring home the coveted Grammy. Having previously been nominated in 2021, the Irish rock band faces formidable competition from renowned artists like The Black Crowes, Green Day, Idles, Pearl Jam, The Rolling Stones, and various others.
“Ireland has a long history at the Grammys” – as evidenced by U2’s extraordinary 22 awards. Fontaines D.C.’s nomination serves as a beacon of hope, showcasing Ireland’s vibrant musical landscape on a global stage.
Despite the challenges faced,tonight’s Grammy Awards promise to be a celebration of musical artistry,resilience,and the enduring spirit of Los Angeles.
The Grammys: Beyonce’s Paradox and the Beatles’ legacy Haunt Music’s Biggest Night
The 2024 Grammy Awards are shaping up to be one of the most talked-about ceremonies in recent memory. Beyoncé, already the most awarded artist in Grammy history with 32 wins, finds herself at the center of a debate that has plagued the awards for years: “the Beyoncé paradox.”
Leading the pack with 11 nominations for her genre-bending album
Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé finds herself vying for Album and record of the Year, the two most prestigious awards. Beyoncé’s consistent omission from these categories, despite her phenomenal success and influence, has sparked intense scrutiny of the Recording academy.
“I think that it would behoove the Grammys to show a little more engagement outside of a white pop sphere,” musicologist Lauron Kehrer told AFP, commenting on Beyoncé’s complex relationship with the Grammys.
With Cowboy Carter, beyoncé makes a intentional foray into a genre historically dominated by white artists, potentially challenging the Academy’s proclaimed commitment to “integrity” and ”inclusivity.”
Adding another layer to the Grammy conversation, The Beatles, despite their iconic status, have onyl won a total of seven Grammys. This year, thay are nominated for Record of the Year with their “last” song, Now and Then*. This nomination brings a new dimension to the debate about how legacy and impact are measured in the music industry
The music world is buzzing with anticipation as the 2024 Grammy Awards approach.This year, a especially poignant nomination has ignited a debate about the role of technology in artistic creation. “Now and Then”, a new Beatles track featuring John Lennon’s recorded vocals from 1970, alongside new instrumentation from Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, along with archived guitar recordings from George Harrison, has been pieced together using artificial intelligence. While Paul McCartney insists, “Nothing has been artificially created,” the song’s creation has sparked a larger conversation about the ethical implications of AI in music.
Last year, the Recording Academy, the organization behind the prestigious Grammys, announced a ruling that only human creators are eligible for nomination.Their stance stated, “a work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any categories,” and “a work that features elements of AI material is eligible in applicable categories.” This raises the question: Where do we draw the line?
Whether “Now and Then” wins a Grammy or not, its debut marks a turning point in the music industry. If awarded, it could be interpreted as the industry’s eagerness to capitalize on the “technological afterlife” of renowned artists. As one writer puts it, ”If it is honoured it will more likely be because the music industry is agog at the money-spinning potential of milking the technological afterlife of other music legends.” Perhaps the lesson is that just because technology allows us to create something new, doesn’t mean we should.
The Big Four categories, which typically command the most attention at the Grammys, boast a diverse and intriguing lineup this year. The nominees for Record of the Year include both established superstars and rising talents, with a unique blend of genres. the Beatles’ “Now and Then” faces fierce competition from Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” Sabrina Carpenter’s ”Espresso,” Charli XCX’s “360,” Billie Eilish’s “Birds Of A Feather,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!,” and Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone’s “Fortnight.”
Album Of The Year features a powerhouse lineup with names like André 3000’s “New Blue Sun,” Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter,” Sabrina Carpenter’s ”Short n’ Sweet,” Charli XCX’s “BRAT,” Jacob Collier’s ”Djesse vol. 4,” Billie Eilish’s “hit Me Hard And Soft,” Chappell Roan’s “The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess,” and Taylor Swift’s “The Tortured Poets Department.”
The Song Of The Year category showcases songwriting prowess with ”A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by shaboozey, “Birds Of A Feather” by Billie Eilish, “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone’s ”Fortnight,” Chappell Roan’s “Good Luck, Babe!,” Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please,” and Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
Grammy Awards 2023: A Night of New Sounds and legendary Tribute
The 2023 Grammy Awards were a captivating showcase of musical talent, with a focus on rising stars and a poignant tribute to the late legend Quincy Jones. Hosted for the fifth consecutive year by the ever-charismatic Trevor Noah, who was also a nominee for Best Comedy Album with his latest release “Where Was I?” the ceremony promised a night filled with electrifying performances and coveted awards.
A host of music icons graced the stage as presenters, including Taylor Swift, the reigning Album of the Year winner from the previous year, and Victoria Monét, who took home the Best New Artist award in 2023. The star-studded list also featured Cardi B, Gloria Estefan, Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Will Smith, Olivia Rodrigo, Queen Latifah, and SZA.
The stage belonged to both established and emerging artists. Six of the Best New Artist nominees – Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Doechii, Raye, Sabrina Carpenter, and Teddy Swims – captivated audiences with their fresh sounds.The night also featured performances from grammy darling Billie Eilish, the ever-evolving Charli XCX, and the global icon Shakira.
Adding a layer of solemnity and reverence, the ceremony included a moving tribute to Quincy Jones, whose 28 Grammy Awards throughout his illustrious career underscored his immeasurable contribution to music. Another poignant tribute honored the resilient city of Los Angeles as it continues its recovery from the devastating wildfires.
For those who missed the live broadcast, highlights of the 2023 Grammy Awards are available on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player, allowing viewers to relive the magic and celebrate musical excellence.
How does Beyoncé’s album “Cowboy Carter” challenge the genre-based biases within the Grammy Awards?
Beyoncé’s Record Year and the Grammys’ Challenge: An Interview with Lauron Kehrer
The 2024 Grammy Awards are fast approaching, and already the nominations have sparked intense debate about the Academy’s reckoning with diversity and technological advancements. Musicologist Lauron Kehrer, a respected figure in the field, weighs in on Beyoncé’s historic snub and the implications of AI-generated music for the future of the industry.
Archyde News: Beyoncé continues to shatter records and dominate the charts, yet she remains curiously absent from some of the most prestigious grammy categories. What does this say about the Recording Academy’s commitment to recognizing diverse voices in music?
Lauron Kehrer: Beyoncé’s omission is deeply concerning. Her influence and impact on popular music are undeniable.It highlights a persistent bias within the Academy, a tendency to favor artists and genres that fit a narrow definition of what constitutes “high art.” The Grammys claim to celebrate inclusivity, but their track record contradicts those claims
Archyde News: Beyoncé herself navigates this conversation with her latest album, “Cowboy carter,” which explores a genre traditionally dominated by white artists. Do you see this as a intentional challenge to the Academy?
Lauron Kehrer: It’s certainly a powerful move. Beyoncé is not only breaking boundaries musically but also pushing for depiction and challenging long-held power structures within the industry. it’s an importent conversation to be having, and her entry into this space forces the grammys to confront the very foundations upon which they operate.
Archyde News: We’re also seeing a major discussion arise around artificial intelligence and music creation, fueled in part by The Beatles’ nomination for Record of the Year with a song incorporating AI-generated vocals. Where do you draw the line between innovation and artistic integrity?
Lauron Kehrer:
That’s a crucial question with no easy answers. AI has the potential to reshape music creation,but we need to be cautious about the implications for artistic ownership,originality,and the value we place on human creativity.
While technology can be a powerful tool, it shouldn’t replace the essential human element in music. The Grammy’s stance on AI feels like a necessary frist step, but it’s an evolving conversation that we as a society need to continue having.
