Bianca Gracie is a contributing writer to GRAMMY.com / The Recording Academy. She previously held staff roles at Billboard, Fuse and Idolator. Her writing can also be found in various entertainment media outlets, including SPIN, Vulture and VIBE. Gracie's work reflects her diverse taste in genres (especially '90s and early '00s pop) as well as helping Black artists share their stories. She loves finding new restaurants, exploring art galleries and endless vacations.
Coco Jones may just be releasing her debut album, but she's far from new to the game. In fact, the seasoned artist compares her album release to the feeling of deja vu. "What the hell is going on?" she tells GRAMMY.com with a laugh. "I'm prepared [for this new chapter] in a good way for the workload that it takes,…
Jessie Reyez has never attempted to patch up her flaws. This admirable honesty has been a feature of the Toronto singer/songwriter's music since her first release, and continues on her latest album, Paid In Memories. "I never said I was sane," Reyez declares on the album’s opening track. Released on March 28, the GRAMMY nominee's third studio release embraces some…
"I see everythin' in slow motion, like a movie scene," Alessia Cara sings on "Slow Motion," one of the singles from her new album, Love & Hyperbole. It's a fitting statement for the singer/songwriter, whose music has felt cinematic since her breakthrough 2015 hit "Here." Her poetic lyrics paint grand storylines, taking listeners through every emotion — and her new…
Like many of us, Olly Alexander considers himself an emotional person. But while others may hide from that revelation, the singer/songwriter opts to fully dive into all the intricacies of emotions. "I'm interested in the drama, the escape, the intensity, the high stakes of a pop song," he tells GRAMMY.com. "I'm always trying to get at that epic, bittersweet feeling."…
Long before it became a viral TikTok trend, Gwen Stefani's pouty declaration of "I'm just a girl" on No Doubt's 1995 breakthrough single was simply an honest affirmation. She wailed about the frustrating tug of war between empowerment and vulnerability that came with womanhood — and she's been wearing her heart on her sleeve just the same ever since. The…
The 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, will air live on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, Feb. 2. Watch highlights from the 2025 GRAMMYs on live.GRAMMY.com. The 2025 GRAMMYs telecast will be reimagined to raise funds to support wildfire relief efforts and aid music professionals impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles. Donate to the Recording Academy's…
Being a once-in-a-generation artist isn't an easy crown to wear, but Billie Eilish has made it look effortlessly badass. The singer's unabashed honesty and equally raw vocal talent led her to becoming one of the industry's most decorated Gen Z artists before she even reached her twenties. Eilish first caught our ears in 2016 when the then-13-year-old uploaded "ocean eyes"…
Billie Eilish has never been one to shy away from her feelings. In fact, she doubles down on them. Since her debut EP, 2017's Don't Smile At Me, the pop star has held listeners' hands as she guides them through the darkest pages of her diary. The EP found a teenage Eilish navigating heartbreak while her blockbuster debut album, WHEN…
From Slick Rick to Cardi B, rap has long been synonymous with exorbitant personalities. But in 2023, Ice Spice showed that you can still make noise with subtle charm. The 24-year-old charmed the masses with her nonchalant flow and demeanor, paired with boisterous Bronx drill beats. Just two years into her career, Ice Spice was coined the "People's Princess" —…
There's arguably only one way to sum up pop music in 2023: it belonged to the women. Whether SZA or Olivia Rodrigo were revealing the cracks in their relationships through catchy hooks, or Taylor Swift was taking over stadiums around the globe, female artists dominated genre charts and trends. And even a fictional female figure helped spawn some of the…
Throughout the past year, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift delivered inescapable pop anthems, while Victoria Monét and SZA proved that R&B deserves a place in the spotlight. Jon Batiste continued to evolve his artistry, while indie supergroup boygenius made an anticipated comeback. With so many standout moments, the golden gramophone Record Of The Year — which…
Ilsey is cruising down the path to self-discovery. For the past decade, the Los Angeles-born songwriter had a major presence behind the scenes, penning hits for the likes of Beyoncé and Shawn Mendes. Now, she's the one on the mic, ready to share her journey. From The Valley details the emotional weight of a crumbling relationship and finding the courage…
Leah Kate isn’t here to coddle you. The Los Angeles-born alt-pop singer has been unleashing kiss-off anthems since her 2019 debut EP Impulse. Since then, she hasn’t slowed down on penning tunes that encapsulate the frustration that comes with one-sided love. After gaining strides with singles like 2020’s "F— Up The Friendship," 2021’s "F U Anthem" and last year’s "10…
Hip-hop was born at a humble party that transformed into a definitive movement. On Aug. 11, 1973, Cindy Campbell asked her brother Clive (known by his stage name DJ Kool Herc) to DJ at a school fundraiser she organized. That event, held in a Bronx apartment building community room, gave way to not only a genre but a movement. Today,…
By the turn of Y2K, Destiny's Child was on top of the world. Their 2000 smash "Independent Women Part I" was the longest-running No. 1 of their career, and their 2001 LP, Survivor, was yet another worldwide success for the group. But by 2003, all eyes were on Beyoncé. One of the founding members of Destiny's Child, Beyonce was also…
Since her 2010 debut album, The ArchAndroid, Janelle Monáe’s work has been grounded in intricacy. Whether Monáe is building sci-fi worlds, continuing the Afrofuturism narrative of her Cindi Mayweather character or analyzing the concept of American identity on 2019’s Dirty Computer — which scored a nomination for Album Of The Year at the 2019 GRAMMYs — she tasks listeners with…
By the time Cardi B released her debut album on April 6, 2018, there was no denying that she was rap's biggest and boldest new star. The rapper's fearlessness placed her at the head of her rap class — and on top of the charts — with 2017's history-making hit, "Bodak Yellow." But after she released her first album, Invasion…
Doja Cat is one of the most exciting talents of our time, and it’s partly thanks to her refusal to stick to one sound. A triple threat, the artist sings, raps and dances with a vigor that’s resulted in seven Top 10 hits and 16 GRAMMY nominations. But due to the overwhelming popularity of her mainstream pop-forward smashes — including…
If there's one word to describe this year in pop, it would be "unpredictable." Take fan favorites Beyoncé and Rihanna for starters: as fans began pondering when they'd hear new music again, both superstars made significant returns to their solo artistries, further elevating their statuses as elite pop divas. Pop's unexpected nature is what makes it so beloved, especially in…
Burna Boy’s rapid ascent to becoming one of this generation’s biggest international superstars is a true wonder. The Nigerian-born star brought "Afro-fusion" — an infectious blend of Afrobeats, dancehall and reggae, hip-hop and pop — to the masses all while shattering stereotypes that Africa has a singular sound. Burna Boy’s success in Afrobeats is multi-faceted: The 31-year-old artist has refused…
