Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys

Photo: Aurora Rose/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

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Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz To Receive 2018 Producers & Engineers Wing Award

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GRAMMY winners set to be honored for their outstanding artistic contributions at annual GRAMMY Week event
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Nov 30, 2017 - 6:00 am

GRAMMY winners Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz are a power couple to be reckoned with. In 2018 their stars will burn even brighter with new recognition from the Recording Academy's Producers & Engineers Wing.

Michelle Obama Salutes Alicia Keys On Capitol Hill

The power duo will be honored during GRAMMY Week 2018 at the P&E Wing's 11th annual GRAMMY Week celebration on Jan. 25, 2018, at Rockefeller Center's iconic Rainbow Room in New York City. The invite-only event, which celebrates the artistic contributions of the Wing's professional members, will highlight the unparalleled accomplishments of Keys and Beatz.

Keys has earned a total of 15 career GRAMMYs to date, including Best New Artist and Song Of The Year for "Fallin'" at the 44th GRAMMY Awards and wins in the R&B Field for classics such as "You Don't Know My Name" (2004), "No One" (2007) and "Girl On Fire" (2013). She also earned a win for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and Best Rap Song for her collaboration with fellow GRAMMY winner Jay-Z on "Empire State Of Mind."

Primarily a sought-after producer, Beatz — aka Kasseem Dean — has worked with the likes of Jay-Z, Madonna, Beyoncé, Busta Rhymes, Gwen Stefani, Kanye West, and Metallica. He has earned six GRAMMY nominations, and won his first career GRAMMY at the 53rd GRAMMY Awards for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for "On To The Next One" with Jay-Z.

"With multiplatinum success, fierce dedication to the craft and unwavering support for the art of recorded sound, Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz represent the power of groundbreaking ingenuity in our creative community," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "Alicia and Swizz have set new precedents for excellence and their contributions are paramount. This is sure to be an unforgettable evening, and we are thrilled to be able to celebrate them together as an undeniable force in the industry."

Previous P&E Wing honorees include Jack White, Rick Rubin, Nile Rodgers, Neil Young, Al Schmitt, Quincy Jones, Ahmet & Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler, Arif Mardin, Tom Dowd, Chris Blackwell, T Bone Burnett, and Jimmy Iovine.

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys at the 2018 P&E Wing GRAMMY Week Celebration

Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz Honored At New York's Iconic Rainbow Room

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The Recording Academy's P&E Wing recognized two of the industry's most undeniable forces at its annual GRAMMY Week Celebration
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jan 25, 2018 - 9:36 pm

The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing's 11th annual celebration on Jan. 25 took on a New York state of mind this year, following the 60th GRAMMY Awards to the Big Apple and honoring GRAMMY winners Alicia Keys and Kasseem Dean, aka Swizz Beatz.

Inside The 2018 P&E Wing Celebration

Held at the iconic Rainbow Room, perched 65 floors above the landmark Rockefeller Center, the exclusive, invite-only event brought together the community of recording studio professionals in a new way this year. The room was filled with industry titans, such as GRAMMY winners Peter Asher, Ed Cherney, Tony Visconti, and Chick Corea, and current GRAMMY nominees Morgan Heritage and Lisa Loeb — all of whom came out to celebrate their craft and honor Keys and Dean.

Upon arrival, the couple was greeted on the red carpet with the first of several spontaneous group singings of "Happy Birthday," meant for Keys, who coincidentally received this honor on her birthday. And the excitement of the evening was two-fold for the birthday girl in light of being honored side-by-side with her husband.

"The coolest thing, I think, for [The Producers & Engineers Wing] to honor both of us is that we do very different music," said Keys. "There is no limit to the music, and how it can be created and how it touches people, and to celebrate … our different styles, that's what I love the most because music doesn't just happen in one way. Everyone in that room does music differently, and we're all dope for it."

A 15-time GRAMMY winner, Keys exemplifies versatility, making her mark in the music world as a singer/songwriter and producer, as well as an actress, author, activist, and philanthropist. Since the 2001 release of her debut album, Songs In A Minor, Keys has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide.

However, her impact on music and culture reaches far beyond sales tallies. The New York native's message of female empowerment and her authentic songwriting process have made her an inspiration for women and aspiring creatives worldwide.

"There's a ton of things I'm passionate about," said Keys, "and to continue to share our experience and go deeper into how we can collectively create powerful change is definitely a focus for me.

Swizz Beatz has helmed countless big records dating all the way back to 1998 when he produced his first hit, DMX's "Ruff Ryders' Anthem." In his career spanning more than two decades, he's worked in multiple genres with artists such as Jay-Z, Madonna, Kanye West, and Metallica.

"He helped paint the picture for hip-hop as it is today," said GRAMMY-winning producer and current GRAMMY nominee Jimmy Douglass.

His deep influence on modern hip-hop aside, Swizz Beatz went on to graduate from Harvard Business School's Owner/President program and has built a legacy and a body of work that cannot be contained by the recording studio walls. He entered into a joint venture with Clive Davis at age 23. He's since gone on to launch successful ventures into fashion design, fine art, and philanthropy on his way to becoming a renowned cultural ambassador and natural born modern-day Renaissance man.

Now Keys and Dean can add a new award to their collection, joining previous P&E Wing honorees such as Quincy Jones, Neil Young, Rick Rubin, and Jack White.

Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz Accept 2018 P&E Honors

"This is a major honor, this is a blessing to see so many creative people in one room," Swizz Beatz said as the couple took the stage. "I never would have expected to be on this stage, especially next to this shining bright star. It shows you that hard work doesn't go unnoticed.

"To all the creatives in the building," Keys said, addressing the crowd, "May we all continue to be inspired, may we all continue to be brave, may we all continue to be unafraid of being our brightest best selves. … There is no limit to what we can do and how far we can go."

Dean added, "The sky is not the limit, it's just the view," and the room whipped into a frenzy.

Following the couple's acceptance speech, a special guest was called to the stage to pay tribute to the honorees: GRAMMY-winning jazz-fusion pioneer Chick Corea. 

"Everyone in that room does music differently, and we're all dope for it." — Alicia Keys

"Swizz and Alicia are living works of art, so this is dedicated to them," Corea announced before leading the room in a sing-a-long rendition of "Spain," as requested by Keys herself.

Then the jam ensued. Corea called Keys and Dean back to the stage to play, sans rehearsal. They broke into an impromptu version of "Summertime," with Keys trading soulful vocal runs with Corea's mind-bending piano licks, followed by an improvised jam that featured Swizz on beatbox, Corea weaving the keys through his rhythms, and Keys leading an audience down-home call-and-response.

Neil Portnow with P&E Wing honorees Alicia Keys, Swizz Beats
2018 P&E Wing Celebration

It's safe to say this night was special, not only for the stars of the show but for the community of hard-working producers and engineers the Recording Academy — and the P&E Wing — support and represent.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Khalid

Khalid

Photo: Justin Lloyd/Newspix/Getty Images

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Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert, Julia Michaels Partner With GRAMMY Awards, Uber

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The three current Best New Artist nominees will surprise aspiring musician Uber drivers, with segments to air during the 60th GRAMMY Awards
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jan 12, 2018 - 9:37 am

Ever fantasize about your favorite artist crashing your Uber ride? Now, thanks to the 60th GRAMMY Awards Uber partnership with three Best New Artist GRAMMY nominees — Khalid, Lil Uzi Vert and Julia Michaels — the rideshare company will make that dream come true for unsuspecting aspiring musician Uber drivers.

Best New Artist Nominees | 60th GRAMMY Awards

Each Best New Artist nominee will share their career stories and give a leg up to the aspiring musicians who will be surprised by the encounter. Lil Uzi Vert will surprise a Philadelphia rapper; Khalid will pair up with a beat maker; and Michaels will swap stories with an aspiringsinger.

Fans will have the chance to live vicariously through the selected Uber drivers with videos of the interactions, which will air during the 60th GRAMMYs on Jan. 28 on CBS.

"In music, everyone is working towards that big break," Amy Friedlander Hoffman, who heads experiential marketing for Uber, told Billboard. "That's why we are thrilled to partner with the GRAMMYs to further the ambitions of artists​ ​and fans alike​.​"

"The Recording Academy is proud to partner with Uber, one of today's more innovative brands, to build a multifaceted, fully immersive program worthy of the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards," added Evan Greene, the Recording Academy's Chief Marketing Officer. "This partnership is creating unique and unexpected opportunities to connect with music’s biggest night."

The 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at New York City's Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Jan. 28. The telecast will be broadcast live on CBS at 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT. 

Nancy O'Dell at the 59th GRAMMY Awards

Nancy O'Dell

Photo: Lester Cohen/WireImage.com

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2018 GRAMMYs: "GRAMMY Red Carpet Live" To Air On CBS

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Go behind-the-scenes at Madison Square Garden in New York to see the coolest fashion trends and talk to music's biggest stars with hosts Nancy O'Dell, Kevin Frazier and Keltie Knight
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Dec 19, 2017 - 6:30 am

We know you love fashion, and the GRAMMY red carpet is one of the hottest places to see all the latest trends, from luscious gowns to dapper suits and even the experimental costume for good measure. Now, thanks to "GRAMMY Red Carpet Live," you can catch all the 60th GRAMMY Awards wardrobe action in real time.

Fashion At The GRAMMYs: 1990s

CBS will air "GRAMMY Red Carpet Live," a live entertainment special hosted by "Entertainment Tonight" co-hosts Nancy O'Dell and Kevin Frazier and Canadian TV presenter Keltie Knight immediately prior to the 60th GRAMMYs broadcast.

Get all the behind-the-scenes scoop with the special's hosts at Madison Square Garden in New York to see the coolest fashion trends and talk to music's biggest stars before they take the stage for Music's Biggest Night.

Tune in on Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT for your fashion viewing pleasure.

The 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Jan. 28, 2018, airing live on CBS from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.

The Carters

The Carters

Photo: Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic

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The Carters, Cardi B Top 2018 MTV VMA Nominations

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Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello also notch notable nomination tallies
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 16, 2018 - 1:58 pm

It's that time again. On July 16 MTV Video Music Awards announced its 2018 slate of nominees.

Leading the pack this year with 10 nominations are new mom Cardi B and seasoned parents the Carters — aka Beyoncé and Jay-Z — with a total of eight nominations. Childish Gambino and Drake racked up seven nods each, Bruno Mars earned six and Ariana Grande and Camila Cabello follow close behind with five total nominations.

The MTV VMAs are awarded in a variety of categories such as Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Genre-based awards in pop, hip-hop, Latin, dance, and rock are also awarded. Notably, fans are eligible to vote in eight of these categories, including Best Collaboration and Video with a Message through Aug. 10, while voting for Best New Artist will stay open until the telecast airs.

"It has already been a monumental year in music, and this year's VMAs will take things to a whole new level," said Bruce Gillmer, head of music and music talent, Global Entertainment Group, Viacom. "The extraordinary group of nominees have amazed us with their talent and inspired us with their creativity — and when you get them together for one night, anything is possible."

The VMAs will take place on Aug. 20 at Radio City Music Hall,, which was the home of the inaugural VMAs in 1984. This year's show will mark the 12th time the telecast makes its way to the iconic Big Apple venue.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"