GRAMMYs

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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Did You Know That Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Won A GRAMMY?

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In addition to being nominated three times, the civil rights leader posthumously won for Best Spoken Word Recording in 1971 for "Why I Oppose The War In Vietnam"
Rachel Brodsky
GRAMMYs
Jan 21, 2019 - 8:42 am

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is as instantly recognizable in American history as a public figure can be. The civil rights leader, who singlehandedly challenged ingrained racial barriers in the United States through peaceful protest, earned a number of accolades in his too-short life, including the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964 and, the following year, the American Liberties Medallion by the American Jewish Committee (among others). Among his many, many awards is even a GRAMMY: Dr. King postumously won for Best Spoken Word Recording at the 13th GRAMMY Awards in 1971 for "Why I Oppose The War In Vietnam."

Not only that, but Dr. King was nominated two other times: once at the 11th GRAMMY Awards in 1969 for Best Spoken Word Recording (I Have A Dream), and prior to that in 1964 at the 6th GRAMMY Awards, for Best Documentary, Spoken Word Or Drama Recording (Other Than Comedy) for "We Shall Overcome (The March On Washington...August 28, 1963)."

In honor of Dr. King and his mission, which we observe on Martin Luther King Day, let's revisit his GRAMMY-nominated (and winning!) works. 

At The 6th Annual GRAMMY Awards...

​In the early '60s, Dr. King earned his first GRAMMY nod for We Shall Overcome (The March On Washington...August 28, 1963), which was up for Best Documentary, Spoken Word Or Drama Recording (Other Than Comedy).

The authorized radio broadcast captured more than 250,000 people marching on Washington, D.C. in peaceful protest against racial segregation and for equal rights legislation. It featured performances from folk heroes Joan Baez, Odetta, Bob Dylan, Peter, Paul & Mary and Marian Anderson. It also captured Dr. King's now world-renowned "I Have A Dream" speech, where he famously called for racial and economic justice, as well as a general end to racism in the United States.

At The 11th Annual GRAMMY Awards...

One year after his assasination, the Recording Academy again recognized Dr. King with a Best Spoken Word Recording nomination. As opposed to the early '60s radio broadcast recording mentioned above, this nomination recognized a newer recording distributed by 20th Century Fox Records called Have A Dream: The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 1929-1968, with the subtitle reading, "The original address from the March on Washington, August 28, 1963." According to Discogs, King is the only advertised name on the album jacket, but co-organizer A. Phillip Randolph and fellow civil rights activists Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, John Lewis, Whitney M. Young, Jr. and Roy Wilkins are also featured on the recording. 

Reflecting On The Message Of Dr. King With Music

At The 13th Annual GRAMMY Awards...

When Dr. King postumously won a GRAMMY in 1971, it was Best Spoken Word Recording for "Why I Oppose The War In Vietnam." He gave the famous speech at the Riverside Church in New York City in the spring of 1967, one year before he was assassinated. 

"We as a nation must undergo a radical revolution of values," King said in his GRAMMY-winning sermon. "We must rapidly begin the shift from a thing oriented society to a person oriented society, when machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered. A true revolution of values will soon cause us to question the fairness and justice of many of our past and present policies…true compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar, it comes to see that an edifice that produces beggars needs restructuring."

As you can no doubt tell, revisiting King's teachings on peace and race equality are a vital part of how society will continue to evolve, even decades later. Have a happy and healthy Martin Luther King Day, and find out who'll take home GRAMMY gold this year when the 61st GRAMMY Awards air on Sunday, Feb. 10 on CBS.  

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Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images for NARAS

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What’s Inside the 61st GRAMMYs Gifting Lounge?

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From luxurious skincare products to a virtual-reality trip to Kyoto, here's a sneak peek at the high-end GRAMMY gifts performers and presenters will receive this year
Tamara Palmer
GRAMMYs
Feb 8, 2019 - 1:15 pm

Performing artists and presenters of the 61st GRAMMY Awards have the option of taking a stroll through the GRAMMYS Gifting Lounge to receive some fabulous (and fabulously free) items during rehearsal days.

"We're thrilled to be a very small part of a very big show,” said Lash Fary, founder of Distinctive Assets, which has produced the GRAMMYs Gifting Lounge for the past 20 years. "It’s something that the artists now, over the years, have grown accustomed to as a perk they are very well aware that they get for coming on the show, which is very cute."

Fary noted that Distinctive Assets' GRAMMYs Gifting Lounges have won over some big names.

"In the past people like Mary J. Blige have shown up and said, 'Where’s the gift lounge?' And even when artists don't have the time or interest to come through the lounge, like Adele, the last time she was in LA and on the show she asked for some of the kids’ stuff. We had Hasbro Games here, so she asked that the kid stuff be brought to her dressing room so her son could play with them.

“We have artists like Ricky Martin and Faith Hill, who don't do gift lounges typically but they’ll do ours because they know that we are here as a true artform of the GRAMMYS and we respect them," he revealed. "They know if we say we aren't doing photos then we won’t do photos, that we have great stuff, that we respect their time and get them in and out quickly. So it’s just great! These are my favorite three days of the year, GRAMMYS rehearsal days, and we've got amazing thank-you gifts for them. There’s something for everyone."

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ReFa Massager
Photo credit: Tamara Palmer

The Recording Academy took an exclusive spin through the Gifting Lounge when it opened on Thursday afternoon and got a peek at some of those perks that stars can take home. This year, there are a number of vendors focused on beauty and wellness, including ReFa's Japanese microcurrent beauty rollers and collagen-enhanced drink mixers, Source Naturals' vitamins and herbal supplements, Neoteny’s age-fighting kits (including a mask called Resting Bitch Face), It’s a 10's pro hair care tools and entertainment industry’s makeup that breathes and heals skin as it conceals, pitched as a smart choice for the entertainment industry's heavy makeup needs

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Oxygenetix
Photo credit: Tamara Palmer

Guests are invited to experience ishiki, a Japanese sense of consciousness and well-being, via a virtual reality trip to Kyoto; stars will be gifted a pair of virtual reality glasses to take more transportive trips at home or while on the road.

23 and Me will allow stars to dig deeper into their ancestry, teasing that they never know what they might discover. Truth Initiative packed backpacks full of Xbox games, hats, sunglasses and fanny packs from their forthcoming retail collection to say "don't get played" when it comes to vaping and smoking.

Dr. Tabatha Carr flew from Oklahoma to California to showcase her gluten-free, dairy-free and naturally sweetened Good Girl Chocolate at the GRAMMYs Gifting Lounge. After showing us before and after pictures of her 100-pound weight loss, she offered us a taste of a lush vegan dark chocolate-encased agave and cashew butter filled caramel that could easily become a happy habit.

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Ishiki
Photo credit: Tamara Palmer

Grossé, a costume jewelry designer that designed collections for Dior for over 50 years, hopes to drip stars in convincing baubles, while Millianna is introducing "shoelery," chains meant to be draped around boots or stilettos. PRSVR, a Chicago lifestyle brand that recently opened a by-appointment showroom just blocks away, is hoping to gift Cardi B with a pair of fur sleeves—vegan or fox, her choice.

"We've been fortunate to really use Instagram to connect with celebrities,” said PRSVR's Margaret Williamson. "So our client list includes Tank, Diddy, Ciara, Teyana Taylor, Meek Mill, Fabolous and Nicki Minaj."

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Good Girl Chocolate
Photo credit: Tamara Palmer

Alpha Priority, a worldwide meet and greet airport concierge service, was looking forward to catching up with the stars planning on coming through the Gifting Lounge, many of whom a rep said are already clients. They’ll be gifted with a free meet and greet that will be arrange at their convenience.

As the longtime GRAMMYS Gifting Lounge producer, Lash Fary certainly isn't one to get star-struck, but there is one particular luminary who he hopes to see in there this year.

"Dolly Parton,” he said, name-checking the MusiCares Person of the Year without hesitation. "Just because she’s so nice! Dolly is one of my favorite people. I’ve met her at a few award shows so I love her and I’m hoping that we get to see her. There’s not a lovelier person on the planet than Dolly; she just makes you feel good about yourself."

Watch the 61st GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, Feb. 10 on CBS.

GRAMMY Award

Photo: Mike Pont/Getty Images

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Recording Academy Announces 61st GRAMMY Awards Update

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General Field nominations grow from five to eight and categories evolve to stay as appropriate, current, and relevant as possible
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jun 26, 2018 - 3:31 pm

The GRAMMY Awards reflect what's happening in the ever-changing landscape of music, and the Recording Academy works diligently to ensure the awards process continually evolves. Driven by the music makers — Academy members — who seek to meet the needs of the music community, several changes have been enacted for the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards process and categories.

For the four General Field categories — Record Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Song Of The Year, and Best New Artist — the number of nominations included in each will be increased from five to eight in order to better reflect the many entries in these categories.

Other changes put in place affect various categories including those in the World Music Field, which will now determine nominations through its own Nomination Review Committee where the top 15 selections from general voting membership's ballots will be narrowed down to the final five nominations by a Trustee-ratified committee of Voting Member experts.

For Best Compilation Soundtrack Album, the growing role of Music Supervisors is recognized as eligible. Also, only Music Supervisors who produced more than half of an album will now be eligible for consideration as album producers.

Driven by the technological side of music evolution, the Best Surround Sound Album category is renamed Best Immersive Audio Album. The same goes for the Field to which it belongs. The change reflects evolving technology, new formats, and current industry trends, practices, and language.

Several category guidelines and/or definitions were also updated. For instance, the Best Alternative Music Album criteria and definition has been broadened and updated as, "Alternative is defined as a genre of music that embraces attributes of progression and innovation in both the music and attitudes associated with it. It is often a less intense version of rock or a more intense version of pop and is typically regarded as more original, eclectic, or musically challenging. It may embrace a variety of sub-genres or any hybrids thereof and may include recordings that don't fit into other genre categories."

These changes and other will be in effect for the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards, as the Recording Academy continues to ensure the process remains as appropriate, current, and relevant as possible.

For more information about this year's rule changes and the GRAMMY Awards process, visit www.grammy101.com.

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

Kalani Pe'a

Kalani Pe'a

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Kalani Pe'a Win The GRAMMY For Best Regional Roots Music Album For 'No 'Ane'I' In 2019

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In the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind, turn back the clock to 2019 and watch Kalani Pe'a win the GRAMMY for Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 61st GRAMMY Awards
Morgan Enos
GRAMMYs
Jun 11, 2021 - 2:44 pm

If you’ve had a long week, you deserve to go into your Friday night like Kalani Pe'a approached the stage at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards show—bedazzled, lei-clad and happy to be alive.

When presenter Lzzy Hale announces that the Hawaiian singer/songwriter has won the GRAMMY for Best Regional Roots Music Album, Pe'a practically floats to the occasion, visibly emotional about the accomplishment.

More: Kalani Pe'a & His New Album 'Kau Ka Pe'a' Are A Ray Of Sunshine

Watch Kalani Pe'a Win Best Regional Roots Album

In the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind, turn back the clock to 2019 and watch Kalani Pe'a win the GRAMMY at the 61st GRAMMY Awards—complete with a bit of Hawaiian in his acceptance speech. “The Hawaiian language shall live,” he proclaims. “Aloha!”

Check out the life-affirming clip above and click here to enjoy more episodes of GRAMMY Rewind.

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Al Jarreau Astonishedly Win Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Male In 1982

Photo of GRAMMY trophy

Photo credit: GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images

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The Recording Academy Releases Updated Rules & Guidelines For The 2022 GRAMMY Awards Show

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The annual disclosure of the GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines mirrors the Recording Academy's commitment to ensuring its actions are fair and transparent and that all details surrounding the awards process are easily accessible to the music community
GRAMMYs
May 26, 2021 - 6:00 am

The Recording Academy released today the latest GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines, which reflect new changes to the process for the 2022 GRAMMY Awards show, officially known as the 64th GRAMMY Awards. Introduced in June 2020, the annual disclosure of the GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines mirrors the Academy's commitment to ensuring its actions are fair and transparent and that all details surrounding the awards process are easily accessible to the music community at large.

The latest amendments are in addition to the previously announced changes in April, which included the discontinuation of nomination review committees, the reduction in the number of categories in which voters may vote, and the addition of the Best Global Music Performance and Best Música Urbana Album categories, among other updates. Nearly all of the changes go into effect immediately for the 64th GRAMMY Awards, which take place Jan. 31, 2022*.

"Our peer-driven awards process is all about engagement, and nothing is more invigorating than seeing our members take part in submitting proposals to move the Academy forward," Harvey Mason jr., Chair & Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy, said. "We're proud to work alongside today's music creators to ensure their vision for the music industry is reflected in all that we do, and to continue our commitment to transparency by making these updates readily available to anyone that wishes to submit their art for GRAMMY recognition. These updates are a direct result of our collaborative process, and we're thankful for the music community's continued support every step of the way."

APPROVED RULE AMENDMENTS:

Album Of The Year Category: Nominee And Recipient Eligibility

Moving forward, all credited artists (including featured artists), songwriters of new material, producers, recording engineers, mixers, and mastering engineers are eligible to be GRAMMY nominees and recipients in the Album Of The Year category. Previously, the rule stated that all artists, songwriters, producers, recording engineers, mixers, and mastering engineers were required to be credited with at least 33 percent or more of playing time.

Dance Field: Renamed And Redefined Category

The category formerly known as "Best Dance Recording" has been renamed "Best Dance/Electronic Recording." This category is intended for recordings with significant electronic-based instrumentation generally based around a rhythmic dance beat. The screening criteria include established dance and electronic recording genres as well as related emerging genres, in order to accurately reflect the current trends in dance and/or electronic music.

Classical Field: Allow Singles In Five Classical Categories

To reflect trends in classical music consumption, singles that are not part of an album will now be eligible in five Classical categories including Best Orchestral Performance, Best Choral Performance, Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance, Best Classical Instrumental Solo, and Best Contemporary Classical Composition.

Music For Visual Media Field: Compilation Category Limits And Updated Rules

Clearer limits to the number of participants who can be awarded in the Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media category have been set:

  1. For albums consisting largely of pre-existing masters, up to two album producers and up to two music supervisors can be awarded.
  2. For albums consisting largely of new recordings, principal artist(s) with significant contributing performance(s) (ensemble-driven casts in which performers have comparable musical and dramatic participation in the recording are not eligible); up to three producer(s) (in extraordinary circumstances an appeal for a possible fourth will be considered); and up to two music supervisors can be awarded. An engineer/mixer(s) who contributes greater than 50 percent playing time of newly recorded material can also be awarded.

​Additionally, those entering albums and tracks that are released during the current eligibility period in the Music For Visual Media Field but are associated with a visual medium that will be released during the next eligibility period will now have two options:

  1. Enter the albums or tracks during the current year in categories that are not in the Music For Visual Media Field. They will not be eligible the following year in the Music For Visual Media Field if this option is chosen.
  2. Enter them the following year as long as they do not get entered in any category during the current year. Albums will only be eligible in their respective category: Compilation or Score. Songs will be eligible in Song Written For Visual Media. They will also be eligible in other song categories as long as they fulfill the "track from a previous year is eligible" rule.

Music Film Field: Eligibility Clarification

Music-related documentaries must contain a minimum of 51 percent of performance-based material or individual music videos that together create a visual album (if videos are packaged and entered together as one cohesive film). While dramatic feature films and biopics are not eligible, films with fictional elements are eligible.

Technical GRAMMY Award Addition

A second Technical GRAMMY Award has been added, specifically reserved for a company, organization or institution. This award would be optional, and at the yearly discretion of the Technical GRAMMY Committee. The Technical GRAMMY is awarded to those individuals who have dramatically pushed boundaries and made groundbreaking, important, outstanding, and influential contributions of technical excellence and innovation to the recording field throughout their lifetime.

Vote Trading And Manipulation

Academy members or their designated publicists are now restricted to FYC emails, social media posts and physical mailings that promote only their own recordings, prohibiting lobbying on behalf of other members.

Album Eligibility

To be eligible for GRAMMY Award consideration, an album must contain greater than 75 percent playing time of newly recorded (within five years of the release date), previously unreleased recordings*. The current eligibility rule is 50 percent. (Note: Best Compilation Soundtrack, Best Historical Album, Best Immersive Audio Album, Best Recording Package, Best Special Package, and Best Album Notes accept albums of recordings that are not newly recorded.)

*Note: The updated album eligibility rule goes into effect for the 65th GRAMMY Awards taking place in 2023.

The full list of rule amendments for the 64th GRAMMY Awards, including the newly announced changes voted on and passed at the Recording Academy's most recent semiannual Board of Trustees meeting held in May 2021, can be found in the GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines. For information on the awards process and key dates surrounding the eligibility period for the 64th GRAMMY Awards, visit here.

The Recording Academy Announces Major Changes For The 2022 GRAMMY Awards Show

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