Kendrick Lamar at the 2018 GRAMMYs

Kendrick Lamar performs at the 2018 GRAMMYs

Photo: Theo Wargo/WireImage

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Kendrick Lamar, U2 & Dave Chappelle Open The 2018 GRAMMYs With A Powerful Performance

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Kung-Fu Kenny served up golden bars for a medley, which included "XXX." and "DNA."—from his 2017 masterpiece, 'DAMN.'—plus "New Freezer" and "King's Dead"
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jun 19, 2020 - 8:17 am

On Jan. 28, 2018, Kenrick Lamar amplified the energy and emotion at Madison Square Garden in New York City to 100 with a moving performance featuring Bono and The Edge of U2, Dave Chapelle and a literal army of dancers.

For the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind, the Recording Academy returns to this unforgettable moment when Kung-Fu Kenny opened the 60th GRAMMY Awards, unleashing his poignant lyrics and incomparable flow. During the six-and-a-half-minute spectacular, he delivered golden bars from "XXX." and "DNA."—both off his 2017 masterpiece, DAMN.—as well as "New Freezer," his feature with Rich The Kid, and "King's Dead," from the Black Panther: The Album soundtrack.

GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Opens 2018 GRAMMYs

The Compton-born hero won five GRAMMYs for DAMN. that night, sweeping all four rap categories. The LP earned him the golden gramophone for Best Rap Album, and its massive hit single, "HUMBLE.," won for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Music Video. His Rihanna collab, "LOYALTY.," saw the powerhouse pair take home Best Rap/Sung Performance.

Watch: GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Kendrick Lamar Accept Best Rap Album For 'DAMN.' At The 2018 GRAMMY Awards

"King's Dead," which also features Jay Rock, Future and James Blake, won Best Rap Performance the following year at the 2019 GRAMMYs. Released as a single in January 2018, two weeks before Kendrick performed it on the GRAMMY stage, the track was featured on both the Lamar-produced Black Panther soundtrack and Rock's 2018 album, Redemption. The Black Panther project earned Lamar a total of eight nominations at the 2019 GRAMMYs, including Album Of The Year as well as Song Of The Year and Record Of The Year for its dreamy SZA-supported lead single, "All The Stars."

The hip-hop icon, who just turned 33 this week, earned his first GRAMMY nominations back at the 2014 GRAMMYs, following the release of his 2012 sophomore album, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, which earned nods for Album Of The Year and Best Rap Album. While he didn't take home any golden gramophones that evening, he earned a total of seven nominations, including Best New Artist.

The next year, at the 57th GRAMMY Awards, K-Dot took home his first two GRAMMYs, for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance, for "i," the inspiring lead single off his 2015 album, To Pimp A Butterfly. He would then take home five more golden gramophones the following year, at the 2016 GRAMMYs, including Best Rap Album for Butterfly and Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for the Black pride anthem "Alright." To date, Kendrick has earned 13 GRAMMY wins and 37 overall nominations.

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Mortal Man: Author Marcus J. Moore Talks 5 Years Of Kendrick Lamar's 'TPAB' & His Forthcoming Book, 'The Butterfly Effect'

Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle

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Remembering Nipsey Hussle On The Anniversary Of His Death: "I Just Wanted To Be Really Intentional"

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The Recording Academy celebrates the life of the late Los Angeles rapper, who earned two posthumous GRAMMY Awards this year
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Mar 31, 2020 - 12:49 pm

Since the tragic loss of Los Angeles rapper, entrepreneur and activist Nipsey Hussle on March 31, 2019, his motivational music and inspiring message of investing in your community are continued by the many lives he touched. Here in L.A, you see countless murals painted in his likeness, his inspirational words reminding us greatness and kindness are not mutually exclusive.

Remembering Nipsey Hussle

Nipsey Hussle, Beloved L.A. Rapper And Activist, Lived As A Patron To His Community

In 2018, after a decade of perfecting his storytelling and flow with hard-hitting mixtapes, Hussle released his victorious debut album Victory Lap. It earned him his first GRAMMY nomination, for Best Rap Album, at the 2019 GRAMMYs. The week following the show, he released his final single during his lifetime, "Racks in the Middle," featuring rising L.A. rapper Roddy Ricch and powerhouse producer Hit-Boy.

At the 62nd GRAMMY Awards this year, he posthumously earned three more nominations and took home two wins. "Racks in the Middle" won Best Rap Performance and "Higher," a track he was working on with DJ Khaled before he died, won Best Rap/Sung Performance for "Higher." Khaled released the uplifting track, which also features John Legend, in Hussle's memory on May 17, 2019.

How Nipsey Hussle Transcended Hip-Hop, Starting In The Los Angeles Streets

Hussle's family, including his grandmother and his partner Lauren London, took the GRAMMY stage to accept his awards in two tearful yet celebratory moments. Khaled, Legend, Ricch, Meek Mill, Kirk Franklin and YG also celebrated the rap hero with a moving tribute performance during the show.

"The biggest thing that he left behind in his legacy is to go the extra mile for other people and be aware of your community," singer Tinashe said in a recent interview. "That spirit is really important. It's important to bring people together. I think that's part of his message. It's looking out for one another."

Meek Mill And Justin Timberlake Deliver Uplifting Message, Honor Nipsey Hussle In Powerful "Believe" Music Video

That message of hope and community is echoed in so many others' words about Hussle; his positive impact is immense and immeasurable. It is reflected in a message from none other than former President Barack Obama. Hussle's longtime friend and marketing manager Karen Civil read Obama's powerful words about him during his moving memorial service:

"While most folks look at the Crenshaw neighborhood where he grew up and see only gangs, bullets and despair, Nipsey saw potential. He saw hope. He saw a community that, even through its flaws, taught him to always keep going. His choice to invest in that community rather than ignore it—to build a skills training center and coworking space in Crenshaw; to lift up the Eritrean-American community; to set an example for young people to follow—is a legacy worthy of celebration. I hope his memory inspires more good work in Crenshaw and communities like it."

The Marathon Continues.

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Selena Win Best-Mexican American Album For 'Live' At The 1994 GRAMMYs

Channel Tres

Channel Tres

Photo: Clare Gillen

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Channel Tres Drops First New Music & Video Of 2020, The Groovy "Weedman"

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"The track's nostalgic for a time where weed was inaccessible… I was stressed out over a lot of stuff at that age. The song explains that—me struggling to figure out where to get my weed, but also for the dealer going through hard times too," he told us
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Mar 27, 2020 - 4:33 pm

Today, March 27, Compton-born rapper/singer/producer/dancer Channel Tres shared "Weedman," the first single from his new label Art For Their Good. The funky track is his first new music of 2020, following 2019's Black Moses EP, and comes paired with a vintage-hued visual.

Behind the song's house party-ready vibes and undulating G-funk beat, the underlying message is an important one: Despite the legalization of marijuana in California and beyond, many people of color are still disproportionately serving time for weed-related charges. According to the ACLU, "in the United States, a black person is 3.73 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than a white person is, despite approximately equal rates of use."

Channel Tres Talks Honoring Isaac Hayes On EP 'Black Moses,' Healing With Music & Being A "Ghetto Savior"

Over email, Tres shares with us the inspiration behind "Weedman" and how it portrays his younger self and the perspective of his weed dealer.

"The track's nostalgic for a time where weed was inaccessible—and now there's weed shops everywhere. Back then if I couldn't get my weed, it was a big thing for me because I couldn't go to sleep. I was stressed out over a lot of stuff at that age. The song explains that—me struggling to figure out where to get my weed, but also for the dealer going through hard times too," he wrote.

"Every voice on there is me. All the voices and characters in my head. I grew up on a lot of DJ Quik, Parliament, OutKast, dance music. One thing I noticed with DJ Quik is if you take all the vocals off his tracks, they hit like European dance records."

LISTEN: Childish Gambino Drops New Album ‘3.15.20’

Tres also spoke to the beautiful video, shot by Henry Grenier on 8mm film by in a house he rented in the Hollywood Hills. It was directed and edited by regular creative collaborator Anthony Sylvester, who also directed the videos for "Topdown" and "Jet Black."

"I wanted the video to represent the different personalities I have, and this is the first song where I did vocals I wouldn't normally do, mixed with sounds I've been inspired by for years. The video's shot with a Super8 camera and I rented out a house that looks like my Grandma's because I wanted it to have that feel. It just happened to come out during this time where it's kinda fitting for everything that's going on—it looks like I'm stuck at home, alone on the couch," he explained.

The "Sexy Black Timberlake" artist will be making his Coachella stage debut this fall and plans to treat us with more of his musical gifts ahead of the fest.

Mortal Man: Author Marcus J. Moore Talks 5 Years Of Kendrick Lamar's 'TPAB' & His Forthcoming Book, 'The Butterfly Effect'

U2 at 2006 GRAMMYs

U2 at 2006 GRAMMYs

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch U2 Win Album Of The Year At The 2006 GRAMMY Awards

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Watch U2 accept the high honor of Album Of The Year for 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb' at the 48th GRAMMY Awards in 2006
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Mar 13, 2020 - 1:25 pm

For the latest episode of GRAMMY Rewind, please join us in celebrating U2 bassist Adam Clayton's 60th birthday today, March 13, with this look back at one of the legendary rock band's GRAMMY highlights. At the 48th GRAMMY Awards in 2006, the Irish rock legends took home five golden gramophones, including for the high honors of Song Of The Year and Album Of The Year.

Below, watch U2 accept the Album Of The Year GRAMMY for their 11th studio album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, with a charming speech where Bono shouts out fellow Album Of The Year nominees Kanye West (Late Registration), Mariah Carey (The Emancipation of Mimi) and Gwen Stefani (Love. Angel. Music. Baby.).

Watch U2 Win Album Of The Year At 2006 GRAMMYs

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As Bono, Clayton, The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr. approach the stage to accept the award, fellow Album Of The Year nominees Paul McCartney (Chaos and Creation In The Backyard) and West, dressed in a fierce lavender tux, congratulate the band.

"This is our second Album Of The Year, but we've lost two, Achtung Baby and All That You Can't Leave Behind, so now it feels that Kanye, you're next. [He's] a great artist that's been on the road with us [on the Vertigo Tour], [he's] extraordinary," Bono said on stage, rocking his signature tinted rimless shades with a cowboy hat and leather jacket. After also sharing complements for Carey and Stefani, he adds: "This is really a big, big night for our band."

More U2: Vote Now: Which 2000 Album Will You Have On Repeat This Year?

"If ever there should have been a record called 'Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own,' it should've been this one," Clayton added. "We had a lot of producers; Danny Lanois, Brian Eno, Flood, Nellee Hooper, Jacknife Lee, Carl Glanville, Chris Tomas and our friend Steve Lillywhite."

Adam Clayton's MusiCares speech: Life In Recovery

The GRAMMY-winning album was released on Nov. 22, 2004, including classic hits "Vertigo," "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own" and "City Of Blinding Lights." The five GRAMMYs it helped the band win include Best Rock Album and Song Of The Year and Best Rock Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal for "Sometimes You Can't Make It On Your Own."

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Saweetie

Saweetie

Photo: Recording Academy

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Saweetie Talks Debut Album, Aaliyah, Beyoncé & More | Up Close & Personal

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The Bay Area-born, L.A.-based rapper sat down with us to talk about her viral rise, what we can expect with new music, the first concert she ever attended and more
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Jan 10, 2020 - 1:39 pm

If you got down to "My Type" last year, you already have a taste of who rising West Coast rapper Saweetie is. The stylish 26-year-old, born Diamonté Harper in Hayward, Calif., has been on a steady rise since the viral success of "ICY GRL" (which samples Khia's "My Neck, My Back") in 2017.

With several buzzy rap hits, countless confident bars and two EPs under her belt, as well as a busy 2020 tour schedule ahead, Saweetie is ready to shake up the hip-hop world with her icy swag and heavy-hitting bars. She is also expected to release her anticipated debut album this year, with a bigger taste of her bold sound and style.

Saweetie On New Album, "ICY GRL," Beyoncé, More

The "My Type" rapper recently stopped by the Recording Academy headquarters for our latest episode of Up Close & Personal to talk about her breakout hits, what we can anticipate on her first full-length, her biggest influences and more. You can watch part of the conversation above and read the full interview below. You can also visit on our YouTube page for a longer version of the video, as well as for other recent episodes.

Watch: Omar Apollo Talks Being Young, Indie & Latinx | Up Close & Personal

On "My Type," you served up a fresh 2019 sample of Petey Pablo's "Freek-A-Leek," which is amazing. Can you explain where the inspiration began?

What's funny about "My Type" is, its actually the last song I added to the EP and it's the song that did the best. But it was just that my EP was missing something and I wanted something that got me excited as a little girl. When I was little, me and my cousins would listen to "Freek-A-Leek." I mean we didn't know what he was talking about, but we really loved the song. So just taking that, flipping it and then making it my own hit, feels amazing.

The "My Type" music video was shot in the Bay Area, where you grew up. Was filming it there as much fun as it looked?

Definitely, it was. I went home on purpose because my family and my friends are out there. I wanted to basically do everything that I did as a little kid, but as an adult. The barbecue picnic, the side show, the basketball court, those are all moments from my childhood that I revisited. And even my hairstyles were stuff that I would've worn as a little kid.

And how do you feel that growing up in the Bay influenced your music and style?

In the Bay Area, we're very strong on uniqueness. By telling my story and really just being fly; we're very fly, down to earth individuals and when you go to the Bay Area you feel that. The girls out there are pretty but they're doing a thiz face. We've got a whole bunch of swag and a whole bunch of personality.

Looking through your IG, you're rocking killer looks all the time. How would you describe your style?

Thank you. I would describe my style as not being able to describe it, only because it really just depends on my mood. If you go through the performance outfits or a day to day outfit, everything is just based on how I feel then. I like to make my outfits custom a lot. Many of the fan favorites are things that came from my imagination; I collaborate with my stylist and we bring it to life.

Yes! Playing dress-up every day.

Girl, playing dress-up every day. I love to do that.

I heard you're working on a new album. What's your biggest hope and excitement for this project?

My excitement with this project is, with any project, we're starting from scratch, and I feel like through trial and error and through just recording a lot, I'm able to feel like what kind of direction I really want to go in for my sound. Because I'm still a developing artist, but for this time around, I really want to focus on the artistry and the instruments and really creating from scratch.

Watch: Ashanti Talks "Getting Back To R&B Roots" On New EP | Up Close & Personal

And then back in 2017 when you uploaded "ICY GRL" to SoundCloud, did you ever imagine it would take off the way that it did?

I didn't imagine "ICY GRL" taking off. It kind of felt like a great mistake, in the sense that I didn't expect for it to be a song. It was one of the raps that I was just rapping in my car and my manager was like, you need to record this. And I want to say within a week of uploading it, every major hip-hop blog and website picked it up and featured me as upcoming, poppin'. "ICY GRL" was a viral sensation. So it was great to just see it take a take a turn for the best.

Was there a moment when you decided or even dreamed that you would pursue a career in hip-hop?

Definitely. When I was 14 I realized that music is what I wanted to do. I always had dreams of being a musician when I was a little girl. When I was a little I was really into Aaliyah, Ashanti, the R&B girls, but I couldn't sing like that. And when I was 14 I realized that I could rap.

Read: "Say My Name" 20 Years Later: Why The Destiny's Child Staple Is Still On Everyone's Lips

What was the first CD you ever bought? And the first concert you ever went to?

Okay, so I think the first CD that I asked my mom to buy was probably Aaliyah. Back in the day they had the special edition CDs with the music videos on it, so I would sit in front of the TV all day just trying to mimic Aaliyah's dance moves. I loved her so much.

And the first concert I ever went to was probably a Destiny's Child concert. It was so amazing. When I saw them perform I was like wow, this is what real artistry is.

Who are your biggest role models?

I feel like a great role model would be Beyoncé. I really love how she's sexy, she's classy, she's a businesswoman, she's a great performer. She's just a mogul that and she's self-made, and that's something that I strive to be. I feel like being an "Independent Woman"—which is her record with Destiny's Child—is extremely important. And that's what I strive to be. I have my own label, I have my own company, Icy. I have my own jewelry, I have my own beauty line and all of these things are doing really well. I'm about to start getting into acting and I feel like these are all the areas that she touched. So I feel like she's a great imprint for younger girls like me.

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