Lil Nas X

Photo: Robyn Beck/AFP

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Lil Nas X To Imogen Heap: 2020 GRAMMYs Premiere Ceremony In Photos

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Awarding GRAMMYs in more than 70 categories with unforgettable performances, see the highlights from the 62nd GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony
GRAMMYs
Jan 26, 2020 - 1:30 pm

Music’s Biggest Night kicks off each year with the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony, where more than 70 GRAMMYs are awarded across music’s most esteemed genres, from classical to jazz, R&B, hip-hop, country and more, as well as outstanding creatives working behind the scenes.

Hosted by Imogen Heap, the 62nd GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony also featured performances from the likes of Chick Corea & The Spanish Hearts Band, I’m With Her, Angélique Kidjo and Nicola Benedetti, among others. GRAMMY Awards were presented by PJ Morton, Nathalie Joachim, Jimmy Jam, Luis Fonzi and Esperanza Spalding.

Take a look back at all the performances, artists and presenters you may have missed in photos.

Esperanza Spalding
2020 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony | Photo Gallery

The 62nd Annual GRAMMY Awards, hosted by Alicia Keys, will be broadcast live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020, at 8:00 p.m. ET/5:00 p.m. PT on CBS.

Track all the winners from Music’s Biggest Night here.

GRAMMYs

Lil Nas X

Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images

News

Go Inside The Official 2020 GRAMMYs Gift Lounge

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As rehearsals went underway at Staples Center for this year’s 2020 GRAMMY Awards, the participating talent had the opportunity to tour the GRAMMY Gift Lounge
Vidisha Jain
GRAMMYs
Jan 25, 2020 - 3:52 pm

As rehearsals went underway at Staples Center for this year’s 2020 GRAMMY Awards, the participating talent had the opportunity to tour the GRAMMY Gift Lounge. A coveted spot hidden away underneath the Staples Centre, brands and bands join forces to exchange high-luxury products for endorsements in return. 

Spotted on Friday were highly anticipated guests, including the likes of Lil Nas X and Kesha. The lounge had a live DJ and was decorated with lampshades designed by gifting participant Pillow Pops. Gifts ranged from the expected jewelry and clothing lines, all the way to pillows, sunglasses, skateboards and custom-made cakes, with one brand even introducing smart-fit bras with custom molding technology.

GRAMMYs Official Backstage Gift Lounge Tour

At the entrance stood Grosse, a Japanese jewelry brand that actually started in Germany. Focusing on the concept of jewelry for all genders, it’s bling is apt for everyone, including the likes of Bruno Mars, who has worn the brand on stage.

While Grosse was founded back in 1907, there were also new businesses like Transparent Sunglasses that were founded a mere four months ago, yet their quality shone through as they already found themselves at the Lounge. Founder Margot Hogan wants to use Transparent to change what the significance of sunglasses can be. She speaks of her own experience with sunglasses as being "something both magically simple and fun about being able to make a bold statement with just one accessory. And so I decided to combine my love for sunglasses with a passion for confidence: designing sunglasses that inspire you to celebrate who-you-are." The name "Transparent" therefore is a signifier of both sides of the business—the sunglasses, but also, being yourself. 

2020 GRAMMY Awards Viewer's Guide: Where To Watch Music's Biggest Night

The range of luxury brands continued with Soma, a woman's brand that introduced the "INNOFITBRA" where the cups of the bra are infused with technology to help women find the perfect fit. With this, Soma was also gifting intricately designed silk robes.  

Within the range of clothing and garments, there was also a prominent theme of animal-friendly creation, like "vegan gloves" as Donna Leah, a brand for "clothing for the modern woman" showcased. 

Peta NOIZE makes animal-friendly jackets, with animal mannequins to signify the animal whom they saved with that coat. That is, instead of feathers or fur or wool, each NOIZE coat is filled with 100% recycled plastic bottles. Peta NOIZE aims to inspire their consumers to join their cause to protect animals and the planet, starting with their product and accompanying beanies.

GRAMMYs

Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images

Alongside products, awareness of personal health was also emphasized in the selection of showcasing brands at the Lounge. Artistology stood out with a huge display who was gifting opportunities to help artists with their well being. They feature online wellness courses tailored to the artists' needs, as well as anonymous counseling support. Artistology was created out of the belief from founder Tammy McCrary that "artists are the cultural architects of society. I believe that when artists thrive—mentally, emotionally, spiritually, physically and financially—they can have a significant and positive impact on society." Thus Artistology puts these artists' wellbeing first, a revolutionary company, in a music industry that only recently started to acknowledge the psychological toll that artists may face on their creative journeys. 

Along with mental well-being, products to aid physical well-being were also popular. This includes Oxygenetix makeup foundation, which is a brand that has been a long-term partner of the GRAMMY Gift Lounge, is a make-up facial foundation that ensures the skin still receives oxygen and so does not get damaged by regular daily use. There were also diet products that emphasized being able to diet without compromising nutritional value.

Sweety Kake added to the health trend, and also brought the energy of a family business, with a third-generation recipe for custom-made cakes. Their business mission to be able to infuse extract of any flavor requested, but more importantly that their cakes are never frozen, not even when delivered, again honing in on the health benefits that should be considered even in desserts. 

"Un-Expect Everything" is the 2020 GRAMMY slogan, and the GRAMMY Gift Lounge definitely encompasses the aims of the Recording Academy. The connections being formed at every corner of the Lounge was an inspirational opportunity for discovery for all sides as the talent prepare for the weekend.

Watch the 2020 GRAMMY Awards this Sunday, Jan. 26 at 5 p.m. PT / 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Grammys Newsletter

GRAMMYs

Alicia Keys

Photo credit: Milan Zrnic

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2020 GRAMMY Awards Viewer's Guide: Where To Watch Music's Biggest Night

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Don't miss a beat at the 62nd GRAMMYs—here's your complete guide on how to Un-Expect Everything on Jan. 26
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jan 14, 2020 - 6:25 pm

The 2020 GRAMMY Awards are mere days away—are you ready?

This year, Music's Biggest Night airs live on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on CBS. Hosted for the second straight year by 15-time GRAMMY winner Alicia Keys, excitement has been mounting as more and more performers are announced, including  Aerosmith, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Lizzo, Demi Lovato, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.

To gear up for all the action, here are a few more ways to catch your favorite performers, presenters, nominees and winners at the 62nd GRAMMY Awards.

Stream The Premiere Ceremony

Start your GRAMMY Sunday, Jan. 26 the right way, by streaming the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony right here on GRAMMY.com. You'll find out who wins the first GRAMMY Awards of the evening and catch amazing performances from a wide variety of nominees. What better way is there to gear up for the main event?

Walk Down The Red Carpet

Catch a glimpse of music's biggest stars in real-time as we stream all the red carpet arrivals and exclusive interviews live from Los Angeles right here on GRAMMY.com at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT. 

Go Backstage

Don't miss your exclusive second-screen experience by visiting GRAMMY.com during the show for all the highlights from on-the-ground, show-stopping performances, exclusive backstage access, and more. You can also keep find out who takes home GRAMMY Gold in real-time with our leaderboard and hear from the winners themselves in interviews, acceptance speeches and more.

Get Insights From Watson

Want more from your GRAMMY coverage? This year IBM is enhancing the fan expereince with the all-new GRAMMY Insights with Watson, which will analize red carpet video and audio in real-time using artificial intelligence to generate artist insights that will be overlaid during the livestream. Together with this inventive use of AI, IBM and the Recording Academy will surface new information to give die-hard music fans a better, more engaging experience.

Socialize It

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for up-to-the-minute info and insight on all things 2020 GRAMMYs. Like, comment and share to your heart's content on GRAMMY Sunday, and don't forget to use #GRAMMYs.  

And The GRAMMY Goes To... Your Inbox

What better way to relive the highlights than the exclusive GRAMMY Newsletter? You'll receive a special email blast with the best-of-the-best from Music's Biggest Night. Sign up below and don't miss a beat at this year's GRAMMYs!

Grammys Newsletter

Demi Lovato To Perform At 2020 GRAMMY Awards On Jan. 26

Photo of GRAMMY trophies at the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards in 2018

GRAMMY statues

Photo: DON EMMERT/AFP via Getty Images

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2021 GRAMMYs Awards Show: Complete Winners & Nominees List

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Find out who won in each of the 83 categories at the 2021 GRAMMY Awards show
GRAMMYs
Nov 24, 2020 - 9:45 am

Updated March 14, 2021.

It's a wrap for the 2021 GRAMMY Awards show, officially known as the 63rd GRAMMY Awards! Find out who is won in each of the 83 categories. Use the links to jump to a desired field.

The 63rd GRAMMY Awards recognize recordings released between Sept. 1, 2019, and Aug. 31, 2020.

Looking for more GRAMMYs news? Here's everything you need to know about the 2022 GRAMMYs Awards show!
 

General Field

Pop

Dance/ Electronic Music

Contemporary Instrumental Music

Rock

Alternative

R&B

Rap

Country

New Age

Jazz

Gospel/ Contemporary Christian Music

Latin

American Roots Music

Reggae

Global Music

Children's

Spoken Word

Comedy

Musical Theater

Music For Visual Media  

Composing/ Arranging

Package

Notes

Historical 

Production, Non-Classical

Production, Immersive Audio

Production, Classical

Classical

Music Video/Film

 

General Field

1. Record Of The Year
Award to the Artist and to the Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s) and/or Mixer(s) and mastering engineer(s), if other than the artist.

  • BLACK PARADE
    Beyoncé
    Beyoncé & Derek Dixie, producers; Stuart White, engineer/mixer; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer
     
  • COLORS
    Black Pumas
    Adrian Quesada, producer; Adrian Quesada, engineer/mixer; JJ Golden, mastering engineer
     
  • ROCKSTAR
    DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch
    SethinTheKitchen, producer; Derek "MixedByAli" Ali, Chris Dennis, Liz Robson & Chris West, engineers/mixers; Glenn A Tabor III, mastering engineer
     
  • SAY SO
    Doja Cat
    Tyson Trax, producer; Clint Gibbs & Kalani Thompson, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
     
  • EVERYTHING I WANTED - WINNER
    Billie Eilish
    Finneas O'Connell, producer; Rob Kinelski & Finneas O'Connell, engineers/mixers; John Greenham, mastering engineer
     
  • DON'T START NOW
    Dua Lipa
    Caroline Ailin & Ian Kirkpatrick, producers; Josh Gudwin, Drew Jurecka & Ian Kirkpatrick, engineers/mixers; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer
     
  • CIRCLES
    Post Malone
    Louis Bell, Frank Dukes & Post Malone, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
     
  • SAVAGE
    Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé
    Beyoncé & J. White Did It, producers; Eddie "eMIX" Hernández, Shawn "Source" Jarrett, Jaycen Joshua & Stuart White, engineers/mixers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer

2. Album Of The Year
Award to Artist(s) and to Featured Artist(s), Songwriter(s) of new material, Producer(s), Recording Engineer(s), Mixer(s) and Mastering Engineer(s) credited with at least 33% playing time of the album, if other than Artist.

  • CHILOMBO
    Jhené Aiko
    Fisticuffs & Julian-Quán Việt Lê, producers; Fisticuffs, Julian-Quán Việt Lê, Zeke Mishanec, Christian Plata & Gregg Rominiecki, engineers/mixers; Jhené Aiko Efuru Chilombo, Julian-Quán Việt Lê, Maclean Robinson & Brian Keith Warfield, songwriters; Dave Kutch, mastering engineer
     
  • BLACK PUMAS (DELUXE EDITION)
    Black Pumas
    Adrian Quesada, producer; Adrian Quesada, engineer/mixer; Eric Burton & Adrian Quesada, songwriters; JJ Golden, mastering engineer
     
  • EVERYDAY LIFE
    Coldplay
    Daniel Green, Bill Rahko & Rik Simpson, producers; Mark “Spike” Stent, engineer/mixer; Guy Berryman, Jonny Buckland, Will Champion & Chris Martin, songwriters; Emily Lazar, mastering engineer
     
  • DJESSE VOL.3
    Jacob Collier
    Jacob Collier, producer; Ben Bloomberg & Jacob Collier, engineers/mixers; Jacob Collier, songwriter; Chris Allgood & Emily Lazar, mastering engineers
     
  • WOMEN IN MUSIC PT. III
    HAIM
    Rostam Batmanglij, Danielle Haim & Ariel Rechtshaid, producers; Rostam Batmanglij, Jasmine Chen, John DeBold, Matt DiMona, Tom Elmhirst, Joey Messina-Doerning & Ariel Rechtshaid, engineers/mixers; Rostam Batmanglij, Alana Haim, Danielle Haim, Este Haim & Ariel Rechtshaid, songwriters; Emily Lazar, mastering engineer
     
  • FUTURE NOSTALGIA
    Dua Lipa
    Lorna Blackwood & Koz, producers; Josh Gudwin & Cameron Gower Poole, engineers/mixers; Clarence Coffee Jr. & Dua Lipa, songwriters; Chris Gehringer, mastering engineer
     
  • HOLLYWOOD'S BLEEDING
    Post Malone
    Louis Bell & Frank Dukes, producers; Louis Bell & Manny Marroquin, engineers/mixers; Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters; Mike Bozzi, mastering engineer
     
  • FOLKLORE - WINNER
    Taylor Swift
    Joe Alwyn, Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, producers; Jack Antonoff, Aaron Dessner, Serban Ghenea, John Hanes, Jonathan Low & Laura Sisk, engineers/mixers; Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer

3. Song Of The Year
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • BLACK PARADE
    Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim "Kaydence" Krysiuk & Rickie "Caso" Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
     
  • THE BOX
    Larrance Dopson, Samuel Gloade, Rodrick Moore, Adarius Moragne, Eric Sloan & Khirye Anthony Tyler, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)
     
  • CARDIGAN
    Aaron Dessner & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
     
  • CIRCLES
    Louis Bell, Adam Feeney, Kaan Gunesberk, Austin Post & Billy Walsh, songwriters (Post Malone)
     
  • DON'T START NOW
    Caroline Ailin, Ian Kirkpatrick, Dua Lipa & Emily Warren, songwriters (Dua Lipa)
     
  • EVERYTHING I WANTED
    Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas O'Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
     
  • I CAN'T BREATHE - WINNER
    Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. & Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)
     
  • IF THE WORLD WAS ENDING
    Julia Michaels & JP Saxe, songwriters (JP Saxe Featuring Julia Michaels)

4. Best New Artist
This category recognizes an artist whose eligibility-year release(s) achieved a breakthrough into the public consciousness and notably impacted the musical landscape.

  • INGRID ANDRESS
     
  • PHOEBE BRIDGERS
     
  • CHIKA
     
  • NOAH CYRUS
     
  • D SMOKE
     
  • DOJA CAT
     
  • KAYTRANADA
     
  • MEGAN THEE STALLION - WINNER

Pop

5. Best Pop Solo Performance
For new vocal or instrumental pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.

  • YUMMY
    Justin Bieber
     
  • SAY SO
    Doja Cat
     
  • EVERYTHING I WANTED
    Billie Eilish
     
  • DON'T START NOW
    Dua Lipa
     
  • WATERMELON SUGAR  - WINNER
    Harry Styles
     
  • CARDIGAN
    Taylor Swift

6. Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative pop recordings. Singles or Tracks only.

  • UN DIA (ONE DAY)
    J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy
     
  • INTENTIONS
    Justin Bieber Featuring Quavo
     
  • DYNAMITE
    BTS
     
  • RAIN ON ME - WINNER
    Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande
     
  • EXILE
    Taylor Swift Featuring Bon Iver

7. Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new traditional pop recordings.

  • BLUE UMBRELLA
    (Burt Bacharach &) Daniel Tashian
     
  • TRUE LOVE: A CELEBRATION OF COLE PORTER
    Harry Connick, Jr.
     
  • AMERICAN STANDARD - WINNER
    James Taylor
     
  • UNFOLLOW THE RULES
    Rufus Wainwright
     
  • JUDY
    Renée Zellweger

8. Best Pop Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new pop vocal recordings.

  • CHANGES
    Justin Bieber
     
  • CHROMATICA
    Lady Gaga
     
  • FUTURE NOSTALGIA - WINNER
    Dua Lipa
     
  • FINE LINE
    Harry Styles
     
  • FOLKLORE
    Taylor Swift

Dance/Electronic Music

9. Best Dance Recording
For solo, duo, group or collaborative performances. Vocal or Instrumental. Singles or tracks only.

  • ON MY MIND
    Diplo & SIDEPIECE
    Diplo & SIDEPIECE, producers; Luca Pretolesi, mixer
     
  • MY HIGH
    Disclosure Featuring Aminé & Slowthai
    Guy Lawrence & Howard Lawrence, producers; Guy Lawrence, mixer
     
  • THE DIFFERENCE
    Flume Featuring Toro y Moi
    Flume, producer; Eric J Dubowsky, mixer
     
  • BOTH OF US
    Jayda G
    Fred Again.. & Jayda G, producers; Fred Again.. & Jayda G, mixers
     
  • 10% - WINNER
    Kaytranada Featuring Kali Uchis
    Kaytranada, producer; Neal H. Pogue, mixer

10. Best Dance/Electronic Album
For vocal or instrumental albums. Albums only.

  • KICK I
    Arca
     
  • PLANET'S MAD
    Baauer
     
  • ENERGY
    Disclosure
     
  • BUBBA - WINNER
    Kaytranada
     
  • GOOD FAITH
    Madeon

Contemporary Instrumental Music

11. Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
For albums containing approximately 51% or more playing time of instrumental material. For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings.

  • AXIOM
    Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah

  • CHRONOLOGY OF A DREAM: LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD
    Jon Batiste

  • TAKE THE STAIRS
    Black Violin
     
  • AMERICANA
    Grégoire Maret, Romain Collin & Bill Frisell
     
  • LIVE AT THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL - WINNER
    Snarky Puppy

Rock

12. Best Rock Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative rock recordings.

  • SHAMEIKA - WINNER
    Fiona Apple
     
  • NOT
    Big Thief
     
  • KYOTO
    Phoebe Bridgers
     
  • THE STEPS
    HAIM
     
  • STAY HIGH
    Brittany Howard
     
  • DAYLIGHT
    Grace Potter

13. Best Metal Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo, duo/group or collaborative metal recordings.

  • BUM-RUSH - WINNER
    Body Count
     
  • UNDERNEATH
    Code Orange
     
  • THE IN-BETWEEN
    In This Moment
     
  • BLOODMONEY
    Poppy
     
  • EXECUTIONER'S TAX (SWING OF THE AXE) – LIVE
    Power Trip

14. Best Rock Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Rock, Hard Rock and Metal songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • KYOTO
    Phoebe Bridgers, Morgan Nagler & Marshall Vore, songwriters (Phoebe Bridgers)
     
  • LOST IN YESTERDAY
    Kevin Parker, songwriter (Tame Impala)
     
  • NOT
    Adrianne Lenker, songwriter (Big Thief)
     
  • SHAMEIKA
    Fiona Apple, songwriter (Fiona Apple)
     
  • STAY HIGH - WINNER
    Brittany Howard, songwriter (Brittany Howard)

15. Best Rock Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rock, hard rock or metal recordings.

  • A HERO'S DEATH
    Fontaines D.C.
     
  • KIWANUKA
    Michael Kiwanuka
     
  • DAYLIGHT
    Grace Potter
     
  • SOUND & FURY
    Sturgill Simpson
     
  • THE NEW ABNORMAL - WINNER
    The Strokes

Alternative

16. Best Alternative Music Album
Vocal or Instrumental.

  • FETCH THE BOLT CUTTERS - WINNER
    Fiona Apple
     
  • HYPERSPACE
    Beck
     
  • PUNISHER
    Phoebe Bridgers
     
  • JAIME
    Brittany Howard
     
  • THE SLOW RUSH
    Tame Impala

R&B

17. Best R&B Performance
For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings.

  • LIGHTNING & THUNDER
    Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend
     
  • BLACK PARADE - WINNER
    Beyoncé
     
  • ALL I NEED
    Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign
     
  • GOAT HEAD
    Brittany Howard
     
  • SEE ME
    Emily King

18. Best Traditional R&B Performance
For new vocal or instrumental traditional R&B recordings.

  • SIT ON DOWN
    The Baylor Project Featuring Jean Baylor & Marcus Baylor
     
  • WONDER WHAT SHE THINKS OF ME
    Chloe X Halle
     
  • LET ME GO
    Mykal Kilgore
     
  • ANYTHING FOR YOU - WINNER
    Ledisi
     
  • DISTANCE
    Yebba

19. Best R&B Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • BETTER THAN I IMAGINED - WINNER
    Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello)

  • BLACK PARADE
    Denisia Andrews, Beyoncé, Stephen Bray, Shawn Carter, Brittany Coney, Derek James Dixie, Akil King, Kim "Kaydence" Krysiuk & Rickie "Caso" Tice, songwriters (Beyoncé)
     
  • COLLIDE
    Sam Barsh, Stacey Barthe, Sonyae Elise, Olu Fann, Akil King, Josh Lopez, Kaveh Rastegar & Benedetto Rotondi, songwriters (Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG)
     
  • DO IT
    Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Anton Kuhl, Victoria Monét, Scott Storch & Vincent Van Den Ende, songwriters (Chloe X Halle)
     
  • SLOW DOWN
    Nasri Atweh, Badriia Bourelly, Skip Marley, Ryan Williamson & Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Skip Marley & H.E.R.)

20. Best Progressive R&B Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded progressive vocal tracks derivative of R&B.

  • CHILOMBO
    Jhené Aiko
     
  • UNGODLY HOUR
    Chloe X Halle
     
  • FREE NATIONALS
    Free Nationals
     
  • F*** YO FEELINGS
    Robert Glasper
     
  • IT IS WHAT IT IS - WINNER
    Thundercat

21. Best R&B Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new R&B recordings.

  • HAPPY 2 BE HERE
    Ant Clemons
     
  • TAKE TIME
    Giveon
     
  • TO FEEL LOVE/D
    Luke James
     
  • BIGGER LOVE - WINNER
    John Legend
     
  • ALL RISE
    Gregory Porter

Rap

22. Best Rap Performance
For a Rap performance. Singles or Tracks only.

  • DEEP REVERENCE
    Big Sean Featuring Nipsey Hussle
     
  • BOP
    DaBaby
     
  • WHATS POPPIN
    Jack Harlow
     
  • THE BIGGER PICTURE
    Lil Baby
     
  • SAVAGE - WINNER
    Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé
     
  • DIOR
    Pop Smoke

23. Best Melodic Rap Performance
For a solo or collaborative performance containing both elements of R&B melodies and Rap.

  • ROCKSTAR
    DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch
     
  • LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
    Drake Featuring Lil Durk
     
  • LOCKDOWN - WINNER
    Anderson .Paak
     
  • THE BOX
    Roddy Ricch
     
  • HIGHEST IN THE ROOM
    Travis Scott

24. Best Rap Song
A Songwriter(s) Award.  A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only..

  • THE BIGGER PICTURE
    Dominique Jones, Noah Pettigrew & Rai'shaun Williams, songwriters (Lil Baby)
     
  • THE BOX
    Larrance Dopson, Samuel Gloade, Rodrick Moore, Adarius Moragne, Eric Sloan & Khirye Anthony Tyler, songwriters (Roddy Ricch)
     
  • LAUGH NOW CRY LATER
    Durk Banks, Rogét Chahayed, Aubrey Graham, Daveon Jackson, Ron LaTour & Ryan Martinez, songwriters (Drake Featuring Lil Durk)
     
  • ROCKSTAR
    Jonathan Lyndale Kirk, Ross Joseph Portaro IV & Rodrick Moore, songwriters (DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch)
     
  • SAVAGE - WINNER
    Beyoncé, Shawn Carter, Brittany Hazzard, Derrick Milano, Terius Nash, Megan Pete, Bobby Session Jr., Jordan Kyle Lanier Thorpe & Anthony White, songwriters (Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé)

25. Best Rap Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new rap recordings.

  • BLACK HABITS
    D SMOKE
     
  • ALFREDO
    Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
     
  • A WRITTEN TESTIMONY
    Jay Electronica
     
  • KING'S DISEASE - WINNER
    Nas
     
  • THE ALLEGORY
    Royce 5’9"

Country

26. Best Country Solo Performance
For new vocal or instrumental solo country recordings.

  • Stick That In Your Country Song
    Eric Church
     
  • WHO YOU THOUGHT I WAS
    Brandy Clark
     
  • WHEN MY AMY PRAYS - WINNER
    Vince Gill
     
  • BLACK LIKE ME
    Mickey Guyton
     
  • BLUEBIRD
    Miranda Lambert

27. Best Country Duo/Group Performance
For new vocal or instrumental duo/group or collaborative country recordings.

  • ALL NIGHT
    Brothers Osborne
     
  • 10,000 HOURS - WINNER
    Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
     
  • OCEAN
    Lady A
     
  • SUGAR COAT
    Little Big Town
     
  • SOME PEOPLE DO
    Old Dominion

28. Best Country Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • BLUEBIRD
    Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby & Miranda Lambert, songwriters (Miranda Lambert)
     
  • THE BONES
    Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins & Laura Veltz, songwriters (Maren Morris)
     
  • CROWDED TABLE - WINNER
    Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby & Lori McKenna, songwriters (The Highwomen)
     
  • MORE HEARTS THAN MINE
    Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis & Derrick Southerland, songwriters (Ingrid Andress)
     
  • SOME PEOPLE DO
    Jesse Frasure, Shane McAnally, Matthew Ramsey & Thomas Rhett, songwriters (Old Dominion)

29. Best Country Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new country recordings.

  • LADY LIKE
    Ingrid Andress
     
  • YOUR LIFE IS A RECORD
    Brandy Clark
     
  • WILDCARD - WINNER
    Miranda Lambert
     
  • NIGHTFALL
    Little Big Town
     
  • NEVER WILL
    Ashley McBryde

New Age

30. Best New Age Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental new age recordings.

  • SONGS FROM THE BARDO
    Laurie Anderson, Tenzin Choegyal & Jesse Paris Smith
     
  • PERIPHERY
    Priya Darshini
     
  • FORM//LESS
    Superposition
     
  • MORE GUITAR STORIES - WINNER
    Jim "Kimo" West
     
  • MEDITATIONS
    Cory Wong & Jon Batiste

Jazz

31. Best Improvised Jazz Solo
For an instrumental jazz solo performance. Two equal performers on one recording may be eligible as one entry. If the soloist listed appears on a recording billed to another artist, the latter's name is in parenthesis for identification. Singles or Tracks only.

  • GUINNEVERE
    Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, soloist
    Track from: Axiom
     
  • PACHAMAMA
    Regina Carter, soloist
    Track from: Ona (Thana Alexa)
     
  • CELIA
    Gerald Clayton, soloist
     
  • ALL BLUES - WINNER
    Chick Corea, soloist
    Track from: Trilogy 2 (Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade)
     
  • MOE HONK
    Joshua Redman, soloist
    Track from: RoundAgain (Redman Mehldau McBride Blade)

32. Best Jazz Vocal Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal jazz recordings.

  • ONA
    Thana Alexa
     
  • SECRETS ARE THE BEST STORIES - WINNER
    Kurt Elling Featuring Danilo Pérez
     
  • MODERN ANCESTORS
    Carmen Lundy
     
  • HOLY ROOM: LIVE AT ALTE OPER
    Somi With Frankfurt Radio Big Band Conducted By John Beasley
     
  • WHAT'S THE HURRY
    Kenny Washington

33. Best Jazz Instrumental Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new instrumental jazz recordings.

  • ON THE TENDER SPOT OF EVERY CALLOUSED MOMENT
    Ambrose Akinmusire
     
  • WAITING GAME
    Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science
     
  • HAPPENING: LIVE AT THE VILLAGE VANGUARD
    Gerald Clayton
     
  • TRILOGY 2 - WINNER
    Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
     
  • ROUNDAGAIN
    Redman Mehldau McBride Blade

34. Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new ensemble jazz recordings.

  • DIALOGUES ON RACE
    Gregg August
     
  • MONK'ESTRA PLAYS JOHN BEASLEY
    John Beasley’s MONK’estra
     
  • THE INTANGIBLE BETWEEN
    Orrin Evans And The Captain Black Big Band
     
  • SONGS YOU LIKE A LOT
    John Hollenbeck With Theo Bleckmann, Kate McGarry, Gary Versace And The Frankfurt Radio Big Band
     
  • DATA LORDS - WINNER
    Maria Schneider Orchestra

35. Best Latin Jazz Album
For vocal or instrumental albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded material. The intent of this category is to recognize recordings that represent the blending of jazz with Latin, Iberian-American, Brazilian, and Argentinian tango music.

  • TRADICIONES
    Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra
     
  • FOUR QUESTIONS - WINNER
    Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
     
  • CITY OF DREAMS
    Chico Pinheiro
     
  • VIENTO Y TIEMPO - LIVE AT BLUE NOTE TOKYO
    Gonzalo Rubalcaba & Aymée Nuviola
     
  • TRANE'S DELIGHT
    Poncho Sanchez

Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music

36. Best Gospel Performance/Song
This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best traditional Christian, roots gospel or contemporary gospel single or track.

  • WONDERFUL IS YOUR NAME
    Melvin Crispell III
     
  • RELEASE (LIVE)
    Ricky Dillard Featuring Tiff Joy; David Frazier, songwriter
     
  • COME TOGETHER
    Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins Present: The Good News; Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins & Jazz Nixon, producers; Lashawn Daniels, Rodney Jerkins, Lecrae Moore & Jazz Nixon, songwriters
     
  • WON'T LET GO
    Travis Greene; Travis Greene, songwriter
     
  • MOVIN' ON - WINNER 
    Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music; Darryl L. Howell, Jonathan Caleb McReynolds, Kortney Jamaal Pollard & Terrell Demetrius Wilson, songwriters

37. Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
This award is given to the artist(s) and songwriter(s) (for new compositions) for the best contemporary Christian music single or track, (including pop, rap/hip-hop, Latin, or rock.

  • THE BLESSING (LIVE)
    Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship; Chris Brown, Cody Carnes, Kari Jobe Carnes & Steven Furtick, songwriters
     
  • SUNDAY MORNING
    Lecrae Featuring Kirk Franklin; Denisia Andrews, Saint Bodhi, Rafael X. Brown, Brittany Coney, Kirk Franklin, Lasanna Harris, Terrence Antonio Jones, Shama Joseph, Stuart Lowery, Lecrae Moore & Nathanael Saint-Fleur, songwriters
     
  • HOLY WATER
    We The Kingdom; Andrew Bergthold, Ed Cash, Franni Cash, Martin Cash & Scott Cash, songwriters
     
  • FAMOUS FOR (I BELIEVE)
    Tauren Wells Featuring Jenn Johnson; Chuck Butler, Krissy Nordhoff, Jordan Sapp, Alexis Slifer & Tauren Wells, songwriters
     
  • THERE WAS JESUS - WINNER
    Zach Williams & Dolly Parton; Casey Beathard, Jonathan Smith & Zach Williams, songwriters

38. Best Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional or contemporary/R&B gospel music recordings.

  • 2ECOND WIND: READY
    Anthony Brown & group therAPy
     
  • MY TRIBUTE
    Myron Butler
     
  • CHOIRMASTER
    Ricky Dillard
     
  • GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PJ - WINNER
    PJ Morton
     
  • KIERRA
    Kierra Sheard

39. Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, contemporary Christian music, including pop, rap/hip hop, Latin, or rock recordings.

  • RUN TO THE FATHER
    Cody Carnes
     
  • ALL OF MY BEST FRIENDS
    Hillsong Young & Free
     
  • HOLY WATER
    We The Kingdom
     
  • CITIZEN OF HEAVEN
    Tauren Wells
     
  • JESUS IS KING - WINNER
    Kanye West

40. Best Roots Gospel Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of newly recorded, vocal, traditional/roots gospel music, including country, Southern gospel, bluegrass, and Americana recordings.

Latin

41. Best Latin Pop or Urban Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new Latin pop or urban recordings.

  • YHLQMDLG - WINNER
    Bad Bunny
     
  • POR PRIMERA VEZ
    Camilo
     
  • MESA PARA DOS
    Kany García
     
  • PAUSA
    Ricky Martin
     
  • 3:33
    Debi Nova

42. Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new Latin rock or alternative recordings.

  • AURA
    Bajofondo
     
  • MONSTRUO
    Cami
     
  • SOBREVOLANDO
    Cultura Profética
     
  • LA CONQUISTA DEL ESPACIO - WINNER
    Fito Paez
     
  • MISS COLOMBIA
    Lido Pimienta

43. Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new regional Mexican (banda, norteño, corridos, gruperos, mariachi, ranchera and Tejano) recordings.

  • HECHO EN MÉXICO
    Alejandro Fernández
     
  • LA SERENATA
    Lupita Infante
     
  • UN CANTO POR MÉXICO, VOL. 1 - WINNER
    Natalia Lafourcade
     
  • BAILANDO SONES Y HUAPANGOS CON MARIACHI SOL DE MEXICO DE JOSE HERNANDEZ
    Mariachi Sol De Mexico De Jose Hernandez
     
  • AYAYAY!
    Christian Nodal

44. Best Tropical Latin Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new tropical Latin recordings.

  • MI TUMBAO
    José Alberto "El Ruiseñor"
     
  • INFINITO
    Edwin Bonilla
     
  • SIGO CANTANDO AL AMOR (DELUXE)
    Jorge Celedon & Sergio Luis
     
  • 40 - WINNER
    Grupo Niche
     
  • MEMORIAS DE NAVIDAD
    Víctor Manuelle

American Roots Music

45. Best American Roots Performance
For new vocal or instrumental American Roots recordings.  This is for performances in the style of any of the subgenres encompassed in the American Roots Music field including Americana, bluegrass, blues, folk or regional roots. Award to the artist(s).

  • COLORS
    Black Pumas
     
  • DEEP IN LOVE
    Bonny Light Horseman
     
  • SHORT AND SWEET
    Brittany Howard
     
  • I'LL BE GONE
    Norah Jones & Mavis Staples
     
  • I REMEMBER EVERYTHING - WINNER
    John Prine

46. Best American Roots Song
A Songwriter(s) Award. Includes Americana, bluegrass, traditional blues, contemporary blues, folk or regional roots songs. A song is eligible if it was first released or if it first achieved prominence during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • CABIN
    Laura Rogers & Lydia Rogers, songwriters (The Secret Sisters)
     
  • CEILING TO THE FLOOR
    Sierra Hull & Kai Welch, songwriters (Sierra Hull)
     
  • HOMETOWN
    Sarah Jarosz, songwriter (Sarah Jarosz)
     
  • I REMEMBER EVERYTHING - WINNER
    Pat McLaughlin & John Prine, songwriters (John Prine)
     
  • MAN WITHOUT A SOUL
    Tom Overby & Lucinda Williams, songwriters (Lucinda Williams)

47. Best Americana Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental Americana recordings.

  • OLD FLOWERS
    Courtney Marie Andrews
     
  • TERMS OF SURRENDER
    Hiss Golden Messenger
     
  • WORLD ON THE GROUND - WINNER
    Sarah Jarosz
     
  • EL DORADO
    Marcus King
     
  • GOOD SOULS BETTER ANGELS
    Lucinda Williams

48. Best Bluegrass Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental bluegrass recordings.

  • MAN ON FIRE
    Danny Barnes
     
  • TO LIVE IN TWO WORLDS, VOL. 1
    Thomm Jutz
     
  • NORTH CAROLINA SONGBOOK
    Steep Canyon Rangers
     
  • HOME - WINNER
    Billy Strings
     
  • THE JOHN HARTFORD FIDDLE TUNE PROJECT, VOL. 1
    (Various Artists)
    Matt Combs & Katie Harford Hogue, producers

49. Best Traditional Blues Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental traditional blues recordings.

  • ALL MY DUES ARE PAID
    Frank Bey
     
  • YOU MAKE ME FEEL
    Don Bryant
     
  • THAT'S WHAT I HEARD
    Robert Cray Band
     
  • CYPRESS GROVE
    Jimmy "Duck" Holmes
     
  • RAWER THAN RAW - WINNER
    Bobby Rush

50. Best Contemporary Blues Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental contemporary blues recordings.

  • HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND YET? - WINNER
    Fantastic Negrito
     
  • LIVE AT THE PARAMOUNT
    Ruthie Foster Big Band
     
  • THE JUICE
    G. Love
     
  • BLACKBIRDS
    Bettye LaVette
     
  • UP AND ROLLING
    North Mississippi Allstars

51. Best Folk Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental folk recordings.

  • BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN
    Bonny Light Horseman
     
  • THANKS FOR THE DANCE
    Leonard Cohen
     
  • SONG FOR OUR DAUGHTER
    Laura Marling
     
  • SATURN RETURN
    The Secret Sisters
     
  • ALL THE GOOD TIMES - WINNER
    Gillian Welch & David Rawlings

52. Best Regional Roots Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental regional roots music recordings.

  • MY RELATIVES "NIKSO KOWAIKS"
    Black Lodge Singers
     
  • CAMERON DUPUY AND THE CAJUN TROUBADOURS
    Cameron Dupuy And The Cajun Troubadours
     
  • LOVELY SUNRISE
    Nā Wai ʽEhā
     
  • ATMOSPHERE - WINNER
    New Orleans Nightcrawlers
     
  • A TRIBUTE TO AL BERARD
    Sweet Cecilia

Reggae

53. Best Reggae Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new reggae recordings.

  • UPSIDE DOWN 2020
    Buju Banton
     
  • HIGHER PLACE
    Skip Marley
     
  • IT ALL COMES BACK TO LOVE
    Maxi Priest
     
  • GOT TO BE TOUGH - WINNER
    Toots & The Maytals
     
  • ONE WORLD
    The Wailers

Global Music

54. Best Global Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new vocal or instrumental Global Music recordings.

  • FU CHRONICLES
    Antibalas
     
  • TWICE AS TALL - WINNER
    Burna Boy
     
  • AGORA
    Bebel Gilberto
     
  • LOVE LETTERS
    Anoushka Shankar
     
  • AMADJAR
    Tinariwen

Children's

55. Best Children's Music Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new musical or spoken word recordings that are created and intended specifically for children.

  • ALL THE LADIES - WINNER
    Joanie Leeds
     
  • WILD LIFE
    Justin Roberts

Spoken Word

56. Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)

  • ACID FOR THE CHILDREN: A MEMOIR
    Flea
     
  • ALEX TREBEK - THE ANSWER IS...
    Ken Jennings
     
  • BLOWOUT: CORRUPTED DEMOCRACY, ROGUE STATE RUSSIA, AND THE RICHEST, MOST DESTRUCTIVE INDUSTRY ON EARTH - WINNER
    Rachel Maddow
     
  • CATCH AND KILL
    Ronan Farrow
     
  • CHARLOTTE'S WEB (E.B. WHITE)
    Meryl Streep (& Full cast)

Comedy

57. Best Comedy Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings.

  • BLACK MITZVAH - WINNER
    Tiffany Haddish
     
  • I LOVE EVERYTHING
    Patton Oswalt
     
  • THE PALE TOURIST
    Jim Gaffigan
     
  • PAPER TIGER
    Bill Burr
     
  • 23 HOURS TO KILL
    Jerry Seinfeld

Musical Theater

58. Best Musical Theater Album
For albums containing at least 51% playing time of new recordings. Award to the principle vocalist(s) and the album producer(s) of 51% or more playing time of the album. The lyricist(s) and composer(s) of a new score are eligible for an Award if they have written and/or composed a new score which comprises 51% or more playing time of the album.

  • AMÉLIE
    Audrey Brisson, Chris Jared, Caolan McCarthy & Jez Unwin, principal soloists; Michael Fentiman, Sean Patrick Flahaven, Barnaby Race & Nathan Tysen, producers; Nathan Tysen, lyricist; Daniel Messe, composer & lyricist (Original London Cast)
     
  • AMERICAN UTOPIA ON BROADWAY
    David Byrne, producer (David Byrne, composer & lyricist) (Original Cast)
     
  • JAGGED LITTLE PILL - WINNER
    Kathryn Gallagher, Celia Rose Gooding, Lauren Patten & Elizabeth Stanley, principal soloists; Neal Avron, Pete Ganbarg, Tom Kitt, Michael Parker, Craig Rosen & Vivek J. Tiwary, producers (Glen Ballard, composer; Alanis Morissette, composer & lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast)
     
  • LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
    Tammy Blanchard, Jonathan Groff & Tom Alan Robbins, principal soloists; Will Van Dyke, Michael Mayer, Alan Menken & Frank Wolf, producers (Alan Menken, composer; Howard Ashman, lyricist) (The New Off-Broadway Cast)
     
  • THE PRINCE OF EGYPT
    Christine Allado, Luke Brady, Alexia Khadime & Liam Tamne, principal soloists; Dominick Amendum & Stephen Schwartz, producers; Stephen Schwartz, composer & lyricist (Original Cast
     
  • SOFT POWER
    Francis Jue, Austin Ku, Alyse Alan Louis & Conrad Ricamora, principal soloists; Matt Stine, producer; David Henry Hwang, lyricist; Jeanine Tesori, composer & lyricist (Original Cast)

Music for Visual Media

59. Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media
Award to the artist(s) and/or ‘in studio’ producer(s) of a majority of the tracks on the album.  In the absence of both, award to the one or two individuals proactively responsible for the concept and musical direction of the album and for the selection of artists, songs and producers, as applicable. Award also goes to appropriately credited music supervisor(s).

  • A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
    (Various Artists)
    Nate Heller, compilation producer; Howard Paar, Music Supervisor

  • BILL & TED FACE THE MUSIC
    (Various Artists)
    Jonathan Leahy, compilation producer

  • EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA
    (Various Artists)
    Savan Kotecha, compilation producer; Becky Bentham, music supervisor

  • FROZEN 2
    (Various Artists)
    Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Tom MacDougall & Dave Metzger, compilation producers

  • JOJO RABBIT - WINNER
    (Various Artists)
    Taika Waititi, compilation producer

60. Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media
Award to Composer(s) for an original score created specifically for, or as a companion to, a current legitimate motion picture, television show or series, video games or other visual media.

  • AD ASTRA
    Max Richter, composer
     
  • BECOMING
    Kamasi Washington, composer
     
  • JOKER - WINNER
    Hildur Guðnadóttir, composer
     
  • 1917
    Thomas Newman, composer
     
  • STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
    John Williams, composer

61. Best Song Written For Visual Media
A Songwriter(s) award. For a song (melody & lyrics) written specifically for a motion picture, television, video games or other visual media, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS [FROM CATS]
    Andrew Lloyd Webber & Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
     
  • CARRIED ME WITH YOU [FROM ONWARD]
    Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth & Tim Hanseroth, songwriters (Brandi Carlile)
     
  • INTO THE UNKNOWN [FROM FROZEN 2]
    Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, songwriters (Idina Menzel & AURORA)
     
  • NO TIME TO DIE [FROM NO TIME TO DIE] - WINNER
    Billie Eilish O'Connell & Finneas Baird O'Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
     
  • STAND UP [FROM HARRIET]
    Joshuah Brian Campbell & Cynthia Erivo, songwriters (Cynthia Erivo)

Composing/Arranging

62. Best Instrumental Composition
A Composer's Award for an original composition (not an adaptation) first released during the Eligibility Year. Singles or Tracks only.

  • BABY JACK
    Arturo O'Farrill, composer (Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra)
     
  • BE WATER II
    Christian Sands, composer (Christian Sands)
     
  • PLUMFIELD
    Alexandre Desplat, composer (Alexandre Desplat)
     
  • SPUTNIK - WINNER
    Maria Schneider, composer (Maria Schneider)
     
  • STRATA
    Remy Le Boeuf, composer (Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly Of Shadows Featuring Anna Webber & Eric Miller)

63. Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • BATHROOM DANCE
    Hildur Guðnadóttir, arranger (Hildur Guðnadóttir)
     
  • DONNA LEE - WINNER
    John Beasley, arranger (John Beasley)
     
  • HONEYMOONERS
    Remy Le Boeuf, arranger (Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly Of Shadows)
     
  • LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING
    Alvin Chea & Jarrett Johnson, arrangers (Jarrett Johnson Featuring Alvin Chea)
     
  • URANUS: THE MAGICIAN
    Jeremy Levy, arranger (Jeremy Levy Jazz Orchestra)

64. Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
An Arranger's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • ASAS FECHADAS
    John Beasley & Maria Mendes, arrangers (Maria Mendes Featuring John Beasley & Orkest Metropole)
     
  • DESERT SONG
    Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick & Amanda Taylor, arrangers (Säje)
     
  • FROM THIS PLACE
    Alan Broadbent & Pat Metheny, arrangers (Pat Metheny Featuring Meshell Ndegeocello)
     
  • HE WON'T HOLD YOU - WINNER
    Jacob Collier, arranger (Jacob Collier Featuring Rapsody)
     
  • SLOW BURN
    Talia Billig, Nic Hard & Becca Stevens, arrangers (Becca Stevens Featuring Jacob Collier, Mark Lettieri, Justin Stanton, Jordan Perlson, Nic Hard, Keita Ogawa, Marcelo Woloski & Nate Werth)

Package

65. Best Recording Package

  • EVERYDAY LIFE
    Pilar Zeta, art director (Coldplay)
     
  • FUNERAL
    Kyle Goen & Alex Kalatschinow, art directors (Lil Wayne)
     
  • HEALER
    Julian Gross & Hannah Hooper, art directors (Grouplove)
     
  • ON CIRCLES
    Jordan Butcher, art director (Caspian)
     
  • VOLS. 11 & 12 - WINNER
    Doug Cunningham & Jason Noto, art directors (Desert Sessions)

66. Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package

  • FLAMING PIE (COLLECTOR'S EDITION)
    Linn Wie Andersen, Simon Earith, Paul McCartney & James Musgrave, art directors (Paul McCartney)
     
  • GIANTS STADIUM 1987, 1989, 1991
    Lisa Glines & Doran Tyson, art directors (Grateful Dead)

  • MODE
    Jeff Schulz & Paul A. Taylor, art directors (Depeche Mode)

  • ODE TO JOY - WINNER
    Lawrence Azerrad & Jeff Tweedy, art directors (Wilco)

  • THE STORY OF GHOSTLY INTERNATIONAL
    Michael Cina & Molly Smith, art directors (Various Artists)

Notes

67. Best Album Notes

  • AT THE MINSTREL SHOW: MINSTREL ROUTINES FROM THE STUDIO, 1894-1926
    Tim Brooks, album notes writer (Various Artists)
     
  • THE BAKERSFIELD SOUND: COUNTRY MUSIC CAPITAL OF THE WEST, 1940-1974
    Scott B. Bomar, album notes writer (Various Artists)
     
  • DEAD MAN'S POP - WINNER
    Bob Mehr, album notes writer (The Replacements)
     
  • THE MISSING LINK: HOW GUS HAENSCHEN GOT US FROM JOPLIN TO JAZZ AND SHAPED THE MUSIC BUSINESS
    Colin Hancock, album notes writer (Various Artists)
     
  • OUT OF A CLEAR BLUE SKY
    David Sager, album notes writer (Nat Brusiloff)

Historical

68. Best Historical Album

  • CELEBRATED, 1895-1896
    Meagan Hennessey & Richard Martin, compilation producers; Richard Martin, mastering engineer (Unique Quartette)
     
  • HITTIN' THE RAMP: THE EARLY YEARS (1936 - 1943)
    Zev Feldman, Will Friedwald & George Klabin, compilation producers; Matthew Lutthans, mastering engineer (Nat King Cole)
     
  • IT'S SUCH A GOOD FEELING: THE BEST OF MISTER ROGERS - WINNER
    Lee Lodyga & Cheryl Pawelski, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Mister Rogers)
     
  • 1999 SUPER DELUXE EDITION
    Trevor Guy, Michael Howe & Kirk Johnson, compilation producers; Bernie Grundman, mastering engineer (Prince)
     
  • SOUVENIR
    Carolyn Agger, compilation producer; Miles Showell, mastering engineer (Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark)
     
  • THROW DOWN YOUR HEART: THE COMPLETE AFRICA SESSIONS
    Béla Fleck, compilation producer; Richard Dodd, mastering engineer (Béla Fleck)

Production, Non-Classical

69. Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
An Engineer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses.)

  • BLACK HOLE RAINBOW
    Shawn Everett & Ivan Wayman, engineers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Devon Gilfillian)
     
  • EXPECTATIONS
    Gary Paczosa & Mike Robinson, engineers; Paul Blakemore, mastering engineer (Katie Pruitt)
     
  • HYPERSPACE - WINNER
    Drew Brown, Julian Burg, Andrew Coleman, Paul Epworth, Shawn Everett, Serban Ghenea, David Greenbaum, John Hanes, Beck Hansen, Jaycen Joshua, Greg Kurstin, Mike Larson, Cole M.G.N., Alex Pasco & Matt Wiggins, engineers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer (Beck)
     
  • JAIME
    Shawn Everett, engineer; Shawn Everett, mastering engineer (Brittany Howard)
     
  • 25 TRIPS
    Shani Gandhi & Gary Paczosa, engineers; Adam Grover, mastering engineer (Sierra Hull)

70. Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical​

  • JACK ANTONOFF

• August (Taylor Swift) (T)
• Gaslighter (The Chicks) (A)
• Holy Terrain (FKA Twigs Featuring Future) (T)
• Mirrorball (Taylor Swift) (T)
• This Is Me Trying (Taylor Swift) (T)
• Together (Sia) (S)

  • DAN AUERBACH

• Cypress Grove (Jimmy "Duck" Holmes) (A)
• El Dorado (Marcus King) (A)
• Is Thomas Callaway (CeeLo Green) (A)
• Singing For My Supper (Early James) (A)
• Solid Gold Sounds (Kendell Marvel) (A)
• Years (John Anderson) (A

  • DAVE COBB

• Backbone (Kaleo) (S)
• The Balladeer (Lori McKenna) (A)
• Boneshaker (Airbourne) (A)
• Down Home Christmas (Oak Ridge Boys) (A)
• The Highwomen (The Highwomen) (A)
• I Remember Everything (John Prine) (S)
• Reunions (Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit) (A)
• The Spark (William Prince) (S)
• You're Still The One (Teddy Swims) (S)

  • FLYING LOTUS

• It Is What It Is (Thundercat) (A)

  • ANDREW WATT - WINNER

• Break My Heart (Dua Lipa) (T)
• Me And My Guitar (A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie) (T)
• Midnight Sky (Miley Cyrus) (S)
• Old Me (5 Seconds Of Summer) (T)
• Ordinary Man (Ozzy Osbourne Featuring Elton John) (T)
• Take What You Want (Post Malone Featuring Ozzy Osbourne & Travis Scott) (T)
• Under The Graveyard (Ozzy Osbourne) (T)

71. Best Remixed Recording
A Remixer's Award. (Artists names appear in parentheses for identification.) Singles or Tracks only.

  • DO YOU EVER (RAC MIX)
    RAC, remixer (Phil Good)
     
  • IMAGINARY FRIENDS (MORGAN PAGE REMIX)
    Morgan Page, remixer (Deadmau5)
     
  • PRAYING FOR YOU (LOUIE VEGA MAIN REMIX)
    Louie Vega, remixer (Jasper Street Co.)
     
  • ROSES (IMANBEK REMIX) - WINNER
    Imanbek Zeikenov, remixer (SAINt JHN)
     
  • YOUNG & ALIVE (BAZZI VS. HAYWYRE REMIX)
    Haywyre, remixer (Bazzi)

Production, Immersive Audio

72. Best Immersive Audio Album
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Best Immersive Audio Album Craft Committee was unable to meet. The judging of the entries in this category has been postponed until such time that we are able to meet in a way that is appropriate to judge the many formats and configurations of the entries and is safe for the committee members. The nominations for the 63rd GRAMMYs will be announced next year in addition to (and separately from) the 64th GRAMMY nominations in the category

Production, Classical

73. Best Engineered Album, Classical
An Engineer's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.)

  • DANIELPOUR: THE PASSION OF YESHUA
    Bernd Gottinger, engineer (JoAnn Falletta, James K. Bass, Adam Luebke, UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus)
     
  • GERSHWIN: PORGY AND BESS
    David Frost & John Kerswell, engineers; Silas Brown, mastering engineer (David Robertson, Frederick Ballentine, Angel Blue, Denyce Graves, Latonia Moore, Eric Owens, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & Chorus)
     
  • HYNES: FIELDS
    Kyle Pyke, engineer; Jesse Lewis & Kyle Pyke, mastering engineers (Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion)
     
  • IVES: COMPLETE SYMPHONIES
    Alexander Lipay & Dmitriy Lipay, engineers; Alexander Lipay & Dmitriy Lipay, mastering engineers (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)
     
  • SHOSTAKOVICH: SYMPHONY NO. 13, 'BABI YAR' - WINNER
    David Frost & Charlie Post, engineers; Silas Brown, mastering engineer (Riccardo Muti & Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

74. Producer Of The Year, Classical
A Producer's Award. (Artist names appear in parentheses.)

  • BLANTON ALSPAUGH

• Aspects Of America - Pulitzer Edition (Carlos Kalmar & Oregon Symphony)
• Blessed Art Thou Among Women (Peter Jermihov, Katya Lukianov & PaTRAM Institute Singers)
• Dvořák: Symphony No. 9; Copland: Billy The Kid (Gianandrea Noseda & National Symphony Orchestra)
• Glass: The Fall Of The House Of Usher (Joseph Li, Nicholas Nestorak, Madison Leonard, Jonas Hacker, Ben Edquist, Matthew Adam Fleisher & Wolf Trap Opera)
• Kahane: Emergency Shelter Intake Form (Alicia Hall Moran, Gabriel Kahane, Carlos Kalmar & Oregon Symphony)
• Kastalsky: Requiem (Leonard Slatkin, Steven Fox, Benedict Sheehan, Charles Bruffy, Cathedral Choral Society, The Clarion Choir, The Saint Tikhon Choir, Kansas City Chorale & Orchestra Of St. Luke's)
• Massenet: Thaïs (Andrew Davis, Joshua Hopkins, Andrew Staples, Erin Wall, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir & Toronto Symphony Orchestra)
• Smyth: The Prison (Sarah Brailey, Dashon Burton, James Blachly & Experiential Orchestra)
• Woolf, L.P.: Fire And Flood (Julian Wachner, Matt Haimovitz & Choir Of Trinity Wall Street)

  • DAVID FROST - WINNER

• Beethoven: Piano Sonatas, Vol. 9 (Jonathan Biss)
• Gershwin: Porgy And Bess (David Robertson, Frederick Ballentine, Angel Blue, Denyce Graves, Latonia Moore, Eric Owens, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & Chorus)
• Gluck: Orphée & Eurydice (Harry Bicket, Dmitry Korchak, Andriana Chuchman, Lauren Snouffer, Lyric Opera Of Chicago Orchestra & Chorus)
• Holst: The Planets; The Perfect Fool (Michael Stern & Kansas City Symphony)
• Muhly: Marnie (Robert Spano, Isabel Leonard, Christopher Maltman, Denyce Graves, Iestyn Davies, Janis Kelly, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & Chorus)
• Schubert: Piano Sonatas, D. 845, D. 894, D. 958, D. 960 (Shai Wosner)
• Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13, 'Babi Yar' (Riccardo Muti, Alexey Tikhomirov, Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Chorus)

  • JESSE LEWIS

• Gunn: The Ascendant (Roomful Of Teeth)
• Harrison, M.: Just Constellations (Roomful Of Teeth)
• Her Own Wings (Willamette Valley Chamber Music Festival)
• Hynes: Fields (Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion)
• Lang, D.: Love Fail (Beth Willer & Lorelei Ensemble)
• Mazzoli: Proving Up (Christopher Rountree, Opera Omaha & International Contemporary Ensemble)
• Sharlat: Spare The Rod! (NOW Ensemble)
• Soul House (Hub New Music)
• Wherein Lies The Good (The Westerlies)

  • DMITRIY LIPAY

• Adams, J.: Must The Devil Have All The Good Tunes? (Yuja Wang, Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)
• Cipullo: The Parting (Alastair Willis, Laura Strickling, Catherine Cook, Michael Mayes & Music Of Remembrance)
• Ives: Complete Symphonies (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)
• LA Phil 100 - The Los Angeles Philharmonic Centennial Birthday Gala (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)
• Langgaard: Prelude To Antichrist; Strauss: An Alpine Symphony (Thomas Dausgaard & Seattle Symphony Orchestra)
• Nielsen: Symphony No. 1 & Symphony No. 2, 'The Four Temperaments' (Thomas Dausgaard & Seattle Symphony)

  • ELAINE MARTONE

• Bound For The Promised Land (Robert M. Franklin, Steven Darsey, Jessye Norman & Taylor Branch)
• Dawn (Shachar Israel)
• Gandolfi, Prior & Oliverio: Orchestral Works (Robert Spano & Atlanta Symphony Orchestra)
• Singing In The Dead Of Night (Eighth Blackbird)
• Whitacre: The Sacred Veil (Eric Whitacre, Grant Gershon & Los Angeles Master Chorale)

Classical

75. Best Orchestral Performance
Award to the Conductor and to the Orchestra.

  • ASPECTS OF AMERICA - PULITZER EDITION
    Carlos Kalmar, conductor (Oregon Symphony)
     
  • CONCURRENCE
    Daníel Bjarnason, conductor (Iceland Symphony Orchestra)
     
  • COPLAND: SYMPHONY NO. 3
    Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor (San Francisco Symphony)
     
  • IVES: COMPLETE SYMPHONIES - WINNER
    Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)
     
  • LUTOSłAWSKI: SYMPHONIES NOS. 2 & 3
    Hannu Lintu, conductor (Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra)

76. Best Opera Recording
Award to the Conductor, Album Producer(s) and Principal Soloists.

  • DELLO JOIO: THE TRIAL AT ROUEN
    Gil Rose, conductor; Heather Buck & Stephen Powell; Gil Rose, producer (Boston Modern Orchestra Project; Odyssey Opera Chorus)
     
  • FLOYD, C.: PRINCE OF PLAYERS
    William Boggs, conductor; Alexander Dobson, Keith Phares & Kate Royal; Blanton Alspaugh, producer (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Florentine Opera Chorus)
     
  • GERSHWIN: PORGY AND BESS - WINNER
    David Robertson, conductor; Frederick Ballentine, Angel Blue, Denyce Graves, Latonia Moore & Eric Owens; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)
     
  • HANDEL: AGRIPPINA
    Maxim Emelyanychev, conductor; Elsa Benoit, Joyce DiDonato, Franco Fagioli, Jakub Józef Orliński & Luca Pisaroni; Daniel Zalay, producer (Il Pomo D'Oro)
     
  • ZEMLINSKY: DER ZWERG
    Donald Runnicles, conductor; David Butt Philip & Elena Tsallagova; Peter Ghirardini & Erwin Stürzer, producers (Orchestra Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin; Chorus Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin)

77. Best Choral Performance
Award to the Conductor, and to the Choral Director and/or Chorus Master where applicable and to the Choral Organization/Ensemble.

  • CARTHAGE
    Donald Nally, conductor (The Crossing)
     
  • DANIELPOUR: THE PASSION OF YESHUAH - WINNER
    JoAnn Falletta, conductor; James K. Bass & Adam Luebke, chorus masters (James K. Bass, J'Nai Bridges, Timothy Fallon, Kenneth Overton, Hila Plitmann & Matthew Worth; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus & UCLA Chamber Singers)
     
  • KASTALSKY: REQUIEM
    Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Charles Bruffy, Steven Fox & Benedict Sheehan, chorus masters (Joseph Charles Beutel & Anna Dennis; Orchestra Of St. Luke's; Cathedral Choral Society, The Clarion Choir, Kansas City Chorale & The Saint Tikhon Choir)
     
  • MORAVEC: SANCTUARY ROAD
    Kent Tritle, conductor (Joshua Blue, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Dashon Burton, Malcolm J. Merriweather & Laquita Mitchell; Oratorio Society Of New York Orchestra; Oratorio Society Of New York Chorus)
     
  • ONCE UPON A TIME
    Matthew Guard, conductor (Sarah Walker; Skylark Vocal Ensemble)

78. Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
For new recordings of works with chamber or small ensemble (twenty-four or fewer members, not including the conductor). One Award to the ensemble and one Award to the conductor, if applicable.

  • CONTEMPORARY VOICES - WINNER
    Pacifica Quartet
     
  • HEALING MODES
    Brooklyn Rider
     
  • HEARNE, T.: PLACE
    Ted Hearne, Steven Bradshaw, Sophia Byrd, Josephine Lee, Isaiah Robinson, Sol Ruiz, Ayanna Woods, Diana Wade & Place Orchestra
     
  • HYNES: FIELDS
    Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion
     
  • THE SCHUMANN QUARTETS
    Dover Quartet

79. Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Award to the Instrumental Soloist(s) and to the Conductor when applicable.

  • ADÈS: CONCERTO FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA
    Kirill Gerstein; Thomas Adès, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)
     
  • BEETHOVEN: COMPLETE PIANO SONATAS
    Igor Levit
     
  • BOHEMIAN TALES
    Augustin Hadelich; Jakub Hrůša, conductor (Charles Owen; Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks)
     
  • DESTINATION RACHMANINOV - ARRIVAL
    Daniil Trifonov; Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor (The Philadelphia Orchestra)
     
  • THEOFANIDIS: CONCERTO FOR VIOLA AND CHAMBER ORCHESTRA - WINNER
    Richard O'Neill; David Alan Miller, conductor (Albany Symphony)

80. Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
Award to: Vocalist(s), Collaborative Artist(s) (Ex: pianists, conductors, chamber groups) Producer(s), Recording Engineers/Mixers with 51% or more playing time of new material.

  • AMERICAN COMPOSERS AT PLAY - WILLIAM BOLCOM, RICKY IAN GORDON, LORI LAITMAN, JOHN MUSTO
    Stephen Powell (Attacca Quartet, William Bolcom, Ricky Ian Gordon, Lori Laitman, John Musto, Charles Neidich & Jason Vieaux)
     
  • CLAIRIÈRES - SONGS BY LILI & NADIA BOULANGER
    Nicholas Phan; Myra Huang, accompanist
     
  • FARINELLI
    Cecilia Bartoli; Giovanni Antonini, conductor (Il Giardino Armonico)
     
  • A LAD'S LOVE
    Brian Giebler; Steven McGhee, accompanist (Katie Hyun, Michael Katz, Jessica Meyer, Reginald Mobley & Ben Russell)
     
  • SMYTH: THE PRISON- WINNER
    Sarah Brailey & Dashon Burton; James Blachly, conductor (Experiential Chorus; Experiential Orchestra)

81. Best Classical Compendium
Award to the Artist(s) and to the Album Producer(s) and Engineer(s) of over 51% playing time of the album, if other than the artist.

  • ADÈS CONDUCTS ADÈS
    Mark Stone & Christianne Stotijn; Thomas Adès, conductor; Nick Squire, producer
     
  • SAARIAHO: GRAAL THÉÂTRE; CIRCLE MAP; NEIGES; VERS TOI QUI ES SI LOIN
    Clément Mao-Takacs, conductor; Hans Kipfer, producer
     
  • SEREBRIER: SYMPHONIC BACH VARIATIONS; LAMENTS AND HALLELUJAHS; FLUTE CONCERTO
    José Serebrier, conductor; Jens Braun, producer
     
  • THOMAS, M.T.: FROM THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK & MEDITATIONS ON RILKE- WINNER
    Isabel Leonard; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Jack Vad, producer
     
  • WOOLF, L.P.: FIRE AND FLOOD
    Matt Haimovitz; Julian Wachner, conductor; Blanton Alspaugh, producer

82. Best Contemporary Classical Composition
A Composer's Award. (For a contemporary classical composition composed within the last 25 years, and released for the first time during the Eligibility Year.) Award to the librettist, if applicable.

  • ADÈS: CONCERTO FOR PIANO AND ORCHESTRA
    Thomas Adès, composer (Kirill Gerstein, Thomas Adès & Boston Symphony Orchestra)
     
  • DANIELPOUR: THE PASSION OF YESHUA
    Richard Danielpour, composer (JoAnn Falletta, James K. Bass, Adam Luebke, UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus)
     
  • FLOYD, C.: PRINCE OF PLAYERS
    Carlisle Floyd, composer (William Boggs, Alexander Dobson, Kate Royal, Keith Phares, Florentine Opera Chorus & Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra)
     
  • HEARNE, T.: PLACE
    Ted Hearne, composer (Ted Hearne, Steven Bradshaw, Sophia Byrd, Josephine Lee, Isaiah Robinson, Sol Ruiz, Ayanna Woods & Place Orchestra)
     
  • ROUSE: SYMPHONY NO. 5- WINNER
    Christopher Rouse, composer (Giancarlo Guerrero & Nashville Symphony)

Music Video/Film

83. Best Music Video
Award to the artist, video director, and video producer.

  • BROWN SKIN GIRL - WINNER
    Beyoncé, Blue Ivy & WizKid
    Beyoncé Knowles-Carter & Jenn Nkiru, video directors; Astrid Edwards, Aya Kaida, Jean Mougin, Nathan Scherrer & Erinn Williams, video producers

  • LIFE IS GOOD
    Future Featuring Drake
    Julien Christian Lutz, video director; Harv Glazer, video producer

  • LOCKDOWN
    Anderson .Paak
    Dave Meyers, video director; Nathan Scherrer, video producer
     
  • ADORE YOU
    Harry Styles
    Dave Meyers, video director; Nathan Scherrer, video producer
     
  • GOLIATH
    Woodkid
    Yoann Lemoine, video director; Horace de Gunzbourg, video producer

84. Best Music Film
For concert/performance films or music documentaries. Award to the artist, video director, and video producer.

  • BEASTIE BOYS STORY
    Beastie Boys
    Spike Jonze, video director; Amanda Adelson, Jason Baum & Spike Jonze, video producers
     
  • BLACK IS KING
    Beyoncé
    Emmanuel Adjei, Blitz Bazawule, Beyonce Knowles Carter & Kwasi Fordjour, video directors; Lauren Baker, Akin Omotoso, Nathan Scherrer, Jeremy Sullivan & Erinn Williams, video producers
     
  • WE ARE FREESTYLE LOVE SUPREME
    Freestyle Love Supreme
    Andrew Fried, video director; Andrew Fried, Jill Furman, Thomas Kail, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Sarina Roma, Jenny Steingart & Jon Steingart, video producers
     
  • LINDA RONSTADT: THE SOUND OF MY VOICE - WINNER
    Linda Ronstadt
    Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman, video directors; Michele Farinola & James Keach, video producers
     
  • THAT LITTLE OL' BAND FROM TEXAS
    ZZ Top
    Sam Dunn, video director; Scot McFadyen, video producer

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Entertainment Law Initiative 2020 Event

22nd Annual Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI) Event & Scholarship Presentation | GRAMMY Week 2020

Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

News

GRAMMY Week 2020: Entertainment Law Initiative Event Celebrates Change-Makers And Discusses Today's Most Pressing Issues

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As the music industry continues to evolve, the Recording Academy recognizes those at the vanguard of entertainment law and the leaders pushing the profession forward
John Ochoa
Advocacy
Jan 31, 2020 - 7:47 am

They say change is the only constant in life. That's a mantra by which the music industry lives. And when it comes to entertainment law, change is what drives the business forward. 

Change is the theme that defined the 22nd Annual Entertainment Law Initiative (ELI) Event & Scholarship Presentation, the most prominent gathering for entertainment attorneys and other music business professionals during GRAMMY Week. Every year, the ELI event unites the music business community and addresses some of the most compelling issues facing the music industry today. The 2020 ELI event—held last week (Friday, Jan. 24) as an official GRAMMY Week event at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif.—honored an industry luminary initiating change today while also recognizing some future leaders in law. 

For over two decades, ELI has addressed the shifting landscape of entertainment law head on, providing a forum for legal thought leaders and honoring its own practitioners who are ensuring the industry adapts to the ever-changing music and entertainment industry. 

It's no wonder, then, that this year's ELI Service Award honored Jeff Harleston, a music industry veteran who has faced virtually every sea change to directly challenge the entertainment law field. 

"Over the last 25 years or so, no industry has experienced more change than the music industry," Sir Lucian Grainge, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group, said in his opening remarks at the gathering. "But throughout this period of turmoil and transformation, there've been two constants. First, amazing artists making great music. And secondly, as if you didn't know by now, Jeff Harleston's extraordinary sound judgment."

Harleston, who currently serves as the general counsel and executive vice president of business and legal affairs at Universal Music Group, has been a champion for artists and creators throughout his decades-long career. Across his days as the head of the business and legal affairs department at MCA Records in the late '90s to his time as general manager of Geffen Records, Harleston has worked with iconic artists like Mary J. Blige, Nelly Furtado and Snoop Dogg, among many others. 

"There's no bigger friend to artists than Jeff," three-time GRAMMY winner Common said of Harleston in a personalized tribute video. "So you can call Jeff a general counsel or a board member or a role model. They all fit. But I'll continue to call him a friend. He's a true advocate for artists. And I couldn't be prouder of the recognition he's receiving today."

ELI 2020 - Jeff Harleston - Sir Lucian Grainge

Making his way to the stage, the crowd offering a well-deserved standing ovation, Harleston addressed the room with pride and jubilation in his voice and optimism in his sight. 

"This is to the lawyers in the room," he said. "At times, we know being a lawyer in the music business can be an entirely thankless task, but we love it because we love music… But most importantly, we have learned to work together. And what we've been able to do when we work together is move it forward really well. We move things forward legislatively, we've empowered new services that are finding ways to bring our music and the artists' music to places they've never been before. And it's all because we've allowed ourselves to respect each other and trust each other. I really am happy to see that happen and I really hope that we can continue that spirit." 

As he remembered his extensive career and all that he and his colleagues have together accomplished for the industry and the wider artist community, he took a moment to acknowledge the road ahead for entertainment law and the challenges to come. 

"As I reflect on my almost-27 years in this business," he said, "there's one thing that's clear about the music business: the constant is change. Change happens all the time... But what we have to do and what we've learned to do... we've learned to deal with the change. And change is hard. It can be abrupt. It can be unexpected. It can be painful. But it's important, and it has to happen.

"We are in the midst of a change as we speak. But I know that we are strong and resilient, and we will get through it. And when we come out the other side, we will be better, we'll be stronger and the world will be great. In the words of Bob Dylan, 'The times, they are a-changin’."

Fittingly, Dylan's eternal lyrics and Harleston's remarks nod to the ever-evolving music industry and the modern issues it faces, many of which were addressed by the entrants of the 2020 ELI Writing Competition. 

As one of its core elements, ELI has supported promising law students and has fostered future careers in entertainment law, having provided more than 800 students with scholarships to date. The event's popular yearly student writing competition and scholarship presentation acknowledge the outstanding law students who are seeking to push entertainment law into the future.

This year's writing competition entrants, who each addressed a compelling legal issue confronting the music industry and proposed a solution in their essays, tackled some of today's most timely and pressing matters in the field.

Christopher Chiang, a student at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Law, won the writing competition with an essay proposing a sliding scale framework for copyright protection in music. Chiang was presented his award, which came along with a $10,000 scholarship and tickets to various GRAMMY Week events, onstage by Ken Abdo, a partner at Fox Rothschild who has been involved with the ELI Writing Competition since its beginnings. Runner-ups included John Gilbertson, a student at Drake University School of Law in Des Moines, Iowa, and Graham Fenton from UCLA Law. 

ELI 2020 - Christopher Chiang - Ken Abdo

Perhaps the most urgent issue and forthcoming change to affect the music industry today comes via California Assembly Bill 5, more commonly known as AB5. The newly passed state statute aims to protect workers in the "gig economy," namely Uber drivers. However, its impact on the music industry could prove detrimental. (Music creators, particularly those who work as independent contracts, such as studio musicians or session/backing players, would potentially need to be recognized as employees and/or employers in order to secure work, which in turn entails a more complicated hiring process and higher fees for one-time gigs and short-term projects and performances.) Having gone into effect at the beginning of 2020, AB5 today stands as one of the most timely and important issues for music creators' rights in 2020.

In a panel that followed remarks by ELI Executive Committee Chair Michael Kushner, who is executive vice president, business & legal affairs and general counsel at Atlantic Records, some of the brightest and most active voices in the battle over AB5 spoke of the well-intended law and its potentially damaging effect on the music industry.

"AB5 is the definition of the 'law of unintended consequences,'" said Jordan Bromley, a partner at Manatt Entertainment Transactions & Finance. "It was meant to hit a certain sector of California industry, and it [was] painted with such a wide brush that everyone is affected, unless there's a specific exemption in the bill. I would say the one way to look at it is if somebody is providing you or your company or your artists or your producer or your songwriter a service that is 'core to the business,' they are now your employee."

Since its passing, the music biz and artist community have largely banded together to address AB5, with many from both sides of the industry launching online petitions and meeting with California lawmakers directly in an attempt to secure exemption from the law on behalf of the wider music industry. 

Ari Herstand, an independent musician, author and music industry blogger, has been at the forefront of the AB5 debate since it went into law. He's since gathered 50,000 petitions from California music professionals who are against the law. 

"We're 20-something days into this thing right now, and I'm literally gathering stories every single day from musicians who are losing work," he said. "I've hundreds of documented cases of musicians in California that are losing work."

Daryl Friedman, Ari Herstand, Morgan Kibby and Jordan Bromley at 2020 Entertainment Law Initiative event

But much like any other major change to impact the business, the music industry is already making headway into addressing and alleviating the issues of AB5.

Both Bromley and Herstand agree education is a key component in pushing things forward.

"The unions ran the bill," Bromley said. "The unions will run the next bill, most likely. So we need the unions on board. They're all conceptually there... It's frankly a lot of education on our business because it's weird and wacky and nuanced. And even some of the unions that exist in our business don't really understand how it's evolved in the last 10 years. So it's just a lot of patience and education, but everyone's at the table and everyone is focused on a solution."

"There needs to be education," Herstand added. "Right now, because of all of the hysteria around this—that's why so many musicians are literally losing work every day. So as soon as this—hopefully it's an urgency bill—passes, everybody needs to write about it. Every lawyer needs to know this to be able to educate. So I encourage everybody here to follow this process along and, once this thing gets passed, to educate your clients on what is actually happening and that we have found a fix, hopefully."

Panel moderator Daryl Friedman, Chief Industry, Government and Member Relations Officer for the Recording Academy, concluded the chat on a high note of optimism regarding the road ahead with AB5.

"It's going to be a lot of hard work by a lot of people," he said. "Hopefully a year from now, we will realize that this has been fixed. But I think there's also another lesson that is more enduring: the lesson of when creators get involved [and] when creators speak. They make the difference here. When creators speak, policymakers listen."

It's the exact kind of dialogue that has come to define the ethos and vision of ELI throughout the decades: When change comes a-knockin', we will be there to adapt, listen, learn and educate. 

The Entertainment Law Initiative maintains its support for the music industry as a whole, from its creators to its executives to its attorneys, and will continue to foster the next generation of change-makers within the music business and legal community for decades to come.

What's Ahead In 2020 For Music Creators' Rights?