Mastodon 60th Win
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Mastodon Win Best Metal Performance for "Sultan's Curse" | 2018 GRAMMYs

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Metal titans Mastodon take home the first GRAMMY of their career for Best Metal Performance
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Jan 28, 2018 - 3:16 pm

Mastodon won Best Metal Performance at the 60th GRAMMY Awards for "Sultan's Curse" from their latest album, Emperor Of Sand. This marks the band's first career win. The band were understandably thrilled, and quick to thank their heavy influences for paving the way, including Judas Priest and Black Sabbath.

Mastodon Win Best Metal Performance

"Sultan's Curse" is a track off Mastodon's conceptually heavy Emperor of Sand album, which was also nominated for Best Rock Album. Emperor... follows 2014's Once More 'Round The Sun, which spawned a Best Metal Performance GRAMMY nomination for the song "High Road."

While Mastodon exudes a jovial nature, the songwriting behindEmperor Of Sand was largely influenced by tragedy that touched their lives.

"Some of the closest people to us were in the middle of some battles with cancer and some heavy-duty illness," said drummer/vocalist Brann Dailor. "If we were open and honest with everyone about what the record was about, then we knew that it could maybe have a positive impact with someone else."

The GRAMMY win for "Sultan's Curse" came as the group's first win after five nominations, and saw Mastodon top a high calibur crop of nominees, including August Burns Red, and first-time nominees Body Count, Code Orange, and Meshuggah.

Attention Music Fans: Take The GRAMMY Challenge NOW On KIK And Facebook Messenger

Greta Van Fleet

Greta Van Fleet

Photo: Daniel Mendoza/Recording Academy

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Greta Van Fleet Join GRAMMY Elite: "It's A Massive Compliment"

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The retro rock quartet's quest was codified with a big GRAMMY win for Best Rock Album, but what does this mean for the band and the genre?
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Feb 18, 2019 - 10:21 am

Coming off their win for Best Rock Album for their sophomore effort, From The Fires, Greta Van Fleet have much to celebrate. Through a whirlwind two years of unimaginable success, unforgiving critique and unstoppable popularity, brothers Josh, Jake and Sam Kiszka—lead singer, guitarist and bassist, respectively—and drummer Daniel Wagner must feel like they're on a roller coaster. But all the attention and pressure to save a genre hasn't shaken their vision.

"We believe in what we are doing, hopefully, the fans do as well. It seems they understand it more every day along with us," Josh told Forbes. "People put you in the position to, what they've been saying, bring back rock ‘n’ roll or whatever that is."

Saving a genre is no small task, but recognition in the form of two GRAMMY nominations—the group was also up for the coveted Best New Artist award, which went to British pop songstress Dua Lipa—certainly provided Greta Van Fleet with fuel in the form of encouragement.

"It has been a dream of mine, obviously, but for it to happen before 2019 was just a feeling like having water dumped on you to wake up. It is kind of refreshing...it's a massive compliment," Wagner said about being nominated.

And how does the band feel about the notion rock might be dead?

"We know that’s not true. There’s plenty of it out there, Sam recently told Variety. "That the GRAMMYs nominated a rock band for best new artist is the biggest statement that can be made. Our mission is to make powerful and relevant music. Timeless songs … aren’t necessarily genre-specific." 

Taking home the trophy for Best Rock Album was a true triumph, as they beat out grunge legends Alice In Chains, pop/punk heroes Fall Out Boy, theatre rockers Ghost, and a little band from Los Angeles called Weezer for the honor, and on their first try—all of their stiff competition had either been nominated or won before this year. But perhaps that's Greta Van Fleet's greatest challenge, to tap into the rock spirit and yet separate themselves and their style.

"When you see that many people out there singing your songs and feeling something, and you can see all the faces and feel the energy exuding from the audience, it goes back and fourth. That's something that sustains us," Jake said about touring when we sat down with him at last summer's Lollapalooza in Chicago, right as the band was hitting full throttle upswing.

Greta Van Fleet Talk "When The Curtain Falls" & Mo

Their impressive run stands as compelling proof anything is (still) possible in rock 'n roll.

"Life is weird, I would've never seen this coming, even like a year and a half ago when Daniel and I were still in high school," Sam said. "It's a really strange thing to kind of pounce on you and it's one thing that I definitely was not expecting."

Jay Rock

Jay Rock

Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images 

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Jay Rock: "This Is A Real Big Redemption For Me"

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The GRAMMY-winning rapper shares the powerful backstory behind his first win at the 2019 GRAMMYs
Ana Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Feb 15, 2019 - 11:06 am

Los Angeles rapper Jay Rock had a great 2018; he worked with longtime friend and label-mate Kendrick Lamar on a big single from Black Panther: The Album and released his third studio album, Redemption, which also included the hit song.

The track, "King's Dead," also features Future and James Blake and garnered two GRAMMY nods. It won Best Rap Performance at the 61st GRAMMY Awards, Rock's first-ever win.

In an exclusive backstage interview with Rock after his big win, he shares the organic nature of the collab and reveals the deeper significance of his first time at the GRAMMYs.

Jay Rock One-On-One Interview | 2019 GRAMMYs

"Big shouts out to Kendrick Lamar…We were working next door together and I just so happened to walk in while he was working on the Black Panther Soundtrack," Rock said. "I'm still speechless right now, I'm just overjoyed and excited."

Rock and Lamar have been working together since the early 2000s with Top Dawg Entertainment, the label they are both signed to. Rock explains that he was planning on attending the 58th GRAMMY Awards with Lamar, but didn't due to a bad motorcycle accident he was in the day of the show. That year Lamar earned 11 nominations and took home five wins—the most of any artist that night. Now, three years later, Rock had his big moment as they both earned a win.

"This is a real big redemption for me. Three years ago I was supposed to be at the GRAMMYs with the homey, with Kendrick and the TDE fam, unfortunately I got into that real bad bike accident. Now three years later I won a GRAMMY. It's crazy man, it's just so unreal."

Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future & James Blake Tie Anderson .Paak To Win Best Rap Performance | 2019 GRAMMYs

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage

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Lady Gaga, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande & More React To Big-Time GRAMMY Wins

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As reality sets in for this year's class of GRAMMY winners, music makers take to social media to express their excitement and gratitude
Nate Hertweck
GRAMMYs
Feb 11, 2019 - 2:44 pm

Some moments in life transcend words. Winning a GRAMMY can often be one of those magical moments. For the music creators who took home GRAMMY gold at last night's 61st GRAMMY Awards, reactions varied from shock to elation to tears of joy and more. But when passion, hard work, taking risks and pouring your heart and soul into music results in the ultimate peer-recognized award for excellence, gratitude seems to be the common denominator amongst GRAMMY winners.

From H.E.R. shouting out BTS to Ariana Grande's thoughts on winning her first career GRAMMY, to (of course) a little humor from "Weird Al" Yankovic, let's look at what winners were posting in the afterglow of Music's Biggest Night.

 

Ariana Grande GRAMMY Thank you tweet

Photo: Ariana Grande Instagram

2019 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees And Winners List

 

Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus

Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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From Dolly To H.E.R.: 10 Unforgettable 2019 GRAMMYs Moments

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The 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards had it all—a Dolly Parton tribute, a major win for Kacey Musgraves, a Prince-like performance from Janelle Monáe and so much more
Bonnie Stiernberg
GRAMMYs
Feb 11, 2019 - 11:23 am

With the broadcast eclipsing the three-and-a-half hour mark, the 61st GRAMMY Awards offered a plethora of impressive performances and memorable moments—so many, in fact, that you'd be forgiven if a few slipped past your radar. Fortunately, we're here to recap all the evening's highlights and round up 10 of the show's top moments.

Relive The Top Moments From The 2019 GRAMMY Awards

1. Michelle Obama helps open the show

The GRAMMYs are always full of surprises, but the crowd at the Staples Center was particularly taken aback when none other than Michelle Obama took the stage last night. The former First Lady joined Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Jada Pinkett Smith and host Alicia Keys to discuss the power of music. "From the Motown records I wore out on the South Side to the 'Who Run the World' songs that fueled me through this last decade, music has always helped me tell my story," Obama said after a long ovation. "Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves, our dignity and sorrows, our hopes and joys. It allows us to hear one another, to invite each other in."

2. Kacey Musgraves cleans up

It was a huge night for Kacey Musgraves, as she took home four GRAMMYs—Best Country Solo Performance for "Butterflies," Best Country Song for "Space Cowboy," Best Country Album for Golden Hour and the night's biggest honor, Album of the Year—and sang with Dolly Parton, but one of her best moments came early in the show as she performed "Rainbow." On a night that's typically dominated by intricate choreography and elaborate set pieces, it was striking to see Musgraves opt for the understated, reassuring ballad, which she performed accompanied only by a piano.

3. Janelle Monáe makes us feel

Every Janelle Monáe performance is memorable, and her Grammy appearance this year was no different, stealing the show and making for some great Lady Gaga reaction shots. Monáe tore through Dirty Computer highlight "Make Me Feel" with all the flair we've come to expect from her before transitioning into snippets of "Django Jane" ("Black girl magic, y'all can't stand it, y'all can't ban it, made out like a bandit...let the vagina have a monologue.") and "PYNK," bringing out dancers clad in the vagina pants from the latter's video, which earned her a Best Music Video nomination this year. "I love you, Dirty Computers," she declared, before very deservedly dropping the mic.

Janelle Monae "Make Me Feel": GRAMMYs Performance

4. That dazzling Dolly Parton tribute 

The GRAMMY tribute to MusiCares Person of the Year and all-around legend Dolly Parton was a star-studded affair, featuring performances from the likes of Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry, Little Big Town and more, but the real star of the segment was the Backwoods Barbie herself. Parton stunned with some excellent vocals, kicking things off with Musgraves and Perry on "Here You Come Again" before duetting with her goddaughter Cyrus on "Jolene." Cyrus and Parton were joined by Maren Morris for some gorgeous three-part harmony on "After the Gold Rush," which she recorded with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris on their classic Trio II album. Little Big Town appeared for new track "Red Shoes" from the Dumplin' soundtrack before Parton brought it home with a "9 to 5" finale.

Dolly Parton Medley: GRAMMY Performance

5. H.E.R. arrives

Best New Artist nominee H.E.R. stunned with a performance of "Hard Place," from her 2018 EP I Used to Know Her: Part 2. It was a big night for H.E.R. (real name Gabi Wilson), as she took home two GRAMMYs, Best R&B Album for H.E.R. and Best R&B Performance for "Best Part." "I'm speechless right now," she told the crowd during her acceptance speech. "I'm holding back tears."

Watch: H.E.R. Wins Best R&B Album

6. Diana Ross celebrates her best years

Diana Ross' 75th birthday isn't until March 26, but that didn't stop her from celebrating at the GRAMMYs last night. After an Alicia Keys-narrated video package highlighting her achievements and an adorable introduction from her grandson, the Motown legend came out to perform "Best Years of My Life" and "Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)." "All is possible with music and with you. You can lead the way," she reminded the audience, before gleefully wrapping up with "Happy birthday to me!"

7. Lady Gaga shines

Bradley Cooper may not have been in the building to share the "Shallow" spotlight with her (he was busy representing 'A Star is Born' at the BAFTAs), but Lady Gaga was more than fine handling it on her own, belting out both parts to the movie's big duet, which was nominated for four GRAMMYs. "Shallow" took home two wins, Best Pop/Duo Performance and Best Song Written for Visual Media, and Gaga also went home with the Best Pop Solo Performance Grammy for "Joanne (Where Do You Think You're Goin'?)."

Watch: Lady Gaga Wins Best Pop Duo Performance

8. Brandi Carlile jumps for joy

By the time she hit the stage last night, Brandi Carlile had already taken home three GRAMMYs (Best American Roots Performance and Best American Roots Song for "The Joke" and Best Americana Album for By the Way, I Forgive You), so her incredible performance of "The Joke" was the icing on the cake. Her soaring vocals earned her a standing ovation, which she reacted to by joyfully jumping up and down and pumping her fist. Joke's on you if you snoozed on this stunning talent.

9. St. Vincent and Dua Lipa team up

St. Vincent and Dua Lipa both had big nights, with the former winning Best Rock Song for "Masseduction" and the latter taking home Best New Artist, and their GRAMMY performance served as the perfect victory lap. The pair performed a mashup of "Masseduction" and "One Kiss," with the refrain of Aretha Franklin's "Respect" and a healthy amount of St. Vincent guitar riffs, played on her signature Ernie Ball, mixed in.

10. Respect for Aretha Franklin

Speaking of Aretha, she's getting her own tribute special on March 10, but it wouldn't be right to go without paying respect to the Queen of Soul on the GRAMMY broadcast as well. After the show's In Memoriam segment, Yolanda Adams, Fantasia and Andra Day teamed up for a rendition of "(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman," with each woman taking a verse before ending in striking three-part harmony.

2019 GRAMMY Awards: Complete Nominees And Winners List