Nile Rodgers performs in 2016

Nile Rodgers

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Nile Rodgers & Chic To Perform At 2018 GRAMMY Celebration

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The Recording Academy's official after-party following the 60th GRAMMY Awards to also feature a performance by saxophonist Jimmy Greene and members of the GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Jan 16, 2018 - 7:30 am

Feel the rhythm, check the rhyme, come on along to the 2018 GRAMMY Celebration and have a real good time.

Nile Rodgers: Shocked By GRAMMY Wins

Three-time GRAMMY winner Nile Rodgers & Chic will preside over a real good time as performers at the 2018 GRAMMY Celebration, the Recording Academy's official after-party taking place Sunday, Jan. 28 at the Marriott Marquis immediately following the 60th GRAMMY Awards.

Rodgers & Chic's set promises a mix of favorites and hits such as "Le Freak," "Good Times," "Everybody Dance," and "I Want Your Love."  

A private, ticketed event, the Celebration will also feature a performance by GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist Jimmy Greene and members of the GRAMMY Camp — Jazz Session, plus a DJ set by Brendan Fallis.

Attracting GRAMMY winners, nominees, industry executives, and celebrities, guests will be treated to a "Diamond Ju60th-anniversary classic nod to the GRAMMY Awards' 60th anniversary milestone and return to New York City. The menu will feature an assortment of cuisines, allowing guests the opportunity to indulge in four different food stations inspired by the city of New York, and a "Diamond Jubilee"-themed dessert collection.

"We're looking forward to saluting this year's GRAMMY winners and nominees at the 2018 GRAMMY Celebration," said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. "The show's return to New York City paired with the excitement for the 60th anniversary will make for an unforgettable celebration — and we're pleased to offer guests an opportunity to enjoy an evening of great company, extraordinary food, and dynamic performances that this year's event will deliver."

John Legend

John Legend

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John Legend, Bruno Mars, GRAMMY Shows Earn 2018 Emmy Nominations

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Celebrating the best in TV, the annual Emmy Awards have announced this year's round of awards candidates
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jul 12, 2018 - 1:42 pm

Emmy nominations for 2018 — the 70th year of celebrating the best in TV over the course of the previous year — are out and here's how the music world stacked up.

All-Stars Pay Tribute To Elton John

The Recording Academy earned five nominations this year for our musical TV centerpieces. The 60th GRAMMY Awards telecast live from New York earned nods for Outstanding Production Design For A Variety Special, Outstanding Lighting Design/Lighting Direction For A Variety Special, Outstanding Variety Special (Live), and Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Variety Series Or Special.

Meanwhile, the Academy's TV tribute to the indelible music of an icon, "Elton John: I'm Still Standing — A Grammy Salute," earned a nomination for Outstanding Music Direction for the special's music director Davey Johnstone.

Bruno Mars also earned a nod for Outstanding Music Direction for his Bruno "Mars: 24K Magic Live At The Apollo" while Super Bowl music director Adam Wayne Blackstone earned recognition in the same category for this year's halftime show featuring Justin Timberlake. 

For his role in the breakout hit live TV musical "Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert," John Legend received an Emmy nod for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie. Already a GRAMMY, Oscar and Tony winner, if Legend wins his Emmy this year, he would join the elite EGOT-winning crew alongside entertainers such as Rita Moreno and Whoopi Goldberg.

"Jesus Christ Superstar Live In Concert" also earned several additional nominations, including Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie for Brandon Victor Dixon as Judas, Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Limited Series Or Movie for Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene and Outstanding Variety Special (Live).

Other familiar musical faces made the Emmy nominations list for their acting work. Donald Glover — aka Childish Gambino — earned several nods for his work on the hit comedy series "Atlanta," including Outstanding Lead Actor In A Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series. One-time "Glee" actor/singer Darren Criss is up for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Limited Series Or Movie for his role as Andrew Cunanan in "The Assassination Of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story."

In the musical categories, a number of composers earned nominations for their music works. This includes the GRAMMY-winning composers behind the score to La La Land Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, who earned a Emmy nod for Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics  "In The Market For A Miracle" from "A Christmas Story Live!" Steve Martin earned a nomination in the same category for "The Buddy Song" from "Steve Martin & Martin Short: An Evening You Will Forget For The Rest Of Your Life."

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Nile Rodgers

Nile Rodgers

Photo: Sean Mathis/Getty Images

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Nile Rodgers Talks Abbey Road, Superstar Collabs At Coachella

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With a new Chic album in the works at London's Abbey Road Studios and a new job title there, Rodgers raises our appetites for what's cooking
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Apr 23, 2018 - 12:29 pm

Named first-ever Chief Creative Advisor at London's Abbey Road Studios last month, Nile Rodgers found himself answering questions on April 21 at Coachella about who's been in the studio with him working on the upcoming Chic album, It's About Time. Rodgers learned late last year that his health is back in tune, and fans are looking forward to new innovations from the old-school funk master's knack for trend-setting originality.

In addition to the signature sounds he crafted for Chic and Sister Sledge, Rodgers also produced David Bowie's GRAMMY-nominated Let's Dance in 1983 and Madonna's Like A Virgin the following year. He shared three GRAMMY wins at the 56th GRAMMY Awards with Daft Punk, songwriter Paul Williams, and Pharrell Williams, including Record Of The Year for "Get Lucky" and Album Of The Year for Random Access Memories.

Rodgers had been working with Anderson .Paak on new Chic material at Abbey Road, while .Paak was opening for Bruno Mars. A track record like Rodgers' is what prompted Mars to say, "Damn, I gotta stop by and hang with y'all," joining them in the studio and creating an innovation of his own. Emerging artists Nao and Stefflon Don have also been working in London with Rodgers, as well as Craig David, Blondie's Debbie Harry, and Mura Masa.

Haim has been expected at Abbey Road Studios in London, to see what they create with Rodgers. Meantime at Coachella, opening for Beyoncé, the sisters created some beef by boasting "We will kick any band's ass!" Rodgers responded, "I will happily take the challenge," and warns the two groups might be staging some Battle-of-the-Bands get-togethers to duke it out.

Other artists expected to appear on the upcoming Chic project include Disclosure, Ray BLK and Jorja Smith. So we expect good times ahead from the man who brought us "Good Times" to begin with, featuring many of today's hottest artists.

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Chic circa 1981

Chic circa 1981

Photo: Lynn Goldsmith/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images

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Library Of Congress Adds Recordings By Chic, Tony Bennett, Fleetwood Mac

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From '80s pop and rap to classical, disco, Motown, and American songbook classics, the rhythms behind the National Recording Registry's additions for 2017 are gonna get you
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Mar 21, 2018 - 9:10 am

Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart In San Francisco," Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" and Fleetwood Mac's Rumours. What do these recording have in common? Not only have each of them won GRAMMY Awards, they now share the honor of having been added to the Library of Congress' venerable National Recording Registry.

Today, Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden announced the addition of these and 22 other recordings to the registry catalog for the 2017 calendar year.

Additional GRAMMY winners with recordings newly added include Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine's 1987 upbeat jam, "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You"; Yo-Yo Ma's exquisite 1996 classical LP, Yo-Yo Ma Premieres: Concertos For Violoncello And Orchestra, Kenny Loggins' huge 1984 film soundtrack smash, "Footloose"; and Chic and Nile Rodgers' timeless 1978 disco workout, "Le Freak."

Run-DMC's groundbreaking 1986 album, Raising Hell, was added. The LP spawned the rock-rap crossover hit "Walk This Way," which was inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame in 2014.

Speaking of the Hall, other newly added National Recording Registry recordings that have been previously inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame include the soundtrack to The Sound Of Music (inducted 1998), Mississippi Sheiks' "Sittin' On Top Of The World" (2008), Bill Haley And The Comets' "Rock Around The Clock" (1982), the Ink Spots' "If I Didn't Care" (1987), Harry Belafonte's Calypso (2015), and the Temptations' "My Girl" (1998).

Similar to the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame's mission, the National Recording Registry is designed to champion and preserve recordings of historical significance.

Nominations are gathered via online submissions from the public and from the NRPB, which is comprised of leaders in the fields of music, recorded sound and preservation. See the National Recording Registry's full list — if you have a recording you deem worthy of adding to the registry, make your submission.

"This annual celebration of recorded sound reminds us of our varied and remarkable American experience," said Hayden. "The unique trinity of historic, cultural and aesthetic significance reflected in the National Recording Registry each year is an opportunity for reflection on landmark moments, diverse cultures and shared memories — all reflected in our recorded soundscape."

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

Kendrick Lamar at the 60th GRAMMY Awards in 2018

Kendrick Lamar

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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7 Memorable 2018 GRAMMY Awards Acceptance Speeches

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From Bruno Mars to Alessia Cara, Kendrick Lamar, Dave Chapelle, and more, check out these must-see speeches from Music's Biggest Night
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jan 30, 2018 - 2:55 pm

Did you catch Music's Biggest Night on Sunday, Jan. 28? There were GRAMMYs handed out in 84 categories, more than 20 amazing performances, trend-setting fashion on the red carpet, and of course — acceptance speeches.

Watch: Unforgettable 60th GRAMMY Moments

Whether it was Alessia Cara celebrating her first career GRAMMY win for Best New Artist, Bruno Mars' accepting his sixth GRAMMY of the night for Album Of The Year or Dave Chapelle's quick but funny acceptance for Best Comedy Album, we've rounded up seven memorable 60th GRAMMY Awards acceptance speeches you'll want to hear.

Bruno Mars, Album Of The Year

Watch: Bruno Mars Wins Album Of The Year

As the big winner of the night, hauling in a total of six GRAMMYs, we have several Bruno Mars acceptance speeches to choose from. But it's his final one, Album Of The Year, we think you'll most want to hear. Mars started by recognizing the other nominees in the category and then recounts entertaining a crowd in Hawaii as a 15-year-old, singing songs by Babyface, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Teddy Riley. He was struck by the togetherness those songs inspired.

"I remember seeing it first hand, people dancing that had never met each other from two sides of the globe dancing with each other," he said. "All I wanted to do with this album was that. Those songs are written with nothing but joy and for one reason and one reason only, and that's love. And that's all I wanted to bring with the album."

Alessia Cara, Best New Artist

Watch: Alessia Cara Wins Best New Artist

Alessia Cara took home her first career GRAMMY with the esteemed prize for Best New Artist. Visibly shaken as she took the stage, the 21-year-old singer shared how she has been imagining this moment since she was a kid before issuing her thank-yous and a special message to the assembled audience.

"There are some incredible artists out there that are making incredible music that deserve to be acknowledged that don't always get acknowledged because of popularity contests or numbers games, and that's kind of unfortunate," said Cara. "I just wanted to encourage everyone to support real music and real artists because everyone deserves the same shot."

Dave Chappelle, Best Comedy Album

Watch: Dave Chappelle Wins Best Comedy Album

Perpetual funny man Dave Chappelle took home his first career GRAMMY at the 60th GRAMMYs for Best Comedy Album for The Age Of Spin & Deep In The Heart Of Texas. While he made some powerful comments in the show's opening performance where he interrupted Kendrick Lamar's performance — "the only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America is being an honest black man in America" — his acceptance speech was short and sweet. "See you on Monday," he quipped.

Kendrick Lamar, Best Rap Album

Watch: Kendrick Lamar Wins Best Rap Album

Kendrick Lamar earned the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album, and during his speech, he took the time to thank not only the artists who inspire him and call out, "Jay for president," he also commented on the true artistry of hip-hop.

"Most importantly, [hip-hop] showed me the true definition of what being an artist was," Lamar said. "From the jump I thought it was about the accolades and the cars and the globes, but it's really about expressing yourself and putting the paint on the canvas for the world to evolve for the next listener, the next generation after that."

Residente, Best Latin Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album

Watch: Residente Wins Best Latin Urban Album

Winning Best Latin Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album for his self-titled solo debut, Residente can now call himself a GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY winner. In his acceptance speech, the Puerto Rican rapper joked, "I want to say I hate math, that's why I'm a rapper," before issuing this mic drop statement:

"It's sad to see how the music industry is becoming numbers," said Residente. "That has to change. I'm dedicating this to people who make real music because they really love it and they don't care about YouTube views, followers, Spotify spins, top selling records, Top 20 on the radio. This is for all these people that make art and they love it."

Latriot, Best Remixed Recording

Watch: Latroit Wins Best Remixed Recording

He earned the GRAMMY for Best Remixed Recording at the 60th GRAMMYs, his first career win for his remix of Depeche Mode's "You Move." In his acceptance, Latroit shouted out house band leader Paul Shaffer before saying he didn't prepare anything because he didn't think he would win. He then thanked Depeche Mode and quoted Jack Benny and Dave Letterman before ending on a positive note: "I'm here because you helped me. This is what happens when we help each other. This is why we have to help each other, because good things happen."

Janelle Monaé, #TimesUp

Janelle Monaé's "Time's Up" Speech

It's not an acceptance speech, but we're including it on this list anyway, because it was one of the most poignant messages of the evening. Janelle Monaé introduced Kesha's powerful performance of her GRAMMY-nominated hit "Praying" by calling attention to the #TimesUp movement.

"Tonight, I am proud to stand in solidarity as not just an artist but a young woman with my fellow sisters in this room who make up the music industry," said Monaé. "To those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: Time's up. We say time's up for pay inequality, time's up for discrimination, time's up for harassment of any kind, and time's up for the abuse of power. … So let's work together, women and men, as a united music industry, committed to creating more safe work environments, equal pay and access for all women."

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