On May 31 KCON USA announced additions to the anticipated KCON 2018 NY lineup from June 23–24 and let out their first lineup news for KCON 2018 LA to be held Aug. 10–12. Mnet television stars from "Produce 101" Chung Ha and Wanna One will headline Los Angeles and Chung Ha has also been confirmed for the New York event.

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Chung Ha broke through in 2017, building on her television competition experience and time in the band I.O.I to emerge with solo hits such as "Why Don't You Know" and her 2018 hit "Roller Coaster." Before pursuing music in her native South Korea she spent many of her young years in Texas and acquired English in Dallas.

Wanna One had already been announced for KCON New York and were the first lineup artist announcement for KCON 2018 LA. They formed during the 2017 season of "Produce 101," a year after Chung Ha. Their hit that year "Beautiful" caught on tremendously, with millions of hits across several video versions. The teaser preview released on May 28 for their anticipated drop "Light" is pushing toward 1 million views. While in the U.S., Wanna One will also perform several solo concerts.

This year's KCON USA events are a lot to look forward to and we can all expect the fan responses to be electrifying. Here's to a wonderful K-summer.

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

In the music video for her 2018 single "Woman," BoA, the "Queen of K-pop," enters the scene walking upside down. Poised and commanding, BoA's posture conveys a majestic confidence — she's dauntless and defying gravity. 

"No comparing, I shine just as I am/ I'm beautiful enough/To be a woman," she sings in the opening verse. "In a stylish and modern picture/ I'm enjoying this adventure/ A true woman.

It's a galvanizing anthem of self-love, encouraging women to own their identities and practice sorority to encourage change. BoA's message resonates deeply, especially considering the ways the K-pop industry often places rigid standards and limitations on its female artists. 

BoA is just one of a handful of K-pop soloists who are taking the rains of their artistry and motivating others to do the same. These artists are shattering the glass ceiling, establishing music labels, and consistently breaking records to create new paradigms in K-pop. 

In celebration of Women's History Month, get to know 15 inspiring K-pop soloists who are revolutionizing the K-pop landscape.

BoA

Contemporary K-pop cannot be considered without BoA's cultural influence. Entering the industry at only 13 years old, the artist born Kwon Bo-ah debuted in September 2000 under the wing of SM Entertainment with the album ID; Peace B. 

She forged ahead in Japan's music market, breaking barriers — especially if we consider the fragile diplomatic relationship between both countries — and making history as the first Korean artist to reign at No.1 in the Oricon Charts.

She also became one of the first Korean artists to venture into the American market, releasing her debut English single, "Eat You Up," in 2008 and starring in the film Make Your Move. By the time of her seventh Korean album, Only One, BoA was wielding creative control over her oeuvre and was creating her own compositions.

Her performance was also unique. The choreography of "Only One" is a staple piece in her repertoire, as it includes a section where she dances with a partner, and some of the magnetic performers in K-pop — SHINee's Taemin, Eunhyuk from Super Junior, Hwang Minhyun, TVXQ's Yunho, Ten from NCT and WayV, to name a few — have shared the stage with her.

It's a combative spirit, an overflowing versatility, superb dancing skills and a honeyed voice that makes BoA a complete artist. In perfect alignment with Women's History Month, BoA will deliver her next project March 26.

IU

If you want to understand IU's impact in the Korean music industry, check the South Korean charts. Chances are, when IU has a project, she will be immovable at the top with not just one song, but several. 

The world first met IU (real name Lee Ji-eun) at age 15 with her debut mini-album, Lost and Found, and its titular song, "Lost Child," a striking ballad built on yearning. IU's popularity only increased, as did praise for her unique vocal technique and artistic range. So, when she dropped her prismatic third studio album in 2013, Modern Times, it was clear that IU had grown into an unstoppable force. At the same time, she flourished as an actress, embodying complex characters that displayed her histrionic capability. 

IU welcomed her 30s with a revamped mindset, understanding that it's best to enjoy life unrestrained. Her latest EP, The Winning (released on Feb. 20), symbolizes this passage. To the delight of her international fans, she recently embarked on her first world tour, which will wrap up in the U.S. with six-sold out concerts.

Taeyeon

Timeless and graceful are just a couple of words that could describe Kim Taeyeon, once the best-selling female K-pop soloist and the leader of the history-making act, Girls' Generation. Her powerful, yet heartwarming voice naturally adapts to any composition while always maintaining its character.

In 2007, Taeyeon debuted as a member of Girls' Generation, a girl group who were key players in the diffusion of the Hallyu Wave (the cultural torrent that globalized the South Korean entertainment industry). Her star began to burn even brighter with the release of her first EP, I, in 2015. Subsequent releases, such as her studio debut album My Voice, her fourth Korean EP What Do I Call You, and her third studio album INVU, cemented her status as one of the greatest singers in the K-pop sphere. 

At the end of 2023, Taeyeon released her fifth mini-album, To.X, its title track conveying sentiments of breaking away from a waning and toxic relationship.

Younha

Younha's career has been a process of rapid movements. Once ignored by South Korean agencies who deemed her not "pretty enough," she subverted expectations by achieving mainstream recognition in both South Korea and Japan. Her weapons? Her piano, an unwavering determination and her songwriting mastery.

Raised by artist parents, Younha's love for music was present from an early age. After several rejections, she tried her luck in Japan, a decision that brought her an impressive outcome; she was even called the "Oricon Comet" for cracking the top spots of the Japanese chart. Back in her home country, she also broke into the Top 10 on local music charts with songs like "Unacceptable" and a re-imagined version of "Umbrella," featuring Tablo from Epik High.

Though not everything has been smooth-sailing for Younha, as she had to face a legal battle with her former label. Still, the storm passed. In 2022, Younha released the viral hit "Event Horizon," a touching composition that dominated the Circle Digital Chart, South Korea’s most notable music ranking.

Lee Hyori

Lee Hyori debuted in 1998 as the leader of the Fink.L, a first-gen girl group. But by 2003, Lee Hyori's name was everywhere in South Korea. That summer, she debuted as a soloist with Stylish…, led by the R&B-infused track "10 minutes." The record, along with her sensual and magnetic stage presence, propelled her popularity and trailblazer status.

Lee Hyori is the architect of her discography. She employed her own compositions and lyrics prominently in her last two productions: 2015's Monochrome and 2017's Black. Both releases were more developed and riskier musically, flirting with different genres without losing cohesion.

Following the success of Stylish…, Hyori also began branching out into acting, TV hosting and guest appearances in variety shows. 

Uhm Junghwa

Uhm Junghwa has created a long-standing queendom of brilliance. Over three decades, she has developed a chameleonic identity that easily navigates and dominates different genres and forms.

Her first steps in the music industry could be considered lukewarm to some extent, but she experienced a boost with the release of her second studio album, Uhm Jung Hwa 2. Uhm Junghwa early shared her sensual image in the music video for lead single, "Sad Expectation," and has continued expanding throughout the years. Other singles, such as "Rose of Betrayal," a dance-heavy number that calls out a treacherous lover, and the mega-hit "Invitation," reinforced this artistic direction. 

By 2010, her impact in the Korean entertainment industry was undeniable, as she built a prosperous acting career and as a soloist. While thyroid cancer prompted her to put suspensive dots on her music ventures, she made a triumphant comeback in 2017 with her tenth full-length album, The Cloud Dream Of The Nine. 

CL 

Born Lee Chaerin, "The Baddest Female" CL first rose to prominence during K-pop's second generation as the leader and main rapper of the celebrated quartet 2NE1. Rounded out by Dara, Minzy and Park Bom, 2NE1 shifted the perception about women in K-pop with bold and empowering tunes. 

While still promoting with her group, CL also stepped into the solo spotlight in 2013. Her spirited single, "The Baddest Female," confidently declared, "I'm a queen bee, I'm the heroine."

She later released "Hello Bitches" and "Lifted," the latter being her debut single in the United States. But in 2017, 2NE1 disbanded and CL remained under YG Entertainment until 2019. In a power move, CL founded her own entertainment company called Very Cherry in 2020, aiming to reclaim her solo career that stalled due to mismanagements from both her American and Korean representatives. To much expectation, CL finally dropped her first studio album, Alpha, in 2021. 

Sunmi

Sunmi's creative lexicon is synonymous with daydreaming, immersing listeners to her eclectic soundworld developed over two decades. Her first steps were taken as part of Wonder Girls, the first Korean act to break into Billboard's Hot 100, before reaching an eventual hiatus in 2010 to focus on her education. 

Sunmi continued honing her skills stealthily until 2013, when she debuted solo with the digital single "24 Hours." The song, later included in the haunting 2014 EP Full Moon, illustrated Sunmi's evolution into a more mature and captivating artist.

She would also return to Wonder Girls in 2015 for their final chapter and celebrated full-length album Reboot, and the digital singles "Why So Lonely'' and "Draw Me." When the group dissolved in 2017, Sunmi signed with MAKEUS Entertainment and soon dropped "Gashina," an eccentric and vivacious record.

Always the innovator, Sunmi shapeshifted again with a template called "Sunmi-pop." She works with throwback inspirations, taking sonic textures mostly from the '80s, and combining them with modern pop to bring vivid compositions. Take, for example, the scintillating instrumental or "Siren," or "ppporappippam" and all its synth-pop thrill. With Sunmi, we never know what to expect, and yet, once a new release unveils, we can't help but conclude, "it is very her." 

Jung Eunji

Jung Eunji is one of the most gifted vocalists in the K-pop industry with a wide-ranging tessitura. A member of Apink, one of the few active second generation girl groups, Eunji went solo in 2016. Her debut  EP, Dream, is a tender and melancholic production that contrasts with Apink's glimmering beats.

She refined this particular style on mini-albums The Space and Hyehwa, which were filled with a subtle hopefulness. Her most recent solo offering, Log, was a remake album released in November 2022. 

Eunji has been focused on other aspects of her artistry beyond music. She earned a special place in people's hearts with her stellar performance in the television drama "Reply 1997," where she played an avid K-pop fan named Sung Shiwon. The role would mark a before and an after in Eunji's career, as she received critical acclaim and bagged several awards.

Ailee

With the goal of making music her profession, Denver-born Ailee moved South Korea in 2010. Her rich, warm vocal stylings were noticed almost immediately, landing her a record deal with YMC Entertainment, where she began preparing her debut as soloist with the single "Heaven." Just as she bewitched her recruiters, Ailee's talent percolated through the ears of listeners who eagerly embraced her music. Because listening to her sing is feeling the heart invaded with a myriad of emotions simultaneously.

Over the years, she has lent her voice to soundtracks of famous South Korean dramas and collaborated with an impressive roster of artists. Her discography currently stands at six EPs and four studio albums (including 2022's Amy, recorded entirely in English), most productions received awards that highlighted her vocal abilities.

Heize 

"I hope I won't be like a diva," singer/songwriter Heize said in an interview, referring to her never losing touch with reality and always being humble. It's fitting, as she exudes an irresistible genuineness while inhabiting a duality of voice. When she raps, her tone hardens without losing its glacé, and her singing is mellifluous.

Heize was a semifinalist on the second season of famous reality rap show "Unpretty Rapstar" and earned popularity for her unique artistry. Treating "her songs as a diary," Heize's lyrics often detail love stories with distinct endings. She also has contributed to soundtracks of popular South Korean dramas, including "You Are Cold" from the Netflix-helmed series "It's Ok Not To Be Ok" and "Round and Round" from "Goblin: The Lonely and Great God." Heize is currently signed under P Nation, a music label founded by K-pop legend Psy. 

Yerin Baek

Known for her evocative voice and raw lyricism, Yerin Baek entered the spotlight in 2007 by participating in the reality show "Amazing Contest Star King," which led her to sign with the industry juggernaut JYP Entertainment. There, she trained for seven years prior to her debut as one-half of the K-pop duo 15& alongside Jimin Park.

In 2015, Yerin Baek released her first mini album EP, Frank, succeeded by a string of digital singles, collaborations with other Korean artists, and soundtrack features, including the ballad "Here I Am Again" from the popular Korean drama, "Crash Landing On You." Shortly after revealing Our Love Is Great, her second EP, in March 2019, Yerin Baek left JYP Entertainment and established her label Blue Vinyl, which also houses Baek's rock band The Volunteers. 

There are few women in K-pop at the helm of their own company, which allows Yerin Baek more agency over her craft. Without her image controlled or suppressed, she has an extensive artistic freedom rare for female musicians.

Lee Hi

Lee Hi has embraced the limelight since her teenage years, enticing listeners with her soulful vocals. At 16, she placed second on the televised competition, "K-pop Star 1,"  and shortly after, she joined the ranks of YG Entertainment (home to BLACKPINK). Her debut was a jazz-infused single, "1, 2, 3, 4." 

Lee Hi's work comes at a steady but selective pace, with productions typically arriving in two or three years intervals. Her debut album, First Love, arrived in 2013, and her second studio album, Seoulite, followed three years later under YG's subsidiary HIGHGRND. 

The sophomore effort was led by "Breathe," a poignant ballad written and composed by SHINee's Jonghyun. The track reached the No.1 on the South Korean charts, and Lee Hi would perform it at the 32nd Golden Disk Awards as a tribute for Jonghyun, who passed away in November 2017. 

In 2019, Lee Hi released her first EP, 24°C, the last project of her career backed by YG Entertainment, before moving to the R&B label AOMG that same year. 

Chung Ha

An alum of the extinct reality competition "Produce 101" and former member of the popular yet temporary girl group I.O.I, Chung Ha has enchanted the K-pop world with her beautiful stage presence since day one. 

Following I.O.I's disbandment at the beginning of 2017, she took a leap of faith by choosing to be a soloist instead of joining another group — and debuted with her first mini-album, Hands on Me. But ChungHa's watershed moment arrived with "Roller Coaster," the lead single from her second EP Offset, where she sings about an electrifying love. 

Her first full-length album, Querencia, was diverse, even releasing a duet with Puerto Rican singer Guaynaa called "Demente," completely sung in Spanish. In 2022, she released her second LP, Bare and Rare, before parting ways with her then-agency MNH Entertainment.

What followed was a quiet period where she pondered about her next move. In a guest appearance at MBC's "Point of Omniscient Interfere," ChungHa confessed she considered studying abroad and staying away from industry due to burnout. But following the advice of Korean American rapper Jay Park, she ended up signing with his label More Vision. After almost two years, she released the single album EENIE MEENIE in March 2024, its title track featuring ATEEZ's Hongjoong.

BIBI

The youngest member of this list at 25, BIBI is a rising star in Korean music known for her nonchalant poise and carefree musicality. Emerging outside the borders of K-pop's training system, her songwriting skills caught the attention of the Korean hip-hop legend Yoon Mirae, who recruited her to be part of Tiger JK's label Feel Ghood Music. 

BIBI's catalog — two extended plays and one full-length — is peppered with existential tales of love and afflictions, and she doesn't shy away from speaking her mind. It's a formula that has resonated with local and global listeners, who fall for the charm of her authenticity. At the tail end of 2023, BIBI joined forces with Becky G to release the provocative, multilingual collaboration, "Amigos," and most recently, her single "Bam Yang Gang" swept the South Korean Charts.

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It takes courage to become a soloist in K-pop — a scene largely dominated by girl groups and boy groups of the most varied sizes — but more than that, it takes verve. Singer, dancer, and songwriter Chung Ha, 28 years old, knows it better than anyone.

Born in Seoul, South Korea but raised in Dallas, Texas, she first rose to stardom in 2016, after  returning to her home country and participating in Mnet’s trainee competition show "Produce 101." There, Chung Ha caught the eyes of judges and viewers alike for her sharp movements and innate charisma. She placed fourth on the finale, and became a member of I.O.I — the show’s resulting temporary girl group.

While I.O.I and its 11 members found great success, when the group disbanded in early 2017, Chung Ha decided to challenge herself further. In June of that year, she released her solo debut EP, Hands On Me. 

Soon, Chung Ha became one of K-pop’s most promising (and somewhat unexpected) soloists — not only did she prove to be an exceptional dancer, but a smooth vocalist as well, full of style and star power. On stage, she commands performances with surgical precision, yet flows with breathtaking grace. She proved her versatility with a string of captivating singles, like the ice-cold "Snapping" and the bewitching "Gotta Go," which reached No.1 on Billboard’s K-pop Hot 100 chart in 2019. Her first studio album, 2021’s Querencia, blended R&B, EDM, reggaeton and even bossa nova with finesse.

But amidst all the success, Chung Ha took a break. She decided not to renew the contract with her previous label, spent more than a year on a hiatus, and even considered abandoning the music industry, as revealed on the YouTube talk show "Gabee’s Rising Star"

Luckily, Chung Ha changed her mind. She signed with MORE VISION, a label founded by singer and rapper Jay Park, and will drop the single album EENIE MEENIE on March 11. 

GRAMMY.com caught up with Chung Ha via Zoom to learn more about her comeback — and to dive into her creative process, how she sees herself, and who she wants to be.

You spent more than a year on a hiatus, and even left your previous company. What made you sign with MORE VISION for this new phase of your career?

Jay [Park] reached out to me often. When I talked to the other co-workers at the company, their vision really aligned with mine. I think that was a crucial reason.

For example, I've never toured. I want to start out in small venues, and if I do have a chance I want to make it bigger. I want to work on more collaborations and try different genres of music like [on] "EENIE MEENIE," and they're aligned with me on that.

On "Gabee’s Rising Star," you said that you wanted to study abroad during your hiatus, and that being a celebrity is "just a job." What made you want to come back to music?

I was always interested in psychology. Working in this industry, it's a little chaotic, so I tried to maintain my mental health by [attending] counseling, and then I felt like I wanted to maintain my mental health on my own.

And growing up in Texas, I always had my Mexican friends with me, but I was the only one unable to understand Spanish. I was always interested, but [the break] felt like it was the right time to embrace Spanish more. I wanted to dive into the culture and the language, but at the end of the day, it was all about me maintaining my mental health because I wanted to be in this industry. Me wanting to explore Spanish because I wanted to engage more with my fans. I just realized, Oh, it was all about music. Okay. [Laughs.]

Since your last comeback, in what areas do you think you have improved or evolved?

Um… I don't know. I'm gonna need to have a real [live] stage for that. I think that's the kind of question I want to ask my fans to see what gradual changes that they notice, because for me, I feel like I'm still the same. But I want to tap myself [on the back] for trying new genres and being brave about getting out of my comfort zone.

What did you have in mind when you started producing this new album? What's the story behind it?

I was really confused. I was asking people, like, "I don't know what to do. I don't know what's next for me."I feel like I've tried different genres of music and different colors of myself, like "Bicycle," "Play," "Love U," and "Roller Coaster."

I didn't know what to do, so I decided to show both sides of myself. A new [side] with MORE VISION, and the one people are always eager to see, like [on] "Stay Tonight" and "Dream Of You." Those were some of the biggest [songs] that I saw people commenting on. So, the familiar side of me and a new side of me are both in the album, and I'm pretty confident [about it].

You collaborated with Hongjoong from ATEEZ in the lead track "EENIE MEENIE," which represents that new side of yourself. How was that experience?

I have followed ATEEZ since the beginning of their career. Their performance is so mind-blowing, they have that special energy that only they can give, so I was always inspired by them.

And then, on "EENIE MEENIE" there is a rap part, so when I heard the track I was like, Oh, I am not rapping. [Laughs.] That's just too new for me. I sing-rap in "EENIE MEENIE," but that’s about it. So, I needed a real rapper and a real captain on my side and I thought Hongjoong was a perfect fit. After I heard his verse, it was so great, more than I ever expected. He definitely gave that final touch.

The other song on your album, "I’m Ready," represents your familiar side with driving house beats and a mesmerizing atmosphere, almost like a sequel to "Stay Tonight" and "Dream of You." As for the title, what are you ready for?

I guess I'm navigating through new things, and I don't know how it's gonna come out. [People] might say it's a failure, they might say it's a success, they might say I'm brave to challenge myself, but I'm just ready to face all that. 

Even though someone might say, "Oh, I don't think it's the right fit for Chung Ha" or "I liked the old Chung Ha better," I don't think I'm afraid of getting judged, or getting rates on anything. I'm just ready to be more adventurous. Being too nervous might drag you into this anxiety space, but just being nervous in general with music and releasing new things is what makes me keep going.

I think people need that nervous feeling, being out of their comfort zone. You never know how you're going to feel, how the outcome is going to be. 

Do you remember any specific experiences where you were trying something new and it turned out better than expected?

Oh, "Stay Tonight"was one of them. When I first heard the track, I was like, Um… this is too high. I don't know if K-pop lovers will like this song, because it was more [Western] pop than K-pop. It was right after I dropped "Snapping"and "Gotta Go," so I was like, Are my fans ready for this? 

But [I thought] hey, you know what, let's just have fun. Let's just try new things. Let's vogue. [Laughs] I've always wanted to vogue, so I did that, and it became one of my epic pieces of performance. It didn’t go big in the charts or anything, but it became a real standout from a more artistic point of view.

EENIE MEENIE represents a new start for you, and both songs in the album talk about trusting yourself and your choices. Since you participated in the songwriting, is that what you have been experiencing lately? How do you recognize what feels right for you?

I feel like you never know what's right, but for me, I decide [something] when it keeps on popping in my head. Like, I would just be calm and see where my mind goes and what my [fandom] HAART keeps on telling me. 

If your heart moves that way, I’d rather just do it and regret, than not do it and regret. That’s how I trust my instincts, listening to what I really want.

You mentioned that you see K-pop and Western pop as one. What do you think about the global growth of K-pop, and Western artists trying K-pop, or artists collaborating?

I think it's wonderful. I mean, the only difference is the culture and the language, and how we make our music with different rules and stuff. And it's really awesome [to see] other artists trying out Korean, trying out the marketing strategy of what we have always done. But it's the same with Korean artists, they try to go abroad and then try Western music.

Trying different cultures is getting more natural than splitting what's K-pop and what’s pop. I think it's all gathering into one because music is one, and we love music.

Is it easier for you to see everything as one because you are Korean, but you lived in America for so many years?

Yes, I think it was more natural for me to try different things. It was fun to get to know things like, Oh, this is Western style music, Western marketing strategy, or Western businesses, it goes on like this, and then Korean businesses go on like this. So it's all about learning.

You mentioned in an interview with Teen Vogue that you like to portray characters in your songs, but recently you have been telling your own story in them as well. How do you find the balance between those two possibilities?

I don't initially choose what to do before I hear the music. I hear it first, and then decide, like Oh, I want to share a story of mine, because I have this experience and my current state of mind is this, but sometimes it's just Oh, this is a new character I've never tried before. I want to be her, or I want to be him, or whatever. Let me try that out, let me see what it tastes like. [Laughs.] When new music comes to me, whatever character, whatever story comes up first, I would go with that.

And for this album, are you a character or are you portraying your life story?

I’m portraying my life story in both songs. I had a lot of choices to make throughout the beginning of my new career [after leaving my former company], like choosing a label, choosing a new logo, choosing songs, and other things, but in the end I just like what I like to do. 

I came back to the music industry, and I really want people to embrace whatever they want to do. To tell them that they have the freedom to choose more than predetermined answers. I wanted to encourage that.

In another moment of your interview on "Gabee’s Rising Star," you said "When people think of Chung Ha, all that comes to mind is ‘Gotta Go’."Do you still believe in that?

Yes, and no. But I’m very grateful, because that song is what elevated me to the next step, and it gave me the courage to try different genres of music. But "Stay Tonight" and other pieces of music also identify me in different ways.

Who is Chung Ha, then? How would you like to be recognized?

Definitely not "Gotta Go." [Laughs.] I'm not that person now. I'm just a girl who loves music, and I'm just grateful and thankful, always. As much as I was diligent before, I want to keep on doing that, and I want to meet my fans more.

As Chung Ha, I want to ask my fans who they think I am, because I try to be as authentic as possible with music and my personality. Also I'm an adventurous person. Love to challenge myself. And I’m ready to go.

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Updated Friday Oct. 13, 2023 to include info about Kendrick Lamar's most recent GRAMMY wins, as of the 2023 GRAMMYs.

A GRAMMY veteran these days, Kendrick Lamar has won 17 GRAMMYs and has received 47 GRAMMY nominations overall. A sizable chunk of his trophies came from the 58th annual GRAMMY Awards in 2016, when he walked away with five — including his first-ever win in the Best Rap Album category.

This installment of GRAMMY Rewind turns back the clock to 2016, revisiting Lamar's acceptance speech upon winning Best Rap Album for To Pimp A Butterfly. Though Lamar was alone on stage, he made it clear that he wouldn't be at the top of his game without the help of a broad support system. 

"First off, all glory to God, that's for sure," he said, kicking off a speech that went on to thank his parents, who he described as his "those who gave me the responsibility of knowing, of accepting the good with the bad."

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He also extended his love and gratitude to his fiancée, Whitney Alford, and shouted out his Top Dawg Entertainment labelmates. Lamar specifically praised Top Dawg's CEO, Anthony Tiffith, for finding and developing raw talent that might not otherwise get the chance to pursue their musical dreams.

"We'd never forget that: Taking these kids out of the projects, out of Compton, and putting them right here on this stage, to be the best that they can be," Lamar — a Compton native himself — continued, leading into an impassioned conclusion spotlighting some of the cornerstone rap albums that came before To Pimp a Butterfly.

"Hip-hop. Ice Cube. This is for hip-hop," he said. "This is for Snoop Dogg, Doggystyle. This is for Illmatic, this is for Nas. We will live forever. Believe that."

To Pimp a Butterfly singles "Alright" and "These Walls" earned Lamar three more GRAMMYs that night, the former winning Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song and the latter taking Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (the song features Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat). He also won Best Music Video for the remix of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood." 

Lamar has since won Best Rap Album two more times, taking home the golden gramophone in 2018 for his blockbuster LP DAMN., and in 2023 for his bold fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.

Watch Lamar's full acceptance speech above, and check back at GRAMMY.com every Friday for more GRAMMY Rewind episodes. 

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It's rare that a genre can be traced back to a single artist or group, but for funk, that was James Brown. The Godfather of Soul coined the phrase and style of playing known as "on the one," where the first downbeat is emphasized, instead of the typical second and fourth beats in pop, soul and other styles. As David Cheal eloquently explains, playing on the one "left space for phrases and riffs, often syncopated around the beat, creating an intricate, interlocking grid which could go on and on." You know a funky bassline when you hear it; its fat chords beg your body to get up and groove.

Brown's 1965 classic, "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag," became one of the first funk hits, and has been endlessly sampled and covered over the years, along with his other groovy tracks. Of course, many other funk acts followed in the '60s, and the genre thrived in the '70s and '80s as the disco craze came and went, and the originators of hip-hop and house music created new music from funk and disco's strong, flexible bones built for dancing.

Legendary funk bassist Bootsy Collins learned the power of the one from playing in Brown's band, and brought it to George Clinton, who created P-funk, an expansive, Afrofuturistic, psychedelic exploration of funk with his various bands and projects, including Parliament-Funkadelic. Both Collins and Clinton remain active and funkin', and have offered their timeless grooves to collabs with younger artists, including Kali Uchis, Silk Sonic, and Omar Apollo; and Kendrick Lamar, Flying Lotus, and Thundercat, respectively.

In the 1980s, electro-funk was born when artists like Afrika Bambaataa, Man Parrish, and Egyptian Lover began making futuristic beats with the Roland TR-808 drum machine — often with robotic vocals distorted through a talk box. A key distinguishing factor of electro-funk is a de-emphasis on vocals, with more phrases than choruses and verses. The sound influenced contemporaneous hip-hop, funk and electronica, along with acts around the globe, while current acts like Chromeo, DJ Stingray, and even Egyptian Lover himself keep electro-funk alive and well.

Today, funk lives in many places, with its heavy bass and syncopated grooves finding way into many nooks and crannies of music. There's nu-disco and boogie funk, nodding back to disco bands with soaring vocals and dance floor-designed instrumentation. G-funk continues to influence Los Angeles hip-hop, with innovative artists like Dam-Funk and Channel Tres bringing the funk and G-funk, into electro territory. Funk and disco-centered '70s revival is definitely having a moment, with acts like Ghost Funk Orchestra and Parcels, while its sparkly sprinklings can be heard in pop from Dua Lipa, Doja Cat, and, in full "Soul Train" character, Silk Sonic. There are also acts making dreamy, atmospheric music with a solid dose of funk, such as Khruangbin’s global sonic collage.

There are many bands that play heavily with funk, creating lush grooves designed to get you moving. Read on for a taste of five current modern funk and nu-disco artists making band-led uptempo funk built for the dance floor. Be sure to press play on the Spotify playlist above, and check out GRAMMY.com's playlist on Apple Music, Amazon Music and Pandora.

Say She She

Aptly self-described as "discodelic soul," Brooklyn-based seven-piece Say She She make dreamy, operatic funk, led by singer-songwriters Nya Gazelle Brown, Piya Malik and Sabrina Mileo Cunningham. Their '70s girl group-inspired vocal harmonies echo, sooth and enchant as they cover poignant topics with feminist flair.

While they’ve been active in the New York scene for a few years, they’ve gained wider acclaim for the irresistible music they began releasing this year, including their debut album, Prism. Their 2022 debut single "Forget Me Not" is an ode to ground-breaking New York art collective Guerilla Girls, and "Norma" is their protest anthem in response to the news that Roe vs. Wade could be (and was) overturned. The band name is a nod to funk legend Nile Rodgers, from the "Le freak, c'est chi" exclamation in Chic's legendary tune "Le Freak."

Moniquea

Moniquea's unique voice oozes confidence, yet invites you in to dance with her to the super funky boogie rhythms. The Pasadena, California artist was raised on funk music; her mom was in a cover band that would play classics like Aretha Franklin’s "Get It Right" and Gladys Knight’s "Love Overboard." Moniquea released her first boogie funk track at 20 and, in 2011, met local producer XL Middelton — a bonafide purveyor of funk. She's been a star artist on his MoFunk Records ever since, and they've collabed on countless tracks, channeling West Coast energy with a heavy dose of G-funk, sunny lyrics and upbeat, roller disco-ready rhythms.

Her latest release is an upbeat nod to classic West Coast funk, produced by Middleton, and follows her February 2022 groovy, collab-filled album, On Repeat.

Shiro Schwarz

Shiro Schwarz is a Mexico City-based duo, consisting of Pammela Rojas and Rafael Marfil, who helped establish a modern funk scene in the richly creative Mexican metropolis. On "Electrify" — originally released in 2016 on Fat Beats Records and reissued in 2021 by MoFunk — Shiro Schwarz's vocals playfully contrast each other, floating over an insistent, upbeat bassline and an '80s throwback electro-funk rhythm with synth flourishes.

Their music manages to be both nostalgic and futuristic — and impossible to sit still to. 2021 single "Be Kind" is sweet, mellow and groovy, perfect chic lounge funk. Shiro Schwarz’s latest track, the joyfully nostalgic "Hey DJ," is a collab with funkstress Saucy Lady and U-Key.

L'Impératrice

L'Impératrice (the empress in French) are a six-piece Parisian group serving an infectiously joyful blend of French pop, nu-disco, funk and psychedelia. Flore Benguigui's vocals are light and dreamy, yet commanding of your attention, while lyrics have a feminist touch.

During their energetic live sets, L'Impératrice members Charles de Boisseguin and Hagni Gwon (keys), David Gaugué (bass), Achille Trocellier (guitar), and Tom Daveau (drums) deliver extended instrumental jam sessions to expand and connect their music. Gaugué emphasizes the thick funky bass, and Benguigui jumps around the stage while sounding like an angel. L’Impératrice’s latest album, 2021’s Tako Tsubo, is a sunny, playful French disco journey.

Franc Moody

Franc Moody's bio fittingly describes their music as "a soul funk and cosmic disco sound." The London outfit was birthed by friends Ned Franc and Jon Moody in the early 2010s, when they were living together and throwing parties in North London's warehouse scene. In 2017, the group grew to six members, including singer and multi-instrumentalist Amber-Simone.

Their music feels at home with other electro-pop bands like fellow Londoners Jungle and Aussie act Parcels. While much of it is upbeat and euphoric, Franc Moody also dips into the more chilled, dreamy realm, such as the vibey, sultry title track from their recently released Into the Ether.

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