Alessia Cara is finding new ways to let creativity flow as she starts work on her third studio album in a world that, at the moment, feels a little isolated. 

"It's challenging, definitely, just because you're kind of stuck at home and there are lack of experiences. I'm not meeting any people. I'm not really doing anything." the Best New Artist GRAMMY winner says in our latest Up Close & Personal interview. 

But that doesn't mean the "Ready" singer is not excited to find new inspiration in the unknown. "But I think within being isolated, there is a lot of inspiration, just with your thoughts," she adds.

For now, fans can enjoy the recently released This Summer: Live Off The Floor, which features live versions from her 2019 This Summer EP and more of her biggest hits. 

Cara is also donating her share of royalties to Save the Children for 21 years. The idea came as she began to learn about some of the challenges children face around the world. 

For her, becoming aware of things going on in the world is important—even if it makes her uncomfortable.

"It's overwhelming for everyone and it is challenging because all this information is just coming in at once and it's hard to know what to make of it but every time I think that, I always revert back to thinking all of my discomfort doesn't come close to the pain and discomfort and sadness and struggles that the people we're reading about have to deal with."

Watch the latest episode of Up Close & Personal to learn more about the making of This Summer: Live Off The Floor, Cara's thoughts on inspiration for her next album, how she feels about lending her voice to The Willoughbys, and how her new puppy, Cleo, is helping her through our new post-COVID-19 world. 

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Cuco's debut, Para Mi, meaning "for me" in Spanish is exactly that: a 13-track album made by him, for him. 

We've gotten to know the artist from Hawthorne, Calif. through his mostly dream pop singles and EPs and on his debut he highlights his diverse musical tastes even moreso.

"I like samba, salsa music, funk, jazz, soul, I like everything. I'm just learning to produce," he told the Recording Academy for Up Close & Personal about adding different sounds to his album.

 "'Bossa No Sé,' I had that for three years," he added about the bossa nova inspired single. The album is the first with a label and while he's not longer indie he says: "I learned to value myself" about being independent.

Watch the video above to hear Cuco talk about one of the most meaningful songs on the album and working with idols MC Magic and Lil Rob.  

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Alessia Cara took home the GRAMMY for Best New Artist at the 60th GRAMMY Awards, a notable achievement for the 21-year-old singer/songwriter who also earned additional nominations this year for Song Of The Year and Best Music Video with Logic and Khalid for "1-800-273-8255" and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Zedd for "Stay."

While backstage in the TV/radio room at the GRAMMYs, Cara had a chance to elaborate on her comment in her acceptance speech that "everyone deserves the same shot."

"In regards to the music industry, I think there are some really, really awesome artists that have started amazing trends and that are doing such incredible things but don't get the same shot or the same acknowledgment because they're not particularly in the mainstream or on the charts," said Cara. "I think it's important that everyone deserves the same shot and everyone should … be acknowledged for the amazing work that they do."

Asked about the flower in her lapel, representing Voices In Entertainment's support for equal representation, for women, she was straightforward about the need to balance the playing field.

"The white rose, for me, means speaking up for not only women in the entertainment industry, of course, that are treated unequally but women who don't have a voice and aren't as lucky to have a platform like I am," she said. "[It means] stating the obvious, stating the fact that things are uneven and unequal and they need to be talked about and need to be changed."

And most importantly for fans, the Canada native gave us a little hint about what's next musically.

"I'm working on a new album right now," Cara shared. "I'm not sure when it'll be out. I've been writing for a while. I'm really excited about it. I'm proud of it and it's really honest."

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

The 60th GRAMMY Awards celebration in New York is quickly approaching. From rolling out the red carpet to tuning the guitars and adjusting the lights at Madison Square Garden, the Recording Academy is getting ready for the big milestone installment of Music's Biggest Night. But how about the performers?

Spanning multiple genres, including pop, rock, hip-hop, R&B, country, and more, this year's lineup of GRAMMY performers — many of them current nominees or past winners — will make for three-and-a-half hours of must-see television.

Without further ado, here is the list of performers for the 60th GRAMMYs.

• Alessia Cara, Khalid and Logic
   
• Brothers Osborne, Maren Morris and Eric Church (Route 91 Harvest Festival tribute)
   
• Childish Gambino


• Gary Clark Jr. and Jon Batiste (Chuck Berry and Fats Domino tribute)


• Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee with Zuleyka Rivera 
   
• Emmylou Harris and Chris Stapleton
   
• Elton John and Miley Cyrus 
   
• Kesha
   
• Lady Gaga
   
• Kendrick Lamar
   
• Little Big Town
   
• Patti LuPone and Ben Platt (Broadway tribute)
   
• Rihanna, DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller
   
• Bruno Mars and Cardi B


• Pink
   
• Sam Smith
   
• Sting 
   
• SZA
   
• U2

Hosted by James Corden, the 60th GRAMMY Awards will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York on Jan. 28, airing live on CBS from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.

Current nominees J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Flor De Toloache, Luis Fonsi, Juanes, Mon Laferte, Natalia Lafourcade, Maluma, Residente, and Sofía Reyes are among the first artists announced to perform on the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards. 

Alejandro Sanz, the 2017 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, and guest performers Steve Aoki, Alessia Cara, Logic and French Montana will also join the lineup. 

Mexican actor/singer Jaime Camil and Puerto Rican singer/songwriter and actress Roselyn Sánchez will host The Biggest Night in Latin Music on the Univision Network Nov. 16 from 8–11 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

This year's top nominee is Residente with nine nominations. Also near the top of the field are Maluma with seven nominations, Shakira with six, and Kevin Jiménez ADG, Juanes and Mon Laferte with five each. "Despacito," by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee, earned four nominations.

A limited number of tickets for the 18th Latin GRAMMY Awards are available for purchase through www.axs.com.

18th Latin GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominations List