What do jazz and pop have in common? Possibly much more than you've heard.

On Oct. 7, 2018, the Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter hosted an Up Close & Personal conversation and brunch with singer, songwriter and producer Charlie Puth. Moderated by Chapter Governor and GRAMMY-nominated songwriter Kristal "Tytewriter" Oliver, the wide-ranging discussion explored his road to success including early influences, the development of his hit, "One Call Away," and what defines him as an artist.

In many ways both the conversation as well as Puth's musical ambitions began with the rich stylings of jazz pianist Bill Evans. "I grew so obsessed with becoming the best jazz pianist ever," he said. "I was like, 'OK, pop music, is cool but I want to focus on jazz.'"

"I played in jazz combos, wrote for big band and when I would drive home to New Jersey, pop music would be on the radio," Puth added. While his parents drove him from New Jersey to music school in New York City and then back home, his mind began connecting the chord patterns of jazz giants such as John Coltrane to pop, especially the R&B of TLC.

The musical connections and chord progressions continued to blossom as he noticed, "Whoah, there's a lot of similarities with jazz and pop music and no one even knows, especially in R&B."

And the similarities don't end there. A Tribe Called Quest extended Puth's connections through hip-hop and led to his gaining greater interest in production and studio engineering.

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Oliver and Puth found an especially common chord when discussing the music their mothers used to listen to. This led into a celebration of George Michael's arrangements and use of seventh chords. They agreed Michael was a model for how "it just makes the record a little more interesting" when jazz elements are allowed to join into the sound, "but you don't make it ... a jazz record."

At the close of the members-only event, Puth regaled the Philadelphia Chapter audience with voice and synth-only performances of his hits "The Way I Am," "How Long" and "Attention." The last was augmented by his "spontaneous beatbox."

Puth demonstrated how musical composition starts in the mind of the writer/composer. His perfect pitch, music-teacher mom and musical training at Manhattan School of Music Pre-College and Berklee College of Music helped Puth establish himself as a creator we all hope will take us on more exciting journeys for years to come.

Charlie Puth Sings Through His Shyness With "The Way I Am"

When you come to Philadelphia, it’s not hard to see its rich history everywhere you look. From the cobblestone streets under your feet to the brick facade of Independence Hall, its history is embedded within every crack and crevice.

Similarly, Philadelphia’s history can also be heard through its music, from the sound of Philadelphia Soul in the '60s and '70s developed by Kenny Gamble, Leon Huff, and Thom Bell, to the indie rock explosion of the aughts led by Kurt Vile and The War on Drugs. Philadelphia is a town well-versed in all genres and backgrounds — even its athletes are musicians. And at the Jan. 23 Recording Academy Philadelphia Chapter Member & Nominee Celebration leading up to the 2024 GRAMMYs, the music was alive and kickin’.

The party took place at VINYL, Philly’s latest addition to a long list of its music venues, located just steps away from the Academy of Music in the center of town. The night was a testament to the brotherly love and familial spirit within Philly’s music community. The night outside may have been chilly and damp, but inside was warm and embracing. 

As guests arrived, they were greeted by music being spun on the ones and twos by Philly DJ Aktive, the talented spin master who has worked with the likes of Nas, Common, Queen Latifah, and Janet Jackson. There were delicious hors d'oeuvres, a flavorful array of comfort foods, and unique GRAMMY-themed cocktails to add some sparkle to the night.

All around the room, Recording Academy members greeted and hugged each other like family arriving for a holiday dinner. There was lots of love between a diverse group of people from different musical and cultural backgrounds, who all came together thanks to the communal power of music. As the night continued, it became clear that "family" was a key element at the heart of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy.

"Philly is family," said Philadelphia Chapter Executive Director Ramon Jones during his opening remarks. A transplant from the Midwest, Jones moved to Philadelphia to immerse himself in the city's "organic and intoxicating" music scene. "There’s a rich legacy here," Jones explained to GRAMMY.com, "and Philadelphia has shown its ability to adapt musically. It is one of the most culturally saturated cities in the world. There is just something very familial, organic, and neighborhood-esque about Philly. I’m so proud to celebrate and represent this incredible creative community."

Chapter President Marcus Bryant made similar remarks as he took the stage to speak to the members in attendance. "This Chapter is a community and a family. Tonight is about you," he said. And really, the entire night was a joyous celebration of camaraderie and music. After the initial remarks by Jones and Bryant, DJ Aktive invited various members and musicians onto the stage for an extended jam session. Singers, rappers, soul and funk artists from all corners of the city came together on VINYL’s starlit stage to create a seamless flow of music and song, much like the Black Lily jam sessions of the early 1990s and 2000s at The Five Spot in Philly.

The boundless talent up on that stage was something to behold, as impromptu bandleader Chinah Blac harmonized with and encouraged her fellow Recording Academy members in performing soulful renditions of Gnarls Barkley’s "Crazy," Chaka Khan’s "Tell Me Something Good," and a Fugees "Killing Me Softly" sing-a-long. Each musician played together like a tight knit group, including DJ Aktive who scratched and brought the backbeat to the performances while seamlessly transitioning from song to song, artist to artist. The fun and the joy emanating from the stage was infectious, and the celebratory vibe lasted throughout the whole night.

And there was a lot to celebrate for the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy. Philadelphia is well-represented in the list of nominees at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards ceremony, including Philly rappers Black Thought of The Roots and Lil Uzi Vert, former Philly resident Lucy Dacus and her supergroup boygenius, South Jersey gospel songwriter Tye Tribbett, seven-time nominees The Baylor Project, and jazz multi-instrumentalist Adam Blackstone.

Then there’s the Philadelphia Orchestra led by conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, who have been recognized by the The Recording Academy for performances of Florence Price’s "Symphony No. 4" and William Dawson’s "Negro Folk Symphony." "Yannick and the Philadelphia Orchestra, they are top bar," Jones tells GRAMMY.com. "I'm grateful to know them and to be able to experience the art they do."

Also notable is New Jersey native and honorary Philadelphian Jon Bon Jovi is the 2024 MusiCares Person of the Year honoree.

Ramón Jones was clearly proud of all the nominees and musicians from the area. "Philly is representing," he told the crowd, before joking-but-not-joking, "I wanna come home with some trophies!" Bryant later elaborated to GRAMMY.com about the wealth of talent in this town: "I’m just so proud of the innovation and how Philly continues to rise to the top. It’s a phenomenal community," he explained. "There’s a camaraderie here among the musicians that’s just amazing. I’m proud, man. Philly is a historical city, and I’m always surprised at how eclectic it is as a city, whether it’s the orchestra, R&B, or hip-hop. It’s strong."

It's nights like this that remind us why music is worth celebrating. Music can and should be a force for good and building community. It has the power to bring people together who don’t always agree, and that makes a difference that changes the world. Wednesday’s celebration for the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy was a testament to that very power. The music is alive and well in Philadelphia, and it continues to create history.

 2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List

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."

Looking for more GRAMMYs news? The 2024 GRAMMY nominations are here!

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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For some, it might come as a surprise that an up-and-coming artist would announce their debut album is their last. But for JVKE, it's a sign of the times.

Born Jacob Lawson, JVKE is a pioneering musician exploring how music is majorly shifting with social media. Though he originally worked behind the scenes as a songwriter, penning hits for Jason Derulo and EXO, the 22-year-old singer stepped into the spotlight after exploding on TikTok in 2020.

JVKE grew up in a musical family in Rhode Island, spending time with his music teacher mother, singing at church with his brother, and taking piano, drum and guitar lessons. When he was 19, his breakout song "Upside Down" quite literally turned his life upside down. Massively popular TikTokers like Charli D'Amelio and Loren Gray used the song in their videos, transforming JVKE's quarantine into a productive period of musical creativity.

Soon, labels were knocking at his door after seeing his viral success — but JVKE decided to remain independent through AWAL, wanting to be in charge of his own creative vision. He views collections of music as ever-changing and experiential, which is why he announced that his first album, 2022's This Is What ____ Feels Like (Vol. 1–4), will also be his last. He'll continue releasing music in new and innovative ways, beyond the boundaries of albums.

JVKE's track "golden hour" sounded off as his next big hit in 2022, peaking at No. 10 on Billboard's Hot 100 as his debut album cracked the top 50 on the Billboard 200. The love song unites twinkling piano and soaring vocals, and it encapsulates a singular, raw feeling of radiance. The track's resonant depth demonstrates JVKE's ability to push the limits of music — and with a combined following of nearly 13 million, it's no wonder his fan base continues only to grow.

"I'm just so passionate about creating and writing music — if I could be anywhere all day long, I would be in the studio," JVKE tells GRAMMY.com. "Now I'm realizing that people actually are open to hearing my creative ideas."

Though his studio feels like home, the singer is currently embracing his calling to the stage. While traveling for his first headlining tour, JVKE reflected on his biggest career highlights with GRAMMY.com, from first going viral to performing with Alicia Keys.

On Going Viral on TikTok, Embracing Out-Of-The-Box Creativity

@jvke @jvke ♬ All TikTok Mashup (JVKE - Upside Down) - JVKE

I remember seeing ["Upside Down"] starting to go viral… I saw that [Charli D'Amelio] had used the sound. That's when I knew that the song was just getting started. And it already had a million uses, which was insane for TikTok at that time, and then eventually went on to get 15 million videos created to the sound. That was kind of when I knew TikTok is powerful. I realized that I should start releasing my own music, because I realized I could promote it there.

I was always pitching to other artists trying to fit their mold, but I realized that the best form of creativity could come when I just release what I want to release. I found that people resonate the most when I released my own music versus trying to pitch for other people. Things kind of shifted once I realized that people actually liked my creative music, rather than me just trying to fit a mold. I started trying new ideas and not trying to box myself in.

I think no one can ever really predict virality for sure. But when it happens, you know, you have to be ready to just make the most of the moment.

On Releasing His Debut Album, Staying Independent And Listening To Fans

When "Upside Down" first happened, I was definitely approached by a lot of labels… then eventually, the viral moment started to die down a bit. I realized the success that I'm having right now can be kind of short-lived. But if I just take the reins and take responsibility for getting my music out there, then at the end of the day, I'm the only one that I can rely on. So there's a bit more pressure there, which I think is good for an artist. Sometimes artists will sign to a major label, get a big check, and then they become kind of lax. I'm in it for the music. That's the centerpiece.

I think things are changing way faster than people want to admit. It leaves us in a really cool spot, because we can pioneer some new ideas, but with that, obviously comes a lot of risks, because the safe place to do what everyone else has been doing. I'm very much looking ahead to what the future is going to look like and trying to think of creative ways to adapt.

I found a lot of success with… giving the fans more content to consume by just putting it out, even when it's not finished, and just being okay with being vulnerable and not having this perfect, put-together idea. But I think that's the fun of it. I think that people enjoy being a part of the process.

On His "Pinch Me" Moment: Collaborating With Charlie Puth

@charlieputh This all happened because of Tik Tok. Everyone go stream Upside Down by @jvke featuring myself ;) hi @bellapoarch ♬ All TikTok Mashup (JVKE - Upside Down) - JVKE

I have been a big Charlie Puth fan for a while now. And right when "Upside Down" happened, that was kind of my first moment where I was no longer behind the scenes, but I was actually able to be the artist and just kind of be in the moment.

It was crazy, because Charlie had connected with my team, and he had heard the song all over TikTok. And he was like, "Yo, I'd love to do a remix and just hop on the song with you." And then I ended up going to his house, we made some TikToks. We went pretty viral together — like 30, 40 million views on different videos, and just us, playing the song. And that's the sort of moment where it's just like, pinch myself like, is this actually happening?

He actually asked me to go on tour with him, but it unfortunately conflicted with my current tour dates so I couldn't go. But yeah, honestly, he's kind of been a role model to me in different ways, even just him being open to the changes in the music industry. There's so many changes happening right now, and he's one artist who's really embraced them, and embraced the up-and-coming culture around TikTok and all that. I always hoped to be like that; he inspires me to always be open to new ideas.

On Playing With Alicia Keys In Front Of His Childhood Teacher

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A post shared by JVKE (@itsjvke)

That was a bucket list moment for me. Being a pianist myself, having grown up hearing Alicia Keys songs, I've always been a huge fan of her and all of her songs, her amazing songwriting and involving the piano.

She had reached out because her son had shown her "golden hour." He was like, "Check this out, mom. You're gonna love this song, trust me." She heard it, and luckily, she really loved it. She called me up and she's like, "Hey, I have this winter performance for my new Christmas album. And I was wondering if you'd want to perform 'golden hour' with me, and we can mash it up into one of my songs." And I was like, "Are you kidding me? Absolutely. I'll be there."

I got to invite some of my friends, my family and my childhood music teacher. It was really such an emotional moment. I had a hard time holding it together. Honestly, it was that feeling of just being starstruck — it's like, I don't even know what to do right now. I'm on stage, looking at Alicia Keys while we play the piano together. Are you kidding me? It was crazy.

On Tackling His First Headlining National Tour

@jvke

thank you.

♬ original sound - JVKE

You never really know what it feels like to have people singing your songs until you feel that it's like, wait, this is actually connecting with people. And they actually take the time to sing along and listen to all the lyrics. It's just like, the craziest feeling. So I love knowing that I'm connecting with people on such a personal level… I love being on the road, being on tour. It's so fun.

For the kids who come, we usually find all the short kids and we bring them to the front in the little area, so that they can see the show right in front. For me, that's such a sick thing, because this is likely their first show they've ever been to. And for me to get that moment with them is just the coolest thing ever.

The whole music experience isn't complete without that touring element — being able to perform it and let all of my crazy ideas kind of have visuals attached to them. I'm all about just the full submersion of experience. There's no better place to do that than on a tour.

On Celebrating With His Loved Ones

@jvke

‘golden hour’ is out everywhere. ty guys for streaming ily

♬ golden hour - JVKE

Before I dropped out of college to just write music full-time, to make some money, I was teaching piano lessons to a lot of younger kids and different things. It was really sad, when "Upside Down" blew up and I moved out to LA for a few months. I remember having to text all my old piano students and tell them that I couldn't teach piano lessons anymore.

But I got to film this TikTok with one of my old students, and we posted it and it did really well. That's one of those moments where it's sad to let go of the past… but it's also the sweetest thing, because it all kind of comes together, and we get to all celebrate together. Those sentimental moments are one of the most important things to me. Even beyond the recognition, it doesn't really connect unless you enjoy it with the people you love.

Recently having moved out and going all over the place all the time, there's always a piece of me that's wanting to go back home and just hang out. [My mom and I] had so many musical experiences together [when I was] growing up. Now, she's probably going to be joining me on tour for a few days. She's always been excited for all the things that have been happening. Even though I'm living out my dreams, I feel like we're living them out together.

Inside Charlie Puth's New Album 'Charlie': How Elton John, TikTok & A Busy Mind Helped Create His Proudest Work Yet

Just after Charlie Puth wrapped his North American tour on July 11, the pop hitmaker treated 150 fans to the ultimate fan experience: brunch with a side of Puth.

Part of The GRAMMY Museum's Sunday Brunch With… series, the event — a fundraiser for the organization's GRAMMY In The Schools program that was sponsored by City National Bank and Porsche — invited fans to enjoy a three-course brunch followed by an intimate 45-minute acoustic set from Puth. 

From the stage at his friend (and 17-time GRAMMY Award-winning mixer) Manny Marroquin's restaurant, VERSE LA in Toluca Lake, California, Puth told stories about his days at Berklee College Of Music and his journey to stardom. He also let attendees in on his songwriting process, performing some of his most beloved tracks in the process. 

For those who weren't able to make it to the sold-out event, here are six takeaways from Sunday Brunch With Charlie Puth.

He May Just Become A Music Teacher In The Future

Early on in the show, Puth made a point of shouting out one of his old Berklee professors from the stage. Turns out it was Prince Charles Alexander, a multi-GRAMMY Award winning mixer and engineer who has worked with Mary J. Blige, Destiny's Child, P. Diddy, Usher, and Aretha Franklin. 

Puth said he'd often pop into Alexander's office to run ideas by him, with Alexander offering up tips in return. Puth told the crowd he still thinks about Alexander's advice when he's making his own records all these years later, and shouted out not just his professor but all music educators, saying that he's a firm believer in the value of music in our schools. He even joked that he'd like to become a music teacher himself "if this whole music thing doesn't work out."

One Of His Songs Was Inspired By A Rainy Walk…

When Puth wrote "How Long" back in 2017, it was on a long walk. He was strutting around the town wondering why there weren't more tracks written at a perfect walking tempo when it started to rain. The sound of his feet combined with the wet concrete and suddenly, he told the crowd, "it was like the chords fell out of the sky." 

Puth then kicked into a smooth and resonant performance of the song — which sounded excellent on whatever sound system Marroquin installed in his restaurant — prompting one attendee to shout out in glee, "ooh, you better sing!"

…And Another Was Inspired By Ed Sheeran

Puth says he started writing "We Don't Talk Anymore" when he was on the road in Osaka, Japan. He'd fallen in love with the percussive guitar on Ed Sheeran's song "Bloodstream" and wanted to use that same sort of tone on his own track. 

Puth says he also wanted to write what he called "the worldliest sounding record," or "a record that would take me around the world." Given that "We Don't Talk Anymore" hit the top 10 in 20 different countries and the video has more than three billion views on YouTube to date, it's fair to say he did just that.

He Likes To Use "Light Switch" To Inspire Up-And-Coming Musicians

When the freshly signed Puth was first in LA in the early 2010s, a producer suggested they take his newly recorded tracks to a club, where they'd play them for the crowd and see what hit. It was a novel idea for Puth at the time, but something he's adapted a bit for the modern age, when he throws bits of songs and ideas up on his TikTok, hoping to see what flies. 

That's exactly how his 2022 hit "Light Switch" came to be: The simple percussive sound that you hear when you turn the lights on and off. 

In videos he's posted on TikTok, he's tried to show fans that, like that song, music can come from anywhere. "You don't need a multi-million dollar recording studio to make a record," he told the crowd, reminding everyone that Soulja Boy's "Crank That" was self-produced on the rapper's home computer before breaking big on social media. 

Anyone, Puth said, can make and release their own music, even if they're not currently in possession of the dream recording set-up. It's just about passion and perseverance, and a desire to make something new.

He Likes To Blend Classical Riffs With Perfect Pop Melodies

When Puth started to write "Attention," it was with a little classical riff he was fooling around with on the piano. He decided to take the classical bars and throw them into a pop song, reminding the room that it's not all that uncommon. For instance, he said, Toni Wine and Carole Bayer Sager's "A Groovy Kind Of Love" contains the Rondo from Muzio Clementi's Sonatina, Opus 36, No. 5. In Puth's view, classical music and pop can live in perfect harmony, feeding off each other and building toward something even bigger than the sum of their parts.

He's Proof Of The Power Of Being Yourself

In 2012, at the height of "weight for the drop" style EDM hits, Puth felt discouraged as he was trying to break into music himself. As he recalled, he'd moved home to his parents house and was laser focused on the pop charts, tailoring his songs to whatever was No. 1 at the moment — but they were all getting turned down by labels. Finally, he said, an A&R person gave him a piece of advice, saying, essentially, "We've heard all this before. We want to hear something from you." 

That's how, on his way to record a dance track at some studio in LA, Puth decided to lay down a piano ballad instead. He says it was like "See You Again" fell into his lap and attributes its success to the fact that he wasn't trying to be anyone but himself. 

"See You Again changed my life," he told the brunch crowd, noting that he'll be proud and lucky if he gets to perform it for the rest of his life. As he played it live, the whole room joyfully sang along — hinting that Puth may have crafted a lifelong hit.

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