meta-scriptRecording Academy Announces Partnership For First Official Virtual GRAMMY Week Experience On Roblox Together With Mastercard | GRAMMY.com
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GRAMMY Week On Roblox

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Recording Academy Announces Partnership For First Official Virtual GRAMMY Week Experience On Roblox Together With Mastercard

The inaugural GRAMMY Week on Roblox will include a special performance by Latin recording artist, GRAMMY nominee and Latin GRAMMY winner Camilo

GRAMMYs/Mar 30, 2022 - 05:00 pm

The Recording Academy has announced its official GRAMMY Week activations: GRAMMY Week on Roblox. Roblox is a global platform where millions of people gather every day to imagine, create and share experiences with each other in immersive, user-generated 3D worlds. The Las-Vegas-themed experience — in line with the 2022 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 64th GRAMMY Awards, which take place in Las Vegas for the very first time — will be held virtually from Wednesday, March 30 through Sunday, April 3. The partnership marks the Recording Academy's debut into the Metaverse and is Roblox's first brand-funded music activation.

The activations, in partnership with Mastercard, feature artist avatar meet & greets, chats, mini games, prizes, and a performance by two-time GRAMMY nominee, five-time Latin GRAMMY winner, and Latin recording artist Camilo. Camilo, the first Latin artist to ever perform on Roblox, is nominated this year for Best Latin Pop Album (Mis Manos). 

Mastercard's multi-sensory branding approach is rooted in connecting to people in new environments, like the Metaverse. Users will see Mastercard branding and hear its sonic DNA integrated into the GRAMMY Week on Roblox experience.

GRAMMY Week on Roblox kicks off on Wednesday, March 30, on Roblox.com and via the Roblox app. You can participate in the GRAMMY activations and follow along from home anywhere in the world. 

Below is the GRAMMY Week on Roblox schedule of events and experience features:

GRAMMY Week on Roblox Experience Features:

  • Virtual concert by GRAMMY-nominated Latin artist Camilo

  • Virtual artist meet & greets with Glass Animals, Walker Hayes, Poppy, and Sofia Carson

  • Fashion items created with Roblox's new Layered Clothing technology featured on GRAMMY red carpet area 

  • Mini games including treasure hunts  

  • Virtual merch items for users to win and purchase, themed around the GRAMMYs 

  • Virtual quizzes users can answer to play along with the GRAMMYs experience

GRAMMY Week on Roblox schedule:
Wednesday, March 30: GRAMMY Week on Roblox Experience goes live
Glass Animals Artist Meet & Greet
Walker Hayes Artist Meet & Greet
Thursday, March 31: Poppy Artist Meet & Greet
Friday, April 1: Camilo Performance 
Sofia Carson Artist Meet & Greet
Sunday, April 3: 2022 GRAMMYs

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"We are thrilled to partner with Roblox for our first-ever official GRAMMY Week experience in the Metaverse," Recording Academy Co-President Panos A. Panay said. "We are always looking to innovate and reach music lovers wherever they are, and there is no better partner for us to accomplish this than Roblox. Online gaming platforms are quickly becoming one of the most important music discovery channels for tens of millions of fans. As an Academy, it's our priority to continue broadening where and how our members connect with audiences around the world. Plus, my 8-year-old twin daughters think this is amazing."

"The GRAMMY Awards are iconic and we're delighted to bring the hottest music show of the year to fans across the globe," Jon Vlassopulos, vice president, global head of music of Roblox, said. "We're thrilled to be featuring Camilo, our first Latin virtual concert performer on Roblox, giving the community new music and genres to discover."

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"When Roblox approached me, I immediately got very excited because this was the first time in my life that I would be doing something like this," Camilo said. "I'm also grateful that I'll be able to bring this unique experience to La Tribu, especially during GRAMMY Week. I was already incredibly honored to be one of this year's nominees, and to perform in a completely new way in the Metaverse brings it to a whole new level. I can't wait!"

"This marks the first of many immersive, multi-sensory experiences we plan to bring to life in the Metaverse," Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communications officer of Mastercard, said. "As the No. 1 sonic brand and as a longstanding and passionate supporter of the music industry, we are thrilled to be teaming up with the Recording Academy. Likewise, we're delighted to be partnering with Roblox to harness the power of technology and education with this one-of-a-kind GRAMMYs event for music fans in the virtual realm."

Join the GRAMMY Week on Roblox Experience from Wednesday, March 30 — Sunday, April 3, on Roblox.com or via the mobile Roblox app.

The Recording Academy will present the 2022 GRAMMYs on Sunday, April 3, airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+ from 8–11:30 p.m. ET / 5–8:30 p.m. PT. Prior to the telecast, the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony and the GRAMMY Live special will be streamed live on live.grammy.com and the Recording Academy's YouTube channel.

Where, What Channel & How To Watch The 2022 GRAMMYs Awards Show

Leon Leiden, Natascha Falcão and Paola Guanche perform onstage during The 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 16, 2023 in Seville, Spain.
Leon Leiden, Natascha Falcão and Paola Guanche perform onstage during The 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 16, 2023 in Seville, Spain.

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Latin Recording Academy

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10 Incredible Moments From The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs: Rosalía, Shakira, Peso Pluma & More

The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs were truly international, embracing sounds of flamenco, norteño, reggaetón, and everything in between. Read on for 10 of the most exciting moments from the Biggest Night In Latin Music.

GRAMMYs/Nov 17, 2023 - 03:27 pm

It is not a coincidence that the 24th annual edition of the Latin GRAMMYs took place in Sevilla, Spain — far away from the traditional epicenters of Latin music production. More than ever before, the sound of the Latin GRAMMYs are truly international, embraced by fans all over the world.

At a time of unprecedented global turmoil and collective anxiety, the songs of Bad Bunny, Shakira, Peso Pluma and Rosalía — to name a few of many reigning stars — have enough zest, honesty and passion in them to provide comfort. Both Spain and Latin America boast a long standing tradition of healing through rhythm and melody. Not surprisingly, this year's ceremony felt like a casual gathering of friends for an evening of dancing and celebrating.

From the strains of flamenco to the boom of Mexican music and the ongoing permutations of reggaetón, these are the takeaway points from the unforgettable 2023 Latin GRAMMYs.

The Genius Of Rosalía Transcends Her Own Songbook

It was only fitting that Rosalía — one of the most visionary singer/songwriters in global pop — should open up the first Latin GRAMMY ceremony in Spanish territory.

She could have certainly taken advantage of the opportunity to drop a new single or perform one of her many hits. Instead, Rosalía sang an achingly beautiful version of the 1985 classic "Se Nos Rompió El Amor" by the late singer Rocío Jurado. It was a lovely way to deflect the spotlight and focus on celebrating her Spanish roots.

Spain And Latin America Make Beautiful Music Together

From beginning to end, the telecast underscored the organic kinship that unites the music of Spain and Latin America. It took place during the International Day of Flamenco, and the transcendent genre was present in Alejandro Sanz's moving performance of "Corazón Partío." The award for Best Flamenco Album, won by Niña Pastori for Camino, was presented during the main ceremony — a GRAMMY first.

Later in the telecast, Spanish pop singer Manuel Carrasco and Colombian artist Camilo performed an acoustic duet of "Salitre." They were soon joined by Brazilian singer IZA Texas-born producer/songwriter Edgar Barrera, transforming the Sevilla stage with Carnivalesque energy.

Hell Hath No Fury Like A Pop Star Scorned

Since its release in January, “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” the collaboration between Shakira and Argentine producer Bizarrap, has become a global cultural phenomenon. Not only is it a grand pop song with slick EDM accents, but the Colombian diva's lyrics struck a chord with its message of empowerment and fortitude in the face of adversity.

The duo's brisk performance — preceded by a brief intro with Shaki showcasing her tango dancing skills — was an iconic pop culture moment. The track itself won awards in the Best Pop Song and Song Of The Year categories.

Emerging Talent Is The Lifeline That Keeps Latin Music Alive

Watching young artists performing together with the legends that inspired them is a Latin GRAMMY staple. This year was particularly poignant, as Colombian singer/songwriter Juanes performed a moving rendition of the atmospheric rocker "Gris" — about overcoming a relationship crisis — with majestic background vocals provided by six of the 10 Best New Artist nominees: Borja, Natascha Falcão, GALE, Paola Guanche, León Leiden and Joaquina — who ended up winning the award.

For Mexico, The Time Is Now

The moment was ripe for the richness and depth of música Mexicana to shine on an international scale. 2023 was the year when the entire world fell in love with the strains of banda, norteño and corridos tumbados.

The infectious collaboration between Peso Pluma and Eslabón Armado, "Ella Baila Sola" became the emblem of this revolución mexicana. A buoyant rendition of the track was a telecast highlight, as well as the performance by Carín León, who won the award for Best Norteño Album.

Laura Pausini's Artistry Evokes The Elegance Of Decades Past

Introducing herself as "the most [expletive] Latina Italian woman in the world," Laura Pausini seemed overjoyed with her Person Of The Year award. Her medley of career highlights — full of drama and gorgeous melodies — included nods to her first mega-hit, the nostalgic "La Solitudine," and the cinematic "Víveme."

"I thank my father because he chose not to go to the movies with my mom, and instead stayed at home, made love to her and had me, the Person Of The Year," Pausini quipped. Her songbook evokes the golden era of Latin pop, a time of elegance and style.

Radical Genre Bending Never Fails To Intrigue

Latin music is currently experiencing a moment of grace, and this creative apex is frequently expressed through intriguing fusions of seemingly disparate styles. The adrenaline-fueled performance by Puerto Rican neo-reggaetón star Rauw Alejandro gained in electricity when he was joined by Juanes on a rocked-up rendition of "BABY HELLO." 

Elsewhere, Carín León's duet with Maluma and Bizarrap's foray into electro-tango were fueled by a similar spirit of playful experimentation.

Exquisite Singing & Songwriting Will Never Go Out Of Style

There's something to be said about an album that was recorded live on tape with analog equipment — the singer surrounded by her band, as they perform together in the same space, with no outside guests allowed.

Natalia Lafourcade's "De Todas Las Flores" is all about feeling and warmth, her vulnerable vocals framed by delicate piano notes and supple percussion. A worthy Record Of The Year winner, this exquisitely layered track proposes that some traditional methods of music making are definitely worth preserving. At the Premiere Ceremony, Lafourcade also took home golden gramophones for Best Singer-Songwriter Song and Best Singer-Songwriter Album.

Hip-Hop Is A Natural Component Of The Latin Music DNA

At the tail end of the ceremony, the performance by Colombian vocalist Feid — aided by the stellar skills of producer DJ Premier — included a moody reading of "Le Pido a DIOS" with nods to '90s rap and jazzy keyboard flourishes. Just like EDM, hip-hop has been fully incorporated into the Latin music lexicon, assuming an identity of its own.

KAROL G Is Much, Much More Than Just A Global Pop Star

Just like Rosalía's Motomami, KAROL G's fourth studio LP – winner of the coveted Album Of The Year award — will be remembered for the dazzling quality of its songs and the kind of indelible magic that can only be experienced, not described. The Colombian singer's artistic partnership with producer Ovy On The Drums has resulted in a futuristic sound that leaves ample space for the warmth of her vocals — and it grooves like crazy.

Most importantly, MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO celebrates the small pleasures, the brief glimpses of inner peace, and the decision to embrace self-acceptance even in the wake of emotional storms. In KAROL G's world, optimism is the only pathway out to a better tomorrow.

2023 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Complete Winners & Nominations List

Edgar Barrera, Camilo, IZA and Manuel Carrasco perform during the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs
(From left) Edgar Barrera, Camilo, IZA and Manuel Carrasco perform during the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Latin Recording Academy

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Watch: Camilo, IZA, Manuel Carrasco & Edgar Barrera Link For An International Celebration At The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs

The collaborative performance featured talent from Colombia, Brazil, Spain and the U.S. Beginning with an acoustic duet and ending with Carnival vibes, Camilo, IZA, Manuel Carrasco, and Edgar Barrera showcased a breadth of musical expression.

GRAMMYs/Nov 17, 2023 - 12:55 am

Some of the brightest talents in the Latin music world — from all around the world — met on stage at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs. 

The performance began with Camilo and Manuel Carrasco in a sweet acoustic duet on their recent single "Salitre," their voices and guitars blending together smoothly. The mood shifted quickly when rising Brazilian singer IZA made her entrance and joined the pair for Camilo’s "Pegao," with Texas-born producer and songwriter Edgar Barrera providing backup on keytar. A festive, Carnivalesque energy filled the room, bolstered by dancers twirling parasols.

"Pegao" is a single from Camilo’s 2022 album De Adentro Pa Afuera, which was nominated for Album Of The Year. The lively cumbia joyfully celebrates his love for his young daughter, Indigo. The mononymous Colombian singer/songwriter penned the song with Barrera and Andres Castro. 

Camilo and Barrera were among the most-nominated artists at the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs, and worked together on De Adentro Pa Afuera. Barrera, has 13 nominations — thanks to his work with the likes of Bad Bunny, Maluma and Marc Anthony, and Marshmello and Manuel Turizo — and took home the golden gramophone for Producer Of The Year.  He also now shares in the Latin GRAMMY for Best Regional Song as a songwriter on "un x100to," the chart-topping collaboration between Bad Bunny and Grupo Frontera. Camilo earned seven nominations this year. 

Their fellow performers were nominees, too. Spanish singer Manuel Carrasco was up for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album for his 2022 full-length Corazón y Flecha, and IZA was nominated for Best Portuguese Language Urban Performance for her 2022 single "Fé." 

2023 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Complete Nominations List

Graphic featuring photos of 2023 Latin GRAMMYs performers (L-R, top row to bottom row): BORJA, Peso Pluma, Paola Guanche, GALE, León Leiden, Juanes, Iza, Manuel Carrasco, Natascha Falcão, Ozuna, Edgar Barrera, Eslabón Armado, Pablo Alborán, and Joaquina
2023 Latin GRAMMYs performers (L-R, top row to bottom row): BORJA, Peso Pluma, Paola Guanche, GALE, León Leiden, Juanes, Iza, Manuel Carrasco, Natascha Falcão, Ozuna, Edgar Barrera, Eslabón Armado, Pablo Alborán, and Joaquina

Photos Courtesy of Artists

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2023 Latin GRAMMYs Performers: Peso Pluma and Eslabón Armado, Juanes, Ozuna, Camilo, Iza And More Artists Added

Additional newly announced performers for the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs include Pablo Alborán, Edgar Barrera, Manuel Carrasco, BORJA, Natascha Falcão, GALE, Paola Guanche, Joaquina, and León Leiden.

GRAMMYs/Oct 24, 2023 - 12:07 pm

The Latin Recording Academy has announced additional performers for the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs. Current nominees Pablo Alborán, Edgar Barrera, Camilo, Manuel Carrasco, Iza, Juanes, and Ozuna along with Best New Artist nominees BORJA, Natascha Falcão, GALE, Paola Guanche, Joaquina, and León Leiden are confirmed to take the Latin GRAMMY stage. Additionally, Eslabón Armado and Peso Pluma will join forces to perform "Ella Baila Sola" for the first time together on television.

These artists join previously announced 2023 Latin GRAMMYs performers Maria Becerra, Bizarrap, Feid, Kany García, Carin León, Christian Nodal, Rauw Alejandro, and Alejandro Sanz, who are all current nominees, as well as the 2023 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Laura Pausini 

Latin GRAMMY winner and GRAMMY nominee Sebastián Yatra; Latin GRAMMY nominees and actresses Roselyn Sánchez and Danna Paola; and internationally acclaimed actress Paz Vega will host the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs, officially known as the 24th Latin GRAMMY Awards.

Read More: 2023 Latin GRAMMYs: See The Complete Nominations List

Pablo Alborán has five nominations including Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. Edgar Barrera is nominated in 13 categories including Producer of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. Camilo is nominated in seven categories this year, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year. Manuel Carrasco is nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, while Iza is nominated for Best Portuguese Language Urban Performance. Juanes is nominated in four categories including Album of the Year and Best Rock Song. 

Read More: Latin GRAMMYs 2023: Meet The Nominees For Best New Artist

Taking place internationally for the first time ever, the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs will be broadcast from the Conference and Exhibition Centre (FIBES) in Sevilla (Seville) in Andalucía (Andalusia), Spain, on Thursday, Nov. 16. The show will air at 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. CT) on Univision, UniMás and Galavisión in the U.S., and at 10:30 p.m. CET on Radiotelevisión Española (RTVE) in Spain. Additional international broadcasting partners and local airings will be available soon. 

The 2023 Latin GRAMMYs will see the debut of several new Latin GRAMMY categories and a new Field, including Best Songwriter Of The Year, as part of the newly created Songwriting Field, Best Singer-Songwriter Song and Best Portuguese-Language Urban Performance. These new additions and amendments will make the 2023 Latin GRAMMYs an exciting, history-making night in Latin music. 

More details about the Latin GRAMMY Premiere, where the majority of the Latin GRAMMY categories will be awarded, will be announced soon.

2023 Latin GRAMMYs Nominations: Carlos Vives, Iza, Kenia Os, Gaby Amarantos & More React To The Big Announcement

Kendrick Lamar GRAMMY Rewind Hero
Kendrick Lamar

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016

Upon winning the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album for 'To Pimp a Butterfly,' Kendrick Lamar thanked those that helped him get to the stage, and the artists that blazed the trail for him.

GRAMMYs/Oct 13, 2023 - 06:01 pm

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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