61st Annual Grammy Awards explained

61st Annual Grammy Awards
Date:
8:00–11:45 p.m. EST
Location:Staples Center, Los Angeles
Host:Alicia Keys
Network:CBS
Ratings:19.9 million[1]
Previous:60th
Main:Grammy Awards
Next:62nd
Most Awards:Childish Gambino
Kacey Musgraves (4 each)
Most Nominations:Kendrick Lamar (8)

The 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held on February 10, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.[2] [3] Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys hosted.[4] [5] During her opening monologue, Keys brought out Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez, and former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, each of whom spoke about the impact that music had on their lives.[6]

The ceremony recognized the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, which ran from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018.[7] Nominations were announced on December 7, 2018.

Dolly Parton was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two days prior on February 8, 2019.[8]

Kendrick Lamar received the most nominations, with eight. Childish Gambino and Kacey Musgraves tied for the most wins of the night with four each.[9] Childish Gambino did not attend the ceremony and became the first major award winner to be absent since Amy Winehouse in 2008.[10] "This Is America" producer Ludwig Göransson and recording engineer Riley Mackin accepted the Record of the Year Grammy on Gambino's behalf.

Nominations announcement

Nominations were to be announced on December 5, 2018, but were delayed to Friday, December 7, 2018 following the death and state funeral of former President George H.W. Bush.[3] [11]

Performers

Artist(s)Song(s)
Camila Cabello
J Balvin
Ricky Martin
Young Thug
Arturo Sandoval
"Havana"
"Pégate"
"Mi Gente"
Shawn Mendes
Miley Cyrus
"In My Blood"
Kacey Musgraves"Rainbow"
Janelle Monáe"Make Me Feel"
"Django Jane"
"Pynk"
Post Malone
Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Stay"
"Rockstar"
"Dark Necessities"
Kacey Musgraves
Katy Perry
Dolly Parton
Miley Cyrus
Maren Morris
Little Big Town
Tribute to Dolly Parton
"Here You Come Again"
"Jolene"
"After the Gold Rush"
"Red Shoes"
"9 to 5"
H.E.R."Hard Place"
Cardi B
Chloe Flower
"Money"
Alicia Keys"Maple Leaf Rag"
"Killing Me Softly with His Song"
"Lucid Dreams"
"Unforgettable"
"Clocks"
"Use Somebody"
"Boo'd Up"
"In My Feelings"
"Doo Wop (That Thing)"
"Empire State of Mind"
Dan + Shay"Tequila"
Diana Ross"The Best Years of My Life"
"Reach Out and Touch (Somebody's Hand)"
Lady Gaga
Mark Ronson
Andrew Wyatt
Anthony Rossomando
"Shallow"
Travis Scott
James Blake
Philip Bailey
"Stop Trying to Be God"
"No Bystanders"
Jennifer Lopez
Smokey Robinson
Alicia Keys
Ne-Yo
Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration
"Dancing in the Street"
"Please Mr. Postman"
"Money (That's What I Want)"
"Do You Love Me"
"ABC"
"My Girl"
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone"
"War"
"Square Biz"
"Another Star"
Brandi Carlile"The Joke"
Chloe x HalleTribute to Donny Hathaway
"Where is the Love"
St. Vincent
Dua Lipa
"Masseduction"
"One Kiss"
Fantasia
Andra Day
Yolanda Adams
Tribute to Aretha Franklin
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"

Presenters

Premiere ceremony

Listed in no particular order.[13]

Nominations and winners

Winners are highlighted in Bold

General

Record of the Year

Album of the Year

Song of the Year

Best New Artist

Pop

Best Pop Solo Performance
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Best Pop Vocal Album

Dance/Electronic Music

Best Dance Recording
Best Dance/Electronic Album

Contemporary Instrumental Music

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album

Rock

Best Rock Performance
Best Metal Performance
Best Rock Song
Best Rock Album

Alternative

Best Alternative Music Album

R&B=== ;Best R&B Performance

Best Traditional R&B Performance
Best R&B Song
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Best R&B Album

Rap

Best Rap Performance
Best Rap/Sung Performance
Best Rap Song
Best Rap Album

Country

Best Country Solo Performance
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
Best Country Song
Best Country Album

New Age

Best New Age Album

Jazz

Best Improvised Jazz Solo
Best Jazz Vocal Album
Best Jazz Instrumental Album
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Best Latin Jazz Album

Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music

Best Gospel Performance/Song
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
Best Gospel Album
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Best Roots Gospel Album

Latin

Best Latin Pop Album
Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album
Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)
Best Tropical Latin Album

American Roots Music

Best American Roots Performance
Best American Roots Song
Best Americana Album
Best Bluegrass Album
Best Traditional Blues Album
Best Contemporary Blues Album
Best Folk Album
Best Regional Roots Music Album

Reggae

Best Reggae Album

World Music

Best World Music Album

Children's

Best Children's Album

Spoken Word

Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)

Comedy

Best Comedy Album

Musical Theater

Best Musical Theater Album

Music for Visual Media

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media
Best Song Written for Visual Media

Composing

Best Instrumental Composition

Arranging

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

Packaging

Best Recording Package
Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

Notes

Best Album Notes

Historical

Best Historical Album

Production, Non-Classical

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Best Remixed Recording

Production, Immersive Audio

Best Immersive Audio Album

Production, Classical

Best Engineered Album, Classical
Producer of the Year, Classical

Classical

Best Orchestral Performance
Best Opera Recording
Best Choral Performance
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Best Classical Instrumental Solo
Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
Best Classical Compendium
Best Contemporary Classical Composition

Music Video/Film

Best Music Video
Best Music Film

Special Merit Awards

MusiCares Person of the Year

Lifetime Achievement Award

Trustees Award

Technical Grammy Award

Music Educator Award

Grammy Hall of Fame inductions

See main article: Grammy Hall of Fame.

TitleArtistRecord LabelYear of ReleaseGenreFormat
Bernstein: Mass – A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and DancersLeonard BernsteinColumbia Masterworks1971Musical theatreAlbum
"Coat of Many Colors"Dolly PartonRCA Victor1971CountrySingle
Ella Fitzgerald Sings the George and Ira Gershwin Song BookElla FitzgeraldVerve1959SoulAlbum
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos JobimFrank Sinatra and Antonio Carlos JobimReprise Records1967SwingAlbum
Full Moon FeverTom PettyMCA1989Rock MusicAlbum
"Hallelujah"Leonard CohenColumbia1984RockSingle
"Harper Valley P.T.A."Jeannie C. RileyPlantation1968SoulSingle
"I'm Walkin'"Fats DominoImperial Records1957R&B/SoulSingle
Jackson BrowneJackson BrowneAsylum1972Folk rockAlbum
Jaco PastoriusJaco PastoriusEpic1976Jazz fusionAlbum
"Ko-Ko"Charlie Parker's Ri Bop BoysSavoy1945JazzSingle
"La Bamba"El JarochoVictor1939FolkSingle
"Move On Up"Curtis MayfieldCurtom Records1972Progressive soulSingle
"Pata Pata"Miriam MakebaReprise1967R&BSingle
"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"Brenda LeeDecca1958ChristmasSingle
'Round About MidnightMiles DavisColumbia1957JazzAlbum
"Rumble"Link Wray & His Ray MenCadence1958Surf RockSingle
"Smoke Gets in Your Eyes"The PlattersMercury1958Doo-wopSingle
"St. Louis Bell"W.C. HandyColumbia1914JazzSingle
"Take Me Out to the Ball Game"Edward Meeker with the Edison OrchestraEdison1908Tin Pan AlleySingle
"Tenderly"Sarah VaughanMercury1947JazzSingle
"Tenor Madness"Sonny Rollins Quartet featuring John ColtranePrestige1956JazzSingle
"To Be Young, Gifted and Black"Nina SimoneRCA Victor1969BluesSingle
"Walk This Way"AerosmithColumbia1975RockSingle
"Wild Thing"The TroggsFontana/Atco1966Garage rockSingle

In Memoriam

Multiple nominations and awards

The following received multiple nominations:Eight:

Seven:

Six:

Five:

Four:

Three:

Two:

The following received multiple awards:Four:

Three:

Two:

Category changes

For the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, multiple category changes are being made;[14]

Controversy

On February 4, 2019, reports surfaced that American singer-songwriter Ariana Grande would not be performing at or attending the Grammys, due to a dispute with producer Ken Ehrlich. On February 7, 2019, Grande made a public statement on the matter, alleging that Ehrlich stifled her creativity and tried to stipulate what song she could perform.[15] She then later went on and alleged that Ehrlich "lied" and she could "pull together a performance over night."[16]

On February 11, 2019, Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj backed up Grande and alleged Ehrilch "bullied" her. Minaj later said in a statement on Twitter: "I was bullied into staying quiet for 7 years out of fear. But I'll tell my fans the REAL on the next episode of #QueenRadio they deserve the truth."[17]

Notes and References

  1. Grammys Watched by Just Under 20 Million . February 12, 2019 . Billboard . April 24, 2019 . May 1, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190501190056/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/8498022/2019-grammys-ratings-20-million-viewers . live .
  2. Web site: The Grammy Awards return to Los Angeles in 2019. Randy. Lewis. Los Angeles Times. 28 June 2017 . August 28, 2018. February 15, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190215215735/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammy-awards-2019-staples-20170627-story.html. live.
  3. Web site: Recording Academy Announces Date, Deadlines for 2019 Grammy Awards. Jem. Aswad. July 17, 2018. August 28, 2018. June 4, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190604110808/https://variety.com/2018/biz/news/2019-grammy-awards-to-air-on-feb-10-academy-announces-voting-deadlines-1202875156/. live.
  4. Web site: Alicia Keys to Host the 2019 Grammy Awards. Brodsky. Rachel. January 15, 2019. GRAMMY.com. January 17, 2019. February 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200203153114/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/alicia-keys-host-2019-grammy-awards. live.
  5. Web site: Alicia Keys will host the 2019 Grammy Awards. Saad. Nardine. Los Angeles Times. January 15, 2019. January 15, 2019. December 31, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191231042553/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-alicia-keys-grammy-awards-host-20190115-story.html. live.
  6. Web site: Watch Alicia Keys Kicks Things Off With Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga. Grpw. Kory. February 10, 2019. rollingstone.com. June 2, 2019. June 2, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190602174016/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/grammys-2019-alicia-keys-792067/. live.
  7. https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2018/07/08/grammys-2019-submissions-open/ Grammy 2019 Submissions Are Officially Open – Here Are the Details
  8. Web site: Dolly Parton Is MusiCares' 2019 Person Of The Year. Grammy.com. September 4, 2018. September 15, 2018. October 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191009120932/https://www.grammy.com/musicares/news/dolly-parton-be-honored-2019-musicares-person-year. live.
  9. Web site: Grammys 2019: Kacey Musgraves and Childish Gambino win big – as it happened. February 11, 2019. Guardian. February 14, 2019. February 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190213140635/https://www.theguardian.com/music/live/2019/feb/10/grammys-2019-live-winners-losers-performances. live.
  10. Web site: Where Was Donald Glover?. usatoday.com. February 11, 2019. June 3, 2019. June 3, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190603031753/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2019/02/11/donald-glover-missing-grammys-so-where-he/2835656002/. live.
  11. Web site: Grammy nominations 2019: Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar and Drake lead the pack. December 7, 2018. Guardian. February 14, 2019. February 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190213140717/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/dec/07/grammy-nominations-2019-cardi-b-kendrick-lamar-drake-lead. live.
  12. Web site: John Mayer, Meghan Trainor, Nina Dobrev and Leon Bridges are also on the list. Billboard. February 7, 2018. February 8, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190208221558/https://www.billboard.com/amp/articles/news/grammys/8497104/2019-grammy-awards-presenters. live.
  13. Shaggy to Host Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony. Billboard. December 29, 2019. December 29, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191229085439/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/grammys/8495933/shaggy-grammy-awards-premiere-ceremony-host. live.
  14. Web site: What's New For The 61st GRAMMY Awards?. June 26, 2018. August 28, 2018. March 29, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190329182644/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/recording-academy-announces-61st-grammy-awards-update. live.
  15. Web site: Nicki Minaj Joins Ariana Grande in Calling Out Grammys Producer: 'I Was Bullied'. Nickolai. Nate. February 11, 2019. Variety. en. February 12, 2019. February 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190212040709/https://variety.com/2019/music/news/nicki-minaj-grammy-producer-ken-ehrlich-bet-cancellation-1203136325/. live.
  16. Web site: '7 Rings' Co-Writer Tayla Parx 'Completely Understood' Why Ariana Grande Didn't Attend Grammys. PEOPLE.com. en. February 12, 2019. February 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190212235440/https://people.com/music/grammys-2019-ariana-grande-tayla-parx-support-skipping-awards/. live.
  17. Web site: Nicki Minaj Backs Ariana Grande, Calls Out Grammys Producer. HYPEBEAST. 12 February 2019 . February 12, 2019. February 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190213054342/https://hypebeast.com/2019/2/nicki-minaj-ariana-grande-grammys-producer. live.