Luis Fonsi

Luis Fonsi

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

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Cardi B To Jay-Z: Inside The 2018 Pre-GRAMMY Gala

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Check out the stars on the red carpet, inside the exclusive GRAMMY party and the performers who made the evening come to life
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jan 27, 2018 - 9:10 pm

Clive Davis' and the Recording Academy's annual Pre-GRAMMY Gala is one of the hottest tickets of not only GRAMMY Week, but the whole year. This year's edition on Jan. 27 at Sheraton New York Times Square in New York City did not disappoint.

Watch Spike Lee's Star-Studded 'NY Stories' Film

The preliminary festivities boasted a who's who of musical royalty on the red carpet, with the likes of Cardi B, Pink, Julia Michaels, Zayn Malik, the Chainsmokers, Logic, Camila Cabello, John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, Rita Ora, and Bebe Rexha, among others.

It wasn't all just brushing elbows at a swanky hotel — don't forget the performances. Luis Fonsi gave it his all on a rendition of "Despacito" while Alicia Keys sang her heart out on a Jay-Z medley. Vocal powerhouse Gladys Knight showed the crowd how it's done with "Stand By Me" and "Midnight Train To Georgia." Khalid took the audience through his "Young, Dumb & Broke." And that's just a taste.

Jay-Z And Alicia Keys
2018 Pre-GRAMMY Gala

The evening also paid special tribute to 21-time GRAMMY winner and current nominee Jay Z, who received the annual 2018 Salute To Industry Icons Award for his significant contributions to the music industry and philanthropic endeavors. He joins past honors such as Herb Alpert, Irving Azoff, Lucian Grainge, Debra L. Lee, and Berry Gordy, among others.

The Life And Times Of Jay-Z: From Rapper To Music Mogul

So shimmy on over here and see for yourself what went on at the best party in town, and don't forget to tune into the 60th GRAMMY Awards on Jan. 28 on CBS from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT.

GRAMMYs
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Poll: Who Will Win Record Of The Year? | 2018 GRAMMYs

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It's the first category on the nominations list and one of the "Big Four" General Field categories — who will GRAMMY voters choose as the winner?
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Jan 27, 2018 - 3:52 pm

With 84 categories, the 60th GRAMMY Awards will recognize the year in music across all genres, craft categories and even visual mediums. But do you know what the first category listed on the nominations list is each year? Record Of The Year.

Rewind The Record Of The Year GRAMMY Winners

Not only is the category one of the "Big Four" General Field categories, the GRAMMY win goes to the artist, producers, recording engineers, and mixer and mastering engineers. Also, it's not to be confused with the songwriter category, Song Of The Year.

What's The Difference? GRAMMY Record Of The Year Vs. Song Of The Year

This year's esteemed nominees for Record Of The Year include Childish Gambino's "Redbone," Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee's "Despacito," featuring Justin Bieber, Jay-Z's "The Story Of O.J.," Kendrick Lamar's "HUMBLE.," and Bruno Mars' "24K Magic."

Now it's your turn to weigh in. Who do you think GRAMMY voters will choose as the winner for Record Of The Year? Cast your vote now!

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Who will GRAMMY voters choose for Record Of The Year for the 60th GRAMMYs?

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.

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul

Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

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"Dear Evan Hansen" Producers On Winning A GRAMMY In New York

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The creatives behind the hit musical detail their path from the idea stage to Broadway to Music's Biggest Night
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Feb 2, 2018 - 12:00 pm

If you haven't seen "Dear Evan Hansen," given the show's win at the 60th GRAMMY Awards in New York, now is the perfect time to look into checking out the hit Broadway musical.

"Dear Evan Hansen" One-On-One: 2018 GRAMMYs

Written by composers/lyricists Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and produced by orchestrater Alex Lacamoire, Stacey Mindich, Pasek, and Paul, "Dear Evan Hansen" explores the struggle of social anxiety.

"It's about a young man who feels incredibly isolated and alone in his world," producer Pasek explained backstage at the 60th GRAMMYs. "And through a series of events he is believed to have been the best friend of a kid who just passed away and he basically [helps] a grieving family make them think that he was actually best friends with their son who has recently been deceased. His whole life changes as a result and the question is whether or not he should come clean and how his life changes because of this lie."

"Dear Evan Hansen" opened on Broadway in 2016 following a premiere at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., in 2015. For the creators of the show, getting the musical from the conceptual stage all the way to Broadway was a collaborative process.

"The songs are created along with the rest of the show, so we really worked in tandem with our book writer Steven Levenson on this project. We developed these characters and this storyline all together. Then Michael Greif our director," said Paul. "We sit in a room for a long time and come up with it all together. We bring in our music team, Alex Lacamorie and the rest of them. It's an amazing sort of journey where you keep picking up more incredible, wonderful people all along the way as you create this show from scratch and then get it up, workshopped, up on its feet and finally, eventually, thankfully on Broadway."

"Dear Evan Hansen" has earned critical acclaim since its opening. The show took home six Tony Awards, including Best Musical in 2017, and Ben Platt's role as the lead garnered him a Best Performance by an Actor Tony Award. Now the creators and Platt have added a GRAMMY to the list of the musical's accolades, having earned the GRAMMY for Best Musical Theater Album this year.

Pasek and Paul couldn't wait to share their GRAMMY success with the rest of the cast and crew of the show, especially because Music's Biggest Night was celebrated right in the musical's hometown.

"It is really cool that our show is playing just up the street and then we get to celebrate this with our whole cast," Pasek said. "They're just finishing a matinee performance right now so I think they're going to come down and find out they're all GRAMMY winners at the end of it, which is a very, very cool thing. And to have it be in New York and to celebrate that energy that Broadway's so vital in, it's a very exciting thing for us."

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

Residente

Residente

Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

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Residente On The Process Of Recording His GRAMMY-Winning Album

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The GRAMMY winner details the meticulous process he used to create his self-titled award-winning solo album
Renée Fabian
GRAMMYs
Feb 1, 2018 - 12:30 pm

He's earned three previous career GRAMMYs as a member of Calle 13 — and a record-setting 24 Latin GRAMMYs — but Residente earned his first solo GRAMMY win at the 60th GRAMMY Awards.

Residente's 2018 GRAMMYs One-On-One Interview

The Puerto Rican rapper earned a GRAMMY nomination for his 2017 self-titled debut solo album. With 13 tracks, including "Guerra," "Apocalíptico," "El Futuro Es Nuestro," and "Una Leyenda China," the album was inspired by a DNA test that showed Residente's heritage spanned 10 different countries. He set out to musically discover his heritage in the most authentic way.

"It took me two years to make the album," Residente told Ted Stryker backstage at the 60th GRAMMYs. "I traveled [to] 11 countries to make music. I went to Ghana and Siberia and Serbia and … China, Puerto Rico. … I needed voices from Africa and I went to Northern Ghana … to get those voices instead of making a sample or recording in New York."

The meticulous work resulted in an album, a Netflix documentary and a book of the same title to chronicle Residente's journey of self-discovery. And, the work paid off in the form of a GRAMMY win for Best Latin Rock, Urban Or Alternative Album, whtop-sellingcated to other artists like himself out there in pursuit of true art.

Watch: Residente Wins Best Latin Urban Album

"It's sad to see how the music industry is becoming numbers," said Residente. "That has to change. I'm dedicating this to people who make real music because they really love it and they don't care about YouTube views, followers, Spotify spins, top-selling records, Top 20 on the radio. This is for all these people that make art and they love it."

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

Host James Corden at the 60th GRAMMY Awards

James Corden

Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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Jay-Z, "Subway Karaoke," Kesha: James Corden's Top 7 Highlights | 2018 GRAMMYs

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From the hilarious to the poignant and in between, revisit these seven unforgettable highlights from James Corden's second turn as GRAMMY host
Chuck Crisafulli
GRAMMYs
Jan 29, 2018 - 11:18 am

Last year, James Corden began his debut as GRAMMY host with what looked like the most epic of fails: a shocking tumble down the grand, center-stage staircase that left him awkwardly sprawled among some oblivious backup dancers. The seemingly distraught host rose to his feet (one of which had lost a shoe), dismissed the dancers and proclaimed, "This is a disaster."

James Corden Subway Carpool Karaoke | 2018 GRAMMYs

Of course, the 59th GRAMMY Awards telecast turned out to be anything but disastrous, and Corden's introduction was just the first of many moments in which the "Late Late Show" host made his freewheeling, comedic spirit an unforgettable part of Music's Biggest Night. The Emmy winner appeared pantless after Twenty One Pilots' notably pantless acceptance for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, and showed up in spectacular, concert-ready costume as a "member" of DNCE, among other highlights.

At the milestone 60th GRAMMY Awards show, Corden kept his tux on, but the laughter and energy that he brought to his first turn as host was in great supply, and he again helped turn Music's Biggest Night into an incredible, fun-filled, one-of-a-kind celebration.

Here are seven highlights from Corden's GRAMMY encore:

1. "Carpool Karaoke" With A NYC Spin

This year, Corden added a Big Apple twist by introducing a remote "Subway Carpool Karaoke" sketch. He, Sting and Shaggy boarded a New York City D train and attempted to entertain passengers with renditions of the Police's "Every Breath You Take," Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me," and the duo's new collaboration, "Don't Make Me Wait." The tough crowd did not appreciate the musical interruption, and Corden ended up getting belted in the nose by an angry construction worker.

2. The Host's Parents Arrive Late

Last year, Corden's parents were in the crowd and as he introduced them he noted that their 45th wedding anniversary actually fell on GRAMMY Sunday — only to discover that his father had Heidi Klum sitting on his lap and that his mother was snuggling with Nick Jonas. This year, his parents were again in attendance and their moment of introduction seemed to be going more smoothly until Corden spotted a telltale theater program. His parents admitted that they'd snuck out to see "Hamilton" rather than watch their son’s entire hosting performance. "Thanks for your support," said an exasperated Corden. "We'll talk about this later."

3. Puppy Love For The Best Comedy Nominees

After Dave Chappelle won for Best Comedy Album, Corden told the audience, "I don't want anyone to be upset tonight, so the good news is nobody goes home empty-handed." He then announced that the nominees who did not win in their category would receive "consolation puppies." The camera cut to baby pugs being handed to Chappelle's fellow nominees — Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, and Jim Gaffigan. Corden warned Seinfeld, "Be careful — that's Roxy. She's a biter."

James Corden Presents Comedy Nominees With Puppies

4. Corden Goes Toe To Toe With Hova

Early in the show, Corden attempted to bond with Jay-Z, the recipient of this year's Salute To Industry Icon honors at the Pre-GRAMMY Gala, offering to show him around the streets of New York if Jay-Z needed a guide. "Guys like me and you, we're hood forever," said Corden, who swaggered a bit as he tossed off lines from Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' "Empire State Of Mind." "I got my stash spot on 560 State Street. Gypsy cab. Holla back." As Jay-Z cracked up, Corden added, "You call it the Big Apple. I call it the concrete jungle where dreams are made of. It’s just something that I made up"

5. A "Despacito" Funny

After Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee performed "Despacito" — arguably 2017's most ubiquitous song with nearly 5 billion YouTube views to its credit, Corden said, "That is a catchy song. I have not heard that song before. I'm telling you if they can just get that song on the radio they've got a hit on their hands."

60th GRAMMYs: What You Didn't See On TV

6. Creating A Concert Feeling

Corden spoke of the excitement of being in Madison Square Garden and told TV viewers that he'd come up with a unique way for them to "really experience that live concert feeling." As he spoke, eight hands holding cellphones trained on Corden suddenly lurched in front of the camera, completely blocking Corden from view.

7. Kesha's Performance Resonates

Janelle Monáe spoke pointedly on the issues of equality and harassment, encouraging the music industry to become a pivotal part of the Time's Up initiative. She was followed by perhaps the most emotional performance of the evening, as Kesha delivered a searing version of "Praying." Afterward, a visibly moved Corden had to take a deep breath and gather himself before speaking. "Music often resonates more than spoken word ever could," he said. "That was an incredibly powerful and relevant performance that comes in the midst of a movement that commands our attention and support. Thank you, Kesha."

Janelle Monaé's "Time's Up" Speech

(Chuck Crisafulli is an L.A.-based journalist and author whose most recent works include Go To Hell: A Heated History Of The Underworld, Me And A Guy Named Elvis, Elvis: My Best Man, and Running With The Champ: My Forty-Year Friendship With Muhammad Ali.)

Catching Up On The GRAMMY Awards Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? Just Say "Talk To GRAMMYs"

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