USA TODAY International Edition
Newcomers nab spotlight on music’s night
Brace yourself, Billie Eilish and Lizzo fans: The 2020 Grammy Awards are shaping up to be a big night.
The Grammys are quickly approaching, and this year’s ceremony looks like it’ll live up to its rep as “Music’s Biggest Night.”
Will “Bad Guy” singer Eilish come out on top? Will Lizzo leave feeling “Good As Hell” with trophies in hand? Will Lil Nas X land some wins, or will the “Old Town Road” rapper be left in the dust? Oh, and when is it again?
From the breakout nominees to the surprising snubs, here’s everything you need to know going into this year’s Grammys.
What time are the Grammys?
The show will broadcast live from Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sunday. It airs on CBS at 8 p. m. EST/ 5 p. m. PST.
How can I watch the Grammys on TV or online?
Well, if you have regular TV, on CBS. If you don’t, the show is available for streaming on CBS All Access and on live TV packages through services such as YouTube TV and Hulu live TV.
You can stream all the red carpet arrivals on Grammy. com.
Notable 2020 Grammy nominees
Lizzo received the most nominations – eight, including album (“Cuz I Love You”), record and song (“Truth Hurts”) of the year. She’s followed by Lil Nas X and Eilish, who are tied with six nominations each. Artists with five nominations include Ariana Grande, H. E. R. and Finneas O’Connell.
Eilish, 18, joins Lizzo, 31, in the album of the year category with her genrebending, critically acclaimed debut “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” The trend- setting teen, whose music has amassed more than 15 billion combined streams across platforms, also is up for record and song of the year for No. 1 hit “Bad Guy.” That makes her the youngest nominee in Grammy history to be nominated in all four major categories, according to the Recording Academy.
Lil Nas X, 20, whose real name is Montero Hill, similarly is up for best album with his eight- song debut “7.” “Old Town Road,” his country- rap collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus that topped the charts for a record- breaking 19 consecutive weeks this summer, is nominated for best pop/ duo group performance, and his follow- up single “Panini” is up for best rap/ sung performance.
Grande’s five nods include record (“7 Rings”) and album of the year (“Thank U, Next”). The best album category is rounded out by Bon Iver’s “I, I,” Lana Del Rey’s “Norman F*** ing Rockwell,” H. E. R.’ s “I Used to Know Her” and Vampire Weekend’s “Father of the Bride.”
Who was snubbed?
Though this year’s nominations shined a light on new artists, established favorites, such as Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen, were left in the dark.
10- time Grammy winner Swift made history in 2016 by becoming the first female artist to win album of the year twice, for “1989” and “Fearless” ( a feat managed a year later by Adele, with “25” and “21”). Swift’s Grammys streak has slowed: Her divisive “Reputation” earned just one nod in 2018 for best pop vocal album, and this year, she garnered only three nominations, including song of the year for “Lover.”
Her critically beloved album “Lover” failed to land a best album nod but showed up in best pop vocal album. Her pro- LGBTQ anthem “You Need to Calm Down” eked out a nomination for best pop solo performance but missed out on record of the year.
Similarly, 20- time winner Springsteen has been a reliable Grammy presence since 1984 and was honored in 2013 by the Recording Academy’s charity arm as MusiCares Person of the Year. The Boss returned this summer with the country- tinged “Western Stars,” which marked his first album of solo material since 2012’ s “Wrecking Ball.” Voters didn’t welcome him back with open arms, snubbing “Western Stars” and Springsteen entirely.
Who’s hosting the Grammys?
After hosting the 2019 Grammys, Alicia Keys is ready to take on the gig for the second year in a row. With 15 Grammy wins, Keys is certainly qualified.
“It’s almost like a marathon: You can’t just run a marathon ( once),” Keys said of her desire to host a second time. “I feel like now, more than ever, I’m familiar with the space on multiple levels. It’s going to be an exciting, inclusive, beautiful experience, and that’s what I want to create.”
Who’s performing?
This year’s Grammys should be a big night for Eilish and Lizzo, not just because of their nominations but also because they’ll each make their Grammys stage debuts.
Demi Lovato will also take the stage, marking her first live performance since she was hospitalized after a possible drug overdose in 2018.
“I told you the next time you’d hear from me I’d be singing,” Lovato wrote on Instagram Tuesday, along with the announcement.
Also returning to the show is Grande, who didn’t attend last year after a dispute with Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich.
Power couple Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani will perform together at the show for the first time. Aerosmith, Run- D. M. C, Charlie Wilson, Bonnie Raitt, Camila Cabello, H. E. R., the Jonas Brothers, Rosalía and Tyler, The Creator all will take the stage.
Sunday’s show will pay tribute to rapper Nipsey Hussle, who was shot to death in March 2019 outside his Marathon clothing store in his South Los Angeles neighborhood. DJ Khaled, John Legend, Roddy Ricch, Kirk Franklin, Meek Mill and YG will honor Hussle’s legacy with a performance.
The late rapper is nominated for three awards this year, including best rap song.
How are the Grammy Awards different this year?
This year’s Grammys will have more women, people of color and young people choosing who wins.
Responding to criticism that the awards show has lacked diversity among nominees and winners, the Recording Academy invited 900 members to join the voting body, emphasizing women, people of color and those under the age of 39, or some combination of the three.
Who will be honored at Grammy Awards events?
Grammys fun kicks off way before the main awards show begins.
One of the most famous lead- up events is record producer Clive Davis’ star- studded pre- Grammys gala, held this year on the Saturday night before the show. At this year’s gala, three- time Grammy winner Sean “Diddy” Combs will be recognized as the 2020 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons honoree for his 25- year career in the music industry.
The Friday before the Grammys, Aerosmith will be honored as the 2020 Person of the Year for MusiCares, the Recording Academy’s charity for musicians in critical financial need.