Who Makes History Tonight at the Grammy Awards and BAFTA?
Grammy
Beyonce? Adele? Drake? Or Demi Lovato?
The list goes on and on as musicians gather at the Staples Centre, Los Angeles, tonight to etch their name in Grammy Awards legendary fame.
Possible record breakers for this year’s event include Beyonce who already enjoys the spotlight as the most nominated female artiste in one night. If the pregnant diva can clinch eight awards tonight, then she will make an all-time history as the only artiste to win most Grammy Awards in one night, a title currently held by the late Michael Jackson.
While there is the possibility of Beyonce taking home all her nominated awards, British pop singer Adele poses a threat. Since her first Grammy nomination in 2012, Adele has maintained a winning streak of scooping awards in every category she was nominated. This year, she will contend with Beyonce in the categories: ‘Record of the Year’, ‘Song of the Year’, ‘Best Pop Solo Performance’ and ‘Album of the Year’.
Newbie Demi Lovato might as well make history tonight as winning her first Grammy in her first nomination. She is nominated in the category ‘Best Pop Vocal Album’ for her fifth studio album ‘Confident’.
But most eyes would probably be on SIA and Ariane Grande who are also nominated in the same category. Although, they are past nominees of the Grammy Awards, they are yet to clinch any statuette. Will this year be different?
Perhaps, Drake can finally win in the Best Rap Song category, a category he had been nominated more than once. Last year, he lost to Kendrick Lamar. However, this year, he is up against Kanye West, Chance the Rapper, Fat Joe and Nico. Will he emerge victorious tonight?
As usual, the Grammy will be lit with dazzling performers. Straight from her Super Bowl striking performance, Lady Gaga will join Metallica on stage to perform. Adele, John Legend, Daft Punk, Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, A Tribe Called Quest, Katy Perry, Alicia Keys are just few of the artistes on the line-up that will set the stage on fire later tonight.
The Recording Academy will also pay tribute to pop icons, late George Michael and Prince who passed on last year.
BAFTA
Coincidentally, the 70th annual British Academy Film Awards will also be holding tonight at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Like the Oscars, the competition is very tense in BAFTA with Damien Chazelle’s musical ‘La La Land’ leading with 11 nominations. The film whose leading acts Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone are also nominated in the ‘Leading Actor’ and ‘Leading Actress’ categories respectively, faces stiff competition in the category of ‘Best Film’, the most anticipated category of the Awards. It contends with ‘Arrival’, ‘I, Daniel Blake’, ‘Manchester by the Sea’, and ‘Moonlight’. Also hot on its heels with most nominations in the awards are ‘Arrival’ and ‘Nocturnal Animals’ which both claimed nine nominations.
Will ‘La La Land’ continue its winning streak like it did in the 2017 Golden Globes Awards?
All eyes are also on Ruth Negga, the shining star in the movie ‘Loving’ and her fellow nominee Tom Holland, in ‘Captain America: Civil War’. Both are nominated in the ‘Rising Star’s category
It’s also been a good year for Casey Affleck, the leading character in ‘Manchester by the Sea’. He already won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor-Motion Picture, Drama. Perhaps, he may top his winnings by clinching BAFTA award for the ‘Leading Actor’.
Another tough category is the Animated Film category where ‘Finding Dory’, ‘Kubo and the Two Strings’, ‘Moana and Zootropolis’ will fight for the award.
Meanwhile, the legendary comedian Mel Brooks will be honoured with the highest honour of the Awards: BAFTA Fellowship.
Senator Warren Set to Publish Book
After being silenced, then ignored on the Senate floor over her objection to the nomination of Jeff Sessions to a U.S District Court, the Massachusetts Democrat, Senator Elizabeth Warren will publish a new book.
Due on April 18, the book is titled ‘This Fight is our Fight: The Battle to Save America’s Middle Class’, will tell the story of how the United States built the greatest middle class in history and how big corporations and financial institutions overpowered the interests of poor, lower-income and middle class Americans.
Warren’s first book ‘A Fighting Chance’ was published in 2014.
Aretha Franklin Plans Retirement with a With Stevie Wonder Collabo
Before the Queen of Soul finally takes a bow from the music scene this year, she will record one last album for release in September. The album she revealed in an interview will be produced by iconic singer, Stevie Wonder.
The award-winning legendary musician though declined to say if ill-health was part of her decision to retire. She, however, was grateful for her career achievements. She also said that she wants to have more time with her grandchildren and spend most of her retirement doing something useful.