ELEVEN GRAMMY NODS LEFT BLM-INSPIRED JON IN TEARS

JON BATISTE’S stunning 11 Grammy nominations left him in tears because he sees the nods as recognition for his music inspired by the

Black Lives Matter movement.

The 35-year-old Freedom singer, who led the pack when the shortlist was unveiled, said: ‘I was astounded. I was just jumping up and down in the living room and people were blowing my phone up. Every nomination was unexpected.

‘We made these albums in the pandemic, people were suffering in the streets, I was leading protests for Black Lives Matter after George Floyd was killed. Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, these things were on my heart when I was creating this music. To come out of it and receive the recognition, it just brings me to tears. I’m overwhelmed with joy and I’m grateful.’ The 2022 Grammys are on January 31.

GIVE the

ANIMALS a medal! The

Heat Waves singers’ slow burn of conquering America has moved up a notch with a Grammy nomination. After taking the longest time in history to enter the US Billboard top ten, the Oxford lads are up for best new artist at next year’s showbiz bash. Frontman Dave Bayley said: ‘When starting this little project, a Grammy nomination was beyond our wildest dreams. To be on the list feels wonderful after thinking we might have lost it all. This past year, it was tough for anyone to look at the news, get out of bed, or do pretty much anything.’

GLASS