Grammys 2022: Jon Batiste, HER and Justin Bieber lead nominations
The highly versatile, socially conscious pianist, singer and composer Jon Batiste has topped this year’s Grammy nominations, with 10 nods.
Batiste’s nominations straddle everything from the top prizes of record and album of the year, to inclusions across R&B, jazz, roots and classical categories. His score for animated film Soul, made with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of Nine Inch Nails, is also nominated, as are the directors of his music video Freedom.
Over a decade on from his teenpop breakthrough years, Justin Bieber demonstrates his ongoing star power and musical dexterity, nominated for album, record and song of the year in the top categories, and he also picks up nominations in four other pop and R&B categories. His music video director, Colin Tilley, also earns one for Bieber’s single Peaches.
Another versatile artist, the R&B singer-songwriter HER, is nominated for eight awards, including album and song of the year. She also picks up nominations in R&B and contemporary Christian categories, plus a nod for her contribution to the Judas and the Black Messiah soundtrack, Fight For You.
The vivacious and frequently viral rapper Doja Cat earns seven nominations, including in three of the four top categories: record, album and song of the year. Billie Eilish earns six nominations, including in those three top categories.
Olivia Rodrigo is likely to be the favourite for best new artist, after the huge success of her debut album Sour and its singles Drivers License and Good 4 U, which span piano balladry and pop-punk. The Californian star is nominated for six awards, and is the only artist to appear in the top four categories. The directors and producers of her Good 4 U video are also nominated.
Lil Nas X, the pop-rapper who triumphantly transcended one hit wonder status with his acclaimed album Montero, is also nominated for record, song and album of the year, plus two more awards.
Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett’s duets album Love For Sale was popular with academy voters, earning the pair four nominations, plus nods for their engineers and music video directors. It is the feelgood success of the year, recorded following Bennett’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis – the 95-year-old singer found he could perform swathes of his repertoire despite loss of other memories.
Arlo Parks is the most notable British
success, earning a nomination for best new artist, plus best alternative music album. The only other British artists in the top categories are Ed Sheeran, whose Bad Habits is nominated for song of the year, and pop band Glass Animals, nominated for best new artist.
Abba are nominated for their first ever Grammy for their comeback single after 40 years away, I Still Have Faith In You, nominated for record of the year.
Jay-Z is now the most nominated artist in Grammys history. His three nominations, including a songwriting nod for his work on Bieber’s Justice, bring him to 83 nominations overall (he has won 23).
Grammy nominations are now decided solely by voting membership, rather than involving “nomination committees” behind the scenes who were able to tweak – to some controversy – the final nominee lists.
The field in the “big four” categories have expanded from eight to 10 nominees. The academy chief executive, Harvey Mason Jr, said this was to help broaden stylistic diversity, acknowledge sheer amount of music being released, and “to embrace the spirit of inclusion”.
While there are no snubs on the scale of the Weeknd in 2021, who announced he was boycotting future ceremonies, the year’s most commercially successful country star, Morgan Wallen, receives no nominations. The shut-out will be due in part to him being filmed shouting a racist slur in February this year. Canadian rapper Drake submitted his hit album Certified Lover Boy for album of the year, but it wasn’t included.
The 2022 Grammy awards take place on 31 January.
2022 Grammy nominations: the major categories
Record of the year
Abba – I Still Have Faith in YouJon Batiste – FreedomTony Bennett & Lady Gaga – I Get a Kick Out Of YouJustin Bieber – Peaches (featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon)Brandi Carlile – Right On TimeDoja Cat – Kiss Me More (feat SZA)Billie Eilish – Happier Than EverLil Nas X – Montero (Call Me By Your Name)Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers LicenseSilk Sonic – Leave the Door Open Album of the year
Jon Batiste – We Are Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga – Love for SaleJustin Bieber – JusticeDoja Cat – Planet HerBillie Eilish – Happier Than EverHER – Back of My MindLil Nas X – MonteroOlivia Rodrigo – SourTaylor Swift – EvermoreKanye West – Donda
Song of the year
Ed Sheeran – Bad HabitsAlicia Keys & Brandi Carlile – A Beautiful NoiseOlivia Rodrigo – Drivers LicenseHER – Fight for YouBillie Eilish – Happier Than EverDoja Cat – Kiss Me More (feat SZA) Silk Sonic – Leave the Door OpenLil Nas X – Montero (Call Me By Your Name)Justin Bieber – Peaches (feat Daniel Caesar and Giveon)Brandi Carlile – Right on Time
Best new artist
Arooj AftabJimmie AllenBaby KeemFinneasGlass AnimalsJapanese BreakfastThe Kid LaroiArlo ParksOlivia RodrigoSaweetie
Best pop solo performance
Justin Bieber – AnyoneBrandi Carlile – Right on TimeBillie Eilish –Happier Than EverAriana Grande – PositionsOlivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
Best rock performance
AC/DC – Shot in the DarkBlack Pumas – Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A)Chris Cornell – Nothing Compares 2 UDeftones – OhmsFoo Fighters – Making a Fire
Best metal performance
Deftones – GenesisDream Theater – The AlienGojira – AmazoniaMastodon – Pushing the TidesRob Zombie – The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)
Best rap performance
Baby Keem – Family Ties (feat Kendrick Lamar)Cardi B – UpJ Cole – My Life (feat 21 Savage & Morray)Drake – Way 2 Sexy (feat Future & Young Thug)
Megan Thee Stallion – Thot Shit
Best R&B performance
Snoh Aalegra – Lost YouJustin Bieber – Peaches (feat Daniel Caesar & Giveon)HER – Damage Silk Sonic – Leave the Door OpenJazmine Sullivan – Pick Up Your Feelings
Best country solo performance
Luke Combs – Forever After AllMickey Guyton – Remember Her NameJason Isbell – All I Do Is DriveKacey Musgraves – Camera RollChris Stapleton – You Should Probably Leave
Best global music performance
Arooj Aftab – MohabbatAngelique Kidjo & Burna Boy – Do YourselfFemi Kuti – Pà Pá PàYo-Yo Ma & Angelique Kidjo – BlewuWizkid – Essence (feat Tems)
Best dance/electronic recording Afrojack & David Guetta – HeroÓlafur
Arnalds – Loom (feat Bonobo)James Blake – BeforeBonobo & Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – HeartbreakCaribou – You Can Do ItRüfüs Du Sol – AliveTiësto – The Business