Who’s hosting?
Trevor Noah, formerly of “The Each day Show” on Comedy Central, will do the honors for a 3rd 12 months.
Who’re the highest contenders?
Beyoncé, who this week announced a world tour supporting her latest album, “Renaissance,” has probably the most nominations, with nine, followed by Kendrick Lamar with eight and Adele and Brandi Carlie with seven each. Harry Styles, Mary J. Blige, Future, DJ Khaled and the producer and songwriter The-Dream all landed six apiece.
What’s the breakdown of Beyoncé’s nominations?
Beyoncé will go head-to-head with Adele once more in multiple categories, most notably album of the 12 months, an award Beyoncé has yet to win. Adele cleaned up in all of the most important contests in 2017, when “25” squared off against “Lemonade,” which led to Adele at first tearfully saying that she couldn’t accept her album prize. Beyoncé’s losses within the show’s premier categories have also fueled wider complaints about how the Grammys have often failed to acknowledge Black artists in its all-genre categories. Only three Black women have ever taken home album of the 12 months — probably the most recent was Lauryn Hill in 1999.
Along with album of the 12 months (“Renaissance”), Beyoncé has nominations for record and song of the 12 months (“Break My Soul”), best dance/electronic recording (“Break My Soul”), best dance/electronic album (“Renaissance”), best R&B performance (“Virgo’s Groove”), best traditional R&B performance (“Plastic Off the Sofa”), best R&B song (“Cuff It”) and best song written for visual media (“Be Alive” from the movie “King Richard”).
Who will hit the stage?
Bad Bunny (probably the most nominated artist on the Latin Grammys in November), Lizzo and Harry Styles will perform throughout the prime-time ceremony. The live lineup also includes Mary J. Blige, Brandi Carlile, Luke Combs, Sam Smith and Kim Petras, DJ Khaled, and Steve Lacy. Stevie Wonder will even perform with Smokey Robinson and Chris Stapleton.
In celebration of fifty years of hip-hop, a special performance bringing together genre legends and contemporary stars will feature Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star, Missy Elliott, Future, GloRilla, Ice-T, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, Queen Latifah, Run-DMC, Salt-N-Pepa and others. LL Cool J will introduce the segment, perform and share just a few words.
