The headlines around the Grammys have at times overshadowed what will be happening on the show itself. But this year, just a week following Will Smith’s smack heard ‘round the world, a large audience is expected to tune into the typically unpredictable Grammys wondering what might come next.
“It’s live television. Anything can happen and usually does,” Jack Sussman, CBS’ executive vice president of specials, music and live events, told Variety earlier this week. “We’ll be ready.”
Confirmed performers for the 64th annual Grammys — which will be broadcast live on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday at 7 p.m. CT — include Olivia Rodrigo, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Silk Sonic, BTS, Jon Batiste, Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow, John Legend, Carrie Underwood, J Balvin with Maria Becerra and more, including Justin Bieber with Daniel Caesar and Giveon.
Until early January, the Grammys were moving full speed ahead for an originally scheduled date of Jan. 31 at their longtime home of the Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Center) in Los Angeles. But then came the omicron variant, and sources say several nominated artists told organizers that they didn’t feel comfortable performing.
This year’s show follows 2021’s unprecedented show, which also was originally scheduled for Jan. 31 with a full house, but ultimately had to be scaled down to a tastefully intimate, mostly outdoors ceremony in March at the L.A. Convention Center — with an audience consisting only of performers, presenters, crew and a handful of guests.
The move to Las Vegas was due to the nearly two-week venue lockout required to setup the show, something the busy Los Angeles sports arena couldn’t accommodate until June. The organizers found that long delay unacceptable and made the decision to move 270 miles east, to the moderately smaller MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, which has been home to the Latin Grammys for many years.
Batiste leads this year’s nominations with 11 and they’re all in different categories. If he wins all 11, he will hold the record, which had been previously held by Michael Jackson and Santanna, who both won eight.
Doja Cat and H.E.R. each have eight nominations.
Although he has been banned from performing because of his questionable behavior towards his ex-wife Kim Kardashian, Kanye West has been nominated for five awards, including two in the album of the year category. With 22 awards, he could surpass JAY-Z’s record for 23 wins for a hip-hop artist.
Below are some of the top categories to check out at this year’s Grammy Awards.
Record of the Year
I Still Have Faith In You, ABBA
Freedom, Jon Batiste
I Get A Kick Out Of You, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Peaches, Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
Right On Time, Brandi Carlile
Kiss Me More, Doja Cat Featuring SZA
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Montero, (Call Me By Your Name), Lil Nas X
Drivers License, Olivia Rodrigo
Leave The Door Open, Silk Sonic
Song of the Year
“Bad Habits,” Ed Sheeran
“A Beautiful Noise,” Alicia Keys Featuring Brandi Carlile
“drivers license,” Olivia Rodrigo
“Fight For You,” H.E.R.
“Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish
“Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat Featuring SZA
“Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile
Album of the Year
We Are, Jon Batiste
Love For Sale, Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber
Planet Her (Deluxe), Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
Back Of My Mind, H.E.R.
Montero, Lil Nas X
Sour, Olivia Rodrigo
Evermore, Taylor Swift
Donda, Kanye West
Best New Artist
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
FINNEAS
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie
Best Rap Album
The Off-Season, J. Cole
Certified Lover Boy, Drake
King’s Disease 2, Nas
Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, the Creator
Donda, Kanye West
Best Rap Performance
“Family Ties,” Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar
“Up,” Cardi B
“My Life,” J. Cole, 21 Savage & Morray
“Way Too Sexy,” Drake, Future, Young Thug
“Thot S***” Megan Thee Stallion
Best Rap Song
“Bath Salts,” DMX, Jay-Z, Nas
“Best Friend,” Saweetie, Doja Cat
“Family Ties,” Baby Keem, Kendrick Lamar
“Jail,” Kanye West, Jay-Z
“My Life,” J. Cole, 21 Savage & Morray
Best R&B Performance
“Lost You,” Snoh Aalegra
“Peaches,” Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“Damage,” H.E.R.
“Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic
“Pick Up Your Feelings,” Jazmine Sullivan
Best R&B Song
“Damage,” H.E.R.
“Good Days,” SZA
“Heartbreak Anniversary,” Giveon
“Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic
“Pick Up Your Feelings,” Jazmine Sullivan