Jazz musician Jon Batiste leads the way to the 64th edition of the Grammy with eleven nominations accompanied by other great artists such as Justin Bieber, who aspires to eight awards, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and established legends such as Tony Bennett. The United States Recording Academy Awards will be presented on January 31 at what is now the Staples Center stadium in Los Angeles, a site that for the gala will have changed its name to the Crypto.com arena. It is not the only change that current times have forced. The Grammys have expanded the main categories to give more space to artists after criticism received from the selection committees of years past.
At 35, Batiste is experiencing a great moment in his career. Winner of the Oscar a few months ago with Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor for the music of Soul, the Pixar film, the African-American musician appears this Tuesday in the most important categories such as Record of the Year for Freedom, Album of the year, by We are, that have accompanied dozens of protests and mobilizations against racism and injustice.
Olivia Rodrigo, 18, is another big favorite with seven nominations. The Academy has generously hosted one of the phenomena of the past year, which was even invited to the White House by President Joe Biden. Drivers License, the hit that has been heard around the world since January, is nominated for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Sour, Rodrigo’s debut album, is also in the category of Best Album of the Year. The young Californian is also among the contenders for the Best New Artist gramophone, alongside Arlo Parks, Saweetie and Finneas, Billie Eilish’s brother.
The Academy has expanded the most important award categories from eight to ten names this year. “It’s a way to enlarge a network to capture more music, more artists and more genres,” said Harvey Mason Jr., one of the organization’s executives, on Tuesday. This has allowed a classic group like Abba to share category, in Record of the Year, with recent phenomena like Doja Cat, the rapper who is nominated for eight gramophones.
Donda, the most recent installment of the controversial rapper Kanye West, which has divided the critics, has achieved the nomination of album of the year and Best rap album. Also in this category are J Cole, for The Off-Season; Drake and his Certified Lover Boy; New York rapper Nas and King’s Disease II, and Call me if you get lost, de Tyler The Creator.
The Madrilenian, by C. Tangana, who won three gramophones last week at the Latin Academy Awards, repeats among the nominees. Antón Álvarez Alfaro’s work is in the category of Latin Rock or Alternative album along with Leaves, from Bomba stereo; Look what you made me do, from Diamante Eléctrico; Originby Juanes; Muscle cramp by Nathy Peluso and the latest release from Mexican band Zoé, Karmatic resonance sounds.
Pablo Alborán from Malaga also stands out in Best Latin Pop Album for Vertigo. There he is accompanied by one of the main winners of the night in Las Vegas, the Colombian Camilo and his album My hands. Also featured are Paula Arenas for My loves; Made old-fashionedby the Guatemalan Ricardo Arjona; Mendoby Alex Cuba and Revelationby pop star Selena Gomez.
In the Urban Music category, where reggaeton and trap enter, Puerto Rican rising star Rauw Alejandro (Aphrodisiac), Bad Bunny and his The last tour of the world, Karol G (KG0516), and Without fear (of love and other demons)by Kali Uchis. The category is complemented by J Balvin and Joseph. The Colombian called for a boycott in September after being nominated by the Latin branch of the Academy, a call that sparked controversy among Latin American musicians.
Here are the most important categories:
Record of the year:
–I Still Have Faith In You, by Abba
–Freedom, by Jon Batiste
–I Get A Kick Out Of You, de Tony Bennett y Lady Gaga
–Peaches, de Justin Bieber, Daniel Caesar y Giveon.
–Right On Time, de Brandi Carlile
–Kiss Me Moreby Doja Cat and SZA.
–Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish
–Montero, Lil Nas X
–Drivers licenseby Olivia Rodrigo
–Leave The Door Open, de Silk Sonic
Album of the year:
-We Are, de Jon Batiste
-Love For Sale — Tony Bennett y Lady Gaga
-Justice, Justin Bieber
-Planet Her, Doja Cat
-Happier Than Ever, de Billie Eilish
-Back Of My Mind, de H.E.R.
-Montero — Lil Nas X
-Sour – Olivia Rodrigo
-Evermore — Taylor Swift
-Donda — Kanye West
Song of the year:
-Bad Habits, Ed Sheeran
-A Beautiful Noise, Alicia Keys y Brandi Carlile.
-Drivers license, Olivia Rodrigo
-Fight For You”, de H.E.R.)
-Happier Than Ever, de Billie Eilish.
-Kiss Me More, de Doja Cat y SZA
-Leave The Door Open, de Silk Sonic,
-Montero, by Lil Nas X.
-Peaches, de Justin Bieber
-Right On Time, de Brandi Carlile.
