Album of the year predictions
The NBC News team live blogging has a few guesses as to who might win the coveted album of the year category tonight. Below, our thoughts:
Saba Hamedy, Culture & Trends Editor: My money’s on “The Tortured Poets Department” winning album of the year, because the Recording Academy loves Taylor Swift. But it would be great to see Beyoncé finally win in this category. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Charli XCX or Sabrina Carpenter ended up winning in the category, as both picked up a few during the Premiere Ceremony already.
Nicole Acevedo, Reporter: I have a feeling this is Beyoncé’s year for AOTY.
Rebecca Cohen, Reporter: I’m a Swiftie through and through, but I think this year’s gotta go to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter.” It’s such a unique project that really resonated with listeners, and Beyoncé has somehow never won in this category. I won’t be mad to see pretty much any of the nominees win, though.
Randi Richardson, Reporter: I WANT Beyoncé to win. I THINK Billie Eilish will actually win.
Sophia Pargas, Reporter: While I’d selfishly love Charlie XCX to win AOTY and shake things up, I think Beyoncé will take home the category!
Angela Yang, Reporter: I could see Chappell Roan or Charli XCX taking album of the year — their albums seemed to dominate 2024. But I am personally rooting for Beyoncé.
The queen has arrived
Loving her Grammys dress was red.
The lights refract(ed) sequined stars off her dazzling red dress as Taylor Swift strolled onto the Grammys carpet less than 30 minutes before the show kicked off.
Is it a coincidence that Swift is sporting Kansas City Chiefs red with a "T" chain (presumably for boyfriend Travis Kelce) dangling from her leg while the Super Bowl is in one week? I think not.
She's up for album, record and song of the year tonight and will present at some point during the broadcast.
J Balvin sends immigrant community 'love and strength'
Artist J Balvin is using his time on the red carpet to advocate for Latinos and share his experience as an immigrant.
“Right now I’m really really concerned about our people in the immigrant situation," he said on the carpet. "Not every immigrant is a bad person -- they're not. It doesn't mean that they're doing a felony or something like that."
"I used to be illegal… and I know how it feels," he added.
Beyoncé is nominated for 11 Grammys tonight. She's won 1 so far.
Beyoncé came into the night with 11 nominations — the most of anyone. Before we head into the main show, let's check in on her award count.
Six of her categories have already been announced. Queen Bey took home one of those Grammys: Best country duo performance for "II MOST WANTED" with Miley Cyrus.
She lost out in five other categories:
—Best pop solo performance
—Best country solo performance
—Best country song
—Best melodic rap performance
—Best Americana performance
And she still has five more chances to win during the main broadcast:
—Album of the year
—Record of the year
—Song of the year
—Best pop duo performance
—Best country album
Victoria Monet, reigning best new artist winner, offers advice to this year’s nominees
Victoria Monet, a three-time Grammy winner who won best new artist last year, is presenting the category this year and said it’s a “really stiff” crowd to choose from.
“There’s so many talented people and all of them equally deserve that award,” she said. “How can anyone decided between all these great acts?”
But to whoever does win, Monet advised them to keep creating music how they want to and things will keep falling into place.
“Don’t let the pressure of winning best new artist take the reigns. Just do what you’ve always done,” she said.
And that's a wrap on the Premiere Ceremony
Well, almost four hours later and the Premiere Ceremony has finally come to an end.
That's 85 categories down, nine to go during the actual Grammys ceremony, which kicks off in about 35 minutes.
What's on Jaden Smith's head?
Sorry, reader, I have no idea. It look's like a house or castle hat that surrounds his entire head with a cut out for his face, but it remains entirely unclear why.
Best contemporary classical composition
"Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina" — Gabriela Ortiz, composer (Gustavo Dudamel, Los Angeles Philharmonic & Los Angeles Master Chorale)
Shaboozey sidesteps questions about joining Beyonce on ‘Cowboy Carter Tour’
Shaboozey, a nominee for best new artist, didn’t say whether he’ll be on Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter Tour that she announced overnight. The two share songs “Spaghettii” and “Sweet Honey Buckiin’” on the album.
When asked whether he’s hitting the road with Beyonce, Shaboozey took a couple of coy steps away from the Grammys’ red carpet hosts. When called out on it, Shaboozey said with a smile: “If you see her, let her know.”
Shaboozey has five nods on the night, one of which is for “Spaghettii” with Beyonce.
Best classical compendium
"Ortiz: Revolución Diamantina" — Gustavo Dudamel, conductor; Dmitriy Lipay, producer