Everything
It feels like we just sat through the last one last week but the 64th Annual Grammy Awards are already only weeks away, to be held at the Crypto.com Arena (formerly Staples Centre) in Los Angeles on January 31 next year. An evening where music extraordinaires congregate to celebrate the best in music, from epic recordings to soulful compositions and of course, the highly anticipated artist of the year.
But the music industry’s night of nights hasn’t previously – nor will it in 2022 – go without its share of controversy.
Just one day before the 2022 Grammy Awards nominees were announced earlier this week, the Recording Academy – who oversee the awards – informed the press that four of the top awards – Best Album, Song, Record and New Artist – would be expanded from eight to ten nominees. An unusual move given the timing of it all, perhaps suggesting that the Academy were trying to cover their tails after years of backlash over a lack of global diversity and a pattern of exclusion.
Then, a day after the nominees were officially announced, the New York Times conducted a report stating the artists and recordings that had been added to the ‘big four’ categories at the very last minute. Those artists include Taylor Swift, Kanye West, Lil Nas X, Doja Cat, ABBA, Brandi Carlile, and the two Best New Artist adds, Baby Keem and Arooj Aftab.
Perhaps the impetus for this sudden inclusion was the announcement made earlier this year that The Weeknd would no longer submit music to the Grammy Awards, essentially boycotting the awards going forward after he received zero nominations in 2021 (despite releasing one of the most critically acclaimed albums of 2020, After Hours).
But as they say in showbiz, the show must go on, and so the 2022 Grammy Awards will. So, who’s up for a win/s?
Jazz musician Jon Batiste is set to dominate this year’s Grammys, after leading in the album of the year category with eleven nominations. As will eighteen-year-old pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo, who almost broke Spotify (and the internet) earlier this year with her debut release ‘Driver’s License.
Australian artists are also making their mark on the 2022 Grammy Awards, with homegrown heroes like The Kid Laroi nominated for Best New Artist. Taylor Swift – a late nominee inclusion – is up for Album of the Year with the release of her ninth studio album, Evermore.
Record of the year
- I Still Have Faith In You — ABBA
- Freedom — Jon Batiste
- I Get A Kick Out Of You — Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
- Peaches — Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar and 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
Album of the year
- We Are — Jon Batiste
- Love For Sale — Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
- Justice — Justin Bieber
- Planet Her — 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
Song of the year
- Bad Habits — Ed Sheeran
- A Beautiful Noise — Alicia Keys and 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 and Giveon
- Right On Time — Brandi Carlile
Best new artist
- Arooj Aftab
- Jimmie Allen
- Baby Keem
- Finneas
- Glass Animals
- Japanese Breakfast
- The Kid Laroi
- Arlo Parks
- Olivia Rodrigo
- Saweetie
Best pop duo / group performance
- I Get A Kick Out Of You — Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
- Lonely — Justin Bieber & benny blanco
- Butter — BTS
- Higher Power — Coldplay
- Kiss Me More — Doja Cat Featuring SZA
Best pop vocal album
- Justice — Justin Bieber
- Planet Her — Doja Cat
- Happier Than Ever — Billie Eilish
- Positions — Ariana Grande
- Sour — Olivia Rodrigo
Best rock performance
- Shot In The Dark — AC/DC
- Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A) — Black Pumas
- Nothing Compares 2 U — Chris Cornell
- Ohms — Deftones
- Making A Fire — Foo Fighters
Best rap performance
- Family Ties — Baby Keem Featuring Kendrick Lamar
- Up — Cardi B
- My Life — J. Cole Featuring 21 Savage & Morray
- Way 2 Sexy — Drake Featuring Future & Young Thug
- Thot S*** — Megan Thee Stallion
Best country album
- Forever After All — Luke Combs
- Remember Her Name — Mickey Guyton
- All I Do Is Drive — Jason Isbell
- Camera Roll — Kacey Musgraves
- You Should Probably Leave — Chris Stapleton
Best music film
- Inside — Bo Burnham
- David Byrne’s American Utopia — David Byrne
- Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter To Los Angeles — Billie Eilish
- Music, Money, Madness … Jimi Hendrix In Maui — Jimi Hendrix
- Summer Of Soul — Various Artists
