61st Annual Grammy Awards
The 61st Annual Grammy Awards ceremony was held on February 10, 2019, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.[2][3] Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys hosted.[4][5] During her opening monologue, Keys brought out Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez, and former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama, each of whom spoke about the impact that music had on their lives.[6]
61st Annual Grammy Awards
February 10, 2019
8:00–11:45 p.m. EST
Childish Gambino
Kacey Musgraves (4 each)
Kendrick Lamar (8)
19.9 million[1]
The ceremony recognized the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, which ran from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018.[7] Nominations were announced on December 7, 2018.
Dolly Parton was honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year two days prior on February 8, 2019.[8]
Kendrick Lamar received the most nominations, with eight. Childish Gambino and Kacey Musgraves tied for the most wins of the night with four each.[9] Childish Gambino did not attend the ceremony and became the first major award winner to be absent since Amy Winehouse in 2008.[10] "This Is America" producer Ludwig Göransson and recording engineer Riley Mackin accepted the Record of the Year Grammy on Gambino's behalf.
Nominations announcement[edit]
Nominations were to be announced on December 5, 2018, but were delayed to Friday, December 7, 2018 following the death and state funeral of former President George H.W. Bush.[3][11]
For the 61st Annual Grammy Awards, multiple category changes are being made;[14]
Controversy[edit]
On February 4, 2019, reports surfaced that American singer-songwriter Ariana Grande would not be performing at or attending the Grammys, due to a dispute with producer Ken Ehrlich. On February 7, 2019, Grande made a public statement on the matter, alleging that Ehrlich stifled her creativity and tried to stipulate what song she could perform.[15] She then later went on and alleged that Ehrlich "lied" and she could "pull together a performance over night."[16]
On February 11, 2019, Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj backed up Grande and alleged Ehrilch "bullied" her. Minaj later said in a statement on Twitter: "I was bullied into staying quiet for 7 years out of fear. But I'll tell my fans the REAL on the next episode of #QueenRadio they deserve the truth."[17]