Prior to the highly anticipated Grammy Awards held at the iconic Staples Center in Los Angeles, there was an equally exciting event that took place – the Premiere Ceremony. Taking place at the Microsoft Theater on Sunday, an array of renowned stars graced the stage. Among the talented winners recognized at this glorious occasion were none other than Beyoncé, Daya, The Chainsmokers, and William Bell.
Leading with nine nominations, Beyonce, age 35, is anticipated to grace the stage of the show with a powerhouse performance. Among her nominations, she is particularly vying for her first-ever album of the year win for Lemonade, an impactful visual album delving into themes of race, feminism, betrayal, and empowerment. Prior to the start of the televised show, Beyonce set the tone for the night by triumphing in the best music video category for her politically charged single, Formation. Making headlines once again, the renowned artist unveiled her pregnancy on February 1 through a captivating announcement and an elaborate photoshoot proudly showcasing her baby bump, cementing her position as a social media phenomenon.
The Chainsmokers achieved a victory at the Grammy Awards in the category of Best Dance Recording for their song “Don’t Let Me Down” featuring Daya. Meanwhile, the late David Bowie was honored posthumously with two Grammy wins. Bowie, who sadly passed away in January 2016, received awards for recording package and non-classical engineering for his final album “Blackstar,” which was released shortly before his death at the age of 69 from cancer. Although Bowie had previously been recognized with a lifetime achievement Grammy in 2006 and another Grammy for a video in 1985, this marked the first time he had won a Grammy for an individual album or song during his lifetime.
In other news, fans and music enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the upcoming televised ceremony where pop megastar Beyonce is anticipated to make her first public appearance since announcing her pregnancy with twins.
Margaret Cho, a Grammy nominee for Best Comedy Album for American Myth, hosted the Premiere Ceremony which started at 12:30pm Pacific time and was live-streamed on Grammy.com. Although the British singer was nominated for three other Grammy awards, they unfortunately missed out on the top honor of album of the year, which will be presented later in the three-hour ceremony. Additionally, The Chainsmokers celebrated a win for Best Dance Recording with their song “Don’t Let Me Down” featuring Daya.
Pleasant melody: The delightful tunes of Judy Collins enchanted the audience at the concert.
A diverse group of musicians from The Color Purple were ecstatic as they accepted the esteemed Best Musical Theater Album award during the captivating Premiere Ceremony.
In another remarkable achievement, Bell’s sensational comeback album, This Is Where I Love, was honored with the Best Americana Album award, triumphing over worthy contenders like the Avett Brothers and Kris Kristofferson.
Notably, the legendary Bobby Rush, at the age of 83, was crowned victorious in the Best Traditional Blues album category, showcasing his timeless talent and dedication to the blues genre.
The musical talent showcased throughout the event was extraordinary, featuring well-known nominees such as Judy Collins, Ravi Coltrane, Ziggy Marley, Carla Morrison, Northern Cree, O’Connor Band with Mark O’Connor, and Third Coast Percussion. Their performances were truly mesmerizing, leaving the audience in awe.
To add more excitement to the evening, a star-studded lineup of presenters graced the stage, including the likes of Jimmy Jam, Lauren Daigle, For King & Country, Sarah Jarosz, Rene Marie, Mya, and the charismatic Panic! At the Disco lead singer, Brendon Urie. Their presence elevated the atmosphere and added a touch of glamour to the unforgettable event.