Topline
The long-postponed 2022 Grammy Awards aired Sunday, and singer songwriter Jon Batiste, duo Silk Sonic and newcomer Olivia Rodrigo took home the night’s top prizes.
Key Facts
Batiste was this year’s most-nominated artist with 11 nods, and won five awards, including album of the year, and Silk Sonic—Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak—took home four.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made a pre-taped special appearance to call for support of his country amid Russia’s invasion.
Performers included Batiste, Silk Sonic, Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow, Olivia Rodrigo, BTS, John Legend, and a special tribute to Stephen Sondheim.
Originally scheduled for January 30, the show was pushed to April amid the omicron surge and moved from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, in the first time the show took place in the city.
Comedian Trevor Noah hosted for the second year in a row.
See the full list of nominees and winners here.
Nominees
Record Of The Year: “I Still Have Faith In You,” ABBA, “Freedom,” Jon Batiste, “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, “Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon, “Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile, “Kiss Me More,” Doja Kat feat. SZA, “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X, “Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo, WINNER: “Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic
Album Of The Year: WINNER: We Are, Jon Batiste, Love For Sale, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber, Planet Her (Deluxe), 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 feat. SZA, WINNER: “Leave The Door Open,” Silk Sonic, “Montero (Call Me By Your Name),” Lil Nas X, “Peaches,” Justin Bieber feat. Daniel Caesar and Giveon, “Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile
Best New Artist: Aarook Aftab, Jimmie Allen, Baby Keem, Finneas, Glass Animals, Japanese Breakfast, The Kid Laroi, Arlo Parks, WINNER: Olivia Rodrigo, Saweetie
Best Pop Solo Performance: “Anyone,” Justin Bieber, “Right On Time,” Brandi Carlile, “Happier Than Ever,” Billie Eilish, “Positions,” Ariana Grande, WINNER: “Drivers License,” Olivia Rodrigo
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “I Get A Kick Out Of You,” Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, “Lonely,” Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco, “Butter,” BTS, “Higher Power,” Coldplay, WINNER: “Kiss Me More,” Doja Cat feat. SZA
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: WINNER: Love For Sale, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, ‘Til We Meet Again (Live), Norah Jones, A Tori Kelly Christmas, Tori Kelly, Ledisi Sings Nina, Ledisi, That’s Life, Willie Nelson, A Holly Dolly Christmas, Dolly Parton
Best Pop Vocal Album: Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe), Justin Bieber, Planet Her (Deluxe), Doja Cat, Happier Than Ever, Billie Eilish, Positions, Ariana Grande, WINNER: Sour, Olivia Rodrigo
Key Background
With 3 Grammy nominations this year, Jay-Z became the most-nominated artist ever, with 83 nods. Rapper Drake requested his two nods for Certified Lover Boy be withdrawn, according to Variety. Marilyn Manson, who has been accused of sexual assault, was nominated as a writer for contributing to Kanye West’s album Donda and his song “Jail,” but his name was removed from the nomination without explanation. West was supposed to perform, but after recent erratic online behavior targeting his estranged wife Kim Kardashian and Noah, he was pulled from the show, according to Variety.
Further Reading
Ukrainian President Zelensky Calls For Support And Peace At Grammy Awards (Forbes)
Kanye West Reportedly Pulled From Performing At Grammys Over ‘Concerning Online Behavior’ (Forbes)
2022 Grammy Awards Rescheduled To April 3 In Las Vegas (Forbes)
Jon Batiste, Justin Bieber Lead 2022 Grammy Nominations (Forbes)
2022 Grammy Awards Postponed Due To Omicron Variant Concerns (Forbes)
Jay-Z Becomes Most Grammy-Nominated Artist Ever (Forbes)
Drake Mysteriously Rejects 2022 Grammy Nominations For ‘Certified Lover Boy’ (Forbes)
Marilyn Manson—Amid Sexual Abuse Investigation—Loses Grammy Nomination For Unknown Reason (Forbes)
