As we embark on the New Year, let us not forget what is to come, THE GRAMMYS, a melting pot awards show that showcases and snubs artists, producers, writers and more. Last year, 2024, proved to be nothing short of amazing as Beyoncé gave us Cowboy Carter, Andre 3000 showed us lyrics aren’t necessary for a legendary album, the Beatles exemplified the infamous quote “Legends Never Die” with their nominated Record of the Year, Now and Then.
In addition to the iconic list of celebrities, new and legendary, being nominated for the coveted Grammy, Alicia Keys, according to the Recording Academy, will receive the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 2025 Recording Academy Honors Presented by the Black Music Collective, celebrating her profound influence and contributions to music culture. The Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, created in 2023, recognizes artists whose influence transcends music. It celebrates not only artistic excellence but also entrepreneurial achievements, philanthropic contributions, and global cultural impact.
Amidst all of the world on the edge of their seats trying to put in their opinions on who’s going to take home the trophy for each category, one must ask, How did the Beatles get on the list? Two words, Authenticity and Fans. Fun fact, Now and Then was created in the late 70s by the late John Lennon prior to his passing for his dear friend Paul. Originally it was a demo track and now, after 45 years, it’s nominated for a Record of the Year category. According to Grammy.com, the song remained unfinished long after Lennon’s passing, but his bandmates completed it for him. “Paul McCartney enlisted Giles Martin (the son of Beatles’ former producer and longtime collaborator George Martin) as the song’s co-producer, using Lennon’s original 1977 demo, George Harrison’s guitar melodies from the 1995 Anthology sessions, and Ringo Starr’s drumming and backing vocals from 2022. “Now And Then,” which marked the Beatles’ 35th top 10 single on the Billboard Hot 100, is a tearful close to the band’s legacy.”
Every now and then, pun intended, there are some artists who just haven’t made the cut, or just missed that mark to become involved in the lists regarding the Grammy’s extensive categories. With all that she’s had to overcome throughout this treacherous and whimsical year, she presented us with music that showcased her true rapping/storytelling talent, MEGAN. However, she’s not alone, the list includes, Dua Lipa, even though she had huge success from her singles, but in its entirety, her album fizzled into the background, K-POP, well lets just say the Grammys are slowly opening up their markets to the overseas sensations and most notably Nicki Minaj. Trust me, the Barbs were not happy about that one, could it be that the alleged beef between her and Megan boiled over, and that’s why Pink Friday 2 failed to crack the Billboard 100?..Tragic day for Gag City.
But before we toggle back into the nominees, let’s take a look at the other artists that didn’t quite make the cut:
- Justin Timberlake
- Dolly Parton
- Lenny Kravitz
- Luke Combs
Now, here are the artists that DID make the cut, and their respective categories:
Record of the year
- “Now And Then” – The Beatles
- “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyoncé
- “Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
- “360” – Charli XCX
- “Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish
- “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar
- “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan
- “Fortnight” – Taylor Swift, featuring Post Malone
Album of the year
- “New Blue Sun” – André 3000
- “Cowboy Carter” – Beyoncé
- “Short n’ Sweet” – Sabrina Carpenter
- “Brat” – Charli XCX
- “Djesse Vol. 4” – Jacob Collier
- “Hit Me Hard and Soft” – Billie Eilish
- “Chappell Roan The Rise And Fall Of A Midwest Princess” – Chappell Roan
- “The Tortured Poets Department” – Taylor Swift
Song of the year (goes to songwriter)
- “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” – Shaboozey. Written by Sean Cook, Jerrel Jones, Joe Kent, Chibueze Collins Obinna, Nevin Sastry & Mark Williams
- “Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish. Written by Billie Eilish O’Connell and FINNEAS
- “Die With A Smile” – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars. Written by Dernst Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Andrew Watt
- “Fortnight” -Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone. Written by Jack Antonoff, Austin Post and Taylor Swift
- “Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan. Written by Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Daniel Nigro & Justin Tranter
- “Not Like Us” – Kendrick Lamar. Written by Kendrick Lamar
- “Please Please Please” – Sabrina Carpenter. Written by Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff & Sabrina Carpenter
- “Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyoncé. Written by Brian Bates, Beyoncé, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bülow, Nate Ferraro and Raphael Saadiq
Best new artist
- Benson Boone
- Sabrina Carpenter
- Doechii
- Khruangbin
- RAYE
- Chappell Roan
- Shaboozey
- Teddy Swims
With a huge rage of artists from different genres, one could only speculate who will be going home with the beloved golden gramophone . Is it one of the hometown heroes, or maybe a humble newcomer stepping into their legendary status? I guess we’ll just have to wait until February 2nd, at the annual 67th Grammy Awards to see who will come out on top.
