Grammys Premiere Ceremony: Boygenius, Killer Mike win 3 each
The prime time Grammys telecast gets all the attention, but the afternoon Premiere Ceremony is where awards watchers can glean the greatest insights about the Recording Academy’s preferences. Like the Creative Arts Awards at the Emmys, it’s where the vast majority of trophies are handed out, perhaps cluing us in to who has the strongest chances of winning top prizes during the evening festivities. So who were the day’s big winners? Did anyone make history? Were there any major surprises? Scroll down for our live blog where we dish the afternoon’s biggest developments.
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Justin Tranter was the host of the show, which streamed live from the Peacock Theater on the Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and on live.grammy.com starting at 12:30pm PT/3:30pm ET. Tranter was a previous Grammy nominee for Song of the Year for co-writing Julia Michaels‘s “Issues” six years ago. This year he contended for Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical for his work with Renee Rapp, Maneskin, Miley Cyrus and others.
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A number of other nominees were slated to present awards during the show, including Best Jazz Vocal Album nominee Patti Austin, Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album nominee Natalia Lafourcade, Best Country Duo/Group Performance nominee Carly Pearce, Best Bluegrass Album nominee Molly Tuttle and Best Folk Album nominee Rufus Wainwright. As usual, Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Jimmy Jam was also on hand.
The Premiere Ceremony is also where we get performances from some of the most elite nominees at the awards, including those who may not be household names. This year those were jazz artist Adam Blackstone, American roots singer-songwriter Brandy Clark, gospel legend Kirk Franklin, R&B mainstay Robert Glasper, contemporary instrumental artist Bob James, traditional pop breakout Laufey, progressive R&B hopeful Terrace Martin, jazz drummer Harvey Mason Sr. and Latin pop artist Gaby Moreno. Performing the show’s opening number were poet J. Ivy, blues musician Larkin Poe, a cappella group Pentatonix, percussionist Sheila E. and contemporary Christian nominee Jordin Sparks.
Follow along below starting at 12:30pm PT/3:30pm ET as we dive into all the results (times listed are Eastern).
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3:36pm — Opening number to Prince‘s “Let’s Go Crazy” is a hit with poet J. Ivy, a cappella group Pentatonix, Sheila E., Jordin Sparks, and immediately-going-onto-my-must-listen-playlist Larkin Poe.
3:40pm — We’re going to get 85 winners at this Premiere Ceremony, which means there will be just nine given out over the 3.5 hour prime time telecast. I know the Grammys is basically a concert with a couple of a awards scattered throughout, but I wish they were a little more of an awards show.
3:43pm — Justin Tranter is already a hugely charismatic emcee. Enthusiastic about all the talent in the room, full of energy, entertaining even as he’s laying out the ground rules for winners’ acceptance speeches.
3:48pm — Starting out with a big one: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. And the first winner of the day is … SZA and Phoebe Bridgers for “Ghost in the Machine,” which is the second career Grammy for SZA and the first Grammy for Bridgers. SZA has eight more nominations today, Bridgers has six more with the super group Boygenius. They upset front-runners Taylor Swift and Ice Spice for “Karma.” Good news for SZA against Swift in top races? Best Dance/Electronic Recording goes to “Rumble” by Skrillex, Fred Again and Flowdan.
3:51pm — The inaugural award for Best Pop Dance Recording goes to Kylie Minogue for “Padam Padam.” This is the second Grammy of Minogue’s career. This seemed like it was going to be a close race between her and Troye Sivan for “Rush.”
3:54pm — Best Dance/Electronic Music Album goes to Fred Again. A Best New Artist contender tonight, Fred Again already has two trophies.
3:56pm — Best Musica Mexicana Album goes to Peso Pluma, a huge crosssover Latin musician who was surprisingly snubbed for Best New Artist but nevertheless gets his flowers here. Best Tropical Latin Album goes to Ruben Blades with Roberto Delgado and Orquesta. Not a huge surprise if you’ve followed the Grammys. Ruben Blades has a dozen statues on his mantel.
3:59pm — Best Visual Media Compilation goes to the “Barbie” soundtrack. Music from that blockbuster film has many more chances today and this evening to collect trophies including Record of the Year (Billie Eilish‘s “What Was I Made For?”). Best Visual Media Score goes to “Oppenheimer” composer Ludwig Goransson. This is his fourth career Grammy. Best Video Game/Interactive Score goes to “Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.”
4:05pm — Best Visual Media Song had four “Barbie” songs nominated. The award goes to “What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, who are on-hand to accept. Eilish will be performing later tonight. This is Eilish’s second win in this category following “No Time to Die” from the Bond film of the same name. Eilish has eight Grammys overall.
4:08pm — Best Music Video goes to “I’m Only Sleeping” by The Beatles, beating the presumed favorite “What Was I Made For?,” but if you lose to The Beatles at the Grammys, can you ever be truly surprised? Best Music Film is awarded to the David Bowie documentary “Moonage Dqaydream” by nonfiction filmmaker Brett Morgen.
4:12pm — Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, a category that has often been consequential in previewing other major categories, goes to “Jaguar II,” Victoria Monet‘s Best R&B Album-nominated collection. Monet has seven total nominations today, and this is her first win.
4:14pm — Best Remixed Recording goes to “Wagging Tongue (Wet Let Remix),” by Wet Leg, who have now won three Grammys in their career. Last year they won two alternative awards. Best Immersive Audio Album is won by “The Diary of Alicia Keys.” This is Alicia Keys‘s 16th Grammy and her first win in a decade.
4:24pm — Gorgeous performance of “Dear Insecurity” by Brandy Clark with a lovely string section accompanying her. She’s nominated six times this year but hasn’t won yet in her career. She’s probably a strong bet for American roots awards.
4:25pm — Best Country Solo Performance goes to “White Horse” by Chris Stapleton, a Grammy darling who just denied Luke Combs his first ever Grammy for his crossover sensation cover of “Fast Car.” Best Country Song is also awarded to “White Horse” by Stapleton, who has now won 10 times in his career.
4:28pm — Best American Roots Performance goes to Allison Russell for “Eve Was Black,” which is perhaps surprising since she beat Song of the Year-nominated “Butterfly” by Jon Batiste. This is Russell’s first win. Best Americana Performance goes to Brandy Clark and Brandi Carlile for “Dear Insecurity.” At last, Clark wins her first Grammy, while Carlile is now a 10-time winner. Carlile has been much loved by the Recording Academy in recent years, and she’s also been a queen-maker as a producer and songwriter. But voters spread the wealth, giving Best American Roots Song to Jason Isbell for “Cast Iron Skillet.” Isbell is now a five-time champ. Rounding out this section, Best Americana Album also goes to Isbell for “Weathervanes.” Isbell rarely loses when nominated. He has now won six times out of his eight career nominations.
4:35pm — Bobby Rush takes Best Traditional Blues Album. This is the third win of the legendary musician’s career. Best Contemporary Blues Album goes to opening number performers Larkin Poe, their first win on their second nomination. They previously contended for this award four years ago.
4:39pm — “Your Power” by Lecrae and Tasha Cobbs Leonard win Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. This is Lecrae’s third win. Best Gospel Album is awarded to Tye Tribbett for “All Things New: Live in Orlando.” This is Tribbett’s third Grammy as well. He previously won two awards 10 years ago. And Best Contemporary Christian Music Album goes to Lecrae for “Church Clothes 4,” appropriately titled as he is now a four-time Grammy winner.
4:45pm — Blind Boys Of Alabama win Best Roots Gospel Album for “Echoes of the South.” They had three nominations this year, and this is the one win of the night. Altogether they have won six Grammys.
4:55pm — I have a fraught relationship with religion, but hot damn Kirk Franklin is a hell of an entertainer … Is it wrong to say “damn” and “hell” about a Christian performer?
4:57pm — Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical goes to Theron Thomas, who wrote music for Lil Durk, Tyla, Chloe, Ciara, Jung Kook and Cordae, among others this past season.
4:58pm — Best Gospel Performance/Song goes to Kirk Franklin for “All Things.” He’s beloved by the Recording Academy. This is his 20th career victory spanning almost 30 years.
5:01pm — Best Traditional R&B Performance is won by “Good Morning” by PJ Morton featuring Susan Carol. That was a big surprise in a category up against SZA, Coco Jones, Babyface and Victoria Monet. Best R&B Album is no surprise though. Victoria Monet wins her second prize of the night for “Jaguar II.”
5:03pm — Best Rap Performance is awarded to “Scientists and Engineers” by Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future And Eryn Allen Kane, defeating favorites Drake and 21 Savage (“Rich Flex”) and Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar (“The Hillbillies”). Best Melodic Rap Performance, meanwhile, goes to “All My Life” by Lil Durk featuring J. Cole. And wouldn’t you know, “Scientists and Engineers” takes Best Rap Song, the songwriting prize, for Killer Mike. Rounding out the rap awards, Best Rap Album goes to “Michael” by Killer Mike, completing a very surprising sweep against chart-toppers like Drake, Travis Scott and Metro Boomin.
5:10pm — “The Light Inside” by opening number performance J. Ivy wins Best Spoken Word Poetry Album. This is his second win in a row in this category, and his third overall win in his career.
5:13pm — Bela Fleck wins Best Global Music Performance for “Pashto.” Fleck is now a 16-time Grammy winner. The new category of Best African Music Performance goes to crossover hit “Water” by Tyla. The single reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. Best Global Music Album is awarded to “This Moment” by Shakti, their first win on their first nomination.
5:21pm — Breakthrough singer Laufey gives a lovely, lilting vocal performance. She’s up for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, but was surprisingly left off the list for Best New Artist given how much the academy appreciates traditional sounds. When they actually present Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, though, Laufey is the winner for “Bewitched”! The artists she beat include none other than Bruce Springsteen.
5:25pm — Best Musical Theater Album goes to “Some Like It Hot,” upsetting the Tony winner for Best Musical, “Kimberly Akimbo.” Among the winners for the album are principal vocalists Christian Borle, Tony winner J. Harrison Ghee, Adrianna Hicks and NaTasha Yvette Williams.
5:29pm — Phoebe Bridgers is two-for-two, winning Best Rock Performance with her Boygenius super group bandmates Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, both first-time winners. Best Metal Performance goes to Metallica for “72 Seasons.” It’s the ninth victory for the pioneering metal band. Best Rock Song adds another victory to Boygenius’s total.
5:33pm — In a significant surprise, Paramore wins Best Rock Album for “This is Why,” overtaking rock stalwarts Foo Fighters for “But Here We Are.” Paramore upset again in Best Alternative Music Performance for “This is Why,” overtaking Lana Del Rey (“A&W”), who sadly may leave tonight still without any Grammys . Best Alternative Music Album rounds out Boygenius’s winning streak as “The Record” takes it. Bridgers has won four times tonight, making her the biggest winner of the day so far.
5:36pm — Dave Chappelle wins Best Comedy Album for “What’s in a Name?” He has never lost that award in his career. He is now a five-time champ, tying comedians late comedians George Carlin and Richard Pryor.
5:39pm — Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package goes to “For the Birds: The Birdsong Project.” Best Album Notes goes to “Written in Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos.” Best Historical Album also goes to “Written in Their Soul.”
5:51pm — Another stunning performance, Gaby Moreno, in one of the highlight vocal performances of the day.
5:53pm — Best Large Jazz Ensemble goes to The Count Basie Orchestra directed by Scotty Barnhart for “Basie Swings the Blues.” This is Barnhart’s first Grammy on his third nomination. The Best Latin Jazz Album is “El Arte Del Bolero Vol. 2” by Miguel Zenon and Luis Perdomo. This is the first Grammy for both, but it’s the 12th nomination for Zenon spanning 14 years, so this has been a long time coming.
5:58pm — Another new category, Best Alternative Jazz Album, is awarded for the very first time to Meshell Ndegeocello for “The Omnichord Real Book.” This was her 12th nomination, but it’s just her second victory. She previously won Best R&B Song three years ago. And continuing a trend of the night, Gaby Moreno claims a trophy shortly after performing: Best Latin Pop Album for “X Mi (Vol. 1).” She upset Maluma in the category. Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album results in a tie! Juanes is the first winner for “Vida Cotidiana.” It’s his fourth Grammy victory. The second winner is Natalia Lafourcade for “De Todas Las Flores.” She also has four Grammys.
6:06pm — “Colors of Royal” by Julian Marley and Antaeus wins Best Reggae Album. It’s Marley’s first victory in this category. It’s also the first win for Antaeus. Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album honors go to “So She Howls” by Carla Patullo featuring Tonality and The Scorchio Quartet. Is the first Grammy victory for all of them.
6:10pm — Best Children’s Music Album is won by 123 Andres for “We Grow Together Preschool Songs.” It’s the first win and second nomination in this category. Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording is then awarded to Michelle Obama for “The Light We Carry,” once again denying poor Meryl Streep of a Grammy. It’s Obama’s second win and second nomination. The legendary John Williams claims Best Instrumental Composition for “Helena’s Theme.” This is the 26th victory of his storied career. Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella goes to “Folsom Prison Blues” by John Carter Cash, Tommy Emmanuel, Markus Illko, Janet Robin and Roberto Luis Rodriguez.
6:17pm — Best Jazz Vocal Album goes to “How Love Begins” by Nicole Zuraitis. It’s her first win and second nomination at the Grammys.
6:20pm — Best Country Duo/Group Performance is awarded to “I Remember Everything,” bringing Zach Bryan his first Grammy and Kacey Musgraves her seventh. That’s followed by Best Folk Album, which goes to Joni Mitchell for “Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live).” This is the 80-year-old legend’s 10th Grammy. She’s performing at tonight’s telecast.
6:25pm — We have another tie! Best Regional Roots Music Album goes to “New Beginnings” by Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. and The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band and “Live: Orpheum Theater Nola” by Lost Bayou Ramblers and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals goes to “In the Wee Small Hours of the Morning.” That’s no surprise because among the winners is Jacob Collier, who now has six Grammys for his arrangements.
6:30pm — Time for classical! Best Orchestral Performance goes to “Ades: Dante” by now five-time Grammy winner Gustavo Dudamel. Best Opera Recording goes to “Blanchard: Champion” by conductor Yannick Nezet-Seguin. He has now won four Grammys. Best Choral Performance is awarded to “Saariaho: Reconnaissance” by conductor Nils Schweckendiek. Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance is won by “Rough Magic” by Roomful of Teeth, who win this award for the second time on their second nomination. Winning Best Classical Instrumental Solo is “The American Project” by first-time winners Yuja Wang and Teddy Abrams.
6:40pm — Best Classic Solo Vocal Album goes to “Walking in the Dark” by Julia Bullock and Christian Reif. Best Classical Compendium Album is awarded to “Passion for Bach and Coltrane” by Alex Brown, Harlem Quartet, Imani Winds, Edward Perez, Neal Smith and A.B. Spellman. And the winner of Best Contemporary Classical Composition is “Montgomery: Rounds” by composer Jessie Montgomery, a first-time nominee and first-time winner.
6:51pm — Am I … into jazz now? Adam Blackstone, Terrace Martin and company are stellar musicians
6:51pm — Coco Jones surprises by winning Best R&B Performance for “ICU,” upsetting “Kill Bill” by SZA, which is up for Record of the Year and Song of the Year. But SZA makes up for it by winning Best Progressive R&B Album for “SOS.” That would have been a shocking loss if it hadn’t won. Best Jazz Performance is awarded to last year’s Best New Artist champ, Samara Joy for “Tight.” She overtook Jon Batiste and Esperanza Spalding in the category.
6:55pm — “The Winds of Change” by Billy Childs wins Best Jazz Instrumental Album. This is the sixth Grammy for Childs. “As We Speak” by Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer and Rakesh Chaurasia wins Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, bringing Fleck his 17th Grammy Award.
6:59pm — “City of Gold” by Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway takes Best Bluegrass Album. A presenter tonight and a Best New Artist nominee from last year, this is the second win in a row in this category for Tuttle. Best Engineered Album, Classical goes to “Contemporary American Composers,” engineered by David Frost, Charlie Post and Silas Brown.
7:03pm — Producer of the Year, Classical goes to Elaine Martone, who has now won five Grammy Awards. And Producer of the Year, Non-Classical goes to Jack Antonoff. He’s a familiar sight on the Grammy stage. He has won nine times in his career and has claimed this prize three years in a row. This past season he worked on Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” and Lana Del Rey’s “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd.”
7:09pm — And that concludes the afternoon festivities. More than three and a half hours of trophies later, Phoebe Bridgers, her band Boygenius and Killer Mike came out on top.
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