The Grammy Awards: the biggest and brightest in music

The 58th Grammy Music Awards are here! Music’s biggest night takes place on February 15th this year at the Los Angeles Staples Center. This prestigious ceremony, equivalent to the film industry’s Oscars, rewards artists from the past year for their contributions to the music world.

More than any other award, the Grammy, the Holy Grail of the music biz, guarantees recipients an immediate ascent in status and sales (commonly referred to as the “Grammy Effect.”) Why? On average, this event is watched by more than 40 million Americans and thousands more worldwide.

Even if four particular categories garner the most recognition (Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist), more than 78 prizes are awarded per year (versus 109 back in 2011). Costume designers, music video directors and even sound director have their category of recognition.

Grammy’s separate the different music styles (Rock, Pop, Dance, R’n’B, Country, Latin, Reggae, Metal, etc.). Unlike the People’s Choice Awards, the public is not consulted in the vote: nominations and winners are decided upon by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science, an organization that is made up of artists, producers, technicians, etc.

Back in 1958, the Academy bestowed only 28 awards, but with all of the media attention, little by little, the awards have grown to be Music’s biggest night. The awards popularity grew when back in 1970, Quebec producer Pierre Cossette decided to broadcast the event live.

And the nominees are...

This year’s favorite, nominated for an impressive 11 categories goes to rapper Kendrick Lamar for his critically acclaimed rap album “To Pimp a Butterfly.” Just behind him is pop starlet Taylor Swift, who already possesses four Grammy’s and holds the title for the youngest person to receive Album of the Year. This year, she’s up for seven categories for her album “1989.” Canadien R&B singer The Weeknd, writer of the hit “Can’t Feel My Face” rounds out the most nominations with seven as well.

Rapper Drake and indie rock band Florence + the Machine both earned five nominations, Ed Sheeran and Kanye West received four, and famous ‘90s R&B artist D'Angelo, Mark Ronson, Wiz Khalifa and Nicki Minaj received three.

Winners get their name added to a prestigious list of former title-holders including Hungarian conductor Georg Solti (31 wins), American producer Quincy Jones (27), singer and violinist Alison Krauss (27) and French composer Pierre Boulez, who recently passed away on January 5th.

Should Kendrick Lamar win, with his 11 nominations, he may be set to take on record holders Michael Jackson and Carlos Santana who have both gleaned 8 of these trophies. Taylor Swift can do the same with the most songs being won by a female artist with Beyoncé and Adele as the current victors, with six in 2010 and 2012 respectively.

Here's a listen to some of the nominees and their songs:

• Kendrick Lamar & Alicia Keys - It's On Again
• Taylor Swift - Shake it Off
• The Weeknd - Can't Feel My Face
• Drake - Hot Line Bling
• Florence + the Machine - Ship to Wreck
• Ed Sheeran - Lay it All on Me
• Kanye West, Rihanna and Paul McCartney - FourFiveSeconds
• D'Angelo - Brown Sugar
• Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars - Uptown Funk
• Wiz Khalifa - See You Again
• Nicki Minaj - Anaconda

And the winners are...

Check out all of the 2016 Grammy winners here.

Published on: January 27, 2016