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The 67th Grammy Award will be held on February 2 at Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles. At the ceremony, we celebrate some of the largest artists this year, including Beyonce (top nominated, 11 nod), Sabrina carpenter, and Tayloraswift.
Ben Sisari, who is reporting about the New York Times music industry, is in the arena on Sunday to cover the show. In an interview on Thursday, he explained what might look different this year from what he was looking at. This conversation was edited and condensed.
You reported on the Academy's decision to hold the Grammy Awards despite the wildfire. Can you explain your report to me, and do you have any predictions about what this year's show looks like?
The fire occurred on January 7th. Very quick, the music industry was chatting about what the Grammy Awards were and what they were trying to do.
In the immediate crisis, there were many voices calling for postponing the Grammy Award. People were worried about safety, but I was worried about holding grammy when it became a bad appearance for the music business.
The opposite opinion of the Gramese organization was that they wanted the shows to be sufficient, and the Grammy Award could be a rally event, a symbol of Los Angeles' resilience. 。
In less than a week after the fire broke out, they announced that they would move forward as planned. However, many other events occur around the Grammy Award: Party, Brunch, Dinner. Most of them were officially canceled to protect resources. Many said that the big labels and the money that the talent would have spent on the party will be donated to rescue activities. However, they were quietly conveying the message that they were not satisfied with moving forward.
I reached out to the people who produced the Grammy Awards and asked, could you tell me about your decision? There was a good interview with Harvey Messon Junia, the head of the recording academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards. Ben Winston, the main producer of the broadcast show. Basically, they said there were people who might oppose us, but they were pretty frank, but I think this is right.
The Grammy Award will continue to award. There is still a large star performance. However, they want to focus on the shows of the shows, collecting money, and emphasizing what is happening. Winston said he wanted to find a balance between serious shows and fun and fun shows.
The Grammy Award has been criticized for failing to award women and black artists in some larger categories. Have you ever seen or have seen how the Grammy Prize works?
This was a major pressure point for the Grammy Awards in the past 10 years. Drake, Frank Ocean, and Kanye West are part of a frank big star, pointing out that black artists often have a lot of nominations, but have since losing in top categories. The most nominated artist in history is Beyonce, 99 years old. She has lost her album four times this year. She is entrusted to the fifth nomination in the Cowboy Carter category. She is a bit shocking that she has been lost many times because she is recognized as an artist to change the game.
The Grammy Award also has been criticized for the voting system mechanism. There were unfair accusations, such as the explanation of anonymous committee, which confirmed all nominations and made a decision on those who participated in the voting. They sometimes rejected memberships, but the process was considered a doctor. Since those accusations have come out, they have become much more conscious. They have removed many of these committees. They did a lot to show, we don't put their thumbs on the scale.
There are several high stakes contests among artists such as Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Billy Alish, and Chapel Loan. Do you have a prediction?
I don't like predicting. However, I think the Grammy Watcher is most paying attention to what happens in Beyonce.
It was a really big year for pop women. Taylor Swift is probably the world's largest star, and she spent a big year. However, last year she won the album of the year for the fourth time and set a record. Will they give it the fifth time? I understand. Just a few years ago, Billy Irish was a teenager who came out of nowhere, and now she is a Darling prize show. Her dedication to craft is very important for Grammy voters.
Chappell Roan is an attractive and exciting artist. She is one of the overnight successes to get there. I like the Grammy Award to recognize someone as a breakout success.
How do you cover the event?
For me, Grammy night is not very attractive. I am in the media room deep in the intestines of Crypto.com, the arena Dozens of other journalists and elbows to elbows. We always write and watch live feeds. And they ask questions with the winner.
Covering the Grammy Award is like covering the World Series or one million statistics. Is this the first person to win this category from this country? Is this the youngest? Did they lose twice and win once? I usually make a fact seat to maintain a small corner of the media room bench.
Occasionally, if you are watching at home, you have the moment you throw a popcorn into the air. It is the excitement of live TV, a prize show with many unpredictable prizes. The night story usually occurs in the last 5 minutes. Because it was when the album of the Year was given. It's difficult, and it's a kind of hurry, but it's also exciting.
