The Grammy Awards 2024: Here’s Why We’re Rooting for Everybody Black
Music’s biggest night is about to be a whole mood.
The 66th annual Grammy Awards will kick off on Sunday (Feb.4) at the Crypto.com Arena at 8:00 p.m. ET/ 5:00 p.m. PT in Los Angeles with Trevor Noah returning as host for the fourth consecutive time.
Our girl SZA leads the pack with nine nominations— for Album of The Year, Song of the Year, and Best R&B Performance among others—she will go head-to-head with Best New Artist nominee, the Victoria Monet whose transcendent music puts her in a class all by herself. The "On My Mama" singer trails SZA with seven noms, but the two will square off in the Record of the Year category.
Other nominees in our community include Janelle Monáefor Record of the Year, Doja Cat for Best Pop Solo Performance, Babyface for Best R&B Album, and Drake & 21 Savagefor Best Rap Song, among others. The latter will also face off in the Best Rap Album category with Metro Boomin, Killer Mike, Nas, and Travis Scott.
As some of our favorite artists compete against one another, we’re reminded that no matter who wins or loses, after the dust settles, a win for one is a win for all. Championing for each melanated artist serves as a badge of honor, and a task we don't take lightly. Come Sunday night, we’ll be unapologetically rootin' for everybody Black.
Here are five of our favorite reasons to watch the 66th annual Grammy Awards.
The Grammys have had a controversial past.
Over time, the Recording Academy has had a history of overlooking Black people in major categories. In the Grammy's 65-year history, only three Black women have won in the category of Best Album of the Year, as cited by Time. Lauryn Hill was the last woman to be honored with that award in 1999 for "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill." Whitney Houston won the Grammy for Album of the Year in 1994 for the soundtrack to "The Bodyguard '' and Natalie Cole was the first to do it in 1992 with her “Unforgettable… with Love” album.
The fellas are also tired of the disrespect with several of them being snubbed in the past. In 2021, The Weeknd announced he would no longer submit his music for consideration after his acclaimed album "After Hours," was slighted, as reported by Variety. Other Black male artists have followed his lead.
We still hold on to hope. Crossing our fingers and toes, we’ll be championing SZA’s “SOS,” on Sunday, which could be the first album by a Black woman to win a Grammy for Album of the Year in 25 years.
SZA's last album "Kill Bill" is still making waves.
It was about a year ago when SZA dropped her last album, and sis has continued to top the charts ever since. The album's namesake # 1 single, "Kill Bill" stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 52 weeks, while "Snooze," has rocked the charts for the last 58 weeks. That song peaked at no. 2 and stays on our rotation.
Victoria Monet’s whirlwind career may have jumped off in 2023, but this isn't her first run with success.
Throughout her career, Victoria Monet has churned out hit after hit, writing songs for, T.I., B.o.B., and Kendrick Lamaron "Memories Back Then.” She also wrote Chris Brown's "Everlasting Love," Chloe x Halle's "Do It,", and Brandy's "Rather Be."
Now, it's time for her to be seen as more than a prolific songwriter, she’s also a bangin' artist. Sunday night could be her night to shine brighter than ever.
Black culture is the special sauce that influences all genres of music.
Whether it be Rock, R&B, Blues, Alternative, Country, Punk, or Latin, Black culture remains at the core of what is hot, buzzy, and trendy.
With every note, key change, and melody, the essence of Black culture can be heard throughout many forms of music albeit often imitated and rarely appreciated.
Sunday night will be our time to show up and recognize the contributions that Black artists of all generations have had on various genres. Let’s start with music icons Mariah Carey and Lenny Kravitz receiving the 2024 Global Impact Award this year for their personal and professional achievements in the music industry. CNN reports that Tracey Chapmanwill perform with country singer Luke Combs, on his cover of her 1998 hit song, “Fast Car.”
Music is our forever universal language.
Music has the power to uplift, invigorate, activate and steer our community forward. With nominees throughout all categories from Rap to Jazz, our sounds have often doubled as the soundtrack to revolutions that have led movements and shattered broken systems built to hold us back.
So, yes, we are not apologizing for who we support (in case you didn’t know, it’s everybody Black) during Sunday’s live show.
Speaking of the show, if you’re wondering how to watch, we’ve got you covered.
How To Watch the Grammy Awards
This year's Grammy ceremony will air on CBS and there are multiple ways outside of a television to stream the show.
You can watch the show live on CBS via DirecTV Stream. That service offers users a free five-day trial.
Viewers can stream it live on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME. Paramount+ Essential will only allow access to the live taping the next day in the U.S. only.
You can also watch on FuboTV, along with Hulu + Live TV.
