Award news this year so far has been dominated by film and TV-centered ceremonies, but that's about to change. The 62nd annual Grammy Awards takes place this weekend and The Recording Academy is set to recognize the past year's musical accomplishments in all major genres, from pop and rock to rap and R&B.
As always, the event is stacked with huge names, and not just in the nomination categories. The line-up of performances and hosts are also a big pull — expect to see Tyler, The Creator, Ariana Grande, Lizzo, Lil Nas X, and Billie Eilish, to name a few.
This year's event is somewhat marred by controversy, however, after former Grammys CEO Deborah Dugan filed discrimination charges against the Recording Academy of Arts & Sciences, just days before the ceremony is set to air. She also says the ceremony is rigged. Read more on that below.
Here's everything you need to know about the 2020 Grammy Awards.
When and where are the 2020 Grammy Awards taking place?
This year's Grammy Awards will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 26, from 5 p.m. PT (8 p.m. EST). With the exception of the 2003 and 2018 editions, LA's Staples Center has hosted the Grammys since 2000.
Grammy Awards 2020 nominees
Lizzo is the most-nominated artist this year, thanks to her 2019 hit "Truth Hurts." The catchy song earned her eight nominations, from Best Pop Solo Performance to Song of the Year. Other standout nominees include Lil Nas X and Billie Eilish, with the latter being the youngest musician to be nominated in all four major categories — Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist.
More note-worthy 2020 Grammy nominees include Tyler, the Creator, Beyoncé, Ariana Grande, Post Malone, 21 Savage, Meek Mill, Lana Del Rey, FKA twigs, Steve Lacy, and Dreamville.
Read the full list of nominees here.
Who is hosting the 2020 Grammy Awards?
The 2020 Grammy Awards will be hosted by Alicia Keys, making her the first female musician to host the award ceremony twice. Meanwhile, award presenters include Daily Show host Trevor Noah, Common, Stevie Wonder, Dua Lipa, and Ozzy Osbourne.
Who's performing at the 2020 Grammy Awards
The 2020 Grammy Awards will be packed with musical performances, with acts including Camila Cabello, Billie Eilish, H.E.R., DJ Khaled, Lizzo, John Legend, Meek Mill, Roddy Ricch, and Tyler, The Creator. Ariana Grande is also scheduled to perform, marking her return to the Grammys' stage after a five-year hiatus.
YG was scheduled to perform as well, however, NBC News reports that he was arrested on robbery charges on Friday, so it remains to be seen if he will be able to perform come Sunday. By Friday night YG had posted the $250,000 bail and was released. Arraignment is scheduled for Tuesday in Compton, according to the Sheriff’s Department. For now it is unclear whether or not he will still perform in honor of Nipsey Hussle at the Grammy’s tonight. Stay tuned for updates.
Variety reported that Lil Nas X will be performing too and could be joined on stage by BTS, Mason Ramsey, and Billy Ray Cyrus, but that is yet to be confirmed.
FKA twigs has also confirmed that she will perform a tribute to the late Prince alongside artists Usher and Sheila E.
2020 Grammy Awards tributes
The Recording Academy has announced that the 2020 Grammy Awards will host a special tribute to the late Nipsey Hussle, who passed away in March 2019.
The Nipsey Hussle tribute will feature performances from DJ Khaled, John Legend, Meek Mill, YG, Roddy Ricch, and gospel singer Kirk Franklin. The late rapper is also nominated for two Grammy Awards this year — Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for "Racks in the Middle."
2020 Grammy Awards controversy
The Grammy Awards is experiencing a fair amount of controversy after its CEO, Deborah Dugan, was removed from her position just 10 days ahead of the ceremony.
As the New York Times reports, Dugan was placed on administrative leave on January 16, due to The Recording Academy board of trustees reportedly receiving concerns about her management style with a former assistant.
Dugan's removal arrived three weeks after she reportedly questioned the Grammy Awards' practices — citing voting irregularities, financial mismanagement, "exorbitant" legal fees, and conflict of interest involving the executive committee, members of the academy's board, and outside lawyers.
Earlier this week, Dugan's lawyers filed a discrimination complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They claim that Dugan was removed after pointing out pay disparities and conflicts of interest in the nomination process. The complaint also mentions that Dugan was reportedly sexually harassed by Joel Katz, the Grammys' general counsel, who has since denied the claims.
In a new report via the BBC, Dugan states she has evidence that the nominations are rigged. While she declined to point fingers at any musician in particular, she said that an unnamed artist and their rep sat on last year's song of the year category nomination committee.
"It's mostly white males that are in those rooms that make these decisions, and there's a conflict of interest," she said. "If you represent that artist, you have a financial gain if they get nominated for a Grammy."
When asked, "So rigged is a term you would apply to it?" Dugan replied, "Yes it is." Watch below.
Where can I watch the 2020 Grammy Awards?
This year's Grammy Awards will be broadcasted live on CBS, as well as the CBS All Access app. Elsewhere, the 2020 Grammy Awards will be live-streamed on major platforms such as Hulu+, Youtube TV, and AT&T TV Now.
