Entertainment

Five Things To Watch For At The Grammys

Published

10 months ago

February 1, 2025

It’s a baffling irony that the culture-shifting Beyonce has won more Grammys than anyone, ever, but has yet to attain the holy grail that is winning for Album of the Year.

At Sunday’s 67th edition of music’s top awards ceremony, the megastar has yet another chance to take home the prize — but in a packed field of no-skips albums, who will ultimately win the night’s top trophies is anyone’s guess.

Here’s a guide to Sunday’s gala in Los Angeles:

– Is it finally Beyonce’s year? –

The Grammys have long faced criticism that they’re too white and too male.

In recent years, the Recording Academy, which organizes the show, has made efforts to improve on that shortcoming, including by diversifying its voting membership.

Those efforts seem to have yielded some progress: the past few galas have proven historic for women in the major, all-genre categories as well as in fields where they were routinely sidelined, like rock.

But a stark truth remains: a Black woman has not won Album of the Year in this century.

The last to do so was Lauryn Hill, in 1999. Before her, Whitney Houston won in 1994, and Natalie Cole in 1992.

With her sprawling, ambitious “Cowboy Carter” that underscored the rich history of Black artists in country music, Beyonce is all but daring Grammy voters to snub her once again.

One thing is for sure: Win or lose, Beyonce will dominate the headlines.

– Wildfire relief for LA –

This year’s Grammys ceremony takes place just weeks after deadly wildfires engulfed entire neighborhoods in Los Angeles, shattering the lives of thousands of residents including many in the music industry.

But the Recording Academy decided the show must go on, although it will likely be a more muted affair than usual, with an extra emphasis on raising money for fire relief efforts.

The fires have lent prominence to the Academy’s philanthropic arm MusiCares, which says it has already distributed several million dollars in emergency aid, and which will hold its annual fundraising pre-Grammy gala on Friday — sans red carpet.

– Pop’s breakouts and heavyweights –

It’s a pop star’s world and we’re just living in it: Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX have all enjoyed massive years that place them among Sunday’s top contenders.

Roan and Carpenter in particular are among the favorites to take the prizes for best record and best song, which celebrates songwriting, as well as the coveted prize for best new artist.

And perennial winner Billie Eilish is also a major name to beat in the top categories — the Grammys darling is just 23 but could win a record third Song of the Year trophy.

Despite all of her accolades, Swift — who could win a fifth Album of the Year prize, which would break her own record — has somehow never won Song of the Year, despite receiving persistent praise for her songwriting skills.

She’s lost seven times — and has the chance to finally end that streak.

– A Beatles win? –

The Grammys never disappoint with the head-scratchers: this year, the most puzzling nomination went to The Beatles — yes, those Beatles, the group that broke up more than 50 years ago.

The Record of the Year nomination for “Now and Then” spotlighted the Recording Academy’s ongoing debate on how to handle artificial intelligence.

An AI tool allowed for isolating John Lennon’s vocals from a poor quality demo tape, which were then added to contributions from living Beatles Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney, along with 1995 guitar recordings from the late George Harrison.

The track is eligible for a Grammy because the AI was not generative, and the nomination could be a nod from the Academy to the future of production and recording.

If The Beatles win — Grammy voters do love a legacy act — it would be their first time ever scoring that prize, after four failed attempts in their heyday.

– Quincy Jones tribute –

Sunday’s concert gala will include a salute to the singular Quincy Jones, who after Beyonce (32) and the conductor Georg Solti (31) is among the most awarded artists, with 28 career Grammys.

The 91-year-old died in November after ruling the American music industry with a magic touch for well over half-a-century, working with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson.

A jazz musician, composer and tastemaker, Jones’s studio chops and arranging prowess made him a star in his own right — and the Recording Academy is set to honor him as such.

(VANGUARD)

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Entertainment

Wema Bank, Davido Push 5ive Tour Through Four Regions Ahead Of Abuja Finale

Published

9 hours ago

November 27, 2025

Editor

Wema Bank and Afrobeats superstar David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, are set to conclude the Nigerian leg of the 5ive Tour in Abuja on December 14, 2025, after successfully taking the tour through four regions of the country.

The Abuja show marks the latest development in the nationwide rollout of the 5ive Tour, which has so far attracted more than 80,000 attendees across four major cities.

The Nigerian leg of the tour has already made stops in Uyo, Yola, Enugu and Ibadan, covering all four regions in what organisers described as a deliberate effort to ensure diversity, inclusion and nationwide accessibility for fans.

The homecoming tour follows a successful global run earlier in the year, when Davido embarked on the 5ive Tour to celebrate the release of his fifth studio album, 5ive. He later announced in October 2025 that the tour would return to Nigeria, continuing his long-standing partnership with Wema Bank.

Since its kickoff, Wema Bank has amplified the tour experience with exclusive customer access, VIP packages and premium Davido 5ive Tour merchandise that has gained nationwide popularity.

The bank’s involvement has been credited with raising the bar for entertainment collaborations, contributing to what has become one of the biggest studio tours on the continent.

The partnership, already widely recognised from previous initiatives, has once again drawn commendation from fans and industry observers, who praise Wema Bank for maintaining a strong connection with youth culture and entertainment trends.

With excitement building ahead of the Abuja finale, Wema Bank has urged fans hoping to secure free tickets or limited-edition tour merchandise to follow its social media pages on Instagram, X and Facebook for updates as the #Wema5iveAliveTour approaches its grand conclusion.

The tour featured performances in five cities across Nigeria: Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Enugu, Ibadan, and Lagos.

As the headline sponsor, Wema Bank spearheaded the execution of the tour, which promised to deliver an unforgettable experience for attendees.

The bank launched an official hashtag, #Wema5iveAliveTour, and offered exclusive freebies and experiences to customers who sign up on the ALAT App using the code ‘Davido5iveAlive’ and remain active.

“The excitement is off the charts as Nigerians wait impatiently in anticipation of what the Bank has in store for its customers.

“Anyone interested in getting access to the freebies and exclusives Wema Bank is bringing is expected to download the ALAT App, sign up using the code ‘Davido5iveAlive,’ stay active and follow the Bank on all social media platforms.”

Entertainment

‘There Was No Blueprint For Me’ – Wizkid Claims

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Nigerian singer Wizkid has sparked controversy after claiming that he had no blueprint while coming up as an artist, despite having emerged through ace singer Banky W’s imprint.

The Ojuelegba crooner made the statement in a snippet of his upcoming HBO documentary Long Live Lagos.

“There was no blueprint for me. I had to build a structure for myself,” he claimed.

His comment sparked debate on social media, with many insisting that it not only downplayed Banky W’s impact on his career but also disrespected the great Nigerian musicians who paved the way for the new generation of artists.

Wizkid, however, admitted elsewhere in the documentary that Fela Kuti inspired him to pursue music.

“Fela Kuti was instrumental to why I believe I could really make music,” he said.

Some of the reactions on X include:

Franko_Nero wrote: “I still vividly remember the day that Bankole [Banky W] announced on a show that he wants to introduce a boy wonder, a germ in the making. Today, this ungrateful child is claiming otherwise. If Banky knew that today would come, I am sure he would have chased him far away.”

Arhcent said: “This guy is erasing the role Banky W and EME played in his career. The person Banky picked from school into the studio is saying ‘I had to build a structure for myself.’ God sees all.”

Duke of Isoko wrote: “If he never built a structure, Banky probably wouldn’t have noticed him. This dude came out with his own style of music, dressing sense, etc., but I understand that English is a problem in this place.”

Sir Dickson opined: “People are debating this with reference to Banky’s impact in his life. There is no real context to that. I believe he was speaking about his style of music. He reinvented himself. Wiz has never denied Banky’s impact, nor can he. Let’s calm down.”

Entertainment

‘I Am Not Shy, I’m Just Laid Back’ – Olamide Addresses Misconception

Published

2 days ago

November 25, 2025

Editor

Famous Nigerian rapper Olamide Baddo has addressed the misconception that he is shy.

Speaking in a recent interview with Ada’s Room, Baddo explained that he isn’t shy but laid back.

“One thing I wish people could understand about me is I am not shy, I am just laid back,” he said.

The host asked: “What is the difference between shy and laid back?”

Olamide responded: “Shy is when you don’t have the confidence and the charisma to stand people or look them in the eye or have conversations with them.

“But being laid back is you just don’t want to be bothered. People think I am shy but I am not.”