Entertainment

Five Things To Watch For At The Grammys

Published

6 months ago

February 1, 2025

Editor

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)

Related Topics:Grammy Grammy 2025 Grammy awards

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Entertainment

Iyabo Ojo Calls On Wizkid, Tiwa Savage To Help Seek Justice For Mohbad

Published

2 days ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, has urged singers Wizkid and Tiwa Savage to join the ongoing campaign to get justice for their late colleague, Mohbad.

She explained that the late singer was inspired by them and other top artists to become a musician.

Ojo said it would be unfair if top artists fail to protect their younger colleagues who look up to them.

Speaking during a recent Instagram livestream with fans, the movie star stated that the Nigerian music industry cannot afford to allow what legendary musicians Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and 2Baba went through in the hands of record label executives and the authorities to happen to the new generational artists.

She said, “Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, I need you. These young boys, they come from the slums and ghettos just like most of you did, and they were inspired by you guys to become artists. And they have so much talent. Music is one of the talents that has put Nigeria on the map… These children are making us proud.

“Nigeria is blessed with talents, and we cannot allow any cult or anyone pull them down. We cannot allow anybody pull those children down because their music is what’s giving us joy… We will not allow what Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and 2Baba went through in the hands of record label executives and the authorities to happen to new generational artists.”

However, the rapper and record label executive Naira Marley has repeatedly debunked allegations of his involvement in his former signee Mohbad’s death.

A court in Lagos State recently dismissed Mohbad’s father’s suit against Naira Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, stating that there was insufficient evidence to link them directly to the death.

However, investigation into the singer’s controversial death remains inconclusive two years after.

Entertainment

Mohbad: What I Told Naira Marley Regarding Iyabo Ojo – VeryDarkMan

Published

2 days ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Self-styled activist Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, has revealed that he advised singer Naira Marley to take up a cyberbullying case against actress Iyabo Ojo for her role in dragging his name into the controversies surrounding his former signee Mohbad’s death, but he insisted on leaving her to divine judgment.

He recalled how Naira Marley later changed his mind after Iyabo Ojo allegedly apologised to him at the Lagos State Commissioner of Police office after they (VeryDarkMan and Naira Marley) had planned he should charge her for defamation and ruining his music career.

Speaking in a recent video broadcast via his TikTok page, VDM stated that he was unhappy with Naira Marley’s decision to forgive Iyabo Ojo and allow God deliver justice.

“I told Naira Marley to detain Iyabo Ojo but he said Allah will judge. I told him to lose his cool the moment we enter the Police Commissioner’s office and say Iyabo Ojo’s defamatory remarks have ruined his career and tarnished his image. He said okay, but when he got there and Iyabo said apologised in Yoruba, Naira Marley immediately forgave her. I almost died where I was sitting. I was so upset and disappointed.

“When Samlarry saw that Naira Marley has accepted Iyabo Ojo’s apology, he protesting against it. I was signalling Naira Marley not to accept the apology because I know Iyabo Ojo won’t keep to her end of the agreement. Samlarry shed tears,” he recalled.

Recall that the court acquitted Naira Marley and his associate Sam Larry of complicity in singer Mohbad’s death, four months ago.

Entertainment

Mohbad: You’re Manipulator, Stop Deceiving Nigerians – Portable Blasts VeryDarkMan

Published

2 days ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has lambasted self-styled activist Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, for constantly stirring controversies with the death of singer Mohbad, who died in September 2023 under highly controversial circumstances.

The ‘Zazu’ crooner described VDM as “a manipulator” and urged him to stop deceiving Nigerians.

Portable also slammed VeryDarkMan over his constant attacks on actress Iyabo Ojo, stressing that the activist is jeopardising the ‘Justice for Mohbad’ campaign and not the actress.

He lamented that VDM gained attention for demanding justice for Mohbad but now appears to have turned against the late singer.

Speaking in a recent video broadcast, Portable said, “VeryDarkMan, you came out deceiving Nigerians that you want justice for Mohbad. You’re a manipulator. Now, you’re dragging Iyabo Ojo. What’s really her offense?

“You’re a manipulator. You claimed you want justice for Mohbad, so why are you now going against Mohbad? Leave Mohbad and let him rest in peace. Why are you dragging the dead? You are the one who first alleged that Mohbad was killed by some certain people, and you’re now making a U-turn.

“Are you the one who will tell Nigerians who is good or not? We know people who are good people. We also know the people who bullied Mohbad. Stop deceiving Nigerians.”