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NEW YORK (AP):
The 2025 Grammy Awards are just around the corner, taking place on Sunday, February 2, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, airing live on CBS and Paramount+. While the Recording Academy continues preparations for the 67th annual ceremony, it has shifted its focus to supporting relief efforts for the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires.
Typically, the Recording Academy and record labels host various events during Grammy week, but this year, many institutions, including Universal Music Group, BMG, and Warner Music Group, have cancelled their plans in order to allocate resources for wildfire relief and rebuilding efforts.
On Wednesday, the Recording Academy announced it had condensed its pre-Grammy week plans to just four events, each incorporating a fundraising element.
Events such as the annual pre-Grammy Black Music Collective gathering, the Grammy advocacy brunch, and others scheduled at the immersive pop-up Grammy House have been cancelled. In total, at least 16 pre-Grammy events sponsored by the Academy have been called off.
“We understand how devastating this past week has been on this city and its people. This is our home, it’s home to thousands of music professionals, and many of us have been negatively impacted,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in a statement.
Last week, the Recording Academy and MusiCares launched the Los Angeles Fire Relief Effort with a $1-million donation. According to the letter, thanks to additional contributions, they’ve already distributed $2 million in emergency aid.
GRAMMY NOMINEES
Beyoncé leads the Grammy nods with 11, bringing her career total to 99 nominations. That makes her the most-nominated artiste in Grammy history. As of 2023, she’s also the most-decorated artiste, having earned 32 trophies across her career.
Post Malone, Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar and Charli XCX follow with seven nominations. Taylor Swift and first-time nominees Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan boast six nominations each.
The Best Reggae Album nominees include Vybz Kartel’s Party With Me; Shenseea’s Never Gets Late Here; and Collie Buddz with Take It Easy. Also nominated is Bob Marley: One Love – Music Inspired By The Film, which celebrates the enduring influence of the reggae icon. The Wailers complete the list of reggae contenders with Evolution.
How is the broader music industry responding to the fires?
Universal Music Group, one of the big three major record labels, has cancelled all of its Grammy-related events. Those include its annual artiste showcase, held on Saturday, and its after-party on the Sunday of Grammy week. Instead, it will redirect those funds to wildfire relief.
BMG will no longer host its pre-Grammy party and a representative for Warner Music Group confirmed to The Associated Press that the major label will not host a party this year and are instead “redirecting funds to support efforts”. Earlier this week, WMG and the Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund pledged $1 million to Los Angeles area fire relief and rebuilding efforts.
MusiCares, an organisation that helps music professionals who need financial, personal or medical assistance, holds its annual Persons of the Year benefit gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center a few days before the Grammys. The 2025 gala will still take place on January 31, this year honouring the Grateful Dead with an additional commitment to wildfire relief.
English (US) ·