LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 03: (L-R) Cher, Clive Davis, CEO of the Recording Academy Harvey … [+]
For nearly half a century now, the single most important part during every Grammy week–the days preceding the biggest night in music, which are jam-packed with events–has been hosted by Clive Davis. The celebrated music executive gathers many of the top names in the industry in one room, including some who don’t usually even attend the Grammys. The Beverly Hilton, where the Golden Globes are also held, is packed to the brim with the hottest new talents and living legends.
Davis, now 91 years old, is still at it, and it seems he has no intention of slowing down. The 2024 event, held last night (February 3) at its usual location, was not only a celebrity-stocked event, but it was overloaded with excellent performances–and a moment or two that reminded everyone in the audience both how global music is, as well as the important changes happening in the industry and within the Recording Academy itself.
In his short and sweet speech, Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the organization behind the Grammys, spoke about how when he started in his role, he didn’t have an easy go of it. He mentioned the many criticisms that had been lobbed at the Recording Academy years ago, for unfortunate comments made from the outgoing CEO Neil Portnow about women to worries about representation and the future of the awards. “I’d been on the job for, I think, a week, and it was all over the headlines,” Mason Jr. commented on the past troubles, adding honestly, “But the thing was, I actually did not disagree.”
The new CEO of the Recording Academy, who has now been in the job for several years, has never been shy about admitting that the group has its problems. He has, thankfully, underlined that while the Grammys remain incredibly prestigious, there are a lot of alterations that needed to be made–and which still do. “The Academy needed to make big changes, and that’s why I got involved in the first place,” he stated.
Mason Jr. talked about some positive changes that have been made and outlined some issues that the Recording Academy is still watching closely–such as the use of artificial intelligence in the music business. But what he seemed to tout the most was how global the organization—and music in general—is quickly becoming. “None of that matters unless the Academy is accurately represented by the reflection of the music landscape,” he shared, commenting on some of the nonprofit’s recent wins and how music is changing. “Because that landscape is always shifting and in motion, we too must constantly adapt.”
“Everyone here is seeing the wave of K-pop and how Latin music is exploding,” Mason Jr. stated, highlighting not just the pop and hip-hop superstars in the room, but those who are still rising. “Afrobeats seems like it’s next. The Middle East. North Africa region is the fastest growing music market in the world,” the CEO said.
He drove home the idea that African music has arrived in a major way, stating that during this year’s telecast, “You’ll witness the first-ever performance by an Afrobeats artist on our Grammy stage.” He added, “We [will] also present a new award for the best African performance for the very first time,” a fact which was met with applause from the crowd.
Throughout the six-plus-hour-long evening, Davis spoke to the crowd in between musical performances to point out all the famous figures in the audience. This year, the lineup included Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Smokey Robinson, Meryl Streep, Motown legend Berry Gordy, and Jon Bon Jovi–and most of them were sitting at the same table.
(L-R) Green Day band members Mike Dirnt, Billie Joe Armstrong and Tre Cool arrive for the Recording … [+]
This year’s Pre-Grammy Gala–as it’s officially known–was opened by Green Day, who performed both “American Idiot” and “Welcome to Paradise,” even changing the famous “redneck America” line in the former track to “MAGA” to ensure it was timely again. They were followed by performances by Best New Artist nominees Noah Kahan, Victoria Monét, Jelly Roll, and Ice Spice, who had no issue twerking in front of the crowd—including Pelosi.
Mark Ronson performed his Oscar and Grammy-nominated “I’m Just Ken” from Barbie, but instead of Ryan Gosling, newly-minted Grammy nominee Lainey Wilson stepped in to switch up the genders and make it more country than rock. Legends Public Enemy (who had to vamp when their sound went out), The Isley Brothers, and Gladys Knight–joined by Dionne Warwick–also sang to the crowd.
US singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson and British musician Mark Ronson perform onstage during the … [+]
The best show of the night came from Josh Groban. After singing two Broadway numbers from Into the Woods and Sweeney Todd–but not a song he got to sing when he was in the show–he switched things up. Groban sat down at the piano and played Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” which quickly turned into a massive production. The backing vocalists, as well as Michael Trotter, Jr., one-half of current Best New Artist Grammy nominee The War and Treaty, made it a near-religious experience and proved the power of the song once again.
US musician Josh Groban performs onstage during the Recording Academy and Clive Davis’ Salute To … [+]
Davis’ party, which launched in the ‘70s, is stronger than ever. It pulls not only a crowd but one of the most enviable ones in music. From speeches to performances to just seeing Cher and Streep in the same room, the Pre-Grammy Gala can’t be beaten.
