There’s about to be an earfquake on the Grammys stage. Tyler, the Creator, Camila Cabello, H.E.R., the Jonas Brothers, Bonnie Raitt, Run-D.M.C., Charlie Wilson, and Rosalía are set to perform at the 62nd annual Grammy Awards this year. Tyler, the Creator announced his performance on Instagram with a “For Your Consideration” billboard for his album, IGOR, which isn’t actually up for the coveted Album of the Year award. “All songs written, produced, and arranged by Tyler Okonma,” the billboard reads. Talk your talk, Tyler! In the announcement image, the rapper is dressed in his Igor best: a short blond wig, a pastel suit, and funky sunglasses. If he’s bringing the wig out, can we please get Tracee Ellis Ross as her character from the “Earfquake” video? In fact, let’s get a little Tracee Ellis Ross in every performance. Hosted by Alicia Keys, this year’s Grammys takes place on January 26. Other Grammy performers include Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Lizzo, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani in a duet, Aerosmith, and hopefully Tracee Ellis Ross, assuming that the Grammys producers are reading this. Now, that’s a show!
Update, January 21.: Just a few days ahead of curtain, the Grammys announced that Kirk Franklin, DJ Khaled, John Legend, Meek Mill, Roddy Ricch, and YG will honor the late rapper Nipsey Hussle at the awards show. Nipsey Hussle was nominated for Best Rap Album in 2019, just two months before he was killed. This year, he’s posthumously nominated for three Grammys, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Song for “Racks in the Middle” and Best Rap/Sung Performance for “Higher,” a collaboration with DJ Khaled. “An activist, entrepreneur and rapper, Nipsey Hussle had a lasting impact on not just his community, but also the culture at large,” Ken Ehrlich, the Grammy Awards executive producer, said in a press release. “There is no denying the influence he had and his legacy will be felt for generations to come. We are honored to bring together this amazing group of artists to celebrate Nipsey’s life and pay tribute to his many contributions to music. It’s sure to be a memorable performance.”
Update, January 23.: The Grammys are guaranteeing a music-filled night and in 2020 you can’t have the best in music without the best boy band in the world. BTS will join Lil Nas X, Diplo, Mason Ramsey, Billy Ray Cyrus, and more surprise guests in “Old Town Road All-Stars.” They’re gonna take their horses down to the old town road and … well, you get it. Then, as part of a tribute ceremony to exiting Grammys executive producer Ken Ehrlich, “artists associated with his 40-year career” will perform “I Sing the Body Electric” from Fame. Current nominees Camila Cabello, Gary Clark Jr., and John Legend will be joined by Debbie Allen, Joshua Bell, Common, Misty Copeland, Lang Lang, Cyndi Lauper, Ben Platt, and the War And Treaty.
Update, January 24: Looks like everyone will have to keep it brief Sunday night, because the Grammys sets keep on coming. The Recording Academy announced Friday that Usher and Sheila E. will perform a tribute to the late, great Prince at the show. FKA Twigs later confirmed on a call to Apple Music’s Beats 1 that she, too, will join the pair for their musical homage to the Purple One.
*This post has been updated throughout.
