The Grammy Awards have been accused of different things, from favouring established artists to lack of diversity. This year, the Recording Academy had a shake-up of sorts, including appointing its first woman president and increasing voter diversity. It reflected in the nominations for the 2020 edition; the three artists with most nominations are debutants known for breaking stereotypes. The awards ceremony will be held on January 26, 2020.
LIZZO
One word sums up how Lizzo skyrocketed to fame in 2019: TikTok. Her 2017 song, Truth Hurts, went viral on the video app. Lizzo then added it as a bonus track to her album this year, Cuz I Love You. The sleeper hit set the charts ablaze and now has three nominations! The album is the spunky singer-rapper’s major-label debut after years of featuring in advertisements and little-known tracks. Listeners have taken a strong liking to her bass-thumping music, her themes of self-love and her confidence.
Nominations - 8
✦ Record of the year
✦ Song of the year
✦ Album of the year
✦ Best new artist
✦ Best urban contemporary album
✦ Best pop solo performance
✦ Best R&B performance
✦ Best traditional R&B performance
LIL NAS X
LIL NAS X
Lil Nas X’s country-rap collaboration with Billy Ray Cyrus, Old Town Road, spent 17 weeks at the top of the Billboard charts, breaking Mariah Carey’s 23-year-old record of 16 weeks. Nas X also has TikTok to thank for making the song’s original version go viral earlier this year. He wrote the song using a beat he bought online for just $30. Another single, Panini, made it to the top five as well. Quite the feat for someone who dropped out of college in 2018 and was sleeping on the floor of his sister’s home.
Nominations – 6
✦ Record of the year
✦ Album of the year
✦ Best new artist
✦ Best music video
✦ Best pop duo/group performance
✦ Best rap/sung performance
BILLIE EILISH
BILLIE EILISH
At 17, Billie Eilish is the youngest to be nominated in the Grammy’s four top categories. Just like her outfits and demeanour, Eilish’s songs are dark and moody. Some would say they are more anti-pop than pop, though she disagrees. Eilish’s Bad Guy, from her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? got three nods. Her brother and collaborator, Finneas O’Connell, has five nominations for his work on her album. Eilish’s Bury a Friend became one of 2019’s teen anthems.
Nominations – 6
✦ Record of the year
✦ Song of the year
✦ Album of the year
✦ Best new artist
✦ Best pop vocal album
✦ Best pop solo performance