A galaxy of Hollywood movie stars and an equally dazzling global constellation are readying to parade red carpet-ready fashions tailored for California’s enviable fete to the industry.
Achievers in music and film are stellar nominees and optimistic their distinguished performances will be honored with golden gramophones and statuettes which represent excellence.
Feb. 4, The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences slate honors in 94 categories. Hosted by South African funnyman and two-time Grammy nominated comedian Trevor Noah, three new Grammy categories will be presented in the Best African Music Performance, Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Pop Dance Recording categories.
Incidentally, the former host of the Daily Show is returning to the spotlight for a fourth consecutive stint of the annual spectacle and is nominated in the Best Comedy Album Category for his 2022 Netflix comedy special.
The 66th annual Grammy Awards will be aired live on CBS-TV from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Reggae fans are eyeing the sole category named for the genre. Burning Spear – “No Destroyer,” Collie Budz – “Cali Roots Riddim 2023,” Buju Banton – “Born For Greatness,” Beenie Man – “Simma,” and Julian Marley & Antaeusus – “Colors of Royal,” are the contenders.
And four-time nominee Burna Boy seems a likely winner in either the Best Global Music Album; Best African Music Performance, Best Global Music Performance and Best Melodic Rap Performance.
Michelle Obama returns to competition in the Best Audio Book Narration and Storytelling Recording category for the “Light We Carry Overcoming In Uncertain Times.”
The former first lady will have to outshine Meryl Streep – “Big Tree,” William Shatner – “Boldly Go Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder” and Senator Bernie Sanders’ – “It’s OK To Be Angry About Capitalism.”
In the Best Music Film category Tupac Shakur (Dear Mama) Little Richard (I Am Everything) David Bowie (Moonage Daydream) Lewis Capaldi (How I’m Feeling Now) Kendrick Lamar (Live From Paris, The Big Steppers Tour) are the galaxy’s best.
However, unapologetically and un-objective in this Insiders choice for a win — honors concert performance films or music documentaries and awards the artist, video director and video producer, planetary points are being transmitted to video director Lisa Cortes and her team which consists of Caryn Capotosto, Robert Friedman and Liz YaleMarsh. Cortes established music gravitas when she signed Buju Banton to Loose Canon Records, a record label she helmed under the Polygram banner.
But that’s not all, Cortes is a New Yorker who has hovered high in both industries from the year she graduated from Yale University to become a mover and shaker at Def Jam Records.
Look for former Late Show music director Jon Batiste to be named winner of one or more of the top categories. The musician took nods in the Album of the Year, Record of the Year, and Song of the Year categories.
Anticipation is high for performances by Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Travis Scott, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, U2, Luke Combs and Nigeria-born Burna Boy.
The 96th annual Oscar Awards will be presented after Black History Month with opportunities on March 10 for Brooklyn-resident Jeffrey Wright, and fellow actors Sterling K. Brown and Colman Domingo (Rustin”) to collect a coveted statuette.
Hopes for winning are also high for filmmaker Cord Jefferson (American Fiction”) who is being hailed a supernova for his two nods at winning as writer of the adapted screenplay, producer and two competing nominations for lead actors Brown and Wright.
Danielle Brooks is up for a Best Supporting Actress for her role in “The Color Purple.”
With all the buzz about “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” fingers are crossed for the Black stars contending where many believe there is a black hole.
Jimmy Kimmel will host from the Dolby Theater via ABC-TV.
Catch You On The Inside!
