Movies

Inside the Grammy Awards’ response to the L.A. wildfires

BBG News

Once Harvey Mason Jr. was certain that the firefighters had effectively managed this month’s destructive wildfires in Los Angeles, the leader of the Recording Academy shifted his focus towards a more ordinary issue.

Hotel rooms.

Mason expressed concern by saying, “That sounds unusual,” given that his organization’s major event, the annual Grammy Awards celebrating top pop music, was only a few weeks off. But he wondered, “If we’re bringing people to the city for our show, won’t we be taking rooms away from those who lost their homes and are in need of them?

Mason started reaching out to people for information, contacting the tourism department of Los Angeles as well as nearby hotels like the JW Marriott, which is close to the Crypto.com Arena where the 67th Grammys will be held this coming Sunday night. The event will feature nominees, presenters, and performers such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Herbie Hancock, Shakira, Charli XCX, Doechii, John Legend, Chappell Roan, and Kendrick Lamar.

Music

Mikael Wood and August Brown attended the charity shows known as FireAid benefit concerts at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome and Kia Forum. These shows featured popular artists like Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Stevie Wonder, and numerous others.

Or:

Mikael Wood and August Brown went to the FireAid benefit concerts held at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome and Kia Forum, where stars such as Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Green Day, and Stevie Wonder performed, along with several other well-known artists.

Or:

On the occasion of FireAid benefit concerts, Mikael Wood and August Brown were present at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome and Kia Forum to witness performances by Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Stevie Wonder, and a host of other talented artists.

Or:

Mikael Wood and August Brown took part in the FireAid benefit concerts held at Inglewood’s Intuit Dome and Kia Forum, where they enjoyed watching Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Green Day, Stevie Wonder, and other famous performers.

Mason mentioned that he had contacted the person in charge of the Beverly Hills Hotel, assuming it was a popular spot for our industry. The manager responded that they were currently operating below 30% occupancy. He expressed that despite the city appearing to be closed and on fire from the outside perspective, they desperately needed guests.

As I sit down to pen my thoughts on this year’s Grammy Awards, I can’t help but reflect on the significance that lies beyond the glitz and glamour. For the Recording Academy, this Sunday’s show isn’t just about unveiling the winners of the coveted Record of the Year or Best New Artist awards; it’s a pivotal moment for the 6,500 Angelenos they employ – dancers, drivers, caterers, stagehands, and more. Many of these hardworking individuals are still grappling with the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Hollywood strikes. This event represents not only a celebration of music but also a lifeline for those who help bring the magic to life on stage.

As a movie enthusiast, I firmly believe that utilizing this prestigious event isn’t just about glitz and glamour for me – it’s also an opportunity to extend a helping hand in times of need, like the ongoing fire relief efforts. In fact, the academy has already distributed over $4 million to more than 2,000 music professionals who have been affected by the wildfires. During the show itself, we’ll be encouraging donations to MusiCares, our philanthropic arm, as well as organizations providing aid across Southern California.

Mason felt that the significant factors overruled his worries regarding how it might appear, as it seemed like they were holding a celebration while so many Angelinos had lost their homes or businesses to destruction.

I expressed my thoughts: ‘There’s a worry among us in the industry – will this decision reflect poorly on us?’ But I believe just the opposite is needed. We should be raising funds, boosting awareness, and demonstrating solidarity within our music community and the city of L.A., showing that despite our struggles, we’ll persevere.” (In this case, music companies like Spotify and Universal Music Group decided to proceed with their annual Grammy-week parties.)

Music

Balancing the appropriate tone for the Grammy’s is akin to walking on a tightrope, there’s no denying it, according to Ben Winston, one of the executive producers alongside Raj Kapoor and Jesse Collins. With his past experience in managing such tasks, Winston and his team successfully tailored the 2021 broadcast to accommodate COVID-19 guidelines, with pop stars donning masks. In 2022, they staged the show only a week following Will Smith’s controversial slap of Chris Rock at the Oscars.

Until 2023, Winston was in charge of James Corden’s CBS late-night show, which he referred to as an “hour of fun and absurdity” that often collided with reality. “Suddenly, a natural disaster or school shooting occurs just before we go live, and there’s this famous figure dancing on the street. We grew accustomed to asking: ‘Is this suitable? How do we handle this?’

On Sunday, the event will pay tribute to firefighters, first responders, and small-business owners affected by recent fires. It will also highlight the resilient spirit of Los Angeles, with unique performances that were created after the fires. Winston mentioned that some artists contacted them after the incident and proposed singing new songs instead of their original choices, saying, “I was going to sing this, but would it be okay if I now sang that?

Additionally, there’s a special planned in honor of Quincy Jones, the highly impactful music icon who passed away at 91 in November. Kapoor commented on this segment: “This tribute might be more substantial than our usual ones. The entire Grammy show could essentially revolve around Quincy, considering the diverse genres he worked with, the sheer volume of work he accomplished, and the industry’s deep affection for him.

Music

In anticipation of this coming Sunday’s 67th Grammy Awards, let me share with you a sorted list featuring every one of the 66 songs honored as Record of the Year by the Recording Academy since their inaugural ceremony in 1959.

According to Winston, the show will exclude a performance by Kendrick Lamar of his Grammy-nominated diss track “Not Like Us,” which marked his feud with Drake last year. This is because NFL regulations prevent Super Bowl halftime performers from performing elsewhere for some time after their Super Bowl appearance, and Kendrick Lamar is scheduled to headline the Super Bowl halftime show on Feb 9. Additionally, it’s not common for Super Bowl performers to appear on the Grammys, as stated by Winston. However, he did hint at a couple of surprises in store for the show.

The ratings for the last two broadcasts have noticeably increased, yet Winston anticipates a decrease this season. One reason for this prediction is that the promotional campaign for the show was shortened to less than a week, as opposed to the typical month-long duration.

Winston expressed his strong enthusiasm for the upcoming event, but he felt uneasy when suggesting “Let’s watch the Grammys!” during an evacuation.

Mason appeared unfazed by the possibility of a decrease in ratings, yet he is well aware that audience numbers are crucial, especially during these times.

He stated that the purpose behind granting these awards is primarily for broadcasting, and the broadcast serves as a means to collect a license fee. This revenue, in turn, is utilized to support musicians. There’s no clearer demonstration of this cycle than the current event.

Anyone winning a Grammy during this broadcast will, in essence, have a direct link to those benefiting from the proceeds of the show.”

Or more informally:
“The person taking home a Grammy tonight will be connected to those who receive funds generated by the show.

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2025-02-01 04:02

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