The Grammys warm up their engines. And before its 66th edition is celebrated tonight, personalities from the music industry gathered last night in Los Angeles for the honorary awards ceremony, which was followed by a celebrity party organized by the National Academy of Music itself. US Recording Arts and Sciences
A multitude of singers and actors met at a luxurious hotel in Beverly Hills (Los Angeles), among which Avril Lavigne, Paris Hilton, Machine Gun Kelly, Jelly Roll, Dove Cameron, Coco Jones, Tom Hanks, Halle Balley and the rock band Green Day, among many others.
The Hispanic representatives were the Colombian Maluma, who will serve as presenter of one of the awards at this Grammy Awards, and the Mexican Featherweight, who came accompanied by his girlfriend, the Argentine singer Nicki Nicole.
The star of corridos tumbados, in fact, could win his first American Grammy for being nominated in the category of best Mexican music album (including Texan) for the album 'Génesis'.
The Academy also presented several honorary awards this Saturday night, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award 2024, which recognizes achievements over an entire career with an impact on several generations through music and art.
This year's recipients were composer and vocalist Laurie Anderson; the group The Clark Sisters, which was a pioneer in introducing the gospel genre to society in the eighties; Gladys Knight, known as the 'Empress of Soul'; the group N.W.A., precursor of 'gangsta rap'; and posthumously, country star Tammy Wynette and disco exponent Donna Summer.
The ceremony took place at the Wilshire Ebell Theater, also in Los Angeles, where the award for Best Song for Social Change was awarded to Refugee, written by K'naan, Steve McEwan and Gerald Eaton.
A work that serves as a tribute to refugees around the world and that explores this term as a symbol of resistance and strength.
Likewise, several recognitions were granted to personalities who have made significant contributions in the field of recording.
An award that Walt Disney, Berry Gordy and George Martin, among others, received in the past, and that is now obtained by the British guitarist and singer Peter Asher and DJ Kool Herc, considered one of the fathers of the hip hop genre.
The last name awarded in this section, however, has generated more controversy. This is the music industry lawyer Joel Katz, who worked hand in hand with James Brown, Willie Nelson, George Jones and Michael Jackson.
And, following accusations of sexual abuse against Neil Portnow, former president of the US National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and his predecessor, Michael Greene, many believe that Katz played a key role in promoting of a culture of secrecy around these practices within the organization.
Events like those this Saturday are part of the different celebrations that the Academy holds during the week prior to the Grammys, awards whose 66th edition will host this Sunday, February 4, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles with names as notable as Taylor Swift, SZA or Olivia Rodrigo on the front line.
