Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and the KPop singers of “Golden” will face off on Sunday at a Grammys ceremony poised to crown several first‑time winners of the U.S. music industry’s biggest honors.
Bad Bunny is competing for album of the year with “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” which could make history as the first Spanish‑language winner. The award went last year to Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter.”
“It is extremely close this year between Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar,” said Billboard awards editor Paul Grein. “Lady Gaga is also in there.”
If Lamar wins for “GNX,” he would be the first solo male rapper to win the award. Only two hip-hop musicians have been honored in the category – female artist Lauryn Hill and the duo Outkast.
For pop singer Lady Gaga, the album prize would be the first of her celebrated career. She has never won any of the top four Grammy prizes despite more than two decades in the music business. This year, she is competing with the album “Mayhem.”
Trevor Noah is returning to host the festivities for a sixth time, which he says will be his last Grammys gig. The show will air live on CBS (PSKY.O), opens new tab and stream on Paramount+ at 5 p.m. Los Angeles time (0100 GMT on Monday).
Bad Bunny skipped the continental United States on his recent concert tour, saying he feared federal agents carrying out U.S. President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown would show up to arrest his fans.
His selection for the coming Super Bowl halftime show on February 8 drew objections from critics who argued the National Football League championship game’s entertainment should be performed in English.
Scheduled performers at the Grammys include Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Lady Gaga, Addison Rae and all eight best new artist nominees. Producers said the show will feature surprise performers and presenters.
The world of KPop also could earn a Grammy for the first time.
(Reuters)
