At a Glance
- Harry Styles will return to present an award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
- Trevor Noah is set to host the broadcast for a sixth and final time.
- The Recording Academy will not award AI performers, though AI-co-written songs may still qualify.
- Why it matters: Fans get an inside look at production plans, performer line-ups, and the Academy’s stance on AI.
The Grammy Awards are set to air on CBS this Sunday, Feb. 1, 2025 at 8 p ET. Producers Ben Winston, Raj Kapoor, and Jesse Collins, along with Recording Academy President Harvey Mason, Jr., shared details at a press day held at LA’s Crypto Arena. With 95 total categories-two new awards added this year, Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover-only 10 will be televised, the team is busy fine-tuning every element.
Behind the Scenes
Winston described the final preparations as a blend of excitement and nerves. “A few days to go and it feels like it’s all coming together,” he said. “The set’s been built and now we’re just excited to get on with it. Grammy week’s finally here.”
Mason, Jr. echoed that sentiment, noting the importance of rehearsals and the intricate details that still need to be nailed down. “A lot of the excitement is around just nervous energy because we’re still making sure things happen, rehearsals, figuring out all the intricacies of the show,” he said.
The producers are juggling a complex schedule. Kapoor explained that rehearsals are happening across multiple cities, and he is ensuring each performer feels supported. “There are rehearsals happening all across the city and in different cities right now,” he said. “I’m just making sure that everybody’s taken care of, that they’re feeling the support from our team.”
Harry Styles and Trevor Noah
One of the most anticipated announcements was that Harry Styles will present an award, marking his first return to the show since winning Album of the Year in 2023. Winston revealed the news as a text confirmation from Styles: “Breaking news, Harry Styles is going to give out an award so that’s exciting, he’s going to be here and we’re incredibly excited about that,” he told reporters. “I was very happy that we just got a text through that Harry’s up for it and going to be there.”
Styles’ return follows a long-standing relationship between the Academy and the artist, and his presence is expected to add star power to the broadcast. The producers noted that the decision came after a series of texts and a video that Winston sent to Trevor Noah, the current host.
Noah, who has hosted for six years, agreed to return for a final year after a lengthy wait for a reply. “It was the longest I’ve ever waited for a text to come back in my life!”, he said. Mason, Jr. praised Noah’s contributions, describing him as instrumental to the show’s success and growth. “Trevor has been so instrumental in the success or the recent growth of our show. He has set the tone for who we are and what we do on this night. So smart, so thoughtful, so funny. And he’s just a music guy,” Mason, Jr. said.
AI and K-Pop
The Recording Academy also addressed the growing debate over AI in music. Mason, Jr. clarified the Academy’s policy: “We are not going to give a Grammy to an AI performer for performance. We’re not going to give AI an award for writing a song, but we will allow AI to not disqualify you. A lot of times there’s a human performing a song that might have been co-written or collaborated with AI. We’re going to honor the human part of that creativity. So it’s a little bit complicated.”
K-Pop stars are also set to shine at the event. Mason, Jr. highlighted the presence of nominees such as Rosé, and the voices behind the hits from the K-Pop Demon Hunters. He noted his long history with the genre, saying, “K-Pop has been a part of my life since 2010. I started going to Korea to make music for all the different K-Pop labels as a songwriter producer. So I’ve seen it. I’ve seen the growth, the evolution, and it’s here in full effect.”
Performer Rehearsals and Scheduling
Collins spoke about the anticipation surrounding the performers, especially the Best New Artist nominees who will perform a medley. “There’s a couple people that we just knew once they said yes, that this is going to be a viral moment, the minute they touch the stage. And so we’re really excited about breaking the internet,” he said.
Special requests from talent are also rolling in. Winston mentioned an artist requesting a 12-minute slot. “One artist came back and said, could they have 12 minutes to perform,” he said with a laugh. “We’d love that. It would be incredible. But sadly, we are on air for a limited amount of time. But those are the things giving us lack of sleep right now.”
The producers are balancing the desire for memorable moments with the practical limits of the broadcast. They aim to keep the show within its scheduled timeframe while delivering a dynamic, engaging experience for viewers.
Key Takeaways
- Harry Styles will present an award, marking his return to the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
- Trevor Noah will host for a sixth and final year, after a prolonged wait for confirmation.
- The Academy will not award AI performers but will allow AI-co-written songs to be considered.
- Performers, including K-Pop nominees and Best New Artist contenders, are rehearsing across multiple cities.
- The producers are managing tight scheduling constraints while aiming to create viral moments.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards promise a blend of star-powered performances, thoughtful production, and a clear stance on the evolving role of AI in music. Fans can look forward to a broadcast that balances tradition with innovation while keeping the show within its allotted airtime.
