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    Watch Dua Lipa Perform ‘Don’t Start Now’ and ‘Levitating’ at Grammys 2021

    Dua Lipa performing at Grammys 2021 (Still via YouTube/Recording Academy)

    Dua Lipa was one of last night’s performers at the 2021 Grammy Awards. She was joined by DaBaby (who had just performed ‘ROCKSTAR’ with Roddy Rich and Anthony Hamilton) for a performance of ‘Levitating’ before singing Future Nostalgia‘s lead single ‘Don’t Start Now’. Watch it happen below.

    Lipa earned six Grammy nominations this year, including Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance for ‘Don’t Start Now’. The pop singer took home Best Pop Vocal Album for Future Nostalgia, which was also nominated for Album of the Year. Her collaboration with J Balvin, Bad Bunny, and Tainy, ‘Un Día (One Day)’ was up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, but lost to Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande’s ‘Rain on Me’. Check out the full list of winners here.

    Back in 2019, Dua Lipa won Best New Artist at the Grammys, as well as Best Dance Recording for ‘Electricity’. Last year, she also released the remix album Club Future Nostalgia with the Blessed Madonna and recently unveiled the new Future Nostalgia – Moonlight Edition.

    Watch HAIM Perform ‘The Steps’ at Grammys 2021

    HAIM performing at the 2021 Grammys (Still via YouTube/Recording Academy)

    HAIM performed their song ‘The Steps’ at the 2021 Grammy Awards last night. Watch it below.

    The sister trio – Danielle, Este, and Alana Haim – were nominated for Album of the Year this year for their third LP Women in Music Pt. III. ‘The Steps’, which landed in our best songs of 2020 list, was also up for Best Rock Performance, but lost to Fiona Apple’s ‘Shameika’. Check out the full list of winners here.

    Watch Billie Eilish Perform ‘everything i wanted’ at Grammys 2021

    Billie Eilish and FINNEAS performing at the 2021 Grammys (Still via YouTube/ Recording Academy)

    Billie Eilish performed her 2019 single ‘everything i wanted’ at the 2021 Grammy Awards last night. She was accompanied by her brother FINNEAS and opened the performance standing atop a car. Watch it below.

    For the second year in a row, Eilish took home the Record of the Year award, becoming only the second artist to ever achieve such a feat. ‘everything i wanted’ beat out songs by Doja Cat (‘Say So’), Dua Lipa (‘Don’t Start Now’), Post Malone  (‘Circles’), DaBaby and Roddy Ricch (‘ROCKSTAR’), Black Pumas (‘Colors’), Beyoncé (‘Black Parade’), and Megan Thee Stallion’s Beyoncé-featuring ‘Savage’ remix.

    In her acceptance speech, Eilish said Megan Thee Stallion should have won the award. “This is really embarrassing for me,” she said. “Megan, girl… I was gonna write a speech about how you deserve this, but then I was like, ‘There’s no way they’re going to choose me.’ I was like, ‘It’s hers.’ You deserve this. You had a year that I think is untoppable. You are a queen — I want to cry thinking about how much I love you… You deserve everything in the world. I think about you constantly… You deserve it.”

    ‘everything i wanted’ was also nominated for Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. Eilish’s titular theme song for the upcoming James Bond film No Time to Die won Best Song Written for Visual Media. Check out the full list of winners here.

    Watch Harry Styles and Dev Hynes Kick Off Grammys 2021 with ‘Watermelon Sugar’ Performance

    Harry Styles performs 'Watermelon Sugar' at the 2021 Grammys (Still via YouTube/ Recording Academy)

    Harry Styles kicked off the 2021 Grammys last night with a performance of his hit single ‘Watermelon Sugar’. He was joined by a band that included Blood Orange’s Devonté Hynes, who also directed the performance, along with a group of backup singers, a saxophone player, trumpeter, and more. Watch it below.

    The performance marked Styles’ first appearance at the annual ceremony and his first time being nominated. He won his first-ever Grammy for ‘Watermelon Sugar’, which beat out songs by Justin Bieber, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift in the Best Pop Solo Performance category. His sophomore album Fine Line was also nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album, while ‘Adore You’ was up for Best Music Video but lost to Beyoncé’s ‘BROWN SKIN GIRL’.

    Devonté Hynes was also among the nominees last night, competing in the Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance (for Fields). The Grammy went to Pacifica Quartet. Check out the full list of 2021 Grammy winners here.

    Interview: Aniko

    Interview: Aniko

    Aušrinė Daugėlaitė, known as Aniko on Instagram and her website, is an artist from Lithuania. With over 130,000 followers, Aniko’s creations attract audiences with their originality, spiritual symbolism, beautiful autumnal tones and effortless strength. The artist aims to convey feelings of unconditional love and bliss through her artwork, all the while trying to awaken and work on her most authentic self. 

    Earlier in life, Aniko was interested in becoming a tattoo artist, and has in fact designed all of her tattoos herself. Nowadays, she focuses on visual and mostly digital art which she sells in original or print form on her website. Aniko’s vintage-style creations normally couple art with inspirational phrases, and her subjects are often other-worldly, connected to the natural and celestial world.

    Hi, Aušrine! How have you been doing lately? Where are you currently based?

    Hi! Well, winter isn’t my favourite time of year, but with spring just around the corner I can feel myself becoming more active and positive. I currently live in Druskininkai.

    You were born and grew up in Lithuania. Which area are you from specifically and what is its significance in your life?

    I was born and raised in Ignalina – that town has always had a special place in my heart. I love coming back there, as there are so many gorgeous lakes, pine forests, and natural areas where I like to wander with my dog. I call it home.

    You work with very gentle, earthy tones, incorporating mythical and natural elements into your work, from three-headed creatures and snakes to mushrooms and living flowers. Would you say your art is inspired by Baltic folklore and nature, or do you draw your inspiration from elsewhere?

    Folklore is actually not a source of my inspiration, but Baltic nature definitely is. I also find a lot of guiding ideas in spiritual texts and my goal with every piece of art is to transfer the feeling of eternal love and bliss to those engaging with my work.

    I think you’re definitely succeeding at that. With your Instagram bio describing your creations as “soul art”, it seems like spirituality plays a huge role in your life. Could you comment on this a little bit?

    Yes, spirituality is truly very important in my life. It’s no secret that nowadays the world tends to concentrate on the physical appearance of people or objects, forgetting everlasting values, the rhythms and rewards of nature, and most importantly, the importance of nurturing our souls. I hope to remind people that we are connected to every living being.

    Leading on from that, would you say you’re religious?

    I’m not religious, but I do believe all religions have great ideas, even if they are limited and therefore cannot paint the whole picture.

    Credit: Aniko

    I’m a big fan of the “No amount of guilt can change the past” print. These are grounding, calming words, especially helpful in times of the coronavirus crisis. How do you choose the particular text that accompanies your artwork? Which one comes first?

    I usually choose words and phrases that resonate and teach me something, but other times the text arrives in the form of a thought that keeps appearing in my head while I’m drawing, as if begging to be written down. There’s no real rule to how my artwork is born; most times I just sit in front of the canvas with no initial idea and my hand seems to know what to draw.

    The female body seems central to your artwork, often taking on a magical role. Could you talk us through what femininity means to you?

    The female body has inspired artists for centuries, and I am no exception. I find it so aesthetically appealing, fragile, powerful, divine, and wild, all at once. It feels like it hides all the secrets of the universe – that is why I love drawing women’s bodies. For me, to be feminine is to be completely, unapologetically yourself, owning your mysteriousness and wildness, but also your sacredness, warmth and care. 

    Credit: Aniko
    Credit: Aniko

    I love this idea of a mutual protective relationship between humans and nature in the “She cared for flowers” print. Do your works aim to remind people how crucial it is to take care of our natural world – especially in the context of a climate crisis?

    Kind of, yes. We often see ourselves as the rulers of the Earth: we deplete the lands, cut down forests, destroy the nests of animals and pollute the waters. We forget that nature is indispensable to us, that we are as much a part of it as every tree or bird. I don’t view the forest as a pile of wooden sticks that cleans the air, but rather as a being that is able to heal, both spiritually and physically. In my eyes, the world is a magical place, and nature is an essential part of it.

    Many of your subjects have a third eye. Could you explain what this means to you?

    “We have two eyes to look, and one to see.” I can’t recall who spoke these words, but a third eye is for seeing truth, not illusion. 

    Your artwork definitely inspires self-love and confidence. Do you find you draw a lot of boldness and self-assurance from your natural and social surroundings?  

    I’d like to remind everyone who follows my artistic path that my creations are often a projection of what I’d like to see in myself or others. The things that I share are often what I lack in life, and I heal myself through creating art. I still struggle to get inspired by the confidence and self-assurance that surrounds me or even that is found within me, because I feel there are still so many lessons to be learned. 

    On top of the original artwork and prints you create, you’ve also designed your own tattoos. Do you have a favourite one? 

    I like all of them, but my favorite is my throat tattoo: a mandala of Baltic patterns which represents my roots. 

    To finish off, what’s your favourite place on Earth?

    It would have to be the pine forest I frequent in Ignalina. I’ve visited many locations that were much more mesmerizing, but there’s a certain beauty in coming back to the place you know so well. 

    That’s wonderful. Thanks so much for your time.

    2021 Grammy Awards: The Full List of Winners

    Beyoncé and Megan Thee Stallion at the 2021 Grammy Awards (Still via YouTube/ Recording Academy)

    The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards took place last night (March 14) in Los Angeles. Find the complete list of winners, designated in bold, below.

    Beyoncé led this year’s nominations with a total of nine nods including Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa were both nominated for six awards, while last year’s big winner, Billie Eilish, was up for four. Other notable nominees include Megan Thee Stallion, Phoebe Bridgers, Fiona Apple, HAIM, Brittany Howard, the late John Prine, and BTS, who earned their first-ever Grammy nomination for their hit single ‘Dynamite’. The Daily Show‘s Trevor Noah hosted this year’s main ceremony, which included performances from Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, BTS, Cardi B, Harry Styles, Megan Thee Stallion, Dua Lipa, HAIM, and more.


    Record Of The Year

    Beyoncé – Black Parade
    Black Pumas – Colors
    DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch – Rockstar
    Doja Cat – Say So
    Billie Eilish – Everything I Wanted
    Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now
    Post Malone – Circles
    Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé – Savage

    Album Of The Year

    Jhené Aiko – Chilombo
    Black Pumas – Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition)
    Coldplay – Everyday Life
    Jacob Collier – Djesse Vol. 3
    Haim – Women In Music Pt. III
    Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
    Post Malone – Hollywood’s Bleeding
    Taylor Swift – Folklore

    Song of the Year

    Beyoncé – Black Parade
    Roddy Ricch – The Box
    Taylor Swift – Cardigan
    Post Malone – Circles
    Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now
    Billie Eilish – Everything I Wanted
    H.E.R. – I Can’t Breathe
    Post Malone – Hollywood’s Bleeding
    JP Saxe Featuring Julia Michaels – If The World Was Ending

    Best New Artist

    Ingrid Andress
    Phoebe Bridgers
    Chika
    Noah Cyrus
    D Smoke
    Doja Cat
    Kaytranada
    Megan Thee Stallion

    Pop

    Best Pop Solo Performance

    Justin Bieber – Yummy
    Doja Cat – Say So
    Billie Eilish – Everything I Wanted
    Dua Lipa – Don’t Start Now
    Harry Styles – Watermelon Sugar
    Taylor Swift – Cardigan

    Best Pop Duo/Group Performance

    J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny & Tainy – Un Dia (One Day)
    Justin Bieber Featuring Quavo – Intentions
    BTS – Dynamite
    Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande – Rain On Me
    Taylor Swift Featuring Bon Iver – Exile

    Best Pop Vocal Album

    Justin Bieber – Changes
    Lady Gaga – Chromatica
    Dua Lipa – Future Nostalgia
    Harry Styles – Fine Line
    Taylor Swift – Folklore

    Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album

    (Burt Bacharach &) Daniel Tashian — Blue Umbrella
    Harry Connick, Jr. — True Love: A Celebration Of Cole Porter
    James Taylor — American Standard
    Rufus Wainwright — Unfollow The Rules
    Renée Zellweger — Judy

    Dance/ Electronic Music

    Best Dance Recording 

    Diplo & Sidepiece – On My Mind
    Disclosure Featuring Aminé & Slowthai – ‘My High’
    Flume Featuring Toro Y Moi – The Difference’
    Jayda G – Both of Us
    Kaytranada Featuring Kali Uchis – 10%

    Best Dance/Electronic Album

    Arca – Kick I
    Baauer – Planet’s Mad
    Disclosure – Energy
    Kaytranada – Bubba
    Madeon – Good Faith

    Contemporary Instrumental Music

    Best Contemporary Instrumental Album

    Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah – Axiom
    Jon Batiste – Chronology of a Dream: Live At The Village Vanguard
    Black Violin – Take the Stairs
    Maret, Romain Collin & Bill Frisell – Americana Grégoire
    Snarky Puppy – Live at the Royal Albert Hall

    Rock

    Best Rock Performance

    Fiona Apple – Shameika
    Big Thief – Not
    Phoebe Bridgers – Kyoto
    HAIM – The Steps
    Brittany Howard – Stay High
    Grace Potter – Daylight

    Best Metal Performance

    Body Count – Bum-Rush
    Code Orange – Underneath
    In This Moment – The In-Between
    Poppy – Bloodmoney
    Power Trip – Executioner’s Tax (Swing of the Axe) – LiveBest Remixed Recording

    Best Rock Album

    Fontaines D.C. – A Hero’s Death
    Michael Kiwanuka – Kiwanuka
    Grace Potter – Daylight
    Sturgill Simpson – Sound and Fury
    The Strokes – The New Abnormal

    Best Rock Song

    Phoebe Bridgers – Kyoto
    Tame Impala – Lost in Yesterday
    Fiona Apple – Shameika
    Big Thief – Not
    Brittany Howard – Stay High

    Alternative

    Best Alternative Album

    Fiona Apple – Fetch the Bolt Cutters
    Beck – Hyperspace
    Phoebe Bridgers – Punisher
    Brittany Howard – Jaime
    Tame Impala – The Slow Rush

    R&B

    Best R&B Performance

    Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend – Lightning & Thunder
    Beyoncé – Black Parade
    Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign – All I Need
    Brittany Howard – Goat Head
    Emily King – See Me

    Best Traditional R&B Performance

    The Baylor Project Featuring Jean Baylor & Marcus Baylor – Sit on Down
    Chloe x Halle – Wonder What She Thinks of Me
    Mykal Kilgore – Let Me Go
    Ledisi – Anything for You
    Yebba – Distance

    Best R&B Song

    Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. & Meshell Ndegeocello – Better Than I Imagine
    Beyoncé – Black Parade
    Tiana Major9 & EARTHGANG – Collide
    Chloe x Halle – Do It
    Skip Marley & H.E.R. – Slow Down

    Best Progressive R&B Album

    Jhené Aiko – Chilombo
    Chloe X Halle – Ungodly Hour
    Free Nationals – Free Nationals
    Robert Glasper – F*** Yo Feelings
    Thundercat – It Is What It Is

    Best R&B Album

    Ant Clemons – Happy 2 Be Here
    Giveon – Take Time
    Luke James – To Feel Loved
    John Legend – Bigger Love
    Gregory Porter – All Rise

    Rap

    Best Rap Performance

    Big Sean Featuring Nipsey Hussle – Deep Reverence
    DaBaby – Bop
    Jack Harlow – What’s Poppin
    Lil Baby – The Bigger Picture
    Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé – Savage
    Pop Smoke – Dior

    Best Melodic Rap Performance

    DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch – Rockstar
    Drake Featuring Lil Durk – Laugh Now, Cry Later
    Anderson .Paak – Lockdown
    Roddy Ricch – The Box
    Travis Scott – Highest in the Room

    Best Rap Song

    Lil Baby – The Bigger Picture
    Roddy Ricch – The Box
    Drake Featuring Lil Durk – Laugh Now, Cry Later
    DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch – Rockstar
    Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé – Savage

    Best Rap Album

    D SMOKE – Black Habits
    Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – Alfrredo
    Jay Electronica – A Written Testimony
    Nas – King’s Disease
    Royce Da 5’9″ – The Allegory

    Country

    Best Country Solo Performance

    Eric Church – Stick That in Your Country Song
    Brandy Clark – Who You Thought I Was
    Vince Gill – When My Amy Prays
    Mickey Guyton – Black Like Me
    Miranda Lambert – Bluebird

    Best Country Duo/Group Performance

    Brothers Osborne – All Night
    Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber – 10,000 Hours
    Lady A – Ocean
    Little Big Town – Sugar Coat
    Old Dominion – Some People Do

    Best Country Song

    Miranda Lambert – Bluebird
    Maren Morris – The Bones
    The Highwomen – Crowded Table
    Ingrid Andress – More Hearts than Mine
    Old Dominion – Some People Do

    Best Country Album

    Ingrid Andress – Lady Like
    Brandy Clark – Your Life Is a Record
    Miranda Lambert – Wildcard
    Little Big Town – Nightfall
    Ashley McBryde – Never Will

    New Age

    Best New Age Album

    Laurie Anderson, Tenzin Choegyal, and Jesse Paris Smith – Songs from the Bardo
    Priya Darshini – Periphery
    Superposition – Form//Less
    Jim “Kimo” West – More Guitar Stories
    Cory Wong & Jon Batiste – Meditations

    Jazz

    Best Improvised Jazz Solo

    Christian Scott Atunde – Guinivere
    Pachamama – Regina Carter
    Gerald Clayton – Celia
    Chick Corea – All Blues
    Joshua Redman – Moe Honk

    Best Jazz Vocal Album

    Thana Alexa – Ona
    Kurt Elling featuring Danilo Pérez – Secrets Are the Best Stories
    Carmen Lundy – Modern Ancestors
    Somi with Frankfurt Radio Big Band – Holy Room: Live at the Alte Oper
    Kenny Washington – What’s the Hurry

    Best Jazz Instrumental Album

    Ambrose Akinmusire – On the Tender Spot of Every Calloused Moment
    Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science – Waiting Game
    Gerald Clayton – Happening: Live at the Village Vanguard
    Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade – Trilogy 2
    Redman Mehldau McBride Blade – Roundagain

    Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album

    Gregg August – Dialogues on Race
    John Beasley – Monk’estra Plays John Beasley
    Orrin Evans and the Captain Black Big Band – The Intangible Between
    John Hollenbeck with Theo Bleckmann, Kate McGarry, Gary Versace, and the Frankfurt Radio Big Band – Songs You Like a Lot
    Maria Schneider Orchestra – Data Lords

    Best Latin Jazz Album

    Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra – Tradiciones
    Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – Four Questions
    Chico Pinhero – City of Dreams
    Gonzalo Rubalcaba & Aimée Nuviola – Viento y Tiempo – Live at Blue Note Tokyo
    Poncho Sanchez – Trane’s Delight

    Gospel/ Contemporary Christian Music

    Best Gospel Performance/Song

    Melvin Crispell III – Wonderful Is Your Name
    Ricky Dillard Featuring Tiff Joy – Release (Live)
    Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins Presents: The Good News – Come Together
    Travis Greene – Won’t Let Go
    Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music – Movin’ On

    Best Gospel Album

    Antony Brown & group therAPy – 2ECOND WIND: READY
    Myron Butler – My Tribute
    Ricky Dillard – Choirmaster
    PJ Morton – Gospel According to PJ
    Kierra Sheard – Kierra

    Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance

    Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes & Elevation Worship – The Blessing (Live)
    Lecrae Featuring Kirk Franklin – Sunday Morning
    We The Kingdom – Holy Water
    Tauren Wells Featuring Jenn Johnson – Famous For (I Believe)
    Zach Williams & Dolly Parton – There Was Jesus

    Best Contemporary Christian Music Album

    Cody Carnes – Run to the Father
    Hillsong Young & Free – All of My Best Friends
    We The Kingdom – Holy Water
    Tauren Wells – Citizen of Heaven
    Kanye West – Jesus Is King

    Best Roots Gospel Album

    Mark Bishop – Beautiful Day
    The Crabb Family – 20/20
    The Erwins – What Christmas Really Means
    Fisk Jubilee Singers – Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album)
    Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – Something Beautiful

    Latin 

    Best Latin Pop or Urban Album

    Bad Bunny – YHLQMDLG
    Camilo – Por Primera Vez
    Kany Garcia – Mesa Para Dos
    Ricky Martin – Pausa
    Deb Nova – 3:33

    Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album

    Bajofondo – Aura
    Cami – Monstruo
    Culturo Profética – Sobrevolando
    Rito Paez – La Conquesta del Espacio
    Lido Pimienta – Miss Colombia

    Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Including Tejano)

    Alejandro Fernández – Hecho en México
    Lupita Infante – La Serenata
    Natalia Lafourcade – Un Canto por México, Vol. 1
    Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez – Bailando Sones Huapangos con Mariachi Sol de Mexico de Jose Hernandez
    Christian Nodal – Ayayay!

    Best Tropical Latin Album

    José Alberto “El Ruiseñor” – Mi Tumbao
    Edwin Bonilla – Infinito
    Jorge Celedon & Sergio Luis – Sigo Cantado al Amor (Deluxe)
    Grupo Niche – 40
    Victor Manuelle – Memorias de Navidad

    American Roots Music 

    Best American Roots Performance

    Black Pumas – Colors
    Bonny Light Horseman – Deep in Love
    Brittany Howard – Short and Sweet
    Norah Jones & Mavis Staples – I’ll Be Gone
    I Remember Everything – John Prine

    Best Americana Album

    Courtney Marie Andrews – Old Flowers
    Hiss Golden Messenger – Terms of Surrender
    Sarah Jarosz – World on the Ground
    Marcus King – El Dorado
    Lucinda Williams – Good Souls Better Angels

    Best Bluegrass Album

    Danny Barnes – Man on Fire
    Thomm Jutz – To Live in Two Worlds Vol. 1
    Steep Canyon Rangers – North Carolina Songbook
    Billy Strings – Home
    Various Artists – The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project , Vol. 1

    Best Traditional Blues Album

    Frank Bey – All My Dues Are Paid
    Don Bryant – You Make Me Feel
    Robert Cray Band – That’s What I Heard
    Jimmy “Duck” Holmes – Cypress Grove
    Bobby Rush – Rawer Than Raw

    Best Contemporary Blues Album

    Fantastic Negrito – Have You Lost Your Mind Yet?
    Ruthie Foster Big Band – Live At the Paramount
    G. Love – The Juice
    Bettye LaVette – Blackbirds
    North Mississippi Allstars – Up And Rolling

    Best Folk Album

    Bonny Light Horseman – Bonny Light Horseman
    Leonard Cohen – Thanks for the Dance
    Laura Marling – Song for Our Daughter
    The Secret Sisters – Saturn Return
    Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – All the Good Times

    Best Regional Roots Music Album

    Black Lodge Singers – My Relatives “Nikso Kowaiks”
    Cameron Dupuy and the Cajun Troubadours – Cameron Dupuy and the Cajun Troubadours
    Nā Wai Ehā – Lovely Sunrise
    New Orleans Nightcrawlers – Atmosphere
    Sweet Cecilia – A Tribute to Al Berard

    Reggae

    Best Reggae Album

    Buju Banton – Upside Down 2020
    Skip Marley – Higher Place
    Maxi Priest – It All Comes Back to Love
    Toots & the Maytals – Got to Be Tough
    The Wailers – One World

    Global Music

    Best Global Music Album

    Antibalas – FU Chronicles
    Burna Boy – Twice As Tall
    Bebel Gilberto – Agora
    Anoushka Shankar – Love Letters
    Tinariwen – Amadjar

    Children’s

    Best Children’s Music Album

    Joanie Leeds – All the Ladies
    Alastair Moock and Friends – Be a Pain: An Album for Young (and Old) Leaders
    Dog on Fleas – I’m an Optimist
    The Okee Dokee Brothers – Songs for Singin’
    Justin Roberts – Wild Life

    Spoken Word

    Best Spoken Word Album (Includes Poetry, Audio Books & Storytelling)

    Flea – Acid For The Children: A Memoir
    Ken Jennings – Alex Trebek – The Answer Is…
    Rachel Maddow – Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth
    Ronan Farrow – Catch And Kill
    Meryl Streep (& Full Cast) – Charlotte’s Web (E.B. White)

    Comedy

    Best Comedy Album

    Tiffany Haddish – Black Mitzvah
    Patton Oswalt – I Love Everything
    Jim Gaffigan – The Pale Tourist
    Bill Burr – Paper Tiger
    Jerry Seinfeld – 23 Hours to Kill

    Musical Theater

    Best Musical Theater Album

    Amélie
    American Utopia on Broadway
    Jagged Little Pill
    Little Shop of Horrors
    The Prince of Egypt
    Soft Power

    Music for Visual Media

    Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media

    A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
    Bill & Ted Face the Music
    Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga
    Frozen 2
    Jojo Rabbit

    Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media

    Max Richter – Ad Astra
    Kamasi Washington – Becoming
    Hildur Guðnadóttir – Joker
    Thomas Newman – 1917
    John Williams – Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

    Best Song Written for Visual Media

    Taylor Swift – Beautiful Ghosts
    Brandi Carlile – Carried Me With You
    Idina Menzel & Aurora – Into the Unknown
    Billie Eilish – No Time to Die
    Cynthia Ervio – Stand Up

    Composing/Arranging 

    Best Instrumental Composition

    Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – Baby Jack
    Christian Snads – Be Water II
    Alexandre Desplat – Plumfield
    Maria Schneider – Sputnik

    Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella

    Hildur Gusnadóttir – Bathroom Dance
    John Beasley – Donna Lee
    Remyle Boef- Honeymooners
    Alvin Chea & Jarrett Johnson – Lift Every Voice and Sing
    Jeremy Levy – Uranus: The Magician

    Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals

    John Beasley & Maria Mendes – Asas Fechadas
    Jacob Collier – He Won’t Hold You
    Erin Bentlage, Sara Gazarek, Johnkaye Kencridk & Amanda Taylor – Desert Song
    Alan Broadbent & Pat Metheny – From This Place
    Talia Billig, Nic Hard & Becca Stevens – Slow Burn

    Package

    Best Recording Package

    Coldplay – Everyday Life
    Lil Wayne – Funeral
    Grouplove – Healer
    Caspian – On Circles
    Desert Sessions – Vols. 11 & 12

    Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package

    Paul McCartney – Flaming Pie (Collector’s Edition)
    Grateful Dead – Giants Stadium 1987, 1989, 1991
    Depeche Mode – Mode
    Wilco – Ode to Joy
    Various Artists – The Story of Ghostly International

    Notes

    Best Album Notes

    Various Artists – At the Minstrel Show: Minstrel Routines from the Studio 1894-1926
    Various Artists – The Bakersfield Sound: Country Music Capital of the West, 1940-1974
    The Replacements – Dead Man’s Pop
    Various Artists – The Missing Link: How Gus Haenschen Got Us from Joplin to Jazz and Shaped the Music Business
    Nat Shusloff – Out of a Clear Blue Sky

    Historical

    Best Historical Album

    Unique Quartette – Celebrated, 1985-1896
    Nat King Cole – Hittin’ the Ramp: The Early years (1936-1943)
    Mister Rogers – It’s Such a Good Feeling: The Best of Mister Rogers
    Prince – 1999 Super Deluxe Edition
    Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark – Souvenir
    Bela Fleck – Throw Down Your Heart: The Complete Africa Sessions

    Production, Non-Classical

    Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical

    Devon Gifillian – Black Hole Rainbow
    Katie Pruitt – Expectations
    Beck – Hyperspace
    Brittany Howard – Jaime
    Sierra Hull – 25 Trips

    Producer of the Year, Non-Classical

    Jack Antonoff
    Dan Auerbach
    Dave Cobb
    Flying Lotus
    Andrew Watt

    Best Remixed Recording

    Phil Good – Do You Ever (Rac Mix)
    Deadmau5 – Imaginary Friends (Morgan Page Remix)
    Jasper Street Co. – Praying for You (Louie Vega Main Mix)
    Saint Jhn – Roses (Imanbek Remix)
    Bazzi – Young & Alive (Bazzi vs. Haywire Remix)

    Production, Classical

    Best Engineered Album, Classical

    JoAnn Falletta, James K. Bass, Adam Luebke, UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus – Danielpour: The Passion of Yeshua
    David Robertson, Eric Owens, Angel Blue, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & Chorus – Gershwin: Porgy and Bess
    Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion – Hynes: Field
    Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic – Ives: Complete Symphonies
    Riccardo Muti & Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Shostakovich: Symphony No. 13, “Babi Yar”

    Producer of the Year, Classical

    Blanton Asplaugh
    David Frost
    Jesse Lewis
    Dmitriy Lipay
    Elaine Martone

    Best Opera Recording

    Boston Modern Orchestra Project; Odyssey Opera Chorus – Dello Joio: The Trial at Rouen
    Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Florentine Opera Chorus – Floyd, C.: Prince of Players
    The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus – Gershwin: Porgy and Bess
    Il Pomo D’Oro – Handel: Agrippina
    Orchestra Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin; Chorus Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin – Zemlinsky: Der Zwerg

    Classical

    Best Orchestral Performance

    Oregon Symphony – Aspects of America – Pulitzer Edition
    Iceland Symphony Orchestra – Concurrence
    San Francisco Symphony – Copland: Symphony No. 3
    Los Angeles Philharmonic – Ives: Complete Symphonies
    Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra – Lutosławski: Symphonys Nos. 2 & 3

    Best Choral Performance

    The Crossing – Carthage
    James K. Bass, J’Nai Bridges, Timothy Fallon, Kenneth Overton, Hila Plitmann & Matthew Worth; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus & UCLA Chamber Singers – Danielpour: The Passion of Yeshua
    Joseph Charles Beutel & Anna Dennis; Orchestra Of St. Luke’s; Cathedral Choral Society, The Clarion Choir, Kansas City Chorale & The Saint Tikhon Choir – Kastalsky: Requiem
    Joshua Blue, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Dashon Burton, Malcolm J. Merriweather & Laquita Mitchell; Oratorio Society Of New York Orchestra; Oratorio Society Of New York Chorus – Moravec: Sanctuary Road
    Sarah Walker; Skylark Vocal Ensemble – Once Upon a Time

    Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance

    Pacifica Quartet – Contemporary Voices
    Brooklyn Rider – Healing Modes
    Ted hearne, Steven Bradshaw, Sophia Byrd, Josephine Lee, Isaiah Robinson, Sol Ruiz, Ayanna Woods & Place Orchestra: Hearne, T: Place
    Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion – Hynes: Fields
    Dover Quartet – The Schumann Quartets

    Best Classical Instrumental Solo

    Kirill Gerstein – Adès: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
    Igor Levit – Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas
    Augustin Hadelich – Bohemian Tales
    Daniil Trifonov – Destination Rachmaninov – Arrival
    Richard O’Neill – Theofanidis: Concerto for Viola and Chamber Orchestra

    Best Classical Solo Vocal Album

    Stephen Powell – American Composers at Play – William Bolcom, Ricky Ian Gordon, Lori Laitman, John Musto
    Nicholas Phan – Clairières – Songs by Lili & Nadia Boulanger
    Cecilia Bartoli – Farinelli
    Brian Giebler – A Lad’s Love
    Sarah Brailey & Dashon Burton – Smyth: The Prison

    Best Classical Compendium

    Mark Stone & Christianne Stotijn – Adès Conducts Adès
    Clément Mao-Takacs – Saariaho: Graal Théâtre; Circle Map; Nieges; Vers Toi Qui Es Si Loin
    José Serebrier – Serebrier: Symphonic Bach Variations; Laments and Hallelujahs; Flute Concerto
    Isabel Leonard – Thomas, M.T.: From the Diary of Anne Frank & Meditations on Rilke
    Matt Haimovitz – Woolf, L.P.: Fire and Flood

    Best Contemporary Classical Composition

    Thomas Adès – Adès: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra
    Richard Danielpour – Danielpour: The Passion of Yeshua
    Carlisle Floyd – Floyd, C.: Prince of Players
    Ted Hearne – Hearne, T.: Place
    Christopher Rouse – Rouse: Symphony No. 5

    Music Video/ Film

    Best Music Video

    Beyoncé – Brown Skin Girl
    Future Featuring Drake – Life Is Good
    Anderson .Paak – Lockdown
    Harry Styles – Adore You
    Woodkid – Goliath

    Best Music Film

    Beastie Boys – Beastie Boys Story
    Beyoncé – Black Is King
    Freestyle Love Supreme – We Are Freestyle Love Supreme
    Linda Ronstadt – Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice
    ZZ Top -That Little Ol’ Band From Texas

    Litkovskaya Fall/Winter 2021 at Paris Fashion Week

    Ukraine brand Litkovskaya presented their fashion film at Paris Fashion Week. Designer Lilia Litkovskaya dedicated her collection Semper Tiro to poetic searches and a thirst for knowledge. Litkovskaya uses neutral colours in her collection, creating a tranquil ambience, which can easily be paired with various garments. Her collection is effortless with a creative twist. Throughout the collection, there are many exaggerated elements, such as the fold in the fabrics, the sleeves, and even some of the silhouettes. Some asymmetrical elements in the collection are highly exaggerated and big, bringing attention to the garment’s structure.

    Watch the fashion show here.

    Chloé Fall/Winter 2021 at Paris Fashion Week

    Just recently, designer Gabriela Hearst presented her first show for Chloé at Paris Fashion Week. Gabriella Hearst’s garments were intended to “hold memories for the woman who wears them.” Her collection Aphrodite for Chloé took on a bohemian appearance. Most of the outfits had floor or just above the ankle lengths creating cohesiveness throughout the collection. Each outfit was chic and effortlessly put together that embodied earthy tones. The collection was full of textures; there was pleating, quilting, fringing and laser cutting. Moreover, fabrics like leather, knitwear, and lightweight materials were utilised to add an extra dimension to the garments. 

    Watch the runway show here.

    Interview: awfultune

    With over one-hundred-million streams throughout the entire discography, awfultune needs no introduction to any aficionado of indie-pop music. Shining from her previous single ‘lovesick,’ awfultune displays a refreshing comfort in bridging contradiction in this second chapter of her six-part, colour story. ‘SICK OF U,’ her latest single represents orange, whilst her previous single ‘lovesick’ represents red. Each song, alongside each colour, tackles the personal highs and lows of Layla’s coming-of-age story, finding herself and living as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.

    To talk about her latest single, ‘SICK OF U,’ Layla joined us for an interview.

    Hi Layla, how are you? How is 2021 going for you?

    Hello, I’m doing okay right now thank you for asking! 2021 is a very insane year for me but probably the most rewarding. My life is changing really fast and sometimes it can be overwhelming, but I’m having a lot of fun!

    So, how did your journey into music start?

    I’ve always been obsessed with music my whole life, but I started on Soundcloud and would make little covers of my favorite songs on my phone. They’d usually get one hundred something likes. I’d always be really excited and think “I’ve made it.” Had no idea what was coming…

    That’s amazing! And, you recently released your song ‘SICK OF U,’ how did the idea for it come about?

    ‘SICK OF U’ actually came to me before ‘lovesick’ (which was my first single this year) funny enough. I’m a huge fan of storytelling and I wanted to create a color story that correlates with a different emotion/mood to go with it.

    Did you find any challenges making the song?

    Surprisingly this song came very easy. The melody, harmonies, the lyrics… all of it was super natural! I don’t even think I mixed it to perfection either. It’s a very aggressive song with an indie pop beat. Sweet to listen to, but the lyrics pack a punch!

    In terms of developing the music, did you explore any new techniques or ways of creating sounds for the song?

    I actually got to use my new interface to record the vocals for this track which was really exciting. I’ve been using a USB condenser microphone for forever now. It was my first try with a different microphone and I love how it came out!

    Can you tell us more about what your aim is for the coluor story around your releases?

    Each song goes in order of the rainbow. ‘SICK OF U’ colour is an orange hue and talks about a break up. The next song is in yellow and is about healing from that toxic person and finding your self worth again. I went through everything that I’m writing about this year. I had to put a lot of the love I gave away right back into myself.

    With the ‘SICK OF U’ released, what should we hope to see from you in the coming year?

    It goes without saying you’ll get the rest of the songs to complete the color story. I’m looking forward to making more music videos. Possibly an EP or something? Only time will tell!

    That sounds exciting. Finally, do you have any advice for aspiring musicians out there looking to get started in the music industry?

    I’d say be yourself first and foremost. Don’t go into the industry looking for clout or anything like that, because that is definitely not what it’s about. If you really want to connect with someone, be passionate about your craft and put your all into it. People can recognize authenticity and can easily resonate with real feelings. Make whatever you want to make! But don’t go into it expecting something or comparing yourself to others. Your music is you. No one can recreate something special like that!


    ‘SICK OF U’ can now be streamed via Spotify.

    Thundercat Joins Ace Hashimoto on New Song ‘VAPORWAVES’

    'VAPORWAVES' visual (Still via YouTube)

    Ace Hashimoto – the moniker of Chicago-born producer, rapper, and singer Brandun DeShay, who has worked with the likes of Chance the Rapper, SZA, Mac Miller, Joey Bada$$, and Danny Brown – has enlisted Thundercat for a new song called ‘VAPORWAVES’. Check it out below.

    “this song is about existential crisis and i believe it was that concept that led me to feeling free enough to do things i’ve always wanted to do, while also being even more grateful for the things i CAN do,” DeShay explained in a statement. “if that make sense. basically, be aware of your own mortality. remember, we’re all just human. and tell the people you care about, “i’m happy to have you in my life.”