2025 GRAMMYs To Take Place Sunday, Feb. 2, Live In Los Angeles; GRAMMY Awards Nominations To Be Announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 | GRAMMY.com
The 2025 GRAMMYs take place Sunday, Feb. 2, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Nominations for the 2025 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024.

Graphic Courtesy of the Recording Academy

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2025 GRAMMYs To Take Place Sunday, Feb. 2, Live In Los Angeles; GRAMMY Awards Nominations To Be Announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024

The 2025 GRAMMYs return to Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 2. Nominations for the 2025 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 8. Learn more about the key dates and deadlines ahead of Music's Biggest Night.

GRAMMYs/May 21, 2024 - 12:59 pm

Music's Biggest Night is back! The 2025 GRAMMYs will take place Sunday, Feb. 2, live at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the Recording Academy announced today. The 2025 GRAMMYs will broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and stream live and on demand on Paramount+. As well, nominations for the 2025 GRAMMYs will be announced Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. See the full list of key dates and deadlines for the 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th Annual GRAMMY Awards, below.

Key dates for the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season are as follows:

Sept. 16, 2023 – Aug. 30, 2024
Product Eligibility Period
The period by which recordings are submitted for GRAMMY consideration. All releases must be available for sale, via general distribution, to the public by this date and through at least the date of the current year’s voting deadline (final ballot) to be eligible for the 2025 GRAMMY Awards.

July 8, 2024 – Aug. 23, 2024
Media Company Registration Period
Media companies must apply for registration with the Recording Academy to submit recordings.

July 17, 2024 – Aug. 30, 2024
Online Entry Period
All eligible recordings must be entered prior to the close of the Online Entry Period, regardless of the public release date.

Oct. 4, 2024 – Oct. 15, 2024
First Round Voting
First Round Voting determines all the GRAMMY nominees for each GRAMMY Awards year.

Nov. 8, 2024
Nominees Announced for the 2025 GRAMMY Awards
Announcing the official nominees list for the 2025 GRAMMYs.

Dec. 12, 2024 – Jan. 3, 2025
Final Round Voting
Determines the GRAMMY winners across all categories revealed on GRAMMY night.

Feb. 2, 2025
2025 GRAMMY Awards
Music's Biggest Night, recognizing excellence in the recording arts and sciences.

This February, the 2024 GRAMMYs proved to be an epic, history-making night. Women dominated the 2024 GRAMMYs: For the second time in four years, women won in the majority of the General Field Categories, winning Album Of The Year (Taylor Swift), Song Of The Year (Billie Eilish), Record Of The Year (Miley Cyrus), and Best New Artist (Victoria Monét). Elsewhere, Taylor Swift broke the all-time record for most GRAMMY wins in the Album Of The Year Category after winning for Midnights. Tyla won the first-ever GRAMMY Award for Best African Music Performance, one of three new GRAMMY Categories that debuted this year.

The 2024 GRAMMYs also celebrated the return of music legends, including Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell and Celine Dion, and ushered in new music icons-in-the-making like Victoria Monét, Samara Joy and Tyla. Relive some of the must-see moments and memorable, heartwarming acceptance speeches from the 2024 GRAMMYs. And rewatch all of the performances and key highlights from the 2024 GRAMMYs all year long on Live.GRAMMY.com.

Learn more about the upcoming 2025 GRAMMY Awards season and the annual GRAMMY Awards process.

GRAMMY News, Performances & Highlights

Photo of the Music Educator Award trophy
Music Educator Award

Photo Courtesy of the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum

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215 Quarterfinalists Announced For The 2025 Music Educator Award

GRAMMYs/May 8, 2024 - 01:10 pm

Today, the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum announced a total of 215 music teachers as quarterfinalists for the 2025 Music Educator Award. This prestigious award is given to current educators—from kindergarten through college in both public and private schools—who have made a significant and lasting contribution to the field of music education and who advocate for the ongoing inclusion of music education in schools. This year’s quarterfinalists hail from 202 cities and were chosen from more than 2,400 initial nominations. Additionally, 159 legacy applicants from 2024 are also eligible for this year’s award.

Semi-finalists for the 2025 Music Educator Award will be announced later this year. The ultimate recipient will be celebrated during GRAMMY Week 2025.

A collaborative effort between the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum, the Music Educator Award invites nominations from students, parents, friends, colleagues, community members, school deans, and administrators. Teachers may also nominate themselves, and those nominated are invited to complete a more detailed application.

Each year, one recipient is selected from among 10 finalists and recognized for their profound impact on students' lives. The 11th annual honoree will be flown to Los Angeles to attend the 67th GRAMMY Awards and participate in various GRAMMY Week events. The nine other finalists will receive a $1,000 honorarium, and the schools of all 10 finalists will receive matching grants. Additionally, fifteen semi-finalists will be awarded a $500 honorarium with matching school grants.

Read More: 8 Artists Who Were Inspired By Their Teachers: Rihanna, Adele, Jay-Z & More

The Music Educator Award program, including the honorariums and matching school grants, is supported by the Chuck Lorre Family Foundation this year. Additional backing comes from the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, NAMM Foundation, and National Education Association, which support the program through outreach to their members.

Learn more about the Music Educator Award and see the full list of the 2025 Music Educator Award quarterfinalists and legacy applicants below:

QUARTERFINALISTS

Name School City State
Bryant Adler   Alcoa Elementary School Alcoa Tennessee
Patrick Aguayo   Rolling Hills Middle School Los Gatos California
Chrsitopher Alberts   School Without Walls Washington  Washington, D.C.
Bobi-Jean Alexander   Seneca Valley Senior High School Harmony  Pennsylvania
Erin Althen   Westhill High School Syracuse New York
Kathleen Amabile   Elk Lake Junior-Senior High School Springville Pennsylvania
Michael Antmann   Freedom High School Orlando Florida
Amanda Babcock   Merrimack Valley Middle School Penacook New Hampshire
Eric Bable   Crestview High School Columbiana Ohio
Natalie Baker   Missoula International School Missoula Montana
Jean-Paul Balmat   Mission Bay High School San Diego California
Russell Balusek   Edna High School Edna Texas
Lee Anne Barnes   Thomas Street Elementary School Tupelo Mississippi
Makynzie Barton   Elkton High School Elkton Maryland
Andrew Beasley   Pearl High School Pearl Mississippi
Daniel Beilman   Oak Park School Sarasota Florida
Andrew Bennett   Fredonia High School Fredonia New York
David Billingsley   DeLaSalle High School Minneapolis Minnesota
Stephen Blanco   Las Vegas High School Las Vegas Nevada
Mike Bogle   Dallas College Cedar Valley Campus Dallas Texas
Sarah Boline   Johns Hill Magnet School Decatur Illinois
Cherie Bowe   Pascagoula High School Pascagoula Mississippi
Nathan Bowman   Southeast Middle School Salisbury North Carolina
Tamiko Bridges   Laurel High School Laurel Mississippi
Justin Britt   Kingston Public Schools Kingston Oklahoma
Korey Bruno   Westfield High School Westfield Massachusetts
Richard Butler   Jack Britt High School Fayetteville North Carolina
Jason Canfield   Prescott High School  Prescott  Wisconsin
Clayton Capello   Pettus ISD  Pettus Texas
Dr. John Carlisle   Hannan JSHS Ashton West Virginia
Taylor Cash   Albertville High School Albertville Alabama
Barry Chesky   Dulaney High School Timonium Maryland
Ethan Chessin   Camas High School Camas Washington
Ernesta Chicklowski   Roosevelt Elementary School Tampa Florida
Donna Clark   Miguel Juarez Middle School Waukegan Illinois
Jeremy Cole   Southern Middle School Somerset Kentucky
James Cooney   Mayville High School Mayville, WI Wisconsin
Paul Corn   Susan E. Wagner High School Staten Island New York
Kevin Croxton   Oliver Springs Elementary School Van Buren Arkansas
Brandon Czubachowski   Spring Valley Hall High School Spring Valley Illinois
Mike D'Errico   Albright College Reading Pennsylvania
Nicole Davidson   Susan E. Wiley Elementary School Copiague New York
Andy Davis   Reavis High School Burbank Illinois
Kelly DeHaan   Mountain Ridge High School Herriman Utah
David Dehnet   Oral Roberts University Tulsa Oklahoma
Joe DeLisi   Chisago Lakes High School  Lindstrom  Minnesota
Jesse Dooley   Millbury Jr./Sr. High School Millbury Massachusetts
Lawrence Dubill   Hamburg High School Hamburg New York
Bridget Duffy-Ulrich   Oshkosh North High School Oshkosh Wisconsin
Jared Duncan   DeKalb School of the Arts Avondale Estates Georgia
Nicole Durkin   Argo Community High School Summit  Illinois
Kaley Eaton   Cornish College of the Arts Seattle Washington
Cindy Ellis   Miami Arts Studio 6-12 at Zelda Glazer Miami Florida
Clerida Eltime   WHIN Music Community Charter School New York New York
Grady Emmert   Lake Buena Vista High School Orlando Florida
Gerardo Escobar   Riverside Middle School El Paso Texas
Regan Eudy   Central Elementary School Albemarle North Carolina
Kevin Fallon   C.W. Worthington Middle School Haslet Texas
Jason Falvo   Waynesburg Central Elementary Waynesburg Pennsylvania
Mike Fedyszyn   Riverview Middle School Plymouth Wisconsin
Daniel Ferreira   Klein Intermediate School Houston Texas
Jill Fetty   Clear Falls High School League City Texas
Joe Finnegan   DC Everest Senior High School Weston Wisconsin
Joseph Flores   Mesa Middle School Roswell New Mexico
Jasmine Fripp   KIPP Nashville Collegiate High School Nashville  Tennessee
Sarah Fulton   Kings Mountain High School Kings Mountain  North Carolina
Stefanie Gardner   Glendale Community College Glendale Arizona
Ryan Geary   Sanford High School Sanford Maine
Emily Golden   East Burke High School Connelly Springs North Carolina
Rob Goldman   Westwood High School Westwood Massachusetts
Alex Grimm   F.J. Reitz High School Evansville Indiana
Melanie Gunn   Whitman Middle School Seattle Washington
Daniel Gutierrez   Nixa High School Nixa  Missouri
Holly Haffner   Grissom Middle School Sterling Heights Michigan
Michael Hamann   West Ottawa High School Holland Michigan
Tony Aaron Hambrick   Jessye Norman School of the Arts Augusta Georgia
Cordara Harper   Grambling State University  Grambling Louisiana
Vernon Harris   Pulaski Heights Middle School Little Rock Arkansas
Sarah Hart   Islander Middle School Mercer Island Washington
Kellie Harvey   Fruitland Primary School Fruitland Maryland
Toby Harwell   Wiseburn Middle School Hawthorne California
Rachael Heffner   Brookhaven Innovation Academy Norcross Georgia
Bobby Helms   Copiah-Lincoln Community College Wesson Mississippi
Bernie Hendricks, Jr.   Ocoee High School  Ocoee  Florida
Christopher Henke   Kittatinny Regional High School Newton New Jersey
Brian Henson   Walnut Grove High School Prosper Texas
Samuel Hjort   Mission High School Mission Texas
Matt Howe   Cathedral City High School Cathedral City California
Cole Hunt   Burchfield Elementary School  Oneida Tennessee
Andria Hyden   Bedichek Middle School Austin Texas
Brandi Jason Liberty High School Eldersburg Maryland
Sonja Jewell Loudoun Country Day School Leesburg Virginia
Jennifer Jimenez South Miami Sr. High School Miami Florida
John Johnson Boyd County High School  Ashland Kentucky
Amir Jones Thomas W. Harvey High School Painesville Ohio
Brian Joyce South Jones High School Ellisville Mississippi
Wimberly Kennedy Red Bank High School  Chattanooga Tennessee
Larry Kennon Troy Christian Junior High/High School Troy Ohio
Joshua Krohn Brent Elementary School Washington Washington, D.C.
Erin Kronzek Unity School Delray Beach Florida
Sarah Labrie Lexington High School Lexington Massachusetts
J Alan Landers Lakenheath High School Apo Armed Forces
Eric Laprade The College of New Jersey Ewing New Jersey
Samantha Leali Shenango Junior/Senior High School New Castle Pennsylvania
Richelle Lenoir Global Leadership Academy High School Jacksonville Florida
Lindsay Linderman Murray LaSaine Montessori School Charleston South Carolina
Katanna Linn Highlands Ranch High School  Highlands Ranch  Colorado
Candace Love August Boeger Middle School San Jose California
Christopher Lubken Robert Service High School Anchorage Alaska
Ryan Mack P.S. 10 Magnet School of Math, Science, and Design Technology Brooklyn New York
Rebecca MacLeod University of Illinois Urbana Champaign Champaign Illinois
Adrian Maclin Cordova High School Memphis Tennessee
Cyndi Mancini Montour High School McKees Rocks Pennsylvania
Kate Margrave Pine Creek High School Colorado Springs Colorado
Matt Martindale Shelby County High School  Columbiana Alabama
Abigail Martinez Erie Middle School Erie Colorado
Kathleen McCarthy Attleboro High School Attleboro Massachusetts
Leigh Ann McClain Griffin Middle School The Colony Texas
Erin McConnell Camillus Middle School Camillus New York
Lawrence McCrobie Valley High School Louisville Kentucky
Jay McCulley Sunset Middle School Brentwood  Tennessee
Angela McKenna Classen School of Advanced Studies at Northeast High School Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Jonathan R.P. McTier III Alief Hastings High School  Houston  Texas
Kimberly Meader Green Bay Preble High School Green Bay Wisconsin
Jessie Mersinger New Brunswick High School New Brunswick  New Jersey
Adam Mewhorter Southmoore High School Moore Oklahoma
James Minnix Central Connecticut State University New Britian Connecticut
Jake Mitchell Hebron Middle School Shepherdsville Kentucky
William J. Molineaux The Osceola County School for the Arts Kissimmee Florida
Darren Motamedy Walter Johnson International Academy   Las Vegas Nevada
Jonathan Mracko Postlethwait Middle School Camden Wyoming Delaware
Curtis Mulvenon Shawnee Mission West High School Overland Park Kansas
Elizabeth Nardone EM Stanton School Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Michelle Nielsen Diamond Canyon School Anthem Arizona
Kelly Nieman Alden Intermediate School Alden New York
Mallory Norton Weddington High School Matthews North Carolina
Heather Orr Montgomery High School Montgomery Texas
Augustine Ortiz Edgar Allen Poe Middle School  San Antonio  Texas
Jeremy Overbeck Century High School Bismarck North Dakota
Andrew Pahos John Sevier Middle School Kingsport Tennessee
Lindsey Parker Laguna Beach High School Laguna Beach California
Andrew Pease Hartwick College Oneonta New York
TJ Pelanek Underwood Public School  Underwood Minnesota
Justin Peterson Middle School 67Q Louis Pasteur Little Neck New York
Anthony Pickard Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. High School Lithonia Georgia
Preston Pierce Plano West Senior High School  Plano Texas
Thomas Pierre Rosa L. Parks ES Hyattsville Maryland
Chris Pierson Chaparral High School Las Vegas Nevada
Jonathan Powell West End High School  Walnut Grove  Alabama
Courtney Powers Hoboken Charter School Hoboken New Jersey
Briony Price Gramercy Arts High School New York City New York
Neal Raskin Big Foot Union High School Walworth Wisconsin
Marc Ratner Mineola High School Garden City Park New York
Tess Remy-Schumacher University of Central Oklahoma  Edmond Oklahoma
Stephen Rew Raymore-Peculiar High School Peculiar Missouri
Cindy Reynolds Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic School  Shawnee  Kansas
Lou Ribar Lenape Elementary Ford City Pennsylvania
Dianna Richardson Cleveland School of the Arts Cleveland Ohio
Michael Richardson Perry Meridian High School Indianapolis Indiana
Leslie Riedel Capital High School Charleston  West Virginia
Adam Robinson Norwood High School Norwood  Ohio
James Robinson Elkin High School Elkin North Carolina
Nathan Rodahl Port Angeles High School Port Angeles Washington
Darren Rodgers St. Augustine High School New Orleans Louisiana
Lenae Rose Morgan County High School Madison Georgia
Stewart Rosen Walter Reed Middle School North Hollywood California
David Roth Lakeside High School Ashtabula Ohio
Seth Rowoldt Annunciation Orthodox School Houston Texas
Stefanie Sagaro Academy for Innovative Education Charter School Miami Springs Florida
Maura Saint Blackhawk High School Beaver Falls Pennsylvania
Mike Scott Columbia Basin College Pasco Washington
Kelly Seymour Ballston Spa Middle/High School Ballston Spa New York
Natalie Sheeler Sturgis Charter Public School Hyannis Massachusetts
Matthew Shephard Meridian Early College High School Sanford Michigan
Aleshia Shouse Christian Academy of Indiana New Albany Indiana
Alex Sieira Harrison High School Harrison  New Jersey
Adria Smith Marblehead Community Charter Public School Marblehead Massachusetts
Anthony Spano Culver City High School Culver City California
William Steadman General McLane High School Edinboro Pennsylvania
Mike Steep Parkway Northeast Middle School Creve Coeur Missouri
Katie Stephens Charles D. Owen High School Black Mountain North Carolina
Evelyn Stohlman Bishop Shanahan High School Downingtown Pennsylvania
Kokoe Tanaka-Suwan Parsons Memorial & Purchase Elementary Schools Harrison New York
Jameelah Taylor Trevor Day School New York City New York
Brian Teed Wakeland High School Frisco Texas
Josh Tharp West Fairmont Middle School and Rivesville Elementary/Middle School Fairmont West Virginia
Jennifer Theisen-Gray William M. Colmer Middle School Pascagoula Mississippi
Mark Thomas Upper Perkiomen Pennsburg Pennsylvania
Zachary Thomas Ledyard High School Ledyard Connecticut
Alex Underwood Hays High School Hays Kansas
Craig Uppercue Volusia County Schools Daytona Beach Florida
Lindsay Vasko Walnut Grove High School Prosper Texas
Allen Venezio East River High School Orlando Florida
Felicia Villa Point Pleasant Borough High School Point Pleasant New Jersey
James Villegas Grossmont High School El Cajon California
Rachel Waddell Colorado State University Fort Collins Colorado
Meghan Wagner Auburn Riverside High School Auburn Washington
Bryan Waites Clements High School Sugar Land Texas
Donald Walter Northwest Guilford High School and Northwest Guilford Middle School Greensboro North Carolina
Victoria Warnet Columbus State University Columbus Georgia
Christopher Weddel Fremont High School Fremont Nebraska
Elliot Weeks Seattle Preparatory School Seattle Washington
Kayla Werlin Longmeadow High School Longmeadow Massachusetts
Bryce Werntz Oak Hill High School Oak Hill Ohio
Robert West Clark High School Las Vegas Nevada
Aria Westbrook Hawfields Middle School Mebane North Carolina
Kimberly Whitehead Sikeston High School Sikeston Missouri
Jeremy Williams Marrero Middle School Marrero Louisiana
Doretha Williams GEO Next Generation High School Baton Rouge Louisiana
Kelly Winovich Northgate Middle/Senior High School Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
Kate Wisbey Charlottesville Catholic School Charlottesville  Virginia
Elise Witt Global Village Project Decatur Georgia
Scott Woodard West Virginia State University Institute West Virginia
Amber Yates Thompson Middle School Alabaster Alabama
Christopher-Rey Yraola Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts Los Angeles California

LEGACY APPLICANTS

Name School City State  
Bruce Adams Sam Houston High School San Antonio Texas  
Casie Adams Martinsburg High School Martinsburg West Virginia
Miguel Aguiar Southwest High School San Antonio Texas
Dawn Amthor Wallkill Senior High School Wallkill New York
Christopher Andrews Hephzibah High School Hephzibah Georgia
Jeanne Andrews Petway Elementary School  Vineland  New Jersey
Justin Antos Dwight D. Eisenhower High School Blue Island Illinois
Javier Arau New York Jazz Academy New York New York
Timothy Arnold Orono High School Long Lake Minnesota
Elizabeth Baker Mary Martin Elementary Weatherford  Texas
Andre Barnes Science Park High School Newark New Jersey
Jeremy Bartunek Greenbriar School Northbrook Illinois
Adem Birson New York University  New York  New York
Benjamin Blasko Lipscomb University Nashville Tennessee
Amanda Blevins Tri-Valley High School Dresden Ohio
Susan Boddie Valdosta State University Valdosta Georgia
Adrian Bonner Lancaster High School Lancaster Texas
Steve Browne Nashville Community High School Nashville Illinois
Ryan Bulgarelli Williamsport Area High School Williamsport Pennsylvania
Cathryn Burt East Newton High School Granby Missouri
James Byrn, Jr. Maconaquah High School Bunker Hill Indiana
Mary Catherine Campbell Seven Pines Elementary School Sandston Virginia
Helen Capehart Bridgeport High School Bridgeport Texas
Marcos Carreras Conservatory of the Arts Springfield Massachusetts
Roger Chagnon Westfield Academy and Central School Westfield New York
Kristopher Chandler Gautier High School Gautier Mississippi
Jeff Chang Decatur High School Federal Way Washington
Travis Coakley William Carey University  Hattiesburg Mississippi
Vanessa Cobb Montgomery Central High School Cunningham  Tennessee
Trish Conover  Community Middle School  Plainsboro New Jersey
John Contreras Pueblo High School Tucson Arizona
Daniel Cook Ithaca College Ithaca New York
Kyle Cook Western Branch Middle School Chesapeake Virginia
Travis Cook Plymouth Christian Academy  Canton Michigan
Andrew Cote Merrimack College North Andover Massachusetts
Drew Cowell Belleville East High School Belleville Illinois
Cory Joy Craig Benton Intermediate School Benton Louisiana
Matthew Cunningham Brockton High School Brockton Massachusetts
Isaac Daniel III Stax Music Academy Memphis Tennessee
Jackie Deen Pottsboro High School Pottsboro Texas
Matthew Denman  Classen School of Advanced Studies Oklahoma City Oklahoma
Ryan Diefenderfer Paradise Valley High School Phoenix Arizona
Jennifer DiVasto Pennridge School District Perkasie Pennsylvania
Antoine Dolberry P.S. 103 Hector Fontanez School Bronx New York
George Dragoo Stevens High School Rapid City South Dakota
Marisa Drake Patuxent High School Lusby Maryland
Kathleen Dudley Andrew Cooke Magnet School Waikegan Illinois
Jonathan Eising James Hubert Blake High School Silver Spring Maryland
Jonathan Eldridge Weston Public Schools Weston Massachusetts
Carol Evans Gwynedd Mercy University Gwynedd Valley Pennsylvania
Anthony Ferreira Suffield High School West Suffield Connecticut
Tamara Frazier North Valleys High School Reno Nevada
J.D. Frizzell Briarcrest Christian School Eads Tennessee
Chesteron Frye St. Helena College & Career Academy Denham Springs Louisiana
Matt Gerry Salina South Middle School Salina Kansas
Anna Girling Sebastopol Attendance Center Sebastopol Mississippi
Serena Gorham Weare Middle School Weare New Hampshire
Kylie Griffin Dozier Elementary Erath Louisiana
Jessica Gronberg Hawkes Bluff Elementary   Davie Florida
Nathaniel Gunter Greer High School Greer South Carolina
Amy Hannequin Bethel Middle School Bethel Connecticut
Crystal Harding Ypsilanti Community High School Ypsilanti Michigan
Diane Harrigan Bloom High School Chicago Heights Illinois
Toye Harris Miami High School Miami Oklahoma
Chris Hayslette Bridgeport Middle School  Bridgeport West Virginia
Colette Hebert  Yonkers Public Schools  Yonkers New York
Martha Heise Seventh Street School Oil City Pennsylvania
Jonathan Helmick Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock Pennsylvania
Joel Hill Velma Jackson High School & Shirley Camden Mississippi
Elaine Holmes Comsewogue High School Port Jefferson Station New York
Victor Iapalucci Phillip Barbour High School Philippi West Virginia
Devin James Salem High School Conyers Georgia
Heidi Jaye Daniel Webster Elementary School New Rochelle New York
Jamie Jones Manzano Day School Albuquerque New Mexico
Daniel Joosten Edgerton High School Edgerton Wisconsin
Brett Keith Northern Bedford County Middle/High  Loysburg Pennsylvania
Deonte Kennedy Craigmont High School Memphis Tennessee
Lou Kitchner Bedford Middle School Westport Connecticut
Michael Kiyoi San Marcos High School Santa Barbara California
Kate Klotz Monarch High School Louisville Colorado
Heidi Kohler Ypsilanti Community High School East Amherst New York
Michael Lapomardo Shrewsbury High School  Shrewsbury Massachusetts
Morgan Lentino Otter Creek Elementary Elgin Illinois
Lisa Linde Newton South High School Newton Massachusetts
Cole Lundquist  Gloucester High School Gloucester Massachusetts
Marci Malone DeAmbrose Lincoln Southwest High School Lincoln Nebraska
Bob Mamminga St. Francis High School Wheaton Illinois
Jayson Martinez Arts High School Newark New Jersey
Kevin McDonald Wellesley High School  Wellesley Massachusetts
Larrian Menifee Ball High School Galveston Texas
Kim Mettert East Noble Middle School Kendallville Indiana
Natalie Moore Sullivan High School Sullivan Missouri
Coty Raven Morris Portland State University  Portland Oregon
Brian Nabors Shelby High School Shelby Ohio
Jenny Neff University of the Arts Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Cassandra Nelson Mountaineer Middle School  Morgantown West Virginia
Trevor Nicholas Nicholas Senn High School Chicago Illinois
Sam Noyce Thomas Jefferson Jr. High School Kearns Utah
Tim O’Donnell Ephrata High School Ephrata Washington
Shakia Paylor City Neighbors High School Baltimore Maryland
Kathy Perconti  Wayne Central High School  Ontario Center New York
Catherine Plichta Theatre Arts Production Company School Bronx New York
Felix Ponce Back of the Yards College Preparatory High School Chicago Illinois
David Pope Baldwin Wallace University  Berea Ohio
Brian Querry Charles A. Huston Middle School Lower Burrell Pennsylvania
Lance Rauh Patriot Oaks Academy St. Johns Florida
Hoza Redditt MSA East Academy Saint Gabriel Louisiana
Heather Rentz St. Mark School (Westpark) Cleveland Ohio
Sarah Riechers Thurgood Marshall Elementary School Manassas Virginia
Stephanie Robertson Ponchatoula High School Ponchatoula Louisiana
Bethany Robinson Noblesville High School Noblesville Indiana
Keith Robinson Jefferson Avenue Elementary Seguin Texas
Alberto Rodriguez Mount Vernon High School Alexandria Virginia
Shawn Royer Marian University Indianapolis Indiana
Dayshawn Russell North Iberville Elementary and High School Rosedale Louisiana
Hannah Ryan University of Virginia’s College at Wise Wise Virginia
Kyle Ryan Turkey Hill School Orange Connecticut
Ashley Sands Kennedy Secondary School Fergus Falls Minnesota
Mark Santos Santa Ana High School Santa Ana California
Danni Schmitt Roland Park Elementary/Middle School Baltimore Maryland
Kevin Schoenbach Oswego High School Oswego Illinois
Eric Schultz Coastal Carolina University Conway South Carolina
Josh Settlemyre R.J. Reynolds High School Winston-Salem North Carolina
Jason Shiuan Saratoga High School Saratoga California
Katie Silcott Olentangy Shanahan Middle School Lewis Center Ohio
Thomas Slater Sumter School District Sumter South Carolina
Joani Slawson Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Melbourne Florida
Timothy Sloan Albright Middle School Houston Texas
Andrew Smith Charlotte Central School Charlotte Vermont
Cathryn Smith Coleman High School Coleman Texas
Jessie Smith Yes Prep Public Schools Houston Texas
Patrick Smith Cooperative Arts High School New Haven Connecticut
Tony Spano Culver City High School Culver City  California
Wes Sparkes Eagleview Middle School Colorado Springs Colorado
Julian Spires  Meade Middle School  Fort Meade Maryland
Shannon Stem University Academy Panama City Florida
Harold Stephan Stuyvesant High School  New York New York
Cassandra Sulbarán Braintree High School Braintree Massachusetts
Lynn Sweet Mount Anthony Union High School Bennington Vermont
Jessica Torres Elmont Memorial Jr/Sr High School  Elmont New York
Michelle Trinidad Sacred Heart School Bronx New York
Alice Tsui  New Bridges Elementary Brooklyn New York
Martin Urbach Harvest Collegiate High School New York New York
Johny Vargas Pueblo High School Tucson Arizona
Amy Villanova Canyon Crest Academy San Diego California
Valerie Vinnard Webster Elementary Long Beach California
Kenneth Walker Ralls ISD Ralls Texas
Jennifer Walter University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro North Carolina
John Ware Stovall Middle School Houston Texas
Brandon Weeks North Polk High School Alleman Iowa
Lisa Werner St. Bruno Parish School  Dousman Wisconsin
Elizabeth White Holcomb RIII Holcomb Missouri
Tyler Wigglesworth West Covina High School West Covina California
Paula Williams The Ron Clark Academy Atlanta Georgia
Sandi Wilson  Franklin School of Innovation  Asheville North Carolina
Damion Womack The Montgomery Academy Montgomery Alabama
Tammy Yi Chapman University and LA Phil YOLA Program Orange County California
Jason Younts Samuel V. Champion High School Boerne Texas
DeAnna Zecchin Indian River High School Dagsboro Delaware
Photo of Steve Lane and Zayna JeBailey at the 5th Annual Florida Songwriters Association Workshop at Full Sail University.
Steve Lane and Zayna JeBailey at the 5th Annual Florida Songwriters Association Workshop

Photo courtesy of Steve Lane and Zayna JeBailey

interview

6 Standout Stories From The 2023-24 GRAMMY U Mentorship Program

The GRAMMY U mentorship program pairs members and experienced music industry personnel. Read on for stories from six successful mentors and mentees from the 2023-24 program year.

GRAMMYs/May 31, 2024 - 11:22 pm

With the newly expanded eligibility for GRAMMY U membership, the GRAMMY U mentorship program has also shifted significantly this year. For the very first time, the mentorship program timeline lasted for an entire year, rather than being split into two semesters. The longer timeframe allowed the mentorship pairs to meet more frequently, take on bigger projects, and develop deeper connections.  

Through the program, GRAMMY U members from around the world receive one-on-one guidance from seasoned music industry professionals. Mentors and mentees have the flexibility to select their specific track within the music business, including performance, songwriting/composing, marketing, or the general music industry. Pairs are aligned as closely as possible, and match mentees with mentors in roles that reflect their interests. 

With over 600 pairings across the 12 Recording Academy Chapters, hundreds of members had the chance to work on amazing projects or participate in once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, all thanks to their mentors. Read on to hear about six outstanding pairs from the 2023-24 GRAMMY U Mentorship Program. 

Andre Gibson | Mentor | Chicago Chapter 

Lylajean Bariso | Mentee | Chicago Chapter 

Lylajean and Andre GRAMMY U Mentorship 2023-24

Andre Gibson and Lylajean Bariso were paired to focus on songwriting and vocal performance. Gibson is currently the President and Owner of Chiat Records, while Bariso majors in creative writing at Northwestern University. 

During this year’s mentorship program, Bariso had the unique opportunity to advance her music career. Under Gibson’s guidance, she participated in her first professional studio recording session and registered with a performing rights organization, enabling her to copyright her music. 

Although Bariso is not enrolled in her school’s music program, music is one of her most passionate hobbies. After participating in this year's mentorship program with Gibson, her perspective has shifted. 

"I've felt discouraged from pursuing music as a full-time career for most of my life, even though it's definitely a dream that's out there and high up for me," Bariso says. "However, I really appreciated that Andre took me seriously as a musical artist and supported the idea of me doing this as a career and following the same practices as professionals in the industry."

Steve Lane | Mentor | Florida Chapter 

Zayna JeBailey | Mentee | Florida Chapter

Steve and Jayna GRAMMY U Mentorship 2023-24

Zayna JeBailey, a music business and entertainment industries graduate from the University of Miami, was paired with Steve Lane, Executive Director of the Florida Songwriters Association. At the start of the program, JeBailey hoped to gain a deeper understanding about the industry through hands-on experience; with Lane as a mentor, she accomplished that goal. 

Over the past few months, JeBailey has worked on the Florida Songwriters Association podcast, assisting with everything from setting up equipment to filming. Additionally, she helped organize the 5th Annual Florida Songwriters Association Workshop, hosted at Full Sail University. The workshop offered networking opportunities and featured  panels with multiple industry professionals. 

"Graduating with my bachelor's back in December left me feeling a bit lost about where to go next," says JeBailey, who will continue to work for the Florida Songwriters Association on projects for youth and young adults in Central Florida. She'll also continue to work on the organization's podcast and next year's workshop. "My mentor's advice and guidance this year, and the connections I have made while working with him, have provided a space for me to discover my next endeavors."

Rachel Levy | Mentor | Los Angeles Chapter 

Joshya Gupta | Mentee | Los Angeles Chapter 

Joshua Gupta GRAMMY U Mentorship 2023-24

Joshya Gupta, a music industry major at the University of California, Los Angeles, was paired with Rachel Levy, the Executive Vice President of Film Music at Universal Pictures. Acknowledging the significant impact mentors have on shaping young minds, Levy reflects on how mentorship shaped her own early experiences in the industry. 

"I was also lucky enough to have a few mentors when I started out in this business that really had an effect on me," Levy says. “So, it’s been great to be able to do that regularly for the college students I have been connected with."

During the mentorship program, Gupta visited Levy's office at NBCUniversal and shadowed her during her day-to-day routines. During this experience, Gupta gained valuable insights into the world of film music and the various responsibilities associated with the role. Through Levy's guidance, Gupta successfully secured her dream internship at NBCUniversal. 

"My goal is to work in film music and my mentor has been instrumental in propelling me towards that aspiration," says Gupta. "Beyond mentorship, she has facilitated opportunities for me to connect with her colleagues, broadening my network and deepening my understanding of the field."

Corynne Burrows | Mentor | Los Angeles Chapter 

Jaida Brown | Mentee | Los Angeles Chapter  

Hoping to sharpen her skills as a confident content creator, Jaida Brown, a music business student at The Los Angeles Film School, was paired with Corynne Burrows, the founder & CEO of Midas Touch Management.  

"I have learned how important it is to surround yourself with people who have a constant desire to grow and to have fresh perspectives from others to be able to help you see all sides of situations," Burrows says.

During the mentorship program, Burrows and Brown focused on taking Brown’s career as a performing artist to the next level. Creating her press kit and logo were among the projects the pair tackled throughout the year, ultimately transforming Brown’s brand as an artist. 

 Ben Raznick | Mentor | San Francisco Chapter 

Jack Bunch | Mentee | San Francisco Chapter 

Ben and Jack GRAMMY U Mentorship 2023-24

Over in the San Francisco Chapter, Jack Bunch, a rising sophomore at the University of California, Berkeley, Bunch was matched with Ben Raznick, a Governor for the San Francisco Chapter Board of the Recording Academy. With the help of Raznick, Bunch was able to realize that his aspirations within the industry are far more attainable than he originally believed. 

"Ben helped me realize the realities I look up to aren’t so far away. I listen to dozens of self-produced, prodigious, and seemingly thriving musicians, and I’ve felt far removed from them in the past,"  Bunch reflects. "Now that I’ve begun taking the time to develop skills, set goals, and take tangible steps, I know I can become the artist I want to be."

Raznick also gleaned insight from his mentee during the program. Upon listening to Bunch’s EP, Raznick learned about music tools that he had "never heard of before," which opened his eyes to some of the latest trends and techniques within the fast-paced industry. 

"I felt inspired by Jack’s engagement in our meetings," says Raznick. "It was rewarding to spend time with a young artist that reminded me of myself when I began exploring music as a career." 

Jake Roggenbuck | Mentor | Nashville Chapter 

Anisa Utilla | Mentee | Nashville Chapter 

Anisa Utilla, a human and organizational development major at Vanderbilt University, joined the GRAMMY U mentorship program to gain hands-on insight into the music business, which her formal education lacked. She was paired with Jake Roggenbuck, the Senior Manager of Production at Universal Music Group in Nashville. 

"Music acts as a universal language, bridging people together. I knew I wanted to be a part of that with more of a business lens," says Utilla. "I have a dream to become a record label executive, but through my classes and internet research, it was hard to understand what the day-to-day work in a label is actually like. Jake showed me that. Through his mentorship, I learned things I couldn't learn in a classroom setting." 

Roggenbuck has been actively involved in the GRAMMY U Mentorship program since 2022. He notes that serving as a mentor is a reciprocal experience, as he gains valuable knowledge from his mentees as well. 

"I have learned so many lessons from my mentees and can honestly say I get as much out of the program as I give," says Roggenbuck. The biggest takeaway for me is the enthusiasm and passion that my mentees have. It brings me back to a time when I dreamt of working in the music industry and is a reminder of how lucky I am to have a career I’m passionate about." 

The GRAMMY U mentorship program allows members to gain invaluable guidance from an experienced music industry professional from multiple tracks within the industry. Results from the program include expanded networks, newfound industry advice, career opportunities, and more. If you are interested in becoming a mentee or mentor for the 2024-25 GRAMMY U mentorship program, be sure to keep an eye out for applications opening in Fall 2024. 

Meet 5 GRAMMY Nominees Who Started At GRAMMY U: From Boygenius Engineer Sarah Tudzin To Pentatonix’s Scott Hoying 

Elton John with Lion King Broadway cast in 1999
Elton John (center) with actors Paulette Ivory as 'Nala' (left) and Roger Wright as 'Simba' (right) at the opening night 'The Lion King' musical in London in 1999.

Photo: Dave Benett/Getty Images

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9 Reasons Why 'The Lion King' Is The Defining Disney Soundtrack

Thirty years after 'The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack' was released, revisit all the ways it became Disney's ultimate musical moment, from multiple GRAMMYs to a Broadway smash.

GRAMMYs/May 31, 2024 - 05:14 pm

Following the untimely death of their regular composer Howard Ashman, who, alongside Alan Menken, had written the soundtracks for The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin, Walt Disney Feature Animation were forced to look elsewhere for 1994's The Lion King. As their first film ever based on an original story, and their first to consist entirely of animal characters, the Mouse House was already taking something of a gamble. And they further refused to play it safe by appointing a pop star with no prior experience of the Hollywood machine.

Luckily, the leftfield choice of British national treasure Elton John (then without his Sir title), proved to be a masterstroke. Alongside Tim Rice, the lyricist best-known for his musical theater work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Rocket Man delivered five instant classics. Not only did the likes of "Can You Feel The Love Tonight," "I Just Can't Wait To Be King," and "Circle of Life" perfectly help push forward the narrative, but they also helped push the film to awards glory at the Oscars and GRAMMYs, a colossal box office figure of nearly one billion dollars, and permanent residency in the pop culture landscape.

Of course, John and Rice can't take all the credit for Lion King's roaring success. Acclaimed composer Hans Zimmer also came on board to give an orchestral touch to the Shakespeare-inspired tale of an heir apparent, who after escaping his wicked uncle's clutches, returns years later to reclaim his rightful position. And professional singers Carmen Twillie, Sally Dworsky, and Kristle Edwards joined household names such as Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, and Rowan Atkinson in the recording booth, further driving the massive impact of the movie and its music.

Thirty years after it first enamored the Blockbuster generation, we take a look at how The Lion King still sits at the top of the Disney soundtrack throne.

It's Still The Biggest Selling Disney Soundtrack 

Forget The Jungle Book, Beauty and the Beast, or the more recent musical phenomenon that is Frozen. When it comes to pure sales, the runaway Disney soundtrack leader is The Lion King. The Rice/John/Zimmer collaboration shifted nearly five million copies domestically in 1994 alone. And its impressive worldwide total is now triple that amount.

It's a figure that also places The Lion King in the top 10 best-selling soundtracks of all time. Indeed, it's Disney's only representative in the list, which includes Prince's Purple Rain, James Horner's Titanic, and Bee Gees' Saturday Night Fever, as well as the "I Will Always Love You"-featuring The Bodyguard at No. 1. (It still has a way to go to beat John's commercial peak, though. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road has reportedly sold an astonishing 20 million since its release in 1973.)

It Made GRAMMY History 

It wasn't just at the box office where Disney firmly established its second golden age. Before the release of 1989's The Little Mermaid, the Mouse House hadn't attracted GRAMMYs attention once. By the turn of the century, however, they'd racked up a remarkable 30 nominations and 17 wins — and The Lion King played a major part in this awards dominance.

In fact, it made history by becoming the first Disney winner of both Best Male Pop Vocal Performance ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight") and Best Musical Album For Children, while "Circle of Life" picked up Best Instrumental Arrangement With Accompanying Vocals, too. The Lion King also followed in the footsteps of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin by picking up the Academy Awards for both Best Original Song and Best Original Score.

It Started A Trend Of Pop Artist Composers 

While Celine Dion, Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle had all previously lent their vocals to Disney's second golden age, The Lion King was the studio's first soundtrack to give a pop star composing duties. Alongside Tim Rice, the celebrated lyricist who'd worked on Aladdin, Elton John wrote all five of the album's vocal numbers. And it was a setup that appeared to give several of his peers ideas.

Randy Newman had already picked up Academy Award nods for his composing talents on 1981's Ragtime. But it wasn't until 1995's Toy Story that the singer/songwriter began the fruitful Disney animation partnership that would also take in the Monsters Inc. and Cars franchises. In 1999, Phil Collins co-wrote and performed the entirety of Tarzan's pop soundtrack. And four years later, Carly Simon decided to get in on the Mouse House action by pulling double duty on seven songs for Piglet's Big Movie.

It Introduced Hans Zimmer To Animation 

The Prince of Egypt, The Road to El Dorado, Madagascar, and The Simpsons Movie are just a few of the hit animations to have benefitted from Hans Zimmer's Midas touch. But it wasn't until 12 years into his career that the German composer proved that his talents could be used just as effectively in the world of animation as live-action. And The Lion King was the catalyst.

Zimmer provided four instrumental pieces for the Disney phenomenon including "This Land," "To Die For," and "King of Pride Rock," also bagging two GRAMMYS, an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his efforts. And as he told Classic FM while promoting his work on the 2019 remake, he has a certain family member to thank. "My daughter was 6 years old. I'd never been able to take her to any premieres, and Dad likes to show off."

It Spawned Several Crossover Hits 

Although Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin had both spawned big Hot 100 hits (the chart-topping "Beauty and the Beast" and Dion and Bryson's "A Whole New World," respectively), The Lion King was the first Disney soundtrack to produce two. "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" reached No. 4 in the U.S. (and No.1 in Canada and France), while "Circle of Life" peaked at No. 18. Even "Hakuna Matata" saw some Billboard action, gracing both the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks and Bubbling Under charts.

You're unlikely to ever see Elton John performing the latter – four of the film's cast members including Nathan Lane provided the vocals. But the two official singles have remained staples of both his live shows and countless compilations ever since. And they've crossed over to the Spotify age, too, with "Circle of Life" racking up103 million streams and "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" a whopping 322 million.

It Birthed Broadway's Biggest Hit 

Hitting the New Amsterdam Theatre in October 1997, The Lion King wasn't the first Disney animation to get a Broadway stage adaptation (Beauty and the Beast had opened at the Palace Theatre three years earlier) — but it remains the biggest. In fact, thanks to a run of 8,500 shows, its $1 billion-plus gross is now the highest in the theater district's history.

The Lion King has also made it around the world, picking up numerous Tony and Olivier Awards along the way. And as you'd expect, the film soundtrack's pop numbers have been just as pivotal to the theater production's success as its immersive set design, powerhouse performances, and jaw-dropping puppetry.

Those lucky enough to see the spectacle before 2010 would also have enjoyed something of a lost classic. Sung by Mufasa's hornbill advisor Zazu, the John/Rice-penned "The Morning Report" was omitted from the 1994 film but enjoyed a 13-year run in the stage show's opening act.

It Covers A Vast Range of Styles 

"The plan was that we wouldn't write the usual Broadway-style Disney score," John later wrote in his 2019 memoir, Me, about his and Rice's approach to the film. "But try and come up with pop songs that kids would like."

Indeed, while the partnership of Menken and Ashman grounded their Disney sing-alongs in the worlds of musical theater and Tin Pan Alley, the new dream team were determined to venture outside the Mouse House's comfort zone.

The Lion King OST boasts everything from carefree novelty sing-alongs ("Hakuna Matata") and emotive showstoppers ("Can You Feel The Love Tonight") to campy villain songs ("Be Prepared") and rumba rockabilly ("I Just Can't Wait To Be King"). And then there's Zimmer's instrumental pieces that typically begin with cinematic strings before building up to a Zulu choir crescendo, immediately transporting listeners to the vast landscape of Pride Rock.

It Kickstarted Elton John's Second Career 

"I sat there with a line of lyrics that began, 'When I was a young warthog,'" John told Time magazine in 1995 about the inception of The Lion King soundtrack, "and I thought, 'Has it come to this?'"

The pop legend needn't have worried. The song in question, "Hakuna Matata," might not have been his most lyrically sophisticated. But the comic interlude proved that John could put an infectious melody to literally any subject. And alongside his four other contributions, it gave him the impetus to further explore the world of musical theater.

The Brit subsequently reunited with Rice for 2000's Aida, a pop-oriented adaptation of Giuseppi Verdi's same-named opera which earned a GRAMMY for Best Musical Show Album in 2001. And then in 2005, John struck Broadway gold once again with the multiple Tony Award-winning screen-to-stage transfer of ballet drama Billy Elliot. That same year, he also teamed up with regular collaboratorBernie Taupin on the score for Lestat, a musical version of Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles.

It Formed Part Of The 2019 Remake 

Proof of just how well The Lion King soundtrack has endured came in 2019 when Jon Favreau's live-action remake borrowed all five of its vocal numbers. The performers were different, of course — see the likes of John Oliver on "I Just Can't Wait To Be King," Beyoncé and Donald Glover on "Can You Feel The Love Tonight," and Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner on "Hakuna Matata." But while Zimmer's reimaginings gave them an additional African flavor, the songs didn't stray too far from the source material.

But even with a starrier cast and a bunch of new compositions and covers, the new Lion King OST failed to strike the same chord with the cinemagoing public, selling just a fraction of its predecessor. Even Beyoncé's flagship single "Spirit" failed to peak any higher than No. 98 on the Hot 100. Sometimes, the originals truly are the best.

How 1995 Became A Blockbuster Year For Movie Soundtracks

Photo of Eminem performing at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2022.
Eminem performs at the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in 2022

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic via Getty Images

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New Music Friday: Listen To New Albums & Songs From Eminem, Maya Hawke, ATEEZ & More

Dive into the weekend with music that’ll make you dance, brood and think — by Jessie Reyez, Ayra Starr, Adam Lambert, and many more.

GRAMMYs/May 31, 2024 - 04:11 pm

After the cookouts and kickbacks of Memorial Day weekend, getting through the workweek is never easy. But you made it through — and now it's time for another weekend of however you decompress. As always, killer jams and musical food for thought have arrived down the pipeline.

As you freshen up your late-spring playlist, don't miss these offerings by artists across generations, moods, genres, and vibes — from K-pop to classic country and beyond.

Eminem — "Houdini"

It looks like Dua Lipa isn't the only artist to name-drop Erik Weisz this year. In a recent Instagram video with magician David Blaine, Eminem hinted at a major career move, quipping, "For my last trick, I'm going to make my career disappear," as Blaine casually noshed on a broken wineglass.

With Em's next album titled The Death of Slim Shady, fans were left in a frenzy — was he putting the mic down for good? If "Houdini" is in fact part of Eminem's final act, it seems he'll be paying homage to his career along the way: the song includes snippets of Em classics "Without Me," "The Real Slim Shady," "Just Lose It" and "My Name Is."

The superhero comic-themed video also calls back to some of the rapper's iconic moments, including the "Without Me" visual and his 2000 MTV Video Music Awards performance. It also features cameos from the likes of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Pete Davidson — making for a star-studded thrill ride of a beginning to what may be his end. 

Read More: Is Eminem's “Stan” Based On A True Story? 10 Facts You Didn't Know About The GRAMMY-Winning Rapper

Maya Hawke — 'Chaos Angel'

"What the Chaos Angel is to me," Maya Hawke explained in a recent Instagram video, "is an angel that was raised in heaven to believe they're the angel of love, then sent down to do loving duties."

Chaos Angel, the third album by Maya Hawke, out via Mom+Pop Records, is an alt-rock treasure with a psychologically penetrating bent. Smoldering tracks like "Dark" and "Missing Out" plumb themes of betrayal and bedlam masterfully.

Jessie Reyez & Big Sean — "Shut Up"

Before May 31, Jessie Reyez's 2024 releases have come in the form of airy contributions for Bob Marley: One Love and Rebel Moon. And for the first release of her own, she's bringing the heat.

Teaming up with fellow rapper Big Sean for "Shut Up," Reyez delivers some fiery lines on the thumping track: "They b—es plastic, that b— is a catfish, oh-so dramatic/ And I'm sittin' pretty with my little-ass t—es winnin' pageants." Big Sean throws down, too: "B—, better read the room like you telepromptin'/ And watch how you speak to a n—a 'cause I'm not them."

Foster the People — "Lost In Space"

Indie dance-pop favorites Foster The People — yes, of the once-inescapable "Pumped Up Kicks" fame — are back with their first new music since 2017's Sacred Hearts Club. The teaser for their future-forward, disco-powered new song, "Lost in Space," brings a psychedelic riot of colors to your eyeballs.

The song is equally as trippy. Over a swirling, disco-tinged techno beat, the group bring their signature echoing vocals to the funky track, which feels like the soundtrack to an '80s adventure flick. 

"Lost in Space" is the first taste of Foster The People's forthcoming fourth studio album, Paradise State of Mind, which will arrive Aug. 16. If the lead single is any indication — along with frontman Mark Foster's tease that the album started "as a case study of the late Seventies crossover between disco, funk, gospel, jazz, and all those sounds" — fans are in for quite the psychedelic ride.

Arooj Aftab — 'Night Reign'

Arooj Aftab landed on the scene with the exquisitely blue Vulture Prince, which bridged modern jazz and folk idioms with what she calls "heritage material" from Pakistan and South Asia. The album's pandemic-era success threatened to box her in, though; Aftab is a funny, well-rounded cat who's crazy about pop music, too. Crucially, the guest-stuffed Night Reign shows many more sides of this GRAMMY-winning artist — her sound is still instantly recognizable, but has a more iridescent tint — a well-roundedness. By the strength of songs like "Raat Ki Rani" and "Whiskey," and the patina of guests like Moor Mother and Vijay Iyer, this Reign is for the long haul.

Learn More: Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer & Shahzad Ismaily On New Album Love In Exile, Improvisation Versus Co-Construction And The Primacy Of The Pulse

Willie Nelson — 'The Border'

By some counts, Willie Nelson has released more than 150 albums — try and let that soak in. The Red Headed Stranger tends to crank out a Buddy Cannon-produced album or two per year in his autumn years, each with a slight conceptual tilt: bluegrass, family matters, tributes to Harlan Howard or the Great American Songbook. Earthy, muted The Border is another helping of the good stuff — this time homing in on songwriters like Rodney Crowell ("The Border"), Shawn Camp ("Made in Texas") and Mike Reid ("Nobody Knows Me Like You.") Elsewhere, Nelson-Cannon originals like "What If I'm Out of My Mind" and "How Much Does It Cost" fold it all into the 12-time GRAMMY winner's manifold musical universe.

Explore More: Listen To GRAMMY.com's Outlaw Country Playlist: 32 Songs From Honky Tonk Heroes Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard & More

ATEEZ — 'GOLDEN HOUR : Part.1'

South Korean boy band ATEEZ last released new material with late 2023's The World EP.Fin: Will. Now, they're bringing the K-pop fire once again with their 10th mini-album, GOLDEN HOUR  Part.1.

Released in a rainbow of physical editions, the release was teased by a short clip for "WORK," where ATEEZ pans for gold like old prospectors in an off-kilter desert scene, then proceeds to throw the mother of all parties. As for the rest of GOLDEN HOUR, they bring flavors of reggaeton ("Blind), wavy R&B ("Empty Box") and reggae ("Shaboom") — further displaying their versatility as a group, and setting an exciting stage for Part.2.

Learn More: Inside The GRAMMY Museum's ATEEZ & Xikers Pop-Up: 5 Things We Learned

Ayra Starr — 'The Year I Turned 21'

Beninese-Nigerian singer and GRAMMY nominee for Best African Music Performance Ayra Starr pays homage to the big two-one with her second album, The Year I Turned 21, which she's been teasing all month. We've seen the crimson, windswept cover art; we've soaked up the 14 track titles, which reveal collaborations with the likes of ASAKE, Anitta, Coco Jones, and Giveon. Now, after small tastes in singles "Commas,""Rhythm & Blues" and "Santa" (with Rvssian and Rauw Alejandro), we can behold what the "Rush" star has called "excellent, sonically amazing" and "unique, because I've been evolving sonically."

Watch: Ayra Starr’s Most Essential “Item” On The Road Is Her Brother | Herbal Tea & White Sofas

Adam Lambert — "LUBE" & "WET DREAM"

The "American Idol" and Queen + Adam Lambert star is turning heads — for very good reason. He's going to release AFTERS, a new EP of house music and an unflinching exploration of queerness and sex-positivity. "I throw many house parties and my aim was to create a soundtrack inspired by wild nights, giving a voice to our communities' hedonistic desires and exploits," Lambert explained in a press release.

The first two singles, "LUBE" and "WET DREAM," achieve exactly that. From the pulsing beat of "LUBE" (along with the "Move your body like I do" demand of the chorus) to the racing melody of "WET DREAM," it's clear AFTERS will bring listeners straight to a sweaty dance floor — right where Lambert wants them.

Wallows Talk New Album Model, "Entering Uncharted Territory" With World Tour & That Unexpected Sabrina Carpenter Cover