LAS VEGAS—After a COVID-related delay from the original January date and a move to Las Vegas for the first time, the 64th Grammy Awards ultimately went off without a hitch—or a slap. (“We’re going to be dancing, we’re going to be singing, we’re going to be keeping people’s names out of our mouths,” joked host Trevor Noah during his opening monologue.)
The ceremony took place April 3 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, with big winners including Olivia Rodrigo, Silk Sonic and Jon Batiste. Notable moments included a tribute to the late Stephen Sondheim from Rachel Zegler, Cynthia Erivo, Ben Platt and Leslie Odom Jr., along with a pre-taped segment featuring Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to help raise funds for the Recording Academy’s partnership with Global Citizen and Stand Up for Ukraine.
As with most award shows, the celebrations weren't contained to the ceremony itself. Scroll down for a look inside some of the week's biggest events, from the design-forward Recording Academy Honors gala presented by The Black Music Collective, to an ultra-hip after-party with Silk Sonic, to Steven Tyler's star-studded fundraiser that raised $4.6 million for Janie’s Fund.
Recording Academy Honors Gala Presented by The Black Music Collective
The Recording Academy hosted its inaugural Recording Academy Honors gala, presented by The Black Music Collective, on April 2 at Resorts World Las Vegas. The event, which drew 900 guests, presented 12-time Grammy-winning artist John Legend with the first-ever Recording Academy Global Impact Award. Also honored for the evening were hip-hop pioneers MC Lyte and D Nice, along with music label LVRN.
The evening featured performances by Chloe Bailey, Muni Long, Jimmie Allen, Cordae and Summer Walker, with Adam Blackstone serving as the show’s musical director. Jimmy Jam, the first Black chair of the Recording Academy Board of Trustees and a Songwriting Hall of Fame inductee, opened the evening with remarks, followed by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and co-president Valeisha Butterfield Jones.
The evening featured performances by Chloe Bailey, Muni Long, Jimmie Allen, Cordae and Summer Walker, with Adam Blackstone serving as the show’s musical director. Jimmy Jam, the first Black chair of the Recording Academy Board of Trustees and a Songwriting Hall of Fame inductee, opened the evening with remarks, followed by Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and co-president Valeisha Butterfield Jones.
Photo: Courtesy of MVD Inc.
MVD Inc. worked with Ryan Butler, the Recording Academy's vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, on the event, which intended to serve as an homage to the legends of Black music.
“We wanted to uplift and build our community, so to have our inaugural GRAMMY Week event presented by the Black Music Collective—that was made for us and created by us in partnership with the amazing creative genius of MVD Inc., a company owned and operated by Black women—really brought our mission to life,” said Butler. “It was a beautiful night filled with unity and support from our peers in the music community. To see Black music creators and leaders celebrated in this way shows just how important the Black Music Collective is, and we are just getting started.”
“We wanted to uplift and build our community, so to have our inaugural GRAMMY Week event presented by the Black Music Collective—that was made for us and created by us in partnership with the amazing creative genius of MVD Inc., a company owned and operated by Black women—really brought our mission to life,” said Butler. “It was a beautiful night filled with unity and support from our peers in the music community. To see Black music creators and leaders celebrated in this way shows just how important the Black Music Collective is, and we are just getting started.”
Photo: Courtesy of MVD Inc.
“We wanted to create bold and beautifully Black moments that would make a statement," said MVD Inc. co-founder and creative director Massah David. "Guests were greeted by the first-ever 6-foot black gramophone, which we designed with 300 pounds of flowers pouring out to signify the Black music collective receiving their flowers. A five-piece band was added to the show, led by world-renowned musician Adam Blackstone, as he curated the night's performances showing the expansive range of Black music."
Photo: Courtesy of MVD Inc.
“We were intentional with every aspect of the event, as the purpose of the evening was multi-layered," added MVD Inc. co-founder and CEO Mitta Johnson, who said it was about "celebrating legends and those in the making that have been key to shaping and shifting Black music, to those who have been a staple in capturing legendary moments like famed photographer Johnny Nunez."
Photo: Courtesy of MVD Inc.
Gold threading was a running theme throughout the design, which could be seen in the stark gold and black arrivals wall, the beveled DJ booth and the modern stage design. Furniture rentals came from Blueprint Studios and FormDecor, with additional rentals from Town & Country and RSVP Party. Tic-Tock Florals handled flowers and the floral installations, while Fake Rooms handled the photo moment and DJ booth fabrication. 15/40 Productions handled the step and repeat, and Above the Line handled staging and audiovisual production.
Photo: Courtesy of MVD Inc.
Silk Sonic After-Party Presented by Warner Music and SelvaRey
Silk Sonic—the R&B duo made up of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak—are currently in the middle of a residency at the Dolby Live theater. In honor of Grammys weekend, the stars hosted an after-party following their April 2 show at the nearby NoMad Library. The exclusive event featured vintage TVs and furniture, along with Silk Sonic signage and photos. The event was presented by Warner Music and SelvaRey, the rum brand co-owned by Mars.
Photo: Courtesy of SelvaRey Rum
Warner Music and SelvaRey Grammys After-Party
Warner Music and Bruno Mars' SelvaRey Rum also teamed up for a Grammys after-party on April 3, also held at the NoMad Library. The event feature colorful, brightly lit displays of the Warner Music logo.
Photo: Courtesy of SelvaRey Rum
Another fun feature? An ice sculpture celebrating SelvaRey Rum.
Photo: Courtesy of SelvaRey Rum
SelvaRey Pre-Grammy Pool Party
On April 1, SelvaRey also hosted a pre-Grammys pool party at the NoMad Hotel pool.
Photo: Courtesy of SelvaRey Rum
Steven Tyler's Grammy Awards Viewing Party Benefiting Janie’s Fund
While most of the action was happening in Las Vegas, Steven Tyler’s 4th annual Grammy Awards viewing party took place in Los Angeles’s Hollywood Palladium, a Live Nation Special Events venue, on April 3. The event, which included dinner and a show, benefits Tyler’s nonprofit organization Janie’s Fund, which raises awareness for girls who have suffered from abuse and neglect. The gathering, which was designed by V Productions, raised a record-breaking $4.6 million for Janie’s Fund.
Photo: Debi Del Grande Photography
The design-forward gathering featured an eclectic outdoor reception space, while the main event—including a three-course dinner from Crumble Catering—took place inside the venue, where all guests had provided both proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a negative test. Event chairs included Aerosmith, Jim Carrey, John Stamos, Paula Abdul, Elton John and many more A-list names.
Photo: Debi Del Grande Photography
The venue was decked out with a variety of seating vignettes and eye-catching photos of Aerosmith, Tyler and the work he's done with Janie's Fund.
Photo: Debi Del Grande Photography
The photos and greenery extended throughout the space.
Photo: Debi Del Grande Photography
After the Grammys telecast wrapped, Tyler made his first public performance in two years. Later in the evening, Jessie J performed, replacing the announced headliner Miley Cyrus, who had tested positive for COVID-19.
Photo: Debi Del Grande Photography
The Recording Academy's VIP Partners Lounge
While this year’s official Grammy Celebration was canceled, its longtime producer, Angel City Designs, was contracted by The Recording Academy’s client services, partnerships and business development team to help transform an out-of-business restaurant space—Ambra at the MGM Grand Hotel—into the pre-telecast VIP Partners Lounge.
Photo: Courtesy of Angel City Designs
Angel City Designs turned the space into a branded lounge by creating custom wallpaper from the Grammys’ on-air graphics package. The wallpaper was used to cover the walls of the existing space.
Photo: Courtesy of Angel City Designs
Sponsors and their guests were invited to the lounge for pre-show cocktails and food before heading to the ceremony.
Photo: Courtesy of Angel City Designs
Jack Daniels’ Tennessee Honey Our Table Inaugural Pre-Grammy Dinner
During Grammys weekend, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey hosted its inaugural pre-Grammy dinner at Barry’s Downtown Prime in Las Vegas. Guests—who included Asylum Records EVP Dallas Martin, celebrity DJ Jae Murphy, YFS co-founder Nieman Johnson and more—enjoyed custom Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey cocktails.
Photo: Ezio Collective
The dinner was curated by The Pavé Group.
Photo: Ezio Collective
Conversation prompts on the table asked attendees, "When was the last time you collaborated with a Black creative outside of your circle?"
Photo: Ezio Collective
Grey Goose Essences x GRAMMYs: Sound Sessions
On April 2, Grey Goose took over the Intrigue nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas for a performance from recording artist Tinashe. The inaugural Grey Goose Essences x Grammys: Sound Sessions event was hosted by stylist Law Roach; it drew more than 150 attendees including Dale Moss, Jasmine Sanders and DJ Millie. Guests enjoyed botanical-infused cocktails and posed in front of a stylish backdrop that incorporated the Grey Goose logo.
Photo: Vivien Best/Getty Images for Grey Goose Vodka
“Gala Gala” Grammy After Party
Following the ceremony on April 3, Gala Music hosted its invite-only “Gala Gala” after-party, hosted by John Terzian of The h.wood Group and PIXL8 Partners. The event took place inside Delilah at the Wynn Las Vegas, where guests enjoyed performances from Grammy award-winners Silk Sonic and Brazilian singer Anitta. Attendees, including Bruno Mars, Trevor Noah, Dua Lipa, Kourtney Kardashian, Olivia Rodrigo and James Charles, posed in front of a lush floral step-and-repeat.
Photo: Eitan Miskevich/Courtesy of Gala Music
A Grammy In The Schools Salute To Music Education
Grammy In the Schools Fest, presented by MusicPower, took place virtually this year from March 28-30. The three-day, free-to-the-public virtual festival celebrated music education and featured performances by students and professionals along with educational panels from artists, educators and other music professionals. The virtual event culminated in the Grammy In the Schools Salute To Music Education (pictured), a benefit concert featuring Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, which took place March 31 at House of Blues Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay. All ticket proceeds supported the Grammy Museum’s Education Program.
Photo: Courtesy of the Recording Academy/photo by Maury Phillips, Getty Images 2022
