Beyoncé and Taylor Swift square off at Grammys - what to watch for

Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are two of the most celebrated musicians in the history of the Grammy Awards, and they are set to face off at this year's ceremony. The Grammys, known as music's biggest night, will take place in Los Angeles and will last for an impressive eight hours. This event attracts the biggest stars from various genres, including pop, rock, country, and hip-hop. During the ceremony, organizers will present 94 awards, recognizing achievements in categories ranging from best pop album to best choral performance. Both Beyoncé and Taylor Swift have confirmed their attendance, and they will compete for the Album of the Year award for the first time since 2010, when Swift emerged victorious. The night will also feature performances from a variety of artists, including Charli XCX, Sabrina Carpenter, Shakira, Stevie Wonder, and Teddy Swims, along with a tribute to the legendary producer Quincy Jones. The most anticipated question of the night is who will take home the Album of the Year award. Billie Eilish has three albums nominated for this prestigious honor, and she previously won for her album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? in 2020. The spotlight is on Beyoncé, who has been nominated for Album of the Year four times without a win. Last year, her husband Jay-Z addressed this issue during the ceremony, highlighting that she has more Grammys than anyone else but has yet to win this specific award. Beyoncé's latest album, Cowboy Carter, aims to celebrate the black roots of country music, a theme that often resonates with Grammy voters. However, some critics argue that the album's length and a few weaker tracks may hinder its chances. Currently, Billie Eilish's third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, is favored to win, showcasing a blend of emotional ballads and energetic hip-hop influences. Taylor Swift's 11th album, The Tortured Poets Department, was the best-selling album of the previous year, and if she wins, she will become the artist with the most Album of the Year trophies in Grammy history, totaling five. In addition to Album of the Year, there are several other significant awards to keep an eye on. Kendrick Lamar has received five nominations for his powerful diss track Not Like Us, and he is also set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show the following week. The Record of the Year category, which recognizes the best single, features a competitive lineup, including Sabrina Carpenter's Espresso and Charli XCX's 360, alongside Beyoncé's Texas Hold 'Em and Billie Eilish's Birds Of A Feather. Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us is currently the frontrunner in this category, and if it wins, it would mark only the second time a hip-hop single has taken home this award, following Childish Gambino's This Is America in 2019. In the Song of the Year category, which honors songwriting excellence, the smart money is on Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga's Die With A Smile, as both artists are Grammy favorites. Their competition includes Shaboozey's A Bar Song (Tipsy), which was the longest-running number one single in America in 2024, but its reliance on a previous hit may work against it. Chappell Roan's Good Luck Babe and Billie Eilish's Birds of a Feather are also strong contenders in this category, making it one of the most challenging to predict. The Best New Artist award appears to be a close race between Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter, both of whom have made significant strides in the music industry this year. This year's Grammy Awards could see some records broken. Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter has received 11 nominations, potentially making it the most awarded album in Grammy history, surpassing Santana's nine awards for his album Supernatural in 2000. If Cowboy Carter does not win Album of the Year, Beyoncé will still set a record for the most nominations in that category without a win. Billie Eilish has the chance to become the first female artist to win Record of the Year three times with Birds of a Feather, joining the ranks of Paul Simon and Bruno Mars, who are the only other artists with three wins in this category. André 3000, known for his work in the rap duo Outkast, is also poised to make history as he returns to the Grammys as a jazz flautist. If he wins Best Instrumental Composition, he will do so with the longest song title in Grammy history. The current record holders are The Flaming Lips, who won for their song with an equally lengthy title in 2007. The Grammy Awards are determined by a voting body of over 13,000 members of the Recording Academy, which includes musicians, producers, and songwriters. To be eligible to vote, members must be actively working in the music industry and pay an annual subscription fee. Each member can vote in up to ten categories across various genres, but they are encouraged to vote only in areas where they have expertise. Regardless of their background, all members have the opportunity to vote for the six most significant awards of the night, including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. The 2025 awards will recognize music released between September 16, 2023, and August 30, 2024, with winners announced during the ceremony. The Beatles, despite breaking up over 55 years ago, have received nominations for Record of the Year and Best Rock Performance for their song Now and Then, which was completed by surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Grammy voters often show a fondness for The Beatles, and a win would demonstrate that their legacy continues to resonate. However, the use of artificial intelligence in the song's production may raise concerns among voters, as the Recording Academy has strict rules regarding human authorship in Grammy submissions. The impact of California's wildfires will also be felt during this year's ceremony. Many pre- and post-ceremony events have been canceled, and funds that would have been spent on celebrations are being redirected to support relief efforts for those affected by the fires. The Recording Academy has established a Fire Relief fund, pledging over $3. 2 million in emergency aid for music professionals impacted by the disaster. The ceremony will still feature performances and awards, but it will also pay tribute to first responders who bravely fought the fires. The event will be broadcast live, allowing fans to witness the celebration of music while acknowledging the challenges faced by the community. The Grammys are a significant event in the music industry, and while they may have their quirks, they hold great importance for many artists.