The 66th Grammy Awards kicked off Sunday night in Los Angeles, celebrating the ubiquity of women at the top of the American music landscape and giving singer Taylor Swift a chance to win Album of the Year for the fourth time. a record that would cement her status as the Queen of Pop, AFP and Agerpres reported.

UPDATE 04:36 GRAMMYS 2024 VIDEO: Rapper Killer Mike Arrested On Sidelines Of Gala After Winning Three Awards

American rapper Killer Mike was arrested by United States police on the sidelines of Sunday night’s Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, shortly after winning three trophies awarded by the organizers, which are considered the musical equivalent of the Oscars, AFP reported.

In a video posted on social media, Killer Mike can be seen being led through the aisles of the Crypto Arena, where the ceremony is taking place, in handcuffs and accompanied by police.

*** 04:18 GRAMMY 2024: The 66th gala concert began in Los Angeles; Taylor Swift is aiming for a record

“Can we take a second to enjoy the fact that women are dominating music this year?” said South African comedian Trevor Noah, who hosts the 66th Grammy Awards.

“Seven artists nominated for the album of the year award are women,” he emphasized to the applause of the audience.

If her latest album, Midnight, wins in the Queen of the Night category, Taylor Swift will enter the Pantheon of Grammy Awards. In doing so, she will surpass Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder, who won the trophy three times each.

The 34-year-old American singer was named Person of 2023 by Time magazine. And her world tour, the Eras Tour, is a phenomenal success, bringing in over $1 billion in revenue from 60 concerts last year, an achievement unprecedented in music history.

But to win, the artist from the United States will have to overcome tough competition.

The singer SZA came to Los Angeles in the aura of a big favorite with nine nominations. Eclectic, her 10th album, SOS, blends R&B, pop, rock and jazz influences with electro tones.

Olivia Rodrigo and Miley Cyrus are also up for Album of the Year, along with Lana Del Rey and Janelle Monáe.

Indie rock band Boygenius, made up of the trio of Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, received six nominations.

Harvey Mason Jr., president of the Recording Academy, the body that represents American music industry professionals and organizes the Grammy Awards, said he is optimistic that the continued presence of women will not be limited to the 2024 edition.

The Grammy jury has added 2,500 new women and is now 40% black, he told AFP on the sidelines of an event organized before the official ceremony from Sunday night into Monday. John Baptiste could spring a surprise

The Grammy Awards provide important visibility for nominated artists, explained Tanya Trotter, a member of the blues-country band The War and Treaty, who was also in attendance at the gala.

“Just being nominated for a Grammy puts you on a different playing field. It draws more attention to you,” she added.

Awards in the main categories have every chance to be awarded this year to women. Unless jazz musician John Baptiste, who has established himself as a favorite at the Grammy Awards in recent years, will surprise everyone.

The virtuoso pianist is the only person nominated for two of the prestigious awards’ main categories — Album of the Year and Song of the Year — two years after winning the Grammys in front of a strong pop contingent. .

His song of the year nominee “Butterfly” was written for his wife, writer Suleika Jawad, when she was hospitalized with leukemia and unable to witness his triumph in 2022.

Oscar-nominated Barbie will also be at the Grammys with 11 nominations thanks to a soundtrack marked by songs from Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Nicki Minaj.

U2 from Las Vegas

Actor Ryan Gosling performed the song that unexpectedly went viral on the Internet, “I’m Just Ken” in the film.

On the soundtrack of the same film, the Bronx rapper Ice Spice stands out and performs, who could be called the winner in the nomination “best debutant”.

The ceremony generally leaves plenty of room for spectacle, as most of the winners in more than 90 categories are decided before the actual gala begins.

Thus, ZSA, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo, the headliners of the competition, will have enough time to give micro-concerts on stage. Rock band U2 will also make a special appearance, with a video stream from Las Vegas.

Rapper Travis Scott, country singer Luke Combs and Nigerian sensation Burna Boy will also take the stage in Los Angeles.

At the age of 80, Canadian singer Joni Mitchell will also sing on stage at the Grammy Awards for the first time. Joni Mitchell, a legend of the Woodstock generation, has already won nine Grammy awards in her career, nominated for this year’s award in the category “best folk album”.