February 16th 2024.
The 66th Grammy Awards was a night to remember, as the culture truly showed up and showed out. It was held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4th and featured amazing performances from some of the biggest names in the industry. The legendary Tracy Chapman, R&B sensation SZA, who took home two Grammy awards, and the talented Fantasia Barrino all graced the stage with their captivating performances. One of the most talked-about moments of the night was Jay-Z's acceptance speech for the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, where he didn't hold back in calling out the Recording Academy for snubbing his wife, Beyonce Knowles Carter, for album of the year.
Leading up to music's biggest night, the Recording Academy, the institution responsible for the Grammys, hosted a series of events in Los Angeles to celebrate Black artists and music executives. Here's a roundup of some of the Grammy Week events that took place.
One of the events was a masterclass featuring the talented Halle Bailey, presented by GRAMMY U® and MasterCard. The six-time Grammy nominee sat down for an insightful conversation with singer and songwriter Muni Long. Bailey opened up about her creative process and the versatility of her artistry, from starring in blockbuster movies to earning her first solo Grammy nomination. She also talked about her experience as a new mother.
"I feel like becoming a mother has brought me to a new level of maturity," shared the 23-year-old singer and actress. "It's crazy to say, but it's true. I've learned to balance everything by shutting out the world. I have to shut out the opinions of others, especially on social media. I just have to tune it out and not read anything."
Bailey and her longtime boyfriend, YouTuber and rapper DDG, surprised fans with the news of their son's birth last month on Instagram. According to the new mom, motherhood has opened up a whole new world for her. "I feel like I have a greater purpose now and so much more to do for him. It gives me new motivation and drive for myself, my family, and my life in general," she shared during the masterclass.
Bailey and her sister Chloe were signed to Beyonce's Parkwood Entertainment record label in 2016 when they were just 15 and 17 years old, respectively. Since then, the Bailey sisters have released two albums, while Halle made history as the first Black woman to play Ariel in Disney's live-action version of The Little Mermaid. She also starred as Nettie Harris in the 2023 remake of The Color Purple. Despite her success, the actress admitted to feeling nervous about performing her debut single, "Angel," as a solo artist for the first time at a public event.
"This is my first song that I've put out on my own, so I was really nervous going into it. But I love this song, it's always been close to my heart," she shared exclusively with BLACK ENTERPRISE before taking the stage.
"Angel" is a sentimental ballad that reflects on a time in her life when she struggled with the public scrutiny that comes with being in the limelight. "I had just finished filming 'The Little Mermaid,' and there was a lot of talk about my casting and my personal life," she recalled. "I had never experienced so many eyes on me before. I was used to my sister and I being in it together, but this was the first time I was being critiqued on my own."
Bailey turned to her faith to cope with the pressure, and "Angel" became a love letter to herself, her younger self, and her future self, motivating her to keep going. "I felt like God was with me throughout my journey of self-discovery and independence. The song became a love letter to myself, to motivate me to keep going," she shared.
Halle Bailey's masterclass was just one of the many inspiring events that took place during Grammy Week, celebrating Black excellence in the music industry. It was a powerful reminder of the talent, passion, and resilience of Black artists and music executives, leaving a lasting impact on all those who attended.
The 66th Grammy Awards was a night to remember as the music industry's best and brightest came together to celebrate their achievements. The event, which took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 4th, featured electrifying performances from top artists including Tracy Chapman, SZA, and Fantasia Barrino. But it wasn't just about the performances, as there were also some notable moments that made headlines.
One of the highlights of the night was when Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and used his acceptance speech to call out the Recording Academy for snubbing his wife, Beyonce Knowles Carter, for album of the year. This bold and unapologetic move sparked a conversation about representation and recognition in the music industry.
Leading up to the Grammy Awards, The Recording Academy hosted a series of events in Los Angeles to celebrate Black artists and music executives. These events highlighted the importance of diversity and inclusion in the industry. Here's a roundup of some of the exciting events that took place during Grammy Week.
One of the events was a masterclass presented by MasterCard and GRAMMY U®, featuring six-time Grammy nominee Halle Bailey. In a candid and insightful conversation moderated by singer and songwriter Muni Long, Bailey discussed her creative process, versatility as an artist, and her recent solo Grammy nomination. She also opened up about her experience as a new mother.
"I feel like I've reached a new level of maturity, especially now that I'm a mother, which is still crazy to say! But I've learned to balance it all by shutting out the noise and opinions of others. I have to turn off social media and just focus on what's important to me," said the 23-year-old singer and actress.
Bailey and her longtime boyfriend, YouTuber and rapper DDG, recently welcomed their first child, Halo, into the world. The new mom shared that motherhood has given her a newfound purpose and motivation in life.
"I have so much more to do and experience for him. It's a new drive and passion for everything I do," she said during the masterclass.
Bailey and her sister, Chloe, were signed to Beyonce's record label, Parkwood Entertainment, at a young age. Since then, they have released two albums and Halle has made history as the first Black woman to star as Ariel in the live-action version of Disney's The Little Mermaid. She also appeared in the 2023 remake of The Color Purple. Despite her success, Bailey admitted to being nervous about performing her debut single, "Angel," at a public event.
"This is my first solo song, so I was really nervous. But I love this song and it's always been close to my heart," she shared with BLACK ENTERPRISE before taking the stage.
The emotional ballad is a reflection of Bailey's struggles with the public scrutiny that comes with being in the spotlight. She shared that her faith has been an important tool in coping with the pressure.
"I felt like God was with me on my journey of self-discovery and independence. The song is a love letter to my younger self and a reminder to keep going," she said.
The Grammy Week events served as a reminder of the incredible talent and diversity within the music industry and the importance of recognizing and celebrating all artists.
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