From Tony Bennett to Kanye and Jon Batiste, Grammys cast wide net

LOS ANGELES — Jon Batiste led the Grammy nominations on Tuesday in a best album field that spanned rap to jazz music and embraced newcomers like teen sensation Olivia Rodrigo and veteran Tony Bennett alike.

Mr. Batiste and Justin Bieber will compete for the top prize — album of the year — along with Ms. Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, R&B artist Doja Cat, singer-songwriter H.E.R, rapper Kanye West, Mr. Bennett’s collaboration with Lady Ga-ga, Taylor Swift and rapper Lil Nas X.

The Grammys, the highest honors in the music industry, will be handed out at a ceremony in Los Angeles on Jan. 31.

Nominees in each of the top three categories — album, song, and record of the year — were increased to 10 from eight for the first time. “Adding more nominees is a way to cast a wider net for more music, more artists and more genres,” Recording Academy chief executive Harvey Mason, Jr. said, announcing the change on Tuesday.

Ms. Eilish (“Happier Than Ever”), Ms. Rodrigo (“Drivers License”), Mr. Bieber (“P�𲹳�����”) and Mr. Batiste (“F������dz�”) were among the 10 nominees for record of the year, along with Swedish band Abba’s new comeback single, “I Still Have Faith in You.”

Ms. Swift, an 11-time Grammy winner, snagged a best album nod for her best-selling Evermore but was shut out of the other races, disappointing fans who felt she had been snubbed. “NO PROBLEMS TODAY JUST CHAMPAGNE,” Ms. Swift tweeted. “SO stoked evermore has been honored like this.”

Ms. Rodrigo, 18, who burst onto the US charts in January when her single “Drivers License” went viral, got seven nods, including best new artist and album (Sour).

Mr. Batiste, who also leads the band on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, scored nominations across the board, ranging from classical composition and American roots to his music video Freedom and album We Are, which was inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020.

“WOW!! Thank you God!! I love EVERYBODY! I’m so grateful to my collaborators and to my ancestors,” Mr. Batiste wrote on Twitter.

Rapper Jay-Z became the most Grammy-nominated artist of all time when he took his total to 83, surpassing the previous record held by music producer Quincy Jones. Paul McCartney added two nods to take second place with 81.

The Recording Academy earlier this year changed the way nominations and winners are chosen after allegations that the process was open to rigging and Canadian artist The Weeknd received zero nods.

Nominees this time were selected by all 11,000 voting members of the Recording Academy, instead of smaller committees whose names were not revealed. Winners are also chosen by the musicians, producers and songwriters who belong to the academy.

K-pop band BTS, which has yet to win a Grammy despite dominating the US music charts for almost two years, scored a single nod on Tuesday for the performance of their top-selling single “Butter” in the pop group field.

Mr. West, who’s had a contentious relationship with the Grammys, got five nods from his hit album Donda, which was dedicated to his late mother.

Mr. Bennett, 95, who has Alzheimer’s disease, and Gaga got five nods for their Cole Porter duets album Love for Sale, which is expected to be Mr. Bennett’s last.

The eligibility period for the Grammys ran from Sept. 2020 to Sept. 2021, meaning the new album by Adele will have to wait until next time. — Reuters

Key nominations for the music industry’s 2022 Grammy Awards

LOS ANGELES — Nominations for the Grammy Awards, the highest honors in the music industry, were announced on Tuesday. The awards will be handed out at a live ceremony on Jan. 31.

Below is a list of nominations in key categories.

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
We Are — Jon Batiste
Love For Sale — Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Justice — Justin Bieber
Planet Her — Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever — Billie Eilish
Back Of My Mind — H.E.R.
Montero — Lil Nas X
Sour — Olivia Rodrigo
Evermore — Taylor Swift
Donda — Kanye West

RECORD OF THE YEAR
“I Still Have Faith In You” — ABBA
“F������dz�” — Jon Batiste
“I Get A Kick Out Of You” — Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
“P�𲹳�����” — Justin Bieber Featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“Right On Time” — Brandi Carlil
“Kiss Me More” — Doja Cat Featuring SZA
“Happier Than Ever” — Billie Eilish
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” — Lil Nas X
“Drivers License” — Olivia Rodrigo
“Leave The Door Open” — Silk Sonic

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Bad Habits” — Ed Sheeran
“A Beautiful Noise” — Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile
“Drivers License” — Olivia Rodrigo
“Fight For You” — H.E.R.
“Happier Than Ever” — Billie Eilish
“Kiss Me More” — Doja Cat Featuring SZA
“Leave The Door Open” — Silk Sonic
“Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” — Lil Nas X
“P�𲹳�����” — Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar & Giveon
“Right On Time” — Brandi Carlile

BEST NEW ARTIST
Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas Glass
Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo
Saweetie

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
“I Get A Kick Out Of You” — Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
“L�DzԱ����” — Justin Bieber & benny blanco
“Butter” — BTS
“Higher Power” — Coldplay
“Kiss Me More” — Doja Cat Featuring SZA

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
Justice — Justin Bieber
Planet Her — Doja Cat
Happier Than Ever — Billie Eilish
Positions — Ariana Grande
Sour — Olivia Rodrigo

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
“Shot In The Dark” — AC/DC
“Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A)” — Black Pumas
“Nothing Compares 2 U” — Chris Cornell
“O�󳾲�” — Deftones
“Making A Fire” — Foo Fighters

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
“Family Ties” — Baby Keem Featuring Kendrick Lamar
“U��” — Cardi B
“My Life” — J. Cole Featuring 21 Savage & Morray
“Way 2 Sexy” — Drake Featuring Future & Young Thug
“Thot S***” — Megan Thee Stallion

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Forever After All — Luke Combs
Remember Her Name — Mickey Guyton
All I Do Is Drive — Jason Isbell
Camera Roll — Kacey Musgraves
You Should Probably Leave — Chris Stapleton

BEST MUSIC FILM
Inside — Bo Burnham
David Byrne’s American Utopia — David Byrne
Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles — Billie Eilish
Music, Money, Madness … Jimi Hendrix in Maui — Jimi Hendrix
Summer Of Soul — Various Artists

— Reuters