Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and its Omicron variant, the Recording Academy has decided to indefinitely postpone the 64th edition of the Grammy Awards.
Safety and Health Comes First For the Recording Academy
On Wednesday, producers from The Recording Academy and TV network CBS issued a joint statement; where they confirmed the annual music event will not take place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on January 31st as planned; as a result of “uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant.”
“After careful consideration and analysis with city and state officials, health and safety experts, the artist community, and our many partners; the Recording Academy and CBS have postponed the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards Show,” the announcement read. “The health and safety of those in our music community, the live audience; and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly to produce our show remain our top priority. Given the uncertainty surrounding the Omicron variant, holding the show on January 31st simply contains too many risks. We look forward to celebrating Music’s Biggest Night on a future date; which will be announced soon.”
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This is the Second Year in a Row the Grammy Awards Get a New Date
Although there is no news about a new date for the Grammy Awards; Trevor Noah will still serve as host. The Recording Academy announced the nominees last November; with Jon Batiste leading with 11; followed by Justin Bieber, Doja Cat, and H.E.R. with eight. In early December, Drake withdrew his name from two Grammy nominations with no motive announced. Despite winning in the past, Drake has had a negative history with the organization.
This is the second year in a row the show gets postponed. Last year’s show, originally set for January 31st as well; was moved to March 14 amidst a rise of COVID cases across Los Angeles, where the show is held annually.
The Recording Academy will seek a new venue to host the event; due to the Crypto.com Arena being fully booked for the next couple of months due to sporting and other events. Other LA venues that have hosted the event in past years include the Los Angeles Convention Center and, most notably, the Staples Center (now the called Crypto.com Arena) – which hosted the Grammy Awards from 2004 to 2017, and again in 2019 and 2020. Believe it or not, the first Grammy’s were held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel for many years. In 64 years, it’s only been held in New York City almost a dozen times.
