Beyoncé Breaks Grammy Record With 99 Nominations, Leads 2025 Race

dumbonyc, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Beyoncé leads the nominees for the 67th Annual Grammy Awards with 11 nominations, the Recording Academy announced Friday. Her acclaimed album "Cowboy Carter" has received widespread praise, helping her make history as the artist with the most Grammy nominations in history, with 99 career nods. This achievement breaks her previous record of 88 nominations, which she shared with her husband, Jay-Z.

This year has been exceptional for the Houston-bred diva. Her "Cowboy Carter" tour achieved great success, earning praise for its sold-out arenas and dynamic performances. With her latest Grammy nominations, Beyoncé continues to establish herself as one of the medium's timeless icons.

Black artists are well represented across numerous genres. Kendrick Lamar earned seven nominations, including one for his thought-provoking single "Count Me Out." Rising stars Doechii and GloRilla also garnered recognition. Doechii received nods for best new artist and best rap album for "she / her / black bitch." GloRilla earned two nominations, including best rap performance for "F.N.F. (Let's Go)."

The competition for album of the year is fierce. Beyoncé's "Cowboy Carter" is up against "New Blue Sun" by André 3000, "Short n' Sweet" by Sabrina Carpenter, "BRAT" by Charli XCX, "Djesse Vol. 4" by Jacob Collier, "Hit Me Hard and Soft" by Billie Eilish, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess" by Chappell Roan and "The Tortured Poets Department" by Taylor Swift.

For record of the year, Beyoncé's track "Texas Hold 'Em" is among the notable contenders, facing competition from "Now And Then" by The Beatles, "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter, "360" by Charli XCX, "Birds of a Feather" by Billie Eilish, "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar, "Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappell Roan and "Fortnight" by Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone.

Several newcomers have also made their mark this year. Sabrina Carpenter earned her first six Grammy nominations, including one for best pop vocal album for "Emails I Can't Send." Chappell Roan also received six nominations for her debut album, "The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess."

For song of the year, notable nominees include:

• "A Bar Song (Tipsy)," by Shaboozey (Sean Cook, Jerrel Jones, Joe Kent, Chibueze Collins Obinna, Nevin Sastry and Mark Williams, songwriters)
• "Birds of a Feather," by Billie Eilish (Billie Eilish O'Connell and Finneas O'Connell, songwriters)
• "Die With a Smile," by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars (Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II, James Fauntleroy, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Andrew Watt, songwriters)
• "Fortnight," by Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone (Jack Antonoff, Austin Post and Taylor Swift, songwriters)
• "Good Luck, Babe!," by Chappell Roan (Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, Daniel Nigro and Justin Tranter, songwriters)
• "Not Like Us," by Kendrick Lamar (Kendrick Lamar, songwriter)
• "Please Please Please," by Sabrina Carpenter (Amy Allen, Jack Antonoff and Sabrina Carpenter, songwriters)
• "Texas Hold 'Em," by Beyoncé (Brian Bates, Beyoncé, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, Megan Bülow, Nate Ferraro and Raphael Saadiq, songwriters)

In the best new artist category, the nominees are Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Khruangbin, RAYE, Chappell Roan, Shaboozey and Teddy Swims.The 2025 Grammy Awards will take place on Sunday, Feb. 2, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The ceremony will be broadcast live on CBS and Paramount+. 

View all the nominees here. 

Rico Wade's Legacy Immortalized: Monument Unveiled Near Atlanta

Photo Credit: Instagram/ricowadedf

A permanent monument commemorating the legacy of hip-hop producer Rico Wade will rise at the intersection of Delowe and Headland in East Point, Georgia. The tribute site, slated for completion in February 2025, will stand near the location where Wade embarked on his musical journey.

Was running a little behind but made it over to Headland & Delowe to see the Rico Wade monument unveiling. pic.twitter.com/a2v16DXP3f

— NICK LOVE (@NickLoveATL) November 7, 2024

Wade, a founding member of Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family, passed away in August at the age of 52 due to heart failure. He is recognized as a pioneering figure in Southern hip-hop, shaping the "Dirty South" sound and producing for iconic groups like TLC, Outkast, and Goodie Mob. His songwriting credits include TLC's chart-topping hit "Waterfalls." Wade also played a crucial role in launching the careers of artists like CeeLo Green and Future.

thank you to the City of East Point for partnering with us to honor a man that is such a cornerstone of music’s history. ONP appreciates the love.
the legacy continues ✨
RIP Rico Wade 🤍

— HERSKI. ❄️ (@1Laquilla) November 8, 2024

A rendering of the monument was unveiled Thursday evening at a gathering of community leaders, artists, and loved ones celebrating Wade's life and achievements. "Where we are is where they were, in the basement, birthing music that inspired the world," said East Point Mayor Deana Holiday Ingraham, referencing Wade's early days in the East Point neighborhood.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens acknowledged Wade's profound impact on Atlanta's cultural identity. "Rico Wade left an indelible mark on music and culture," Dickens stated. "Without Rico, we may have never experienced the incredible legacy of the Dungeon Family, Outkast, and Goodie Mob."

CeeLo Green, whose career was nurtured by Wade, reflected on the significance of the monument. "He's here to be immortalized, in memory and in monument. It means everything to me," Green shared.

Wade's sons, Rico Wade II and Ryder Wade, were present at the event, sharing personal memories of their father. "He was definitely there for me in every way," Rico Wade II remarked. "As much as he was the idol that he is, he was always there for me."

The tribute underscored Wade's enduring influence on Atlanta's music scene and his impact that extended far beyond. "Headland and Delowe is very significant," said Dee Dee Murray, Organized Noize's first manager. "This is our home. This is East Point."

Sister to a Prince: Singer Tyka Nelson Dies at 64

Tyka Nelson, a Minneapolis singer and the younger sister of the late music icon Prince, died Monday morning at the age of 64, her family confirmed. No cause of death was provided.

Nelson's son, President Nelson, shared the news of her passing with the Minneapolis Star Tribune but did not give further details. Her cousin, Charles "Chazz" Smith, also confirmed her death in a Facebook post, writing, "Our family is very saddened to share the news of my cousin Tyka Evene Nelson who passed away this morning."

It is with deep sadness and sympathy that we share in the news on the passing of Tyka Nelson. Tyka was a beloved mother and sister. She was also a singer, songwriter and widely known as one of Prince’s siblings. She shared much time with him during his life. They were raised… pic.twitter.com/muxyboJbf5

— Prince (@prince) November 5, 2024

Tyka Nelson was the only full sibling of Prince, sharing the same parents, jazz musician John L. Nelson and singer Mattie Shaw Nelson. Like her brother, she had a passion for music, releasing four albums between 1988 and 2011. She gained attention in 1988 with her single "Marc Anthony's Tune," reportedly inspired by a crush she had at the time.

Nelson was set to hold a retirement and farewell concert in June at the Dakota jazz club in Minneapolis but had to withdraw due to illness. "I'm getting older," she told the Star Tribune earlier this year. "I really wasn't a singer. I'm a writer. I just happen to be able to sing. I enjoy singing." Despite her health issues, Nelson remained committed to her music and was working on a memoir at the time of her death.

Her final public performance was in 2018 in Australia, where she toured with Twin Cities musician Paul Peterson.

 

Nelson was known for her efforts to preserve Prince's legacy following his death in 2016. She accepted Prince's American Music Award for Favorite Soundtrack for "Purple Rain" on his behalf after his passing.

Prince died in 2016 at the age of 57 from an accidental fentanyl overdose, leaving behind one of the most complicated probate cases in Minnesota history. His multimillion-dollar estate led to disputes among his heirs, including Tyka Nelson and several half-siblings. The case was finally settled in 2022, with the estate divided among various family members and companies representing their interests.

Tyka Nelson is survived by her sons, President and Sir, her husband Maurice Phillips, and her half-siblings Sharon Nelson, Norrine Nelson, and Omarr Baker. She was preceded in death by her half-brothers Alfred Jackson and John R. Nelson.