Vinyl record. Photo by: Pexels.com
Vinyl record. Photo by: Pexels.com

Chloe x Halle, and Travis Scott Also Added to Performance Lineup

The GRAMMYs have added a group of musicians to their 2019 lineup of performing artists. The Recording Academy has announced that Lady Gaga will be on stage at the STAPLES Center this weekend.

Alicia Keys will be hosting the event this year that is set to take place on Sunday, February 10. The ceremony will be broadcasted on CBS.

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This past weekend, Chloe x Halle kicked off Superbowl LIII with singing the National Anthem. They provided a soulful and classy addition to the show.

In contrast, Travis Scott’s booking with Maroon 5 missed the mark during halftime. Scott has been getting a hard time this year after filling in for Childish Gambino at festivals this summer, but his effort to entertain is above average. I think the manner in which he is being booked is the problem. Events and festivals are booking Scott as a headliner without making him work for 5-10 years moving up in the industry before providing him a headliner spot.

Not only Scott is getting this unfair treatment. A large amount of distain in the music industry is created from events/corporations/major music labels attempting to instantly capitalize on a new artist.

The audience is aware of this process, and we have been pushing back against it for years. We basically want artists to earn their headlining and mainstream spots within the music industry. It creates conflict when corporations attempt to capitalize too fast without providing career/character development.

To put this into perspective, the average age of a musician at Bonnaroo 2002, when the festival sold tickets out with no advertising budget, but merely on the talent of the artists, was 47. The average in 2019 is now 37. (These numbers are a quick estimate based on the ages from headlining acts comparatively between 2002 and 2019. In 2002 the GRAMMYs also hosted older performers overall.)

These recent additions will join previously announced performers including: J Balvin, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Brandi Carlile, Dan + Shay, H.E.R., Little Big Town, Post Malone, Ricky Martin, Shawn Mendes, Janelle Monáe, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Dolly Parton, Katy Perry, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Diana Ross, Arturo Sandoval, and Young Thug.

Even though booking major music events may overall be in a downward trend, the music being produced today is still providing a great service to audiences all over the globe. As consumers, and myself at times, become more opinionated from social media, it is still important to support the musicians that produce art for other people.



Stream and watch the latest content from the recent artist additions to the 2019 GRAMMY Awards via YouTube.

Catch the 61st GRAMMYs on CBS this Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. EST/5:00 p.m. PST.