S. Samuel
The 2012 Grammy Awards will display their hip-hop influence this year after announcing rap veteran LL Cool J as its first official host in nearly a decade.
LL will become the first official Grammy Awards host since Queen Latifah in 2005.
For the first time in seven years, the 2012 Grammy Awards will have an official host this year, and has asked two-time Grammy winner LL Cool J to do the honors. The rapper, who turned 44 this week, has hosted the live Grammy nominations concert show each year since 2008. This is his first time taking the reins of the award show itself. (People)
The music mogul also released an open statement confirming the honor.
“I’m thrilled to be part of Music’s Biggest Night,” he said in a statement. “I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true.” (Statement)
While LL will get the party going, performances by music stars like Nicki Minaj are also on board to bring hip-hop to the ceremony.
The performer roster for the upcoming 54th annual Grammy Awards? is beginning to fill out and Nicki Minaj and Taylor Swift are among the nominated ladies who will take the stage on the show. They’ll have plenty of help from some of this year’s other nominees, as Kelly Clarkson, the Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars and Jason Aldean will also sing on the show. The show, which airs live on CBS on February 12, will mark the first Grammy performance for Aldean and Minaj. The Foos and Mars will go into the night with six nominations each, while Minaj is vying in four categories, including Best New Artist?, where she’ll face off against Bon Iver, Skrillex, J. Cole and the Band Perry. (MTV)
Rap star Kanye West leads this year’s ceremony with the most Grammy nominations.
Adele is up for six Grammys including song and record of the year, for Rolling in the Deep, and best album, for 21. Rapper Kanye West leads the field with seven, while Bruno Mars and the Foo Fighters also have six each. Mars, also up for best song, record and album, said; “It feels incredible.” British band Radiohead are up for five awards including best rock performance and song for Lotus Flower. Winners will be announced on February 12th. (BBC UK)
The 54th Grammy Awards will be televised Sunday, February 12th from Los Angeles.
Check out a recent LL Cool J interview below:
