The Japan Times - Is it Beyonce's time? Music's A-listers ready for the Grammys

She is the most decorated Grammy artist in history but Beyonce has infamously never won the coveted prize for Album of the Year -- despite four previous nominations for her studio albums -- and the 67th edition of the awards gala might finally put that paradox to bed.

But her conversation piece of an album "Cowboy Carter" faces stiff competition from work by perennial winners like Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift, along with a buzzy class of pop hitmakers including Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter and Charli XCX.

Despite the high-wattage star power, Grammy week -- which is usually loaded up with industry parties and performances -- has taken on a more somber tone than usual, as the entertainment capital reels in the aftermath of deadly wildfires that leveled entire neighborhoods just weeks ago.

Organizers decided the glitzy awards show should go on, with a newfound mission to raise aid funds and pay homage to impacted industry members along with first responders.

On Friday, the annual MusiCares gala -- which this year honored psychedelic jam band the Grateful Dead -- raised more than $5 million in a single evening, bringing the institution's total sum raised since the fires broke out to more than $9 million.

The broader mission of MusiCares, the charitable arm of the Recording Academy, includes offering a parachute for artists and other workers in the precarious US music industry for everything from disaster relief to mental health support.

The sudden need for fire aid placed a spotlight on that mission, and others in the industry have taken their lead to give back.

Music powerbroker Irving Azoff, along with concert promoters Live Nation and AEG Presents, organized a massive benefit concert on Thursday featuring major stars like Lady Gaga, Eilish, Dr. Dre and even Joni Mitchell.

Saturday's annual Clive Davis gala -- one of the most coveted tickets in the business -- is also set to include a fundraising element.

- Beyonce's time? -

That Beyonce has produced industry-shifting, culture-shaking work for years but been repeatedly and conspicuously shut out of the top Grammy prizes for best album and best record is regarded as one of the clearest illustrations of the voting body's tendency to sideline the work of Black artists in the major fields.

Pop juggernaut Swift has won the Album of the Year trophy a record four times: that is more wins than all of the Black women who've won it combined.

The last to do so was Lauryn Hill, in 1999. Before her, Whitney Houston won in 1994, and Natalie Cole in 1992.

This year's nomination for Beyonce's ambitious "Cowboy Carter" -- which took the country industry to task by illustrating the rich but undersung history of Black artists in that genre -- brings the issue into sharp focus.

But the Grammys are the Grammys -- meaning anything could happen. No matter the outcome, the think pieces will come on Monday morning.

- Best new artists helm the stage -

Hip-hop laureate Kendrick Lamar is another big name to watch on Sunday: his rap battle with Drake spawned "Not Like Us," one of the year's most viral songs which earned him seven nods.

Post Malone, who recently worked with both Beyonce and Swift, scored eight, and both have chances at prizes in the top categories.

The closely watched Best New Artist contest features favorites Carpenter and Roan, who both skyrocketed into the mainstream over the past year.

Roan in particular experienced a supersonic ascent, and a number of critics have tipped her as a name to beat for best record and best song.

Also in contention is Shaboozey, whose hit "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" topped the US hot songs chart for weeks and is also up for the Song of the Year Grammy honoring songwriting.

A tiny fraction of the 94 Grammys are handed out in the marquee televised portion of the gala, with most of the evening dedicated to performances.

Artists including Eilish, Roan, Charli XCX and Carpenter are due to take the stage, along with several more Best New Artist contenders like Doechii, Raye, Teddy Swims and Benson Boone.

Legends Stevie Wonder and Herbie Hancock will also appear during the gala, which will pay tribute to the late super-producer Quincy Jones.

H.Takahashi--JT