The Recording Academy has announced the nominations for the 29th annual Grammy Awards and of course Queen B has been nominated for almost everything. Having already won 20 awards in previous years, February 12 will see her potentially win a further nine: Album of the Year (Lemonade), Record of the Year (“Formation”), Song of the Year (“Formation”), Best Pop Solo Performance (“Hold Up”), Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (“Freedom” ft. Kendrick Lamar), Best Rock Performance (“Don’t Hurt Yourself” ft. Jack White), Best Urban Contemporary Album (Lemonade), Best Music Video (“Formation”) and of course, Best Music Film (Lemonade). This makes Beyoncé the most nominated woman in Grammy history.
Drake, Rihanna, and Kanye follow Bey with eight nominations each, while Adele, Bieber, Chance The Rapper and Bowie also scored multiple nominations. The internet is buzzing about the 23-year-old Chicago rapper’s seven nods. This is the first year that streaming-only records — music released on subscription platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal — were granted eligibility. This qualified Chance’s excellent Coloring Book for nomination, what his fans behind this change.org petition had been crusading for since May. (We’re sure the Obamas are pretty stoked, too).
Best Music Video sees “Formation” up against Leon Bridges’ “River,” Jamie XX’s brilliant “Gosh,” “Up & Up” by Coldplay, and whichever meticulously choreographed slow-mo mindfuck OK Go recently put out. The eagle-eyed will notice that the full list of nominations doesn’t include any sign of a certain Mr. Ocean or Childish Gambino. But of course only releases between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016 are considered (plus, Frank doesn’t think too highly of the awards show anyway). Join us in watching the drawn-out ceremony in February as it is live-streamed from L.A.’s Staples Center with James Cordon as host.