Grammy Awards

Darius Rucker es un gran fan de que Beyoncé pruebe otros géneros, dice que le encanta su nueva música country y espera que finalmente le consiga el codiciado Grammy al Álbum del Año.

El legendario cantautor -que es uno de los pocos artistas negros que ha irrumpido con éxito en el country- estaba en el aeropuerto de Los Ángeles el miércoles cuando un fotógrafo le preguntó acerca de la última oferta de Beyoncé, "Texas Hold 'Em".

Darius es bastante breve y preciso en sus comentarios. Dice que le gusta el nuevo giro de la Diva.

Dice que "THE" es una gran canción e incluso le desea buena suerte a su manera sobre la perspectiva de la incursión de Beyoncé en la música country finalmente le gana un premio Grammy por Álbum del Año, algo que todavía falta dentro de los logros de Bey.

Recordemos que Jay-Z hizo un gran alboroto sobre la ausencia de Beyoncé durante su discurso en los Grammys de este mes, por lo que mucha gente se pregunta si un álbum de country podría cambiar las cosas.

Por supuesto, Beyoncé va a tener que vencer a Taylor Swift -entre otros- para ganar el gran premio (Artista del Año). Taylor también tiene un nuevo álbum y Darius se refirió a ella.

El camarógrafo le pregunta a Darius si cree que Taylor debe volver al country. A lo que responde que Tay Tay debería sacar el tipo de música que quiera, lo mismo para Beyoncé.

Una última cosa que Darius abordó aquí sobre Bey y el country, son los comentarios feos de John Schneider de la semana pasada, cuando hizo comparaciones con un perro que marca su territorio.

Al igual que muchas personas, está de acuerdo en que las palabras de John estaban impregnadas de un trasfondo racista, y dice que la música country no pertenece a un grupo pequeño. Sobre la cuestión de si Beyoncé es un "pararrayos", Darius se burla de esa idea también en esta entrevista.

Resumiendo, Darius está apoyando los deseos de Beyoncé de entrar en la música country.

Darius Rucker is a big fan of Beyoncé joining his genre ... saying he's loving her new country music, and hopes it finally lands her a coveted Album of the Year Grammy.

The legendary singer-songwriter -- who's one of the few Black artists who's broken through into country successfully -- was at LAX Wednesday when a photog asked him about Beyoncé's latest offering, "Texas Hold 'Em."

Darius is fairly brief and succinct in his review -- but he's clear ... he's digging Bey's twang.

He says 'THE' is a great song and even throws good luck her way over the prospect of Beyoncé's foray into country music finally earns her a Grammy award for Album of The Year ... something that's still missing from Bey's mantle.

Remember ... Jay-Z made a big stink about Beyoncé's lack of an AOTY award during a speech at this month's Grammys, so lots of folks are wondering if a country album will get Bey over the hump ... Darius included.

Of course, Beyoncé's going to have to beat out Taylor Swift -- and others -- to win AOTY ... Taylor's got a new album coming out too, and Darius actually addresses Taylor too here.

The cameraman asks Darius if he thinks Taylor should go back to country -- something that another bystander next to DR actually weighs in on before has a chance to. As for Darius, he says Tay Tay should crank out whatever type of music she wants ... ditto for Beyoncé.

One last thing Darius addressed here about Bey and country ... namely, John Schneider's ugly remarks about her last week -- when he likened her to a dog marking its territory.

Like many people ... he agrees that John's words were laced with a racist undertone -- and he says gatekeeping country music is absolutely silly. On the question of whether Beyoncé is a "lightning rod" ... Darius scoffs at that notion as well in this interview.

Long story short ... Darius is all for Beyoncé getting into country music -- he's definitely a fan.

Joe Budden thinks Travis Scott and Playboi Carti stunk it up at the Grammys big time -- 'cause their rock star shtick failed to read the room ... and made 'em seem like brats.

ICYMY, Travis and Carti performed their explosive collab "FE!N" mid-show -- complete with the rager-style, flame infernos that made his 'Circus Maximus' tour such a big deal. They were throwing around chairs and smashing stuff onstage ... mostly Travis though.

Some might argue it gave the Grammys a little flair when the room can be known to be a bit stuffy -- but there are many who feel like TS was lashing out for losing at the show after Killer Mike swept all the Rap Grammys this year, leaving his "Utopia" album in the dust.

Regardless of the reason for the tantrum, JB doesn't wanna hear any of it ... on his episode "Business Decisions," he argued that Trav and Carti were nothing but a pair of "bozos" who made fools of themselves in the presence of beautiful women and buttoned-up men.

He also roasted Carti like a marshmallow for hitting the stage in a mask and then wondering why fans didn't go crazy ... "Playboi Carti looked confused. Like, ‘Y’all don’t know who I am?’ No, n**** You got a f***ing mask on! Who the f*** are you under there? You are not at SXSW anymore!!!"

Joe added, "We can’t recognize you bozos by the stocking mask you’re wearing. I hate these n*****, man ... all of ’em!!!”

Both Travis and Carti were exposed without the "little white kids" going apes*** in the crowd,  Joe argues -- saying their act was better suited for the muddy stomping grounds of Coachella.

BTW, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony's Layzie and Flesh-n-Bone recently told us similar ... there was no reason not to expect an OG like Killer Mike not to win the awards. Joe agrees.

Tough criticism, no doubt -- but considering how seemingly out of pocket their set was ... perhaps JB has a point here. FWIW, Trav and PC haven't addressed the whole thing.

Taylor Swift está siguiendo los pasos de Donna Kelce en el departamento de las cuenteras, pues le dijo a sus fans que tenía un plan B para anunciar su álbum si no ganaba un premio en los Grammy ... OK, Tay Tay. 🙄

La cantante transmitió este sentimiento a sus fans de Tokio el miércoles por la primera de sus cuatro actuaciones en la ciudad, y afirma que habría guardado la noticia para Japón si las cosas no hubieran funcionado en la entrega de premios el pasado fin de semana.

Taylor explica que solo le había dicho a unas pocas personas sobre su álbum, incluyendo a su productor, Jack Antonoff, y luego dijo: "OK, si tengo la suerte de llegar hasta allá y ganar algo esta noche, voy a hacerlo. Voy a anunciar mi nuevo álbum".

Ella bien podría estar diciendo la verdad aquí, pero si somos honestos, suena poco sincero pensar que su victoria en los Grammy no era segura, porque la verdad sea dicha, absolutamente lo era y T-Swift probablemente lo sabía.

En otras palabras, Taylor está jugando la carta de la modestia, que en realidad canalizó la noche del domingo cuando ganó el premio al Álbum del Año por "Midnights", aparentemente fingiendo sorpresa.

De todos modos, Swift continuó con la modestia durante el show del miércoles, diciéndole a la audiencia: "Y por suerte, eso terminó sucediendo, gracias a ustedes y su apoyo, tuve la suerte de ganar un Grammy y contarles sobre el escenario de los Grammy. Y ahora podemos hablar de ello después, podemos hacer como un debrief esta noche".

Por supuesto, sus fans se lo creyeron y la animaron, pero de nuevo, esto es muy parecido a lo que Donna sugirió justo antes, que ella no sabía donde se sentaría en el Super Bowl y que no pensaba que estaría en una suite privada.

Por cierto, el propio Travis parece estar en este tren también, pues hizo parecer que no sabía en qué país estaba actuando Taylor, antes de decir correctamente que estaba en Tokio.

Taylor Swift is pulling a Donna Kelce in the BS department -- telling her fans that she had a backup plan to announce her album if she didn't win at the Grammys ... OK, Tay Tay. 🙄

The singer relayed this sentiment to her Tokyo fans Wednesday night during performance #1 of her 4-show slate -- and yes, she claims she would've saved the news for Japan if things hadn't worked out for her at the award show this past weekend.

Taylor explains she'd only told a select few people about her album at that point -- including her producer, Jack Antonoff -- and then said ... "OK, if I’m lucky enough to get up there and win one thing tonight, I’m just gonna do it. I’m just gonna announce my new album."

She may well be telling the truth here ... but if we're being honest, it sounds like she's being a little insincere in the sense that she makes it seem like her winning at the Grammys wasn't a sure thing ... 'cause truth be told, it absolutely was, and T-Swift probably knew it.

In other words, Taylor is overplaying the modesty card -- which she actually channeled on Sunday night when she won Album of the Year for "Midnights" ... seemingly feigning surprise.

Anyway, TS continued to lay it on thick during Wednesday night's show ... telling the audience, "And luckily enough, that ended up happening ... thanks to you and your support, I was lucky enough to win a Grammy and tell you about it onstage at the Grammys. And now we can talk about it afterward, we can do like a debrief tonight."

Of course, her fans ate it up and cheered her on -- but again, this is very much so in the same vein as what Donna suggested just earlier in the day ... that she didn't know where she'd be sitting at the Super Bowl, and that she didn't think she'd be in a private suite.

BTW, Travis himself seems to be on this train too ... he made it seem like he didn't know what country Taylor was performing in ... before correctly saying it was in Tokyo.

Trevor Noah's Grammy Awards hosting performance has received widespread praise -- but Howard Stern's not hopping on that bandwagon, instead criticizing the comedian's gushing positivity.

The radio icon offered his review of the Grammys while on his SiriusXM show ... taking the comedian to task for approaching the award ceremony with zero edge ... calling him more "cheerleader" than roastmaster.

HS played a few clips from TN's monologue ... where Trevor called Mark Ronson a "legend" and heaped praise on Grammy winner 21 Savage.

Stern went to town on that part, imagining Noah continuing to talk about Savage's detail-oriented financial nature and even his "great ass" ... before adding, "No one is safe, no one is off limits from my admiration, and you will hear it tonight!“

Howard did cut Noah some slack, acknowledging hosting a major awards show's an impossible job -- and pointed to Jo Koy's disastrous Golden Globes monologue as a prime example of a host trying "to make a few jokes and they almost f***ing killed the guy."

Howard's seemingly in the minority here BTW ... with Noah getting 2 thumbs up from a whole bunch of people including Taylor Swift who said he did a "beautiful job" in a sweet backstage moment.

Not exactly a surprise there ... as we previously reported, Noah got a little revenge on the NFL for Taylor during his opening monologue -- promising to cut to former NFL linebacker Terry Crews after every Taylor reference.

La actuación de Trevor Noah como anfitrión de los Premios Grammy ha recibido elogios generalizados, pero Howard Stern no se está subiendo a ese carro y en su lugar está criticando la efusiva positividad del comediante.

El icono de la radio hizo una revisión de los Grammys en su programa de SiriusXM, en donde criticó al comediante por parecer más un cheerleader que un cómico.

Howard Stern reprodujo algunos clips del monólogo de Trevor Noah donde llamó a Mark Ronson una "leyenda" y elogió al ganador del Grammy 21 Savage.

Stern se refirió a esa parte, imaginando a Noah luego hablando de lo detallista que era Savage con sus finanzas e incluso de su "gran culo", antes de añadir: "Nadie está a salvo, nadie está fuera de los límites de mi admiración, ¡y lo escucharás esta noche!"

Howard le dio un respiro a Noah, reconociendo que ser anfitrión de una entrega de premios es un trabajo imposible, y señaló el desastroso monólogo de Jo Koy en los Globos de Oro, quien intentó "hacer algunas bromas" y luego "casi lo matan".

Aparentemente, Howard está entre la minoría aquí. Noah consiguió pulgares hacia arriba de un montón de gente, incluyendo Taylor Swift, quien le dijo que hizo un "trabajo hermoso" en un momento dulce del backstage.

No es exactamente una sorpresa, como informamos anteriormente, Noah se vengó un poco de la NFL por Taylor durante su monólogo de apertura, prometiendo cortar al ex linebacker de la NFL Terry Crews después de cada referencia a Taylor.

Here's an uplifting sign of just how good Celine Dion's feeling these days -- not only did she make a surprise appearance onstage at the Grammys, but backstage she gave an impromptu performance!

The icon showed off her famous vocal chops alongside Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Sonyaé in a clip filmed backstage Sunday night at L.A.'s Crypto.com Arena -- proving she's still got it amid her battle with Stiff-Person Syndrome, which makes performing difficult due to painful muscle stiffness and spasms.

Celine was effortlessly smooth in her delivery while groovin' along with Sonyaé ... this marking the first time she's sung publicly in 4 years, making the moment all the more special.

Sonyaé shared the IG clip ... rightly captioning it as one of her most iconic moments from the evening, which went down a treat with her followers.

It was a big night for Celine ... who was met with a standing O while presenting the Album of the Year Award -- her industry peers were clearly thrilled to see the hitmaker out, who has mostly been staying out of the spotlight since announcing her rare neurological syndrome.

Although she looked and sounded amazing, sources with direct knowledge tell us the sad reality for Celine is that she still struggles physically many days. In December, her sister said Celine remained focused on her desire to return to the stage.

That explains the joy on Celine's face Sunday night ... as she put it before presenting the Album of the Year, "When I say I am happy to be here, I really mean it. From my heart."

Of course, that heartwarming moment turned awkward moments later when Taylor Swift bizarrely ignored her as she rushed onstage to collect her award.

However, no one dares disrespect the Queen of power ballads, not even Tay Tay herself.

Estas sí que son alentadoras señales de lo que bien que se está sintiendo Celine Dion por estos días: no solo hizo una aparición sorpresa en el escenario de los Grammy, sino que también ofreció una improvisada actuación tras bambalinas.

El icono musical mostró sus habilidades vocales junto a la compositora nominada al Grammy Sonyaé en un clip filmado el domingo en el Crypto.com Arena de Los Ángeles, demostrando que aún lo tiene en medio de su batalla contra el Síndrome de Persona Rígida, que hace que la actuación sea difícil debido a la dolorosa rigidez muscular y sus espasmos.

Celine cantó de manera relajada y casi sin esfuerzo junto a Sonyaé, en la primera vez que la vemos cantar en público en 4 años, haciendo aún más especial el momento.

Sonyaé compartió el clip en Instagram, el que subtituló como uno de sus momentos más emblemáticos de la noche, lo que le encantó a sus seguidores.

Fue una gran noche para Celine, quien fue recibida con una ovación de pie al presentar el Premio al Álbum del Año. Sus compañeros de la industria estaban claramente encantados de ver a la estrella, quien se ha mantenido principalmente fuera de los focos desde que anunció su inusual síndrome neurológico.

Aunque parecía y sonaba increíble, fuentes con conocimiento directo nos dicen que la triste realidad para Celine es que aún lucha físicamente muchos días. En diciembre, su hermana dijo que la cantante seguía centrada en su deseo de volver a los escenarios.

Eso explica la alegría en la cara de Celine el domingo. Antes de presentar el Álbum del Año, esta dijo: "Cuando digo que estoy feliz de estar aquí, lo digo en serio. De corazón".

Por supuesto, el conmovedor momento se volvió algo incómodo momentos más tarde, cuando Taylor Swift bizarramente la ignoró mientras recogía su premio.

Sin embargo, nadie se atreve a faltarle el respeto a la reina de las baladas, ni siquiera la propia Tay Tay.

SZA definitivamente es de las artistas que ve el "vaso medio lleno", pues dice que ya ha superado el haber perdido el Álbum del Año en la 66ª edición de los Premios Grammy.

La rapera y cantante de R&B se sentó con The Hollywood Reporter el lunes, un día después de que su álbum "SOS" perdiera frente a "Midnights" de Taylor Swift por el premio más importante de la noche, y dijo que no le importaban tanto los trofeos como simplemente "sobrevivir a la noche".

Por si se lo perdieron, SZA también actuó en los Grammys este domingo y llegó tarde a recibir uno de los tres Grammys que ganó debido a ello, por lo que parece que la artista de 34 años tenía asuntos mucho más urgentes en su mente.

Básicamente, SZA dijo que está feliz de haber ganado 3 premios, sin importar cuán grandes o pequeños sean a los ojos del resto del mundo, agregando que no estuvo "bombardeando en televisión", por lo que todo funcionó muy bien para ella.

Y si creen que perder una de sus nominaciones frente a T-Swift está molestando a SZA, piénsalo dos veces porque le dijo a The Hollywood Reporter que llegó a hablar un montón con Taylor en el evento y la encontró "divertidísima".

Suena como el comienzo de una hermosa amistad entre celebridades.

Es importante señalar que SZA también ha estado recibiendo una tonelada de amor de otras celebridades, como por ejemplo Beyoncé, quien parece haberle enviado una nota escrita que ella volvió a publicar en Instagram. Definitivamente, hace que sea difícil obsesionarse con un Grammy más cuando la Reina se contacta contigo.

SZA's definitely a "glass half full" kinda artist ... because she says she's already moved on from losing Album of the Year at the 66th Grammy Awards.

The rapper/R&B singer sat down with The Hollywood Reporter Monday -- one day after her album "SOS" lost out to Taylor Swift's "Midnights" for the evening's biggest award -- and, she said she didn't care as much about the trophies as simply "surviving the night."

ICYMI ... SZA also performed on Grammys Sunday -- and was late receiving one of the three Grammys she did win because of it -- so, it seems the 34-year-old had much more pressing issues on her mind.

Basically, SZA said she's happy to have won 3 awards, no matter how big or small they are in the rest of the world's eyes ... adding she didn't "bomb on live television" so the whole thing worked out great for her.

And, if you think losing on one of her nominations to T-Swift's buggin' SZA, then think again -- 'cause she told THR she got to talk with Taylor a ton at the event and called her "funny as hell."

Sounds like the beginning of a beautiful celeb friendship.

FWIW ... SZA's been getting a ton of love from other celebs -- like Beyoncé, who seems to have sent her a handwritten note that she reposted to IG. Definitely makes it hard to obsess over one more Grammy when the Queen reaches out.

Killer Mike's epic sweep of 3 categories is the Grammy headline that matters -- not his arrest -- at least, that's how one of the producers who helped him win those trophies will remember the weekend.

TMZ Hip Hop first obtained the video Sunday showing Mike surrounded by several security guards outside Crypto.com Arena -- and they ended up holding him until LAPD showed up to arrest Mike for battery.

Honorable C.N.O.T.E. tells us he spoke to KM moments after the run-in with a security guard, and he says Mike called it "the third best thing" that happened to him on Sunday -- in other words, the whole drama was already rain down the drain for Mike.

His self-titled album dominated this year's hip hop categories -- including Best Rap Album award, for which C.N.O.T.E. produced the track "Spaceship Views."

Jay-Z served the Grammys a bowl of backhanded soup while accepting his award -- but the Recording Academy deserved it, according to a couple Bone Thugs-N-Harmony members!!!

TMZ Hip Hop recently linked with Layzie and Flesh-n-Bone, the brotherly faction of the legendary Ohio rap group, and they told us Jay spoke facts when he scolded Grammy voters for Beyoncé’s lack of Album of the Year awards … while also being the record-holder for most trophies.

Few would disagree BTNH deserved their 1997 Grammy for their classic “Tha Crossroads,” but Layzie and Flesh sadly think the Grammys will never hit the bull-eyes when it comes to honoring Black and hip hop artists ... because the culture is just too vast to cover in a single night!!!

Flesh suspects the industry has been permanently infiltrated by rich culture vultures who can sway the people with dollars … and have a negative influence.

It’s the exact sentiment KXNG Crooked shared with us when railing against the industry last year.

So, if a billionaire like Jay is complaining, higher powers must be at work.

While you can’t make everyone happy, Lay and Flesh did have some grace for the Grammys for honoring their late mentor Eazy-E’s trailblazing group N.W.A with a 2024 Lifetime Achievement award -- which, they say, will go a long way in educating Gen Z on rap history.

They blame the internet for scrambling kids’ brains … as seen with the knee-jerk reactions after Killer Mike swept the Rap Grammy categories on Sunday and many younger fans — like Kai Cenat -- claimed they'd never heard of him until now.

On this episode of The TMZ podcast ...

Country music legend Toby Keith has sadly passed away surrounded by family due to complications from a lengthy battle with stomach cancer. He was just 62.

Taylor Swift's lawyers sent a cease and desist letter to a man who runs a social media page tracking her private jet whereabouts.

In other Swiftie news ... rumors have been running rampant following the Grammys that Taylor Swift is going to be Lana Del Rey's surprise guest at Coachella in April. Taylor's BF Travis Kelce revealed that he's already listened to her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, and says that "it is unbelievable!"

Rapper Killer Mike addressed his controversial arrest that took place at the Grammy awards, in which he allegedly knocked down a security guard.

Prince Harry is now in the United Kingdom to be with King Charles following his cancer diagnosis.

Plus, the lawyer behind the backup dancers suing Lizzo believes her presence at the Grammy awards was a double standard.

Subscribe to the The TMZ Podcast wherever you get your podcasts!

Killer Mike is clarifying what happened at the Grammys that landed him in cuffs -- and he says it can all be chalked up to confusion ... and someone trying too hard to play police officer.

The rapper tells TMZ ... "As you can imagine, there was a lot going and there was some confusion around which door my team and I should enter. We experienced an over-zealous security guard but my team and I have the utmost confidence that I will ultimately be cleared of all wrongdoing. Until that time, keep listening to ‘Michael,’ and keep going after your dreams."

A source close to KM tells us he and his team ran into a little mishap while trying to enter the venue -- although it's unclear if they were re-entering, or coming in for the first time.

In any case, we're told there was considerable confusion about where to go and how to get in -- and as Mike and co. were trying to figure this out, they encountered a security guard who apparently started giving them a hard time ... with Mike choosing to keep it pushin'.

Namely, he blew past the guard ... and that seems to have resulted in them chasing him down after the fact -- something TMZ got video of in the immediate aftermath of this alleged incident. In the end, we know what happened ... Mike was detained and ultimately arrested.

Our sources tell us the whole situation was completely overblown and Mike's team is confident -- as is he -- that his name will be cleared when the facts are laid bare.

As we reported ... Mike is facing a misdemeanor battery charge after a citizen's arrest was conducted -- and whole thing kinda put a damper on his big Grammy wins. He's still happy about the accolades, for 'MICHAEL,' not to mention a successful surgery for his son.

Killer Mike está aclarando qué fue lo que pasó en los Grammys que lo llevó a las esposas. Él dice que todo fue una confusión y que alguien quiso jugar al policía con muchas ganas.

El rapero le dice a TMZ: "Como se puede imaginar, había mucho que hacer y hubo cierta confusión en torno a qué puerta de mi equipo y yo debería entrar. Nos encontramos con un guardia de seguridad demasiado entusiasta, pero mi equipo y yo tenemos la máxima confianza de que al final seré absuelto de todo delito. Hasta entonces, sigan escuchando a 'Michael' y sigan persiguiendo sus sueños".

Una fuente cercana a Killer nos dice que él y su equipo se encontraron con un pequeño percance al tratar de entrar en el recinto, aunque no está claro si estaban volviendo a entrar o entrando por primera vez.

En cualquier caso, nos dicen que había una considerable confusión acerca de dónde ir y cómo entrar y cuando Mike y compañía estaban tratando de averiguarlo, se encontraron con un guardia de seguridad que al parecer comenzó a darles un mal rato.

Finalmente ignoró al guardia y esto dio lugar a que lo persiguieran después, algo TMZ tiene video. Al final, sabemos lo que pasó ... Mike fue detenido y arrestado en última instancia.

Nuestras fuentes nos dicen que toda la situación fue completamente exagerada y el equipo de Mike confía -como él- que su nombre será limpiado cuando los hechos queden al descubierto.

Como hemos informado, Mike se enfrenta a un cargo de delito menor luego de ser arrestado, quitándole importancia a su recién ganado Grammy. Él todavía está feliz por los elogios por "MICHAEL", por no hablar de una cirugía exitosa de su hijo.