How the Grammy nominations sidestepped Lana Del Rey's F-bomb
Lana Del Rey's "Norman F—ing Rockwell!" scored two Grammy nominations Wednesday morning.
(Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)
By Christi CarrasStaff Writer
Lana Del Rey's "Norman F—ing Rockwell!" didn't shy away from expletives, but the 2020 Grammy nominations announcers sure did.
The first test arrived when singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha read the list of nominees Wednesday for song of the year. "Always Remember Us This Way," "Bad Guy," "Bring My Flowers Now," "Hard Place" and "Lover" came and went smoothly, and then came the moment of truth: "Norman Effin' Rockwell."
"I was wondering if you were going to say that," host Gayle King said with an anxious laugh, referring to the song title's F-bomb. "Thank you for not."
"I got yelled at backstage already," Rexha joked. "They're like, 'Don't you dare!'"
2020 Grammy nominations complete list: See who's up for what
Lizzo, Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X lead the 2020 Grammys nominations list.
Behind the pair, the provocative title track on Del Rey's latest album appeared on the screen: "Norman F***ing Rockwell."
The announcement occurs around the 27-minute mark in the video below.
Del Rey's fellow nominees for song of the year include Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Tanya Tucker, H.E.R., Taylor Swift, Lewis Capaldi and Lizzo. Del Rey also nabbed a nod for album of the year.
The Grammy Awards will air live from Staples Center in Los Angeles on Jan. 26. Alicia Keys will return as host.
Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X lead historically diverse, youthful Grammy 2020 nominations
Lizzo led the field with eight nominations; Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X each received six. Lizzo and Eilish were both nominated in all four major categories.
Nipsey Hussle earns three Grammy nominations, leads a strong showing for L.A. hip-hop
MusicAwardsGrammys
Christi Carras
Christi Carras is an entertainment reporter at the Los Angeles Times. She was previously a Times intern after graduating from UCLA and has also worked at Variety, the Hollywood Reporter and CNN.
Review: The L.A. Phil, as only it can, delivers a long weekend of 'Apollo' and 'Flower Power'
For a radical pair of programs, the rare Handel cantata "Apollo e Dafne" conducted by Emmanuelle Haim and a premiere of Julia Wolfe's "Flower Power."
With 3 CEOs in 6 months, the Grammys go from 'step up' to meltdown
Former Grammys CEO Neil Portnow's remark that female artists needed to "step up" triggered actions leading to the hiring and ultimate ouster of successor Deb Dugan.
Sexism? Cronyism? Mismanagement? After sudden ouster of Grammys chief, spin and finger-pointing begin
The Recording Academy places President and CEO Deborah Dugan on administrative leave with the Grammy Awards fast approaching. Insiders trade accusations.
Dance in L.A. this week: A.I.M by Kyle Abraham and more
Dance performances in L.A. for Jan. 19-26 include A.I.M by Kyle Abraham at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach
Classical music in L.A. this week: New West Symphony with Eroica Trio and more
Classical music concerts in L.A. for Jan. 19-26 include a salute to Beethoven with New West Symphony and Eroica Trio, plus Pacific Opera Project's double bill of "Gianni Schicchi" and "L'enfant et les sortilèges"
James Taylor opens up in first clip from new audio-only memoir, out Jan. 31
James Taylor's audio-only memoir, "Break Shot: My First 21 Years," will be released on Audible on Jan. 31.
K-pop sensation BTS gets artsy with new 'Black Swan' video
Korean pop stars BTS have delivered a new single, "Black Swan," with a video that stars seven contemporary dancers — and none of the group's members.
Commentary: George Walker is the black composer you should know but don't. Why that may change
He was the first African American to win a Pulitzer for music, yet he died largely unknown. How the music world is starting to right that wrong.
Eminem releases surprise new album 'Music to Be Murdered By.' (Not surprising: It's very dark)
On his unannounced new album, Eminem makes light of the 2017 terrorist bombing outside an Ariana Grande concert and addresses the 2018 mass shooting in Las Vegas.