Grammys 2021 postponed

This is according to a statement by the scheme's oversight body, the Recording Academy and US broadcaster CBS, who arrived at the decision following deliberations with health experts, host Trevor Noah and artists scheduled to appear.

“The deteriorating COVID situation in Los Angeles, with hospital services being overwhelmed, ICUs having reached capacity, and new guidance from state and local governments have all led us to conclude that postponing our show was the right thing to do. Nothing is more important than the health and safety of those in our music community and the hundreds of people who work tirelessly on producing the show.

“We want to thank all of the talented artists, the staff, our vendors and especially this year’s nominees for their understanding, patience and willingness to work with us as we navigate these unprecedented times.”

Nigeria’s Burna Boy and Tuareg collective Tinariwen are among artists from the continent who have secured nods at this year’s ceremony. The ‘Ye’ hitmaker is looking to pick up his first-ever Grammy with his 2020 LP Twice As Tall after he was nominated for the second consecutive time in November last year. Tinariwen is hoping for their second Grammy trophy after their album Tassili picked up the gong in the Best World Music Album category, which was last year renamed the Best Global Music Album category to avoid “connotations of colonialism.”

Meanwhile, pop star Beyoncé leads this year's nominees with nine, followed by Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift and Roddy Ricch with six nods each.

First held in 1959 and presented by the Recording Academy, the award platform looks to celebrate “artistic achievement, technical proficiency and overall excellence in the recording industry, without regard to album sales or chart position.”

The 2021 Grammys is scheduled for the Staples Center in Los Angeles.