Smiles were ear-to-ear and the fashion was an 11 out of 10 this past Saturday, as some of the brightest young stars and music industry professionals gathered in the sun-filled Spring Place in Beverly Hills for the Recording Academy Los Angeles Chapter's 2022 GRAMMY Nominee Celebration.
The cause for revelry was not only the 2022 GRAMMY nominees, including many first-time nominees, who call the City of Angels home, but also a long-awaited face-to-face after years apart for many due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The (typically) annual event, last held in January 2020, kicks off a busy week of industry celebrations and official GRAMMY Week events.
Current GRAMMY nominees in attendance included Justice songwriters Kameron Glasper, Tayla Parx and Tia Scola, Planet Her songwriter Ilana Armida, Back Of My Mind songwriter Tish Hyman, Donda producer Nikki Grier, Opium Moon (Best New Age Album), Rocky Dawuni (Best Global Music Album), Charlie Bereal (Best Traditional R&B Performance), and Unofficial Bridgerton Musical writers/producers Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. Attendees shared laughs, hugs, and updates with fellow special guests, including past GRAMMY nominee Jordin Sparks, Warner Records senior vice president of A&R Ericka Coulter, and Recording Academy Co-President and Chief Revenue Officer Panos A. Panay.
The vibes were already high as guests began to enter the light-filled luxury members club to strike a pose for Getty Images amidst a flower-and-golden-gramophone-lined backdrop. After the photo opp, guests made their way up to the main event on a sunny indoor/outdoor rooftop, where they were greeted by charming GRAMMY U students and a lively mix of '90s and '00s jams courtesy of the stellar DJ, Naz.
The upbeat, celebratory energy was infectious and unwavering during the three-hour party. A mouthwatering brunch buffet, provided by Spring Place, featured waffles with caramelized banana compote, quiche bites, fresh fruit, a variety of delicious mini pastries, and, of course, bottomless mimosas (or any drink from the open bar) and coffee.
In between bites, sips and lively conversations, attendees posed in front of another floral backdrop — this one serving up rainbow-tropical vibes under the warm sun, resulting in a paparazzi-style GIF courtesy of HYPNO, who also offered their mobile selfie ball, the Eye.
The buzz and music quieted briefly for short-and-sweet, gratitude-filled speeches from songwriter/producer and Los Angeles Chapter Vice President Marcus "MarcLo" Lomax, Los Angeles Chapter Executive Director Qiana Conley, and Panay, the latter of whom reminded the guests of an important Recording Academy mantra: Once you're a GRAMMY nominee, you're always a GRAMMY nominee. Conley shared that one of the best ways to support the Academy and its Chapters is via their social media channels, and for Chapter members to vote in upcoming elections. She also encouraged attendees to support music education with the Arts and Minds measure on the November 2022 ballot in California. She also thanked everyone who helped make the event magic happen, including her talented Los Angeles Chapter team and the event's sponsors: Netflix, Shake Shack, Sound Royalties, HYPNO, Spring Place, and ABRAMS Books.
Conley ended the speeches by looking ahead at the 2022 GRAMMYs: "We hope you're looking forward to the best show in Las Vegas next week!" The energy of the room felt beyond ready to take over the Entertainment Capital of the World.
Make sure to catch all the 2022 GRAMMYs magic this Sunday, April 3, starting with the 64th GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony airing at 12:30 p.m. PT on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy's YouTube channel, followed by the GRAMMY Live special at 3:30 p.m. PT on live.GRAMMY.com and the Recording Academy's Twitter page. The main 2022 GRAMMYs telecast airs on the CBS Television Network and streams live and on demand on Paramount+ from 8–11:30 p.m. ET / 5–8:30 p.m. PT.