Last Updated: 03.28.22
Lights! Camera! Music! The 64th Grammy Awards are fast approaching, and with it comes the anticipation for some of your favorite artists to win big – and for some of music’s biggest stars to dazzle with some stunning performances. With so many big names up for awards this year, it’s hard to keep track of all those who will perform. Thankfully, HollywoodLife has your back with this continuously-updating post about the 2022 Grammys performers list.
The Grammys were initially scheduled for Jan. 31, but a surge in COVID-19 cases, thanks to the omicron variant, forced the Recording Academy to postpone the show. A new date – Apr. 3 – was decided, and the location switched from the Crypto.com Arena (fka the Staples Center) in Los Angeles to the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. As for who’s performing at the show, here’s what you need to know:
Who’s The Host?
The host of the 2022 Grammys is Trevor Noah. Trevor hosted the COVID-affected 2021 Grammys and did such a great job they asked him back.
“Trevor was amazing as our host for the 63rd GRAMMY Awards with praise from the music community, music fans, and critics,” Harvey Mason jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, said, per a press release. “We’re so excited to welcome Trevor back to the GRAMMYs stage and feel fortunate to once again have him hosting what we believe will be an unforgettable evening.”
Confirmed Performers
Lady Gaga
The Grammys continue to break out the surprises – though some were skeptical with the show announced on Apr. 1 (April Fools’ Day) that Lady Gaga will perform at the ceremony. Amid reports that the show’s producers were trying to lock down another big name for the 2022 ceremony, they apparently decided to go gaga.
Gaga is up for five awards at the ceremony for her work with Tony Bennet. Their collaborative LP, Love For Sale, is nominated for Album of the Year. Tony retired from performing in 2019, and is not expected to be with her in Vegas.
It’s giving… GAGA. ✨ You didn’t think we’d show up to Vegas without her did you?
Watch @ladygaga’s performance at the #GRAMMYs, April 3 on @CBS. 🎵 pic.twitter.com/OWdn2Zi7dB
— Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad) April 1, 2022
Silk Sonic
“We left the door open, and [Silk Sonic] just walked through,” the official Grammys Twitter account tweeted on Mar. 30. “Back again for another #Grammys performance.” After performing their now-nominated song, “Leave The Door Open,” at the 2021 Grammys, the duo of Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars will play at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. Silk Sonic will reportedly open the show, so expect a little bit of “Leave The Door Open” and their other hit, “Smokin’ Out The Window.”
John Legend
John Legend is a 12-time Grammy winner, and the 2022 Global Impact Honoree will perform at the Apr. 3 event. With Legend’s career and discography, he has plenty of songs he can pull from for this performance.
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is up for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“If I Didn’t Love You” with Jason Aldean) and Best Roots Gospel Album (My Savior). Carrie was announced among the third round of Grammys performers announced on Mar. 30. She shared the tweet, adding, “See you at the #Grammys.”
J Balvin with Maria Becerra
J Balvin’s Jose is up for Best Música Urbana Album, competing against Rauw Alejandro, Bad Bunny, Karol G, and Kali Uchis. He and Maria Becerra will likely perform their song, “Qué Más Pues?” during the broadcast.
Billy Strings / Maverick City Music / Aymée Nuviola
A trio of performers – bluegrass artist Billy Strings, contemporary worship music collective Maverick City Music, singer/pianist/Tropical Latin music legend Aymée Nuviola – will come together for “special segments that will showcase Las Vegas and spotlight genres not historically represented on the GRAMMY Awards telecast,” per the Grammys official website.
Grammys Premiere Ceremony
LeVar Burton will host the 64th GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony at the MGM Grand Conference Marquee Ballroom. It begins at 3:30 pm EST / 12:30 pm PST on the Grammys YouTube channel or Grammy.com.
Madison Cunningham, Falu, Nnenna Freelon, Kalani Pe’a, John Popper of Blues Traveler, and The Isaacs are scheduled to perform. Other artists expected to perform during the broadcast include current nominees Jimmie Allen, Ledisi, Mon Laferte, Allison Russell, and Curtis Stewart. Presenting during the event will be Arlo Parks, whose Collapsed in Sunbeams is up for Best Alternative Music Album, while Arlo is up for Best New Artist. Jimmie Allen, Nate Bargatze, Nnenna Freelon, Pierce Freelon, Sylvan Esso, and five-time GRAMMY winner and former Chair of the Recording Academy Board of Trustees, Jimmy Jam will also hand out awards during this pre-Grammys bash.
Jon Batiste
In what should be a shock to no one, Jon Batiste was one in the second round of Grammy performers. With 11 nominations, including Record of the Year (“Freedom”) and Album of the Year (We Are), Jon leads the pack going into the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. A handful of his songs are up for awards this year, but considering “Freedom” is the only one nominated in the Grammys’ “Big Four” categories, one could expect him to perform that.
Foo Fighters
Update: In the wake of the untimely death of drummer Taylor Hawkins, the band has canceled all its shows and scheduled performances “to heal” from the loss.
The 12-time Grammy Award-winning Foo Fighters were scheduled to rock the stage during the 64th Annual Grammys. The band is up for three awards: Best Rock Performance (“Making A Fire”), Best Rock Song (“Waiting On A War”), and Best Rock Album (Medicine At Midnight). Foo Fighters’ last Grammy win came in 2018, at the 60th Grammy Awards. They won Best Rock Song for “Run.”
H.E.R.
Making her return to the Grammys is H.E.R., who will likely perform “Fight For You” since the track is up for Song of the Year. She enters the 2022 Grammys with eight nominations: Album Of The Year (Back Of My Mind), Song Of The Year (“Fight For You”), Best R&B Performance (“Damage”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Fight For You”), Best R&B Song (“Damage”), Best R&B Album (Back Of My Mind), Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)”) and Best Song Written For Visual Media (“Fight For You [From Judas And The Black Messiah]”).
Chris Stapleton
Country music star Chris Stapleton looks to add to his five Grammys. He will perform at the ceremony, and he goes into the 2022 Grammys with three nominations under his hat: Best Country Solo Performance (“You Should Probably Leave”), Best Country Song (“Cold”), and Best Country Album (Starting Over).
Nas
While Kanye West isn’t performing at the 2022 Grammys due to his concerning online behavior, hip-hop will be well-represented at this year’s ceremony. Nas, who is up for Best Rap Song (“Bath Salts”) and Best Rap Album (King’s Disease II), has been tapped to perform.
Cynthia Erivo / Leslie Odom Jr. / Ben Platt / Rachel Zegler
For the In Memoriam, the 64th Grammy Awards, the show has enlisted Rachel Zegler, Grammy winner Cynthia Erivo, and current nominees Leslie Odom Jr. and Ben Platt. The four will perform a series of Stephen Sondheim songs in tribute to those we’ve lost over the past year.
Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish will grace the Grammys stage for the third year in a row. At the 62nd Grammy Awards – the year when Billie became the second artist in Grammys history to sweep the four major categories (Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist) – Billie performed “When The Party’s Over” with her brother Finneas. The following year, in 2021, the two performed “Everything I Wanted.”
It’s possible for the 2021 ceremony, Billie will perform “Happier Than Ever,” the title track to her sophomore album. The tune is up for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance. Meanwhile, Happier Than Ever is nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album.
Olivia Rodrigo
Billie’s sweep of the Big Four category came nearly 40 years after Christopher Cross first pulled off the feat at the 23rd Grammys in 1981. Fans may not have to wait four decades for someone to do it again. Olivia Rodrigo’s “Drivers License” is up for Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Her debut, sour, is also nominated for Album of the Year, and the High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is up for Best New Artist. While “Drivers License” is the song nominated, Olivia has lately been known more for “good 4 u” or “Brutal,” so she may break out the pop-punk at the 2022 ceremony.
BTS
BTS will also return to the awards show. At the 62nd Grammys, the band — V, Jimin, j-hope, Jungkook, SUGA, RM, and Jin – joined Lil Nas X for his epic “Old Town Road” medley. The following year, the group performed a version of their song, “Dynamite,” but due to COVID-19 restrictions, it was a pre-taped performance, one recorded in their native South Korea. This year, the group will likely be live on the stage, and they will likely perform “Butter.” The song is up for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, the band’s only nomination.
Lil Nas X with Jack Harlow
After a year away from the Grammys, Lil Nas X returns with a handful of nominations and a scheduled performance with Jack Harlow. Two years after winning the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance Grammy for his “Old Town Road” with Billy Ray Cyrus (and the Grammy for Best Music Video), Nas X is up for some major awards. His “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Music Video. Nas X’s debut studio album, Montero, is up for Album of the Year. “Industry Baby,” his collab with Jack Harlow, is nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance. Expect these two to perform that when it’s their turn to hit the Grammys stage.
Brandi Carlile
Americana music will be well-represented at the 2021 Grammy Awards. Brandi Carlile walks into the Apr. 3 ceremony with five nominations. Her song, “Right On Time,” is up for Record of the Year, Song of The Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance. She’s also nominated for Best American Roots Performance, having joined Brandy Clark for “Same Devil.” If Brandi brings out her fellow Brandy for a duet, the two might bedazzle the Grammy audiences with a performance of that hit. Otherwise, expect Brandi to be “Right On Time” with her Grammy-nominated song.
Brothers Osborne
The Brothers Osborne will bring some country flavor to the 2022 Grammys. The band – who is up for Best Country Album (Skeletons) and Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“Younger Me”) – will play the event.
Who Might Be Performing
Justin Bieber and Doja Cat are each nominated for eight Grammy awards. If they don’t perform, it would be surprising — though, Doja has recently said that she’s retiring from music. If Justin gets booked, he’ll likely perform “Peaches.” As for Doja, she may bring out SZA for a titillating performance of “Kiss Me More.”
Another potential performer could be J. Cole. His “My Life” is up for a handful of awards, as is his album, The Off-Season. Tyler, The Creator rocked the Grammys in 2020 with a ground-shaking version of “earfquake” and “New Magic Wand.” With his Call Me If You Get Lost getting some love from the Recording Academy, it wouldn’t be odd if he was asked to perform “Lumberjack” or “WusYaName.”
One artist who will not perform will likely be Drake, who withdrew Certified Lover Boy from the Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance category. Taylor Swift performed a folklore medley at the 2021 Grammys and took home Album of the Year, but it’s unlikely that she will repeat. Her evermore was a last-minute addition to the list of Album of the Year nominees, according to The New York Times, indicating that the Academy didn’t really consider it as a potential winner. She may perform, or she may skip the show entirely.
The other last-minute addition to that category was Kanye “Ye” West’s Donda. Ye famously “urinated” on one of his Grammy awards, and it was expected that he would be BFFs with Pete Davidson before he would perform at the Grammys. However, it turned out that Kanye was kicked from the 2022 show due to his “concerning online behavior.” The Game accused Ye’s recent attacks on the Grammys host, Trevor Noah, as the reason for Ye’s removal from the lineup.
We will update this with any further developments.