On the road to Grammy recognition, today’s top artists often find themselves stopping by KCRW — whether that’s to perform on Morning Becomes Eclectic, dig into their work on Press Play, or share their musical inspirations on Private Playlist.
Ahead of the 63rd Grammy Awards on March 14, take a look at some of our favorite performances and conversations featuring this year’s nominees.
Finneas
Widely known as one half of the songwriting and production force behind pop icon (and last year’s Grammy starchild) Billie Eilish, Finneas is a masterful solo artist in his own right, as he proved during his stop on MBE with Chris Douridas in 2019. This year Finneas is nominated alongside his sister for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Song Written for Visual Media.
Black Pumas
Psych-soul luminaries Black Pumas first wowed the KCRW staff at SXSW in 2019 before stopping by our studios for a masterful performance later that year. On Sunday, they’re up for a Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Best American Roots Performance.
Phoebe Bridgers
Indie pop darling Phoebe Bridgers is up for knockout sweep this year, with nods for Best New Artist, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Alternative Music Album for her breakthrough “Punisher.”
Brittany Howard
No stranger to Grammy shine, the Alabama Shakes frontwoman-turned-solo artist thrilled us with her 2019 MBE set. This year she’s up for (deep breath) Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, Best Alternative Music Album, Best R&B Performance and Best American Roots Performance. She’ll also be performing on the Grammys telecast.
Disclosure
Remember dance floors? Jog your memory with this beat-laden MBE set from the dynamic British electronic duo, who are up for Best Dance Recording and Best Dance/Electronic Album.
Robert Glasper
Three time Grammy-winning pianist, producer and artist Robert Glasper took us on a jazz fusion odyssey when he stopped by the KCRW studios in 2020 just before the pandemic hit. On Sunday, he’s up for Best Progressive R&B Album as well as Best R&B Song for “Better Than I Imagined,” a nod he shares with fellow nominees and KCRW vets H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello.
Tame Impala
The Aussie psych-rock faves are up for two awards on Sunday with Best Rock Song and Best Alternative Music Album. Revisit the band’s breakthrough live MBE set from 2013, which was also released as a live album.
Beck
Longtime friend of the station, Beck has seven wins and 22 nominations under his belt. Check out his 2019 set for his album “Hyperspace,” which earned him a Best Alternative Music Album nomination at this year’s awards.
Toro Y Moi
The prolific and genre-hopping Chaz Bear, a.k.a. Toro Y Moi, lands on well-deserved Grammy recognition this year with a Best Dance Recording nod for his feature on Flume’s “The Difference.”
Fiona Apple
Treat your ears to this stunning set from a young Fiona Apple, who joined Chris Douridas in-studio in 1996. This year, the now-legendary vocalist is up for Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, and Best Alternative Music Album for 2020’s acclaimed “Fetch the Bolt Cutters.”