Straight Outta Compton principals Ice Cube and O’Shea Jackson Jr. are teaming up again — this time as presenters at the Grammy Awards. Also taking the Staples Center stage as presenters will be Ariana Grande and Selena Gomez.
“We felt it was important to represent Straight Outta Compton on the show,” says executive producer Ken Ehrlich. “That movie and that soundtrack had a tremendous impact on our culture this past year.” The critically acclaimed biopic about pioneering rap group N.W.A. was co-produced by Ice Cube, who was portrayed in the box office hit by son Jackson.
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As previously reported, Taylor Swift will open the show with a track from her nominated album 1989. Newly added to the performer lineup as the countdown to music’s biggest night ramps up: current nominees Alabama Shakes, Miguel and jazz prodigy Joey Alexander.
Making its Grammy debut performance as a band, Alabama Shakes will also perform one of its own songs. And in a nod to the Feb. 26 reissue of Michael Jackson’s game-changing 1979 album Off the Wall — a CD/DVD package including director Spike Lee’s new documentary — Miguel will perform “She’s Out of My Life.” Backing the singer will be the Hot 100 top 10 hit’s original keyboardist, Greg Phillinganes.
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?Tributes dedicated to David Bowie, Eagles’ Glenn Frey and B.B. King will feature Lady Gaga, Don Henley, Jackson Browne, Chris Stapleton, Bonnie Raitt and more. More than 30 artists comprise this year’s talent lineup, including previously announced performers Adele, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Kendrick Lamar, The Weeknd, Diplo, Meghan Trainor, Ellie Goulding, John Legend, Pitbull, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood and the Broadway cast of Hamilton.
“What we try to convey to viewers each year is that music is a through line,” says Ehrlich. “Our goal is to be respectful and responsive as we recognize the great music that’s been presented and nominated in the past year.”
The 58th annual Grammy Awards will air live on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 15 (8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT).
