Trevor Noah has been named the host of the 2021 Grammy Awards. The Recording Academy took to social media on Tuesday morning (Nov. 24) to announce the news.
“We’re thrilled to welcome @TheDailyShow host, Emmy-winner, and GRAMMY-nominee @TrevorNoah as the host of the 63rd #GRAMMYs! We can’t think of a better person to serve as Master of Ceremonies for Music’s Biggest Night,” the academy tweeted.
“The Daily Show” host was nominated for Best Comedy Album at the Grammy celebration earlier this year, but lost to Dave Chappelle. He jokingly referred to the loss in a statement reacting to his latest accomplishment.
“Despite the fact that I am extremely disappointed that the Grammys have refused to have me sing or be nominated for best pop album, I am thrilled to be hosting this auspicious event,” Noah said. “I think as a one-time Grammy nominee, I am the best person to provide a shoulder to all the amazing artists who do not win on the night because I too know the pain of not winning the award! (This is a metaphorical shoulder, I’m not trying to catch Corona.) See you at the 63rd Grammys!”
Noah replaces Alicia Keys who hosted the Grammy Awards for the last two years. His designation as master of ceremonies comes after years of critique about racial discrimination and lack of diversity in the annual award show. Earlier this year, in attempt to address one of the issues, the Recording Academy renamed the Urban Contemporary music category to Progressive R&B.
The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards is slated to air on Sunday, Jan. 31 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, it remains to be seen whether music’s biggest night will take after the BET Awards with a virtual celebration or follow the AMAs with a live show.
Grammy nominations will be announced this afternoon (Nov. 24).