Jhené Aiko will make history this Grammys season as both a nominee and a host. The Chilombo crafter is set to host the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony, where the majority of the trophies are awarded. The show will feature performances by Grammy nominees Burna Boy, Rufus Wainwright, Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Igor Levit, Lido Pimienta and Poppy.
The show, which will be live-streamed on Grammy.com prior to the ceremony, will also include a tribute performance honoring the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye’s 1971 hit, “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology).” The Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra, PJ Morton, Gregory Porter, Grace Potter, Kamasi Washington and more will perform for the tribute.
Best New Artist nominee Chika, comedian Bill Burr, Infante and Former Recording Academy Chair Jimmy Jam will also help present the first awards at the Premiere Ceremony. Afterward, Aiko will likely have her own nominations on her mind.
The R&B star is the first-ever Grammys Premiere Ceremony host to also be an Album of the Year nominee. Aiko’s third studio effort Chilombo nabbed her the recognition, as well as Best Progressive R&B Album. Aiko is also nominated for Best R&B Performance for album cut “Lightning & Thunder,” which features John Legend.
The Recording Academy previously asked Tiffany Haddish to host this year’s Premiere Ceremony. However, Haddish learned that she would not be paid for the role and that she would have to cover her own hair, make-up and wardrobe expenses. The Grammy nominee rejected the offer and called it “disrespectful.”
“I was like, ‘The exposure is amazing, but I think I have enough,’” she said. “This is something that needs to be addressed.”
At the time, interim Recording Academy president and CEO Harvey Mason Jr. issued both a public and private apology to the actress.
According to Billboard, Aiko will be paid for her hosting duties.
The Premiere Ceremony will be broadcast live at noon PST on March 14, followed by the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at 5 pm PST / 8 pm EST.