Louder: It’s Beyoncé’s time to shine at the Grammys … right?

Plus: Wynonna Judd, Kelela, Tom Verlaine and more

View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story February 3, 2023 By Caryn Ganz Pop Music Editor It's been a huge week in music with so much more to come at Sunday's Grammy Awards, so I am simply getting out of the way. Please note our coverage will begin in the afternoon, when winners are announced at the "Premiere Ceremony" (the show that starts at 3:30 p.m. EST, where all but about 10 of the 91 categories will be announced). When in doubt, let @nytimesmusic on Twitter be your guide. To prepare, do read Ben Sisario and Joe Coscarelli on the major stakes for Beyoncé (and the Grammys at large) as she enters the show with the year's most nominations and the potential to become the most awarded artist in the event's history. (Something about her own history at the Grammys has fans a bit nervous …) Plus, a fascinating conversation with two musicians who have been on both sides of the artist/songwriter divide (The-Dream tells an amazing story about writing "Single Ladies"!), and Jon Pareles chats with Bonnie Raitt about her song up for one of the big four honors. But do not leave after that! Grayson Haver Currin wrote the cover of Arts & Leisure this week on Wynonna Judd, returning to the road to wrap up what would have been the Judds' final tour in the wake of her mother's death, and trying to carve out the future in music she's been dreaming about since she was a teen. And we also have Jazmine Hughes profiling Kelela, an R&B innovator whose music is the result of deep thinking and deep feeling. Lots to click. See you Sunday! THE GRAMMYS Chris Pizzello/Invision, via Associated Press It's Beyoncé's Time to Shine at the Grammys … Right? With a dominant new album, "Renaissance," and the chance to become the most awarded artist in Grammy history, all eyes are on the pop superstar ahead of Sunday's show. What could go wrong? By Ben Sisario and Joe Coscarelli Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Songwriter or Star? The-Dream, Muni Long and Two Paths to the Grammys. Ahead of the first-ever Grammy Award for songwriter of the year, two musicians who have been both headliners and behind-the-scenes cogs trace their unique journeys to recognition. By Joe Coscarelli Bonnie Raitt Heads to the Grammys, Recognized as a Songwriter at Last Long renowned as an interpreter, she has quietly built a catalog of her own. Up for song of the year on Sunday, she talked about her nominated track, "Just Like That," and a lifetime onstage. By Jon Pareles THE CRITICS THE PLAYLIST Karol G and Romeo Santos's Sensual Goodbye, and 12 More New Songs Hear tracks by Morgan Wallen, Yves Tumor, Lankum and others. By Jon Pareles and Lindsay Zoladz CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK 'Schoolhouse Rock!' at 50: Those Are Magic Numbers The educational snippets are the ultimate font of Gen X nostalgia. But what is it we're nostalgic for? By James Poniewozik 5 MINUTES Five Minutes That Will Make You Love 21st-Century Jazz We've done a lot of listening back. So where is jazz today? Writers and musicians including Sonny Rollins, Melanie Charles and Terri Lyne Carrington share their favorites from this millennium. By Giovanni Russonello FEATURES Thea Traff for The New York Times Wynonna Judd, on Her Own Last spring, the country superstar lost her mother and longtime singing partner, Naomi Judd, to suicide. At 58, she finally hopes to become the musician she's wanted to be for 50 years. By Grayson Haver Currin Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT Gioncarlo Valentine for The New York Times How the R&B Innovator Kelela Unlocked a New Level In the six years since her debut, "Take Me Apart," the 39-year-old musician has been researching, processing and preparing to make an even bolder statement. By Jazmine Hughes Raye, Tired of Music's Waiting Game, Releases an Album at Last The British musician spent years writing for other artists, eventually sharing her frustrations online. After speaking her truths about the industry, she shares personal revelations on her debut. By Simran Hans INVESTIGATION Illustration by The New York Times How BMG Secretly Signed a Rapper Dropped for Antisemitic Lyrics Though the music label ultimately backed out, the deal illustrates the temptations and risks faced by corporations seeking to capitalize on the notoriety of pop-culture figures. By Katherine Rosman, Ben Sisario and Constant Méheut PLAYLIST Gus Stewart/Redferns, via Getty Images PLAYLIST Tom Verlaine's 15 Essential Songs From Television through his solo career, the songwriter created enigmatic tidings and cat's-cradle guitar structures. He died on Saturday at 73. By Jon Pareles Continue reading the main story ADVERTISEMENT OBITUARIES Tom Verlaine, Influential Guitarist and Songwriter, Dies at 73 He first attracted attention with the band Television, a fixture of the New York punk rock scene. But his music wasn't so easily categorized. By Gavin Edwards and Peter Keepnews Barrett Strong, Whose 'Money' Helped Launch Motown, Dies at 81 As a singer he was a one-hit wonder. But teaming with Norman Whitfield, he wrote a string of hits for others, including "I Heard It Through the Grapevine." By Neil Genzlinger Ray Cordeiro, a Voice on Hong Kong's Airwaves for 70 Years, Dies at 98 Late-night radio listeners in Hong Kong associated Mr. Cordeiro's sonorous voice with easy-listening standards and early rock. He worked until he was 96. By Tiffany May Jerry Blavat, D.J. Who Channeled the Soul of Philadelphia, Dies at 82 A live-wire personality and an epic self-promoter, he got a generation of youth in the City of Brotherly Love on its feet with little-known R&B gems. By Alex Williams NEWS Beyoncé Announces Renaissance World Tour The star's first solo tour since 2016 will start May 10 in Stockholm. By Joe Coscarelli Willie Nelson, Missy Elliott and Sheryl Crow Nominated for Rock Hall Cyndi Lauper, Joy Division, George Michael and the White Stripes are also among the first-time nominees up for induction this year. By Julia Jacobs THE CHARTS SZA's 'SOS' Holds Strong With Seven Weeks at No. 1 The R&B star's "SOS" has racked up more than 1.4 billion streams and had the equivalent of 1.1 million sales since its December release. By Ben Sisario Biden Calls for Limits on Ticket Fees for Concerts and Sporting Events The president made the proposal at a meeting of his competition council, roughly a week after lawmakers scrutinized Ticketmaster. By Matt Stevens Gary Glitter Is Released From Prison After Serving Half of His Sentence The disgraced former glam rock singer was found guilty in 2015 of sexually abusing three young girls in the 1970s. He had been given a 16-year sentence. By Jenny Gross Prosecutors in Chicago Will Drop Abuse Charges Against R. Kelly The musician is already facing decades in prison after being convicted of federal charges, prompting the Cook County state's attorney to halt her case. By Julia Jacobs Will the Metaverse Be Entertaining? Ask South Korea. In the world's testing ground for tech, K-pop singers are being spun up out of pixels and doing battle in a virtual universe. By Jin Yu Young and Matt Stevens MOVIE REVIEW 'Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over' Review: A Trailblazer Gets Her Flowers This documentary tries to do justice to a six-decade career in 95 minutes, which proves challenging. By Chris Azzopardi Make a friend's day: Forward this email! Get this from a friend? Sign up here. Follow us on Twitter @nytimesmusic. Send your feedback on Louder at theplaylist@nytimes.com. Check out our full range of newsletters. Continue reading the main story Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Louder from The New York Times. To stop receiving Louder, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, manage your email preferences. 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