Kacey Musgraves onstage at the 2019 Grammys.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images
Nearly two years ago, the Grammy Awards faced heavy criticism in the wake of then-Recording Academy president Neil Portnow’s comment about how female creators needed to “step up” to be recognized. What a difference a year makes: The 2019 Grammys, while still imperfect (and flat in ratings), were both more inclusive and more vital — and could well serve as a blueprint for an even better-received 2020 ceremony.
Get the Gamest Host Around: After multiyear hosting stints from LL Cool J and James Corden, Alicia Keys brought a freshness to the festivities that should be replicated by her successor (or by Keys herself). With an inviting stage presence, Keys kept the energy high during the 2019 ceremony, but her piano medley of songs she wished she had written — from Drake’s “In My Feelings” to Lauryn Hill’s “Doo Wop (That Thing)” — became a high point.
Trending on Billboard
Toast the Critical Darling: Although other 2019 album of the year nominees had bigger sales numbers, juicier narratives or more ubiquitous singles, Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour was the most universally lauded, and its win represented the rare occasion when critical consensus results in Grammy gold. Giving the top prize to the most widely acclaimed project, regardless of commercial credentials, would strengthen the academy’s reputation as an institution that makes artistry its top priority.
Highlight Hip-Hop: The top genre by consumption for three years running, hip-hop scored long-overdue victories at the 2019 ceremony when Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” won both record of the year and song of the year — a first for a rap song, in both categories. There’s still plenty of room for improvement in 2020: Out of the 18 performances during the 2019 show, only one featured an unaccompanied rapper, Cardi B. Meanwhile, there hasn’t been a hip-hop album of the year winner since OutKast in 2004.
Embrace Español: The 2019 Grammys opened with an ebullient Latin pop mashup featuring J Balvin, Camila Cabello and Ricky Martin — a wise nod to the influx of Spanish-language hits on U.S. top 40 radio. This year, Latin superstars like Rosalía, Bad Bunny and Ozuna could grace the Grammys stage. But why not go even further, recognizing momentous shifts in the worlds of K-pop (BTS, Blackpink) and Afro-fusion (Burna Boy, WizKid)?
This article originally appeared in the Sept. 21 issue of Billboard.
