Olivia Dean brought the house down on January 31 as she performed at Clive Davis’ Pre-GRAMMY® Gala and Grammy Salute to Industry Icons, one of the biggest Grammy parties of the year. The British singer-songwriter, who’s up for her first Grammy in the Best New Artist category, crooned “Man I Need” to the star-studded crowd, which included Gladys Knight, Gayle King, and Don Lemon, who had just been released from his shocking ICE custody arrest.
Other talent that rocked the stage included Sombr — another Best New Artist nominee — as well as Clipse and John Legend, who performed “The Birds Don’t Sing” off the Clipse brothers’ Let God Sort Em Out, which is nominated for Best Album of the Year. Jennifer Hudson remembered Roberta Flack with a rendition of “The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face.” Stevie Wonder co-presented the night’s honor to Avery and Monte Lipman, the brothers who co-founded Republic Records.
Reality Royalty
Image: Mark Gunter/Getty Images for Godfather Entertainment.
Mona Scott Young, the powerhouse behind the Love & Hip Hop reality franchise, received her flowers at Godfather Entertainment Presents Pre-Grammys 2026 The Global Affair Benefit Gala on January 31. The night honored the creator, along with honorees Swizz Beatz, criminal justice reform advocate Alice Johnson, and more. Held at private member club Gravistas and hosted by Michael “Harry-O” Harris, founder of Godfather Entertainment group and the man who helped launch Death Row Records while behind bars, it was a night to celebrate those who have succeeded after incarceration. Guests enjoyed the work of artist Halim Flowers in a mini-exhibit and a night of music from Shanice, MannyWellz, a rising R&B artist from the DMV, and Mario.
Epic Moment
Usher attended the Epic Records and Hennessy 2026 Grammys Party at Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood, California, on January 30.
Gifted!
R&B artist India Shawn racks up goodies from Urban Decay and more at the 68th Annual 68th GRAMMY Awards Gift Lounge in Los Angeles on January 30.
Back on Stage
Brandy kept the music and style flowing with a performance at the 2026 Recording Academy Honors, presented by The Black Music Collective, on January 29 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. She, Pharrell Williams, and Kirk Franklin were recognized for their decades-long contributions to the industry. Eve officially became a two-time Grammy Award winner with the presentation of a retroactive Grammy for her uncredited verse on The Roots’ “You Got Me,” which won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 2000.
Healing Powers
Chris Redding attended BMI’s GRAMMY Nominees Celebration at BMI LA in Beverly Hills, California, on January 29. The artist is nominated for Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album for “The Color In My Mind,” a healing compilation he created in honor of his neurodivergent son.