The world of music comes together every year in the heart of downtown Los Angeles to celebrate the best singers and performances in each genre. Based on this year's lineup, the theme for this year's Grammy Awards seems to focus on duets and group performances, all of which can be watched online via live stream - free for subscribers - below.
The 57th annual Grammy Awards, which is scheduled to air this Sunday from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, will feature unlikely performance matchups from different genres such as Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett, Common and John Legend, Hozier and Annie Lennox, Mary J. Blige and Sam Smith, Beck and Chris Martin of Coldplay, and Tom Jones with Jessie J.
"There will also be trio and group performances including Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney, as well as Herbie Hancock, John Mayer and Questlove with Ed Sheeran," France wrote.
Common, a Chicago rapper, told Simon Vozick-Levinson of Rolling Stone that he and Legend will perform "Glory," a song they wrote and performed for the movie "Selma." However, he admitted that Beyoncé will introduce them first by singing a gospel standard entitled "Take My Hand, Precious Lord."
"We're getting an introduction from the great Beyoncé," Common said to Rolling Stone. "That's a whole other level, to have her singing 'Precious Lord.' I'm excited."
Common elaborated on what viewers can expect from that performance. Rolling Stone reported that "Glory" won a Golden Globe for Best Original Song.
"It's the Grammys stage, so we're going to deliver some of the best performances we ever had," the rapper said. "Expect the spirit of what the movie is about, the spirit of what the movement is about, and the spirit of what 'Glory' is about."
Common added that they are singing the song during a time when police brutality and civil rights issues have reemerged in the nation's dialogue and debate.
"This is who I want to be as a person - to be able to speak up and say things that can impact people's lives, and things that can be inspiring to human beings," Common said. "There's no other song besides 'Glory' that I'd want to be my first opportunity to perform at the Grammys."
As for the Grammy's Lifetime Achievement Awards, this year those honors go to Buddy Guy and George Harrison. Musicians Jeff Beck and Tom Petty will conduct tribute performances to their respective artists.
"Buddy's impact on the blues and rock and roll cannot be denied," Beck wrote. "As a musician, his influence has been evident in the careers of not only myself, but Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan, among many, many others."
Both Beck and Petty highlighted the fact that both Guy and Harrison had humble, modest beginnings.
"George truly was the peace and love guy. It wasn't a fad for him," Petty wrote. "He walked the walk. He dropped some beautiful wisdom on us without preaching, and always keeping a sense of humor, he was forever mindful that we are all so, so human."
The 57th annual Grammy Awards will air Sunday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. Online viewers can watch the Grammys in real time through CBS All Access (free trial) starting at 8 p.m. ET, but this option is restricted to viewers who live in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, Miami, Denver, Sacramento, Pittsburgh and Baltimore.
Moreover, Grammy Awards red-carpet and backstage access will be streamed online at Grammy Live beginning at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.
The entire list of this year's nominees can be found on the official Grammys website.
