As the 60th GRAMMY Awards on Sunday, January 28th in New York City draw closer, The Recording Academy, has announced the addition of several artists to the annual awards show’s bill of musical performances. The third and final round of artist additions include polarizing hip-hop superstar Kendrick Lamar, Irish rock and roll heroes U2, and beloved pianist/singer/songwriter Elton John to their bill of musical performances. According to the announcement, Elton John will perform “one of his classic hits” with help from pop star songstress Miley Cyrus. Two nights after the show, John and writing partner Bernie Taupin will be honored at the taping of Elton John: I’m Still Standing –A Grammy Salute, a special set to air later in the year on CBS.
Billboard reports that Lamar will open the show, just as he did at last year’s VMAs where he performed “HUMBLE.” and “DNA.” complete with a complex laser light show, sword-wielding dancers fully engulfed in flames, and warriors climbing a fiery trellis.
In 2016, following the release of his widely-acclaimed album To Pimp A Butterfly, Lamar delivered a now-infamous performance at the GRAMMYs. After walking out as part of a chain gang, he performed “The Blacker The Berry” with his band locked inside jail cells.
From there, Lamar lit into another controversial, politically charged anthem, “Alright”, which saw him perform the anti-police violence track in front of a raging bonfire.
Watch video of Kendrick’s powerful performance at the 2016 GRAMMY Awards below:
This performance followed his controversial “Alright” spectacle at the 2015 BET Awards, which caused FOX News personality Geraldo Rivera to take issue during a news broadcast. Lamar would later sample the audio of Rivera’s broadcast saying how hip-hop had hurt black youths in multiple tracks on his most recent album, DAMN., which is up for multiple honors at this year’s GRAMMYs.
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Lamar, John, and U2 will join an already-announced roster of performers for the evening which includes Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, Kesha, Bruno Mars with Cardi B, “Best New Artist” nominees SZA, Alessia Cara, and Khalid, “Record of the Year” and “Album of the Year” nominee Childish Gambino, “Song of the Year” nominee Logic, “Best Pop Solo Performance” nominees Lady Gaga and P!nk, “Best Country Album” nominee Little Big Town, Broadway veteran Patti LuPone, and Ben Platt, who won a Tony Award last year for his portrayal of the titular role in acclaimed musical Dear Evan Hansen.
You can see a full list of categories and nominations for the upcoming 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards here.