BY VINETTE K. PRYCE From Caribbean Life

It has been almost two decades since the Grammys were held in New York City. The actual absence of the music industry’s biggest awards show has been 18 consecutive years with the exception of 2003 when music legends went west to collect their prizes.

This year, the live broadcast will return to Madison Square Garden for a cooler, more confined celebration of achievers who have excelled in 84 categories and numerous genres of the music recording industry.

With fashion, awards presentations and performances the alluring features to viewers, a late addition to the performance lineup adds Rihanna to the 60th annual presentation.

Almost at the 11th hour, the Barbadian, pop singer was named to perform “Wild Thoughts” with DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller for a production which also features Cardi B, Bruno Mars, Kesha, SZA, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee.

Although she is not nominated to win at the annual music gala, once again her presence will be felt. Last year, as an eight-time nominee Rihanna walked into the Grammy ceremony wearing a midriff two piece outfit.

She also sported a diamond-encrusted flask which she fashionably sipped from during every camera focus.

Losing in every category, reportedly she was regarded as being snubbed by the National Academy of Recording and Sciences.

The year before that, Rihanna missed the ceremonies when she was allegedly stricken with bronchitis.

She was scheduled to perform a song titled “Kiss It Better.”

Thirteen could be a lucky number for the fashion-conscious, confident, Caribbean native.

It’s been that many years since she made her debuted as a Barbados-born newcomer who signed with Jay-Z’s stable of recording artists.

Her first score was also the lead single “Umbrella” from an album that won her a first Grammy award.

The album’s singles and DVD earned eight nominations throughout 2008 and 2009.

In 2010, she accepted the prestigious honor of winning ‘Song of the Decade’ at the Barbados Music Awards.

Since that time she has won eight Grammy awards and a number of music accolades including 12 Billboard Music Awards, 12 American Music Awards (including the Icon Award) and six MTV Video Music Awards (including the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award).

Despite last year’s Grammy shut-out of the album “ANTI,” it was certified double platinum by the RIAA, peaked at number one on the Billboard 200 cart twice and spent 33 weeks in the top 10.

The lead single “Work” made history last spring when it broke a record The Beatles charted on the Billboard Hot 100 to establish her significant for accomplishing the second-most cumulative weeks at number one.

Rihanna is also reputed for her career achieving goal of having music totaling 60 weeks at number one.

Others slated to perform include Lady GaGa, Pink, Kendrick Lamar, Sam Smith, Elton John, and others.

The Grammys will air from Madison Square Garden on Jan. 28 from 7:30 pm to 11 pm on CBS-TV.

For more on this story go to: https://www.caribbeanlifenews.com/stories/2018/1/2018-01-26-vkp-rihanna-grammy-lineup-cl.html