The Recording Academy
By Friday, Jan. 30, Grammy Week was in full stride, balancing legacy, industry recognition, and a look toward the future of music. Day 4 unfolded across Los Angeles with three distinct events, each capturing a different aspect of the week’s purpose.
The evening belonged to Mariah Carey, who was celebrated as MusiCares’ 2026 Person of the Year. The honor recognized not only her decades-long run as one of pop and R&B’s most influential voices, but also her continued commitment to charitable work. The annual tribute concert reflected the scale of her impact, bringing together a genre-spanning group of performers. Artists like Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Jon Batiste, Charlie Puth, Kesha, Maggie Rogers, Laufey, and Teddy Swims took the stage alongside Foo Fighters, Busta Rhymes, Billy Porter, Chanté Moore, FLO, and Taylor Momsen of The Pretty Reckless. Jermaine Dupri set the tone early with a DJ set that opened the night. Rather than a retrospective, the show felt like a reminder of how deeply Carey’s music continues to resonate across generations and styles.
Earlier in the day, the focus shifted to the industry’s business and legal backbone at the 28th annual Entertainment Law Initiative Luncheon. Hosted by the Recording Academy, the event honored Paul Robinson, Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Warner Music Group, with the ELI Service Award. Remarks from Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. and Senior Vice President of Membership and Industry Relations Kelley Purcell framed the importance of advocacy and mentorship in music law. The luncheon also spotlighted the next wave of legal minds, recognizing writing contest winner Justin Fisher and runners-up Anika Kazi and Derek Song.
At Grammy House, the spotlight turned to emerging artists and future professionals during the first-ever Grammy U Day. The day opened with a masterclass led by Yungblud, who spoke candidly about his creative path in a conversation moderated by Allison Hagendorf. By nightfall, Grammy House transformed into a multi-stage showcase featuring performances from Grammy U members and rising acts, alongside sets from Ari Lennox, Durand Bernarr, Los Wizzards, Jensen McRae, and Hailey Knox.
Together, Day 4 captured Grammy Week’s full spectrum: honoring icons, recognizing behind-the-scenes leaders, and investing in what comes next.
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