The night ended where it began — with music.
DJ Skyla Tyla cued the room to sing “Happy Birthday” as Tyla was surprised with a cake to celebrate her 24th birthday.
It was the Friday before Sunday’s 68th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, and Epic Records, in partnership with Hennessy, toasted the label’s nominees at the Sunset Tower Hotel during music’s biggest weekend.
The evening honored Epic Records’ Grammy-nominated artists, including singer Tyla, Swedish singer-songwriter Zara Larsson, American gospel singer Yolanda Adams and Australian singer-songwriter and music producer Eddie Benjamin.
Tyla earned her first nomination and win last year for Best African Music Performance with her hit “Water.” This year she’s up for the same category for her single “Push 2 Start,” celebrating South African music on the global stage.
Larsson — a breakout music artist this year — is nominated for her first Grammy award for Best Dance Pop Recording for “Midnight Sun,” the dance floor-ready pop standout. Meanwhile Adams, no stranger to a Grammy nomination, is recognized for Best Gospel Album for “Sunny Days.” And Benjamin is among the creatives credited on Justin Bieber’s “Swag,” nominated for Album of the Year.
Guests sipped on Hennessy cocktails named for the nominees, and later enjoyed Sunset Tower’s signature ice cream sundaes. The room was a mix of music industry executives and artists. Among them were Usher, Kelly Rowland, Ty Dolla Sign, Adam Lambert, Kesha, London on Da Track, DDG, Smino and Taboo.
The Grammys air live Sunday from Crypto.com Arena in downtown L.A., with Trevor Noah as host.
