LL Cool J to be first host of the Grammys since 2005
Rapper and actor LL Cool J has been announced as the host of this year’s Grammys by the Recording Academy on Wednesday.
In the announcement, the Academy notes that LL Cool J previously hosted the The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night, which he has hosted since 2008.
The NCIS: Los Angles star said in the announcement that he is “thrilled” to take the job, adding that “I will always have fond memories of my first Grammy Awards and to now be hosting the Grammy show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true,” according to The New York Daily News.
The two-time Grammy winner will be the first host of the awards since Queen Latifah hosted in 2005. MTV News reports that LL Cool J will be joined by a line-up of A-list performers including Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj, the Foo Fighters, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Aldean and Bruno Mars, who were all previously announced as performers for the show.
“Rolling in the Deep” singer Adele received six nominations, including one in each of the three major categories, album of the year, record of the year and song of the year, notes People. Kanye West was nominated for seven awards.
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles on CBS on Feb. 12.