After Dua Lipa kicked off the 2024 GRAMMYs with an awe-inspiring medley of her two new songs, country star Luke Combs followed with a performance that spawned one of the most memorable moments of the night — and one that exemplified the magic of the 66th GRAMMY Awards.

Combs was joined by Tracy Chapman, whose return to the stage marked her first public performance in 15 years. The two teamed up for her GRAMMY-winning hit "Fast Car," which earned another GRAMMY nomination this year thanks to Combs' true-to-form cover that was up for Best Country Solo Performance. The audience went wild upon seeing a resplendent, smiling Chapman strum her guitar, and it was evident that Combs felt the same excitement singing along beside her.

Chapman and Combs' duet was a powerful display of what the 2024 GRAMMYs offered: veteran musicians being honored and new stars being born.

Another celebrated musician who made a triumphant return was Joni Mitchell. Though the folk icon had won 10 GRAMMYs to date — including one for Best Folk Album at this year's Premiere Ceremony — she had never performed on the GRAMMYs stage until the 2024 GRAMMYs. Backed by a band that included Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell, Blake Mills, Jacob Collier, and other accomplished musicians, the 80-year-old singer/songwriter delivered a stirring (and tear-inducing) rendition of her classic song "Both Sides Now," singing from an ornate chair that added an element of regality.

Later in the show, Billy Joel, the legendary rock star who began his GRAMMY career in 1979 when "Just the Way You Are" won Record and Song Of The Year, used the evening to publicly debut his first single in 17 years, "Turn the Lights Back On." (He also closed out the show with his 1980 classic, "You May Be Right.") It was the latest event in Joel's long history at the show; past performances range from a 1994 rendition of "River of Dreams" to a 2022 duet of "New York State of Mind" with Tony Bennett. The crooner, who died in 2023, was featured in the telecast's In Memoriam section, where Stevie Wonder dueted with archival footage of Bennett. And Annie Lennox, currently in semi-retirement, paid tribute to Sinéad O'Connor, singing "Nothing Compares 2 You" and calling for peace.

Career-peak stars also furthered their own legends, none more so than Taylor Swift. The pop star made history at the 2024 GRAMMYs, claiming the record for most Album Of The Year wins by a single artist. The historic moment also marked another icon's return, as Celine Dion made an ovation-prompting surprise appearance to present the award. (Earlier in the night, Swift also won Best Pop Vocal Album for Midnights, announcing a new album in her acceptance speech. To date, Swift has 14 GRAMMYs and 52 nominations.)

24-time GRAMMY winner Jay-Z expanded his dominance by taking home the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, which he accepted alongside daughter Blue Ivy. And just before Miley Cyrus took the stage to perform "Flowers," the smash single helped the pop star earn her first-ever GRAMMY, which also later nabbed Record Of The Year.

Alongside the longtime and current legends, brand-new talents emerged as well. Victoria Monét took home two GRAMMYs before triumphing in the Best New Artist category, delivering a tearful speech in which she looked back on 15 years working her way up through the industry. Last year's Best New Artist winner, Samara Joy, continued to show her promise in the jazz world, as she won Best Jazz Performance for "Tight"; she's now 3 for 3, after also taking home Best Jazz Vocal Album for Linger Awhile last year.

First-time nominee Tyla became a first-time winner — and surprised everyone, including herself — when the South African starlet won the first-ever Best African Music Performance GRAMMY for her hit "Water." boygenius, Karol G and Lainey Wilson were among the many other first-time GRAMMY winners that capped off major years with a golden gramophone (or three, in boygenius' case).

All throughout GRAMMY Week 2024, rising and emerging artists were even more of a theme in the lead-up to the show. GRAMMY House 2024 hosted performances from future stars, including Teezo Touchdown and Tiana Major9 at the Beats and Blooms Emerging Artist Showcase and Blaqbonez and Romy at the #GRAMMYsNextGen Party.

Gatherings such as A Celebration of Women in the Mix, Academy Proud: Celebrating LGBTQIA+ Voices, and the Growing Wild Independent Music Community Panel showcased traditionally marginalized voices and communities, while Halle Bailey delivered a GRAMMY U Masterclass for aspiring artists. And Clive Davis hosted his Pre-2024 GRAMMYs Gala, where stars new and old mingled ahead of the main event. 

From established, veteran artists to aspiring up-and-comers, the 2024 GRAMMYs were a night of gold and glory that honored the breadth of talent and creativity throughout the music industry, perfectly exemplifying the Recording Academy's goal to "honor music's past while investing in its future." If this year's proceedings were any indication, the future of the music industry is bright indeed. 

10 Must-See Moments From The 2024 GRAMMYs: Taylor Swift Makes History, Billy Joel & Tracy Chapman Return, Boygenius Manifest Childhood Dreams

One would have expected plenty of pomp and circumstance as the Latin GRAMMYs celebrated their 25th year anniversary. But there were no lengthy speeches or self-congratulatory videos during the Nov. 14 telecast.

This year, the telecast focused on the things that matter: saluting the magic of undying genres like salsa, rock and bossa nova. Honoring the legacies of such Latin American trendsetters as Carlos Vives and Juan Luis Guerra. Giving artists a carefully curated space where to showcase their craft and inspiration.

From the stark cinematic moods of reggaetón to the healing warmth of Afro-Caribbean roots and the bold expansion of música mexicana, here are 10 of the most exciting celebratory moments from the 2024 Latin GRAMMYs.

The Music Of Carlos Vives Is A Priceless Cultural Treasure

Colombian singer/songwriter Carlos Vives was The Latin Recording Academy's 2024 Person Of The Year — a fitting recognition to his groundbreaking fusion of the accordion-heavy vallenato music of his land with rock, pop and even reggae. Vives' path of innovation began with the 1993 album Clásicos de la Provincia, and, like the Latin GRAMMYs, his career has evolved much over the last 25 years.

The singer kicked off the telecast with a career-spanning medley of hits such as "Fruta Fresca" — a rollicking gem off his 1999 classic El Amor de mi Tierra — and the more recent "La Bicicleta." At the end of his performance, he was joined by an enthusiastic group of fellow singers, including Juanes and Camilo. This brisk summary of his creative genius underscored his innate ability to connect with the essence of Latin American culture.

Read More: Watch: Carlos Vives Performs "La Bicicleta," "Robarte Un Beso" & More At The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs

The Moody Soundscapes Of Urbano Continue To Expand

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Jagged regaetón beats and ominous trap atmospherics are a natural component of the Latin pop DNA. But the urbano universe continues to grow, experimenting with novel song structures while incorporating references to other genres.

Early on in the telecast, three contemporary stars joined forces for a segment that showcased the ever evolving side of urbano. Eladio Carrión ("Mama's Boy") Quevedo ("Columbia") and Myke Towers ("La Falda") combined their proven commercial appeal with a sophisticated vision.

A True Master Never Stops Learning His Craft

Let's just say that this year's ceremony was a memorable evening for perennial Latin GRAMMY favorite Juan Luis Guerra. The 67-year-old singer/songwriter won the coveted Record Of The Year and Album Of The Year awards, and cherished his Dominican roots in his acceptance speech.

But Guerra also let the music speak for itself in a mesmerizing performance of Record Of The Year winning track "MAMBO 23." A stunning display of craftsmanship, it begins with a dembow beat, incorporates electronic loops, and also switches between the haunting qualities of spiraling bachata lines and the raucous party vibe of traditional merengue — all within the same song. Clearly, Guerra continues to learn and further refine his musical lexicon with each new project.

Read More: Juan Luis Guerra Sweeps The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs With 'Radio Güira'

Three Mexican Legends Are Sorely Missed

Alejandro Fernández | Photo: Getty Images for The Latin Recording Academy

There was a reflective quality to this year's telecast, which included tributes to classic genres and luminaries of the past. Perhaps the most poignant, though, was the segment dedicated to three late giants of Mexican music: Juan Gabriel, José José and Vicente Fernández.

The delicate sadness of Juan Gabriel's "Hasta Que Te Conocí" (performed by Reik and Leonel García), the apocalyptic balada pathos of José José's "El Triste" as a duet (a duet with Carlos Rivera and David Bisbal), and the unapologetic joy of Vicente Fernández's "No Me Sé Rajar" (fittingly, by his son Alejandro) — illustrated the monumental sway that these masters still hold in the Latin music zeitgeist.

Salsa Lives On — And It Grooves Like Crazy

While it is true that the heyday of salsa took place during the '70s and '80s, this is a genre that simply refuses to grow stale. And to prove it, a parade of stars delivered a dazzling tribute to the tenets of salsa fever.

Venezuela's Oscar D'León offered a swinging reading of his 1974 classic "Llorarás," while Colombia's Grupo Niche had the audience chanting along to the chorus of "Una Aventura." Tito Nieves and young stars Luis Figueroa and Christian Alicea were also present, while the salsa romántica royalty of Marc Anthony and La India revived their '90s mega-hit "Vivir Lo Nuestro" in stunning, dynamic form.

Read More: Watch: Marc Anthony & Salsa All-Stars Tito Nieves, Grupo Niche, Oscar D'Leon & More Celebrate The Genre At The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs

Latin Pop Thrives On Emotional Connection

After winning three Latin GRAMMYs last year on the strength of the genre defining Mañana Será Bonito — including the coveted Album Of The Year — KAROL G added another award to her collection on the 2024 telecast. The Colombian star's eclectic 2023 mixtape, Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season), won in the Best Urban Music Album category, at a moment when KAROL G is celebrated as one of the world's biggest pop stars.

As she collected the Latin GRAMMY, she focused on the things that matter. "This is about the love that I share with my fans," said a visibly moved KAROL. "And my family, which makes my life so much easier. Without them, I wouldn't have my mental health." The same feeling of emotional openness permeates the songs in both Mañana Será Bonito projects.

This Is Not Your Parents' Música Mexicana

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It is definitely not a coincidence that música mexicana is experiencing a massive wave of popularity. The charisma and musical talent of stars like Peso Pluma, Grupo Frontera and Fuerza Régida is augmented by the vision of innovators such as Carín León, who blends effortlessly the folk roots of his native Sonora with cool touches of country and blues.

Introduced by Julieta Venegas and Mon Laferte, León performed "Despídase Bien" — the ending track of his extraordinary 2024 album, Boca Chueca, Vol. 1 — backed by a full band and choir. A thorny electric guitar solo and rousing gospel vocals added gravitas to a song that is Mexican to the core, but does not hesitate to venture out of the box in search of true emotion.

The Old Bossa Nova Classics Are Indestructible

There were no sassy baile funk riddims when Brazilian stars Anitta and Tiago Iorc joined forces for a couple of songs in a dimly lit section of the stage. Instead, the duo launched into a fragile, understated version of Anitta's "Mil Veces," backed only by acoustic guitar and the diva's gorgeous voice.

This intimate moment was followed by "Mas Que Nada" — the whimsical 1963 tune by Jorge Ben that turned Sérgio Mendes and his band Brasil '66 into one of the architects of the bossa nova movement. Mendes passed away in September of this year, and the luminous interpretation by Anitta and Iorc served as the most elegant tribute possible.

Read More: Watch: Anitta & Tiago Iorc Team Up For "Mil Veces" & A Beautiful Tribute To Sérgio Mendes At The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs

Visceral Rock n Roll Will Never Go Out Of Style

One of the most intense moments of the telecast lasted less than two minutes — but will stay in the mind of anyone who ever prophesied the death of rock.

Hailing from Monterrey, Mexico, The Warning — a trio made up by sisters Daniela, Alejandra and Paulina Villarreal Vélez — delivered a welcome jolt of rock 'n'roll with a ferocious version of their hit "Qué Más Quieres." The performance was a reminder of how much raucous fun a trio of guitar, bass, drums, and gutsy vocals can generate. And yes, Latin rock is in excellent health, thank you.

Read More: Watch: The Warning Bring Hard Rock Power To The 2024 Latin GRAMMYs With "Qué Más Quieres"

At The End Of The Day, It's All About The Songs

As is often the case with Latin GRAMMY darling Jorge Drexler, the Uruguayan troubadour had some deep thoughts to share when he received the Song Of The Year honor for the exquisite "Derrumbe" — a non-album single he released in February of this year.

"This is madness," Drexler said after exchanging a hug with Juanes, who announced the winner. He pointed out that he hails from a very small country, and that "Derrumbe" itself was a sad and short song — una cancioncita, he called it.

He thanked the Latin Recording Academy for healing his chronic imposter syndrome and proving that a delicate, unassuming tune like his could win. Then again, that's one of the main missions of the Latin GRAMMYs: to acknowledge the power of a great song to inspire and transform.

The 2025 GRAMMYs season is officially here. The 67th GRAMMY Awards nominations will take place on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024 at 7:45 a.m. PT / 10:45 a.m. ET, featuring guest appearances from multiple GRAMMY-winning artists, including Mark Ronson, Kylie Minogue, Victoria Monét, Brandy Clark, Kirk Franklin, and others.

Then, it's the main event: The 2025 GRAMMYs, officially known as the 67th GRAMMY Awards, take place Sunday, Feb. 2. The ceremony will be held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and streamed live and on demand on Paramount+.

The GRAMMY Awards celebrate the artistic excellence that defined the year in music. As music's only peer-recognized accolade, the Academy’s Voting Member body — made up of active music creators representing more than 22 different music genres and over 13 creative disciplines, including songwriters, composers, producers, engineers, and more — are eligible to vote for the GRAMMY Awards. These members ultimately determine the nominees and winners on Music's Biggest Night. 

Check below for a full guide to the 2025 GRAMMYs nominations livestream event happening next week proudly sponsored by City National Bank, Coca-Cola, and Dunkin'. 

Follow "Recording Academy/GRAMMYs" on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and LinkedIn, and use #GRAMMYs to join the conversation as it unfolds on Nov. 8. 

How Can I Watch The 2025 GRAMMY Nominations? 

Watch the full 2025 GRAMMYs nominations livestream event on live.GRAMMY.com, your go-to destination for all things GRAMMYs all year long — 24/7, 365, and the Recording Academy's YouTube channel. 

This year, the Recording Academy is revolutionizing the GRAMMY digital experience with the improved live.GRAMMY.com, a dynamic, expansive online experience providing music fans a backstage view into Music's Biggest Night. Featuring a multi-screen livestream you can control, live.GRAMMY.com is where you can watch all the highlights from the 2025 GRAMMYs in one place before, during and even after the telecast. Catch GRAMMY performances, acceptance speeches, the GRAMMY Live From The Red Carpet livestream special, the full Premiere Ceremony livestream, behind-the-scenes backstage moments, and so much more. 

Updating in real time, live.GRAMMY.com gives music fans an exclusive peek into this year's official GRAMMY Week celebrations, a multi-camera video feed giving fans a true 360-view into the GRAMMY Awards, and exclusive articles, performances, interviews, and videos.  

When Are The 2025 GRAMMY Nominations Announced?

The 2025 GRAMMY nominees will be unveiled during a livestream event on live.GRAMMY.com and YouTube, kicking off with a special presentation announcing the nominees in the General Field and select Categories. Video announcements of the nominees in the remaining Categories will also be published on live.GRAMMY.com and YouTube while the event is underway, and the full list of nominees will be published on GRAMMY.com immediately following the presentation. Nominees will also be announced via a press release. 

The schedule for the 2025 GRAMMYs nominations livestream event is as follows:

GRAMMY Nominations Pre-Show

7:45 a.m. PT / 10:45 a.m. ET 

Watch the 2025 GRAMMY Nominations Pre-Show, which takes place ahead of the 2025 GRAMMY nominations on Friday, Nov. 8, 2024. Hosted by Emmy-Award-winning TV hosts and "Entertainment Tonight" correspondents Cassie DiLaura and Denny Directo, the 2025 GRAMMY Nominations Pre-Show is an inside look at the various departments and initiatives that the Recording Academy — the organization behind the annual GRAMMY Awards — supports on a year-long basis on its mission to recognize excellence in the recording arts and sciences and cultivate the well-being of the global music community.  

Nominations Livestream Event

8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET 

Nominations Livestream Event Ends & Full Nominations Revealed

8:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. ET

GRAMMY Nominations Wrap-Up Show

Immediately following the end of the nominations livestream event

Watch our exclusive 2025 GRAMMY Nominations Wrap-Up Show where correspondents Cassie DiLaura and Denny Directo discuss your favorite artists and the biggest trends to come out of the 2025 GRAMMY nominations. The show offer s music fans the inside scoop into all the biggest news and top stories from the 2025 GRAMMY nominations.   

For more information about the 2025 GRAMMY Awards season, learn more about the annual GRAMMY Awards process; read our First Round Voting guide for the 2025 GRAMMYs; read our FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section; view the official GRAMMY Awards Rules and Guidelines; and visit the GRAMMY Award Update Center for a list of real-time changes to the GRAMMY Awards process.   

^All times are approximate and subject to change.

Read More: GRAMMY Awards Updates For The 2025 GRAMMYs: Here's Everything You Need To Know About GRAMMY Awards Categories Changes & Eligibility Guidelines

Who's Announcing The 2025 GRAMMY Nominations?

Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. will be joined by GRAMMY winners Brandy Clark, Kirk Franklin, David Frost, Robert Gordon, Kylie Minogue, Victoria Monét, Gaby Moreno, Deanie Parker, Ben Platt, Mark Ronson, and Hayley Williams, along with GRAMMY-nominated comedian Jim Gaffigan and "CBS Mornings" host Gayle King, to announce the 67th GRAMMY Awards nominees.

When Are The 2025 GRAMMYs?

The main event, the 2025 GRAMMY Awards, will take place Sunday, Feb. 2. The ceremony will be held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, broadcast live on the CBS Television Network and streamed live and on demand on Paramount+.

Mark your calendars now for the 2025 GRAMMY nominations happening Friday, Nov 8.

On New Music Fridays, we wear pink! Or black! That’s because, for the third week in a row, one of BLACKPINK’s members has launched a new solo era. This week, ROSÉ recruits Bruno Mars for "APT.," the infectious lead single to her forthcoming debut full-length, Rosie.

Elsewhere, Bishop Briggs unveils Tell My Therapist I’m Fine, American Authors deliver Call Your Mother and Dillon Francis marks the tenth anniversary of his debut album Money Sucks Friends Don’t with a star-studded remix album.

Plus, Tyler, The Creator heralded the arrival of his eighth album CHROMAKOPIA later this month, and hotly anticipated singles arriving this week include JADE’s "Fantasy," Bailey Zimmerman’s "Holding On," Tiwa Savage’s "Forgiveness," and Estelle’s "Fire."

Below, dive into nine new releases worth checking out from the worlds of K-pop, country, hip-hop, Latin and more.

"Game, start!" Taking its title from the popular Korean drinking game "Apartment," the giddy first taste of Rosie ingeniously meshes ROSÉ’s K-pop polish with everything from surf rock and bubblegum pop, to the kind of suave vintage soul favored by duet partner Mars. Together, the duo creates an earworm that feels both wholly original and instantly unforgettable. Try getting the peppy, chant-ready hook out of your head by the time Mars cheekily asks, "Geonbae, geonbae, girl, what’s up?"

Using an appropriately rosy backdrop, matching leather jackets and just a few instruments at their disposal, ROSÉ and Mars show off their new friendship — and electrifying musical chemistry —  on the track’s goofy music video, which racked up nearly seven million views within just a few hours of its release. While "APT." may be a left turn from what BLINKs and Number Ones expected, it’s clear ROSÉ is swinging for the fences and so far, everything’s coming up rosy.

Read more: Breaking Down Every Solo Act From BLACKPINK: From Jennie's "Solo" To Jisoo's 'Me'

Joy Oladokun flexes her talents for introspection and insight on her fifth album, OBSERVATIONS FROM A CROWDED ROOM. 

Songs like "AM I?," "NO COUNTRY" and "DUST/DIVINITY" are thoughtfully punctuated by a number of spoken word interludes. "Where is the safe space for me?" Oladokun muses before launching into apocalyptic daydreams on "STRONG ONES," while she questions the cost of near-constant vulnerability in service of the career of her dreams ahead of standout "I’D MISS THE BIRDS."

Read more: Joy Oladokun's 'Proof Of Life' Honors Her Own Experience — And Encourages Others To Do The Same

The title of SEVENTEEN’s 12th mini album comes with a hidden message. An anagram for "I FELT HELPLESS," the six-track project promises a new level of emotional vulnerability from the 13 idols and contains DJ Khaled-assisted single "LOVE, MONEY, FAME," plus highlights like "Eyes on you," "1 TO 13," and "Candy."

Released on Monday,Oct. 13, SPILL THE FEELS arrives just in time for the K-pop boy band’s latest world tour, which shows up stateside on Oct. 22 after opening earlier this week with back-to-back shows at South Korea’s Goyang Stadium. After kicking off the American leg in Rosemont, Illinois, the tour will make stops in Belmont Park, New York; San Antonio, Texas; Oakland, California and Los Angeles through Nov. 10.

Read more: 5 Songs To Get Into Seventeen

Project 2024 is more than just a new release for BRELAND, it’s an intensely personal musical examination of the singer’s roots. Following his 2022 debut album Cross Country, as well as his recent duet with Shania Twain on the Twisters soundtrack, the pioneering country artist decided to return to Selma, Alabama — home to generations of his family tree as well as defining moments that helped turn the tide of the Civil Rights movement. 

The result is a powerful and inherently political celebration of life told in BRELAND’s inimitable voice across six tracks — from the proud resilience of opener "Grandmaman’em" and flirty lead single "Icing" to the dancehall-tinged "Motion" and uplifting closer "Same Work" featuring The War & Treaty.

After rocketing to streaming numbers that shot past the billion mark with his 2019 hit "Be Alright," Dean Lewis is back with his third full-length album The Epilogue. As its title suggests, the new body of work purposely adds a postscript to the viral success the shaggy-haired Australian troubadour experienced in the late 2010s while also crafting a soundtrack to hint at his next move.

"An Epilogue typically sums up a book, answers any unanswered questions, and hints at what’s to come," Lewis said in a statement of the LP, which contains heart-wrenching fare like "Empire," "All I Ever Wanted," and "Trust Me Mate." "This is a new chapter. It feels like the ending of the last few years of my life and the beginning of the next. I really tried to define my own style. For me, the music wraps up the past and shines a light on what to expect going forward."

Jean Dawson continues to push the boundaries of experimental pop on Glimmer of God, his fourth full-length studio release. The follow-up to 2022’s Chaos Now (as well as EP Boohoo from earlier this year) takes sonic cues from influences like Prince, Stevie Wonder and Zapp & Roger — all artists he found himself inspired by while growing up between the U.S. and Mexico. 

Led by "Die For Me," a collab with tourmate Lil Yachty, and second single "Houston," Dawson’s album taps into his inner feminine on tracks like "Darlin’," "Black Sugar" and "Murciélago" and also features a guest turn from BONES on album cut "P4IN."

It’s sheer coincidence that Alana Springsteen shares a last name with a living musical legend (no, she’s not related to the Boss). But the rising country phenom has carved her own path through the music industry since she was a child, earning a publishing deal in the mid-2010s at just 14 years old.

The TWENTY SOMETHING singer’s latest singles come two-for-one after she decided on a whim to drop "cowboy" and "hold my beer" simultaneously at midnight on Friday. The former finds Springsteen looking back with regret after getting lassoed by a particularly disappointing cowboy ("He roped me in like no one could/ And in the end, he really broke me good"), while on the latter, the Virginia Beach, Virginia native dusts herself off, gets back on the proverbial horse, and commits to making some delightfully rowdy choices that would make her mama proud. 

Read more: Alana Springsteen Isn't Just Living Her Teenage Dream. She's Speaking To An Entire Generation.

Jordan Adetunji has "Options" on his new single with Lil Baby. Fresh off his viral hit "KEHLANI", the Belfast native remains unthreatened at the prospect that his lover would go off and choose another man, confidently declaring, "I got options/ Baby, you got options/ If you with me, not an option/ Baby, it’s the weekend/ Need it often/ Girl you know that I’m the one to solve your problems."

On the track’s accompanying music video, Adetunji boards a luxurious yacht teeming with bikini-clad video girls, only to later be joined by Lil Baby, who confesses, "Four, five times a day, I check your page/ I’m your lil stalker" at the top of his own, sexually charged verse.

Sevdaliza and Karol G join forces for their new collaboration "No Me Cansaré." The mid-tempo bilingual ballad opens with the Iranian Dutch singer intoning, "Don’t have fear, I won’t let go/ You protect my inner child" before sharing the spotlight with the Latin pop sensation on the breathy second verse. 

"No Me Cansaré" — which translates to "I Won’t Get Tired" in English — also comes with a sultry black-and-white music video depicting the two songstresses as winged angels watching placidly over younger versions of themselves.

At 37 years old, the heavily tattooed, free-speaking Jay Park doesn’t exactly fit the cookie-cutter K-pop idol mold. 

Sixteen years into his career — which included a stint as the fan-voted leader of hip-hop group 2PM in the 2000s, an infamous departure, and equally incredible comeback in the 2010s — Jay Park is one of the few K-pop artists who have managed to stay relevant in an increasingly saturated industry.

Now, Park is back to dispel any doubts about his longevity with The One You Wanted. Out Oct. 8, the 20-track, collab-rich R&B album is his first in five years and the result of an even longer period of creativity. 

"In Korea when people hear a song, they say, 'Oh, this sounds like Jay Park.' It’s like my music has become a genre by itself," he tells GRAMMY.com.

Much like his persona, Jay Park's road to K-pop stardom has been unorthodox. Born Park Jaebom to Korean immigrant parents, Park was raised in Seattle and never felt like he fully fit into the multiple cultures he was brought up around. 

He never aimed to become an artist; it was initially just a way for him to express himself. "Hip hop and R&B just became where I found my identity," he adds, citing a deep admiration for artists like Michael Jackson, Usher, and Drake. 

Once he began breakdancing, rapping, and battling his friends, his mother pushed him to try out at a locally advertised talent audition. "At that time, it was just me, and mom and my brother, having money problems. We couldn’t pay the electric and water bill," he told CNN, explaining why he went for it at all. He got through, after auditioning with a rap he wrote himself (and recalled word-for-word over video call). Unbeknownst to him, the audition was for K-pop juggernaut JYP entertainment.

For a while, it seemed like Park had made it — he debuted in 2008 as the leader and main rapper of heartthrob hip-hop group 2PM. The seven-member 2PM are credited with originating a particularly masculine image in K-pop, a break from the softer "flower boy" image that other boy groups held at the time. They released two mini-albums in 2009 and were preparing for a full-length release. Things were looking good.

Exactly a year after his debut, however, Park’s star trajectory came to a screeching standstill. Moving to Korea from the US as a 17-year-old had been difficult on Park, who wasn’t fluent in the language or expectations of him as an idol. Eagle-eyed netizens spotted comments from his old Myspace posts disparaging Korea and its idol system, and in 2009, before the group released their first LP, Jay Park left 2PM.

His departure split K-pop fandoms down the middle, with large swathes defending his perspective while others decided he no longer deserved to represent Korea in a cultural space. Online searches for Jay Park exploded in the next few months, his name even topping the 2010 Oscars to take the No.1 on Twitter’s trending list in March. 

Park shies away from talking about that time in his life, simply repeating over the years that he had made mistakes. "I was very ignorant and not very open-minded," he says. "I was also young, you know? It was hard, but I'm glad I went through all those periods now because it taught me a lot."

Moving back to the US, Park decided to take some time for himself. A family friend gave him a job at his tire shop, which, though a far cry from his idol days, helped him recoup after igniting endless conversations about the expectations placed on idols. 

While Park was laying low, the tide had turned in Korea; the majority of K-pop fans now felt that he was too harshly judged. Fans organized silent protests and boycotted products endorsed by 2PM members. Some reportedly paid for a plane to drag a banner with the words, "J, what time is it now?" across the Seattle skies, in a reference to his band name 2PM.

Others found his church address, and started sending him gifts — including a laptop, which he used to start a YouTube channel. Park chuckles at the full circle fan moment in our interview. 

His first cover in 2010 — a take on B.o.B and Bruno Mars’ "Nothing on You" recorded in his bathroom — went viral, garnering more than 2 million hits on YouTube in 24 hours. The song got so popular that B.o.B re-released the song in Korea with Park’s vocals instead of Mars’. Korean news agency Yonhap reported the song sold 5 million copies in Korea.

The cover gave Park’s music career a new lease on life, and his return to Korea in 2010 was greeted by thousands of cheering fans at Incheon airport.

It is rare in K-pop that an artist makes a comeback after leaving a company as major as JYP Entertainment. "I faced a lot of backlash," Park said in a 2023 AFP interview, adding he was once "kind of blacklisted from the industry."

Park pressed on, releasing his first EP as a soloist in 2010, which included a rearranged Korean version of "Nothin’ On You." As a solo artist, Park could now move on from his pop image towards an edgier hip-hop sound. The transition came with "a lot of trial and error," Park recalls. 

"I look back on my lyrics from 2010 to about 2013, I cringe so hard sometimes," he says with a laugh. "I wasn’t great at translating my English thoughts to Korean, so some lyrics have become memes now." He also felt taken advantage of as a newcomer. "I didn't know anything about how the industry worked, and I was young and naive and didn’t have any proper representation," he says. "So many times, people came to me claiming to work at wherever or represent whoever, and I would just believe them."

Still, Park's music was taking off again. Take A Deeper Look, Park’s rap-heavy first solo Korean mini-album, debuted at No. 3 in the Billboard World Album Charts in 2011. Park established his own record label, AOMG, in 2013 and a second, H1ghr Music, in 2017.

"The reason why I made my own labels is because I wish I had someone to share these experiences or lend a helping hand or guide me to ... what I need to do with this type of fame or when stuff goes wrong," he told USA Today. 

The labels house mainly hip-hop artists like pH1, Sik-K, Loco, Ugly Duck, Hoody, and former GOT7 member Yugyeom. Together, the two companies have been widely credited for leading the hip-hop presence in an otherwise pop-dominated K-pop industry.

In the meanwhile, Park’s increasingly adult-themed releases like the trap inspired, sensual "Mommaev and the more mellow, groove-centered "All I Wanna Do" racked up hundreds of millions of views, further propelling him to the forefront of K-pop’s hip-hop and R&B scene.

His rapport was only getting better internationally as well. In 2017, Park became the first Asian American to sign with Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation.

In 2018, Park's first English-language EP under Roc Nation, Ask About Me, showcased his ability to move fluidly between genres, from the trap-inspired party anthem "Soju" featuring 2Chainz to the tropical house, R&B, and trap blend "Yacht." 

In 2021, Park officially stepped down from both AOMG and H1ghr Music, and established a third label called MORE VISION, representing Korean artists like Chungha and Honey J. The process took longer than expected, he says, which is why The One You Wanted is his first full-length album in five years. (Park released an introspective and uncharacteristically vulnerable The Road Less Traveled in 2019 and a mini-album titled Jay Park: Season 2 earlier this year.)

It seems as if Park has taken the whole of his experience and channeled it into The One You Wanted. Park describes the 20-track album as "easy listening" and return to his R&B roots with features from Ty Dolla Sign, Chungha, IU and Hwasa. For Park, it’s a solidification of his self-styled genre. 

Although far less reflective than his last full album, The One You Wanted still showcases his progression. "Some songs are from six years ago and others I wrote just this year," he says. "You can definitely sense how the sound is different, and my voice is different."

Park hinted at retiring in 2022, but seems in no hurry to do so now. "I’ve been wanting to retire since 2012," he laughs. "When I went solo, I had to hustle a lot to survive in this cutthroat industry. To try to find out what people are into without selling myself short, it was very strenuous."

"But right now, I feel like I’m still needed in the industry."

He is not talking just about his own music or his first world tour in six years — his label MORE VISION is also planning to debut two new K-pop groups by 2026.

For Park, it’s an opportunity to hand down wisdom from everything he’s learned since that fateful JYP audition. "Getting all that attention, getting criticized all the time or getting compliments all the time, it's not normal," he says. "I just gotta make sure while [the trainees] still think I'm cool, I can get them in the right mindset and the right balance of life."

The jury’s still out on the trainees’ opinions, but based on The One You Wanted, Jay Park is set to remain cool for a long time.