The Grammy Awards are often remembered more for who performed at the show than for who actually won. Whether it was Prince in 1985 or Questlove’s all-star crew in 2023, live performances are what make the Grammys the best of all award programs. Can’t you just see and hear Whitney Houston opening the 1994 show with her breathtaking rendition of “I Will Always Love You?”
Last year, Dua Lipa’s opening number and Fantasia Barrino’s final segment of the In Memoriam tribute almost stole the show. But that honor went to the surprise appearance of Tracy Chapman, performing “Fast Car” alongside a reverent Luke Combs.
So what do the Grammys have in store for us this year? As of now, nine performers have been confirmed for the show on Sunday. As is standard, all are nominated in at least one category this year. Here’s a quick peek at who will be taking the stage.
Who will be performing at the 2025 Grammy Awards?
Grammy telecasts always provide a great showcase for new talent and this year, six of the eight nominees for Best Artist are slated to perform.
Benson Boone
The 22-year-old singer-songwriter released his debut album, Fireworks & Rollerblades in 2024. His single, “Beautiful Things,” was an international sensation, climbing to Number 2 in the USA and hitting Number 1 all across the globe.
Teddy Swims
The soulful singer from Georgia scored a Number 1 hit with "Lose Control” from his debut album I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1).
Doechii
The only rapper currently scheduled to perform, Doechii scored three nominations in addition to her New Artist nod. She is also up for Best Rap Performance for “Nissan Altima” and Best Rap Album for Alligator Bites Never Heal.
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The British singer/songwriter is also up for an award in the newly-minted Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical category. Though she has been writing and releasing music for close to a decade, she has scored major hits in recent years with “Escapism” and “Prada.”
Chappell Roan
One of the hottest stars on the planet, Chappell Roan’s debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, yielded multiple hits, and her subsequent single “Good Luck, Babe!” was a worldwide sensation. She is up for six Grammys, including each of the Big Four – Record, Album, Song, and New Artist.
Sabrina Carpenter
Joining Chappell Roan with nominations in each of the Big Four categories, former Disney star Sabrina Carpenter had multiple major hits from her Short n’ Sweet album, including “Espresso,” “Please Please Please,” and “Taste.”
But it isn’t just newcomers who will perform on Sunday.
Shakira, who has already claimed two Grammys for Best Latin Pop Album, is up for the award once again for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran this year.
British singer Charli XCX was nominated for her first Grammy back in 2015. This year, with her album Brat becoming a genuine cultural phenomenon, she has scored eight more nominations, including Record and Album of the Year. Three different songs from Brat – “360,” “Apple,” and “Von Dutch” – are up for Grammys.
One of Charli’s nominations is for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her song “Guess.” She shares that nomination with the final performer slated to appear, Billie Eilish. Eilish, just 23, has become a Grammy juggernaut since sweeping the Big Four back in 2020. She has already won 10 Grammys in her short career and is up for seven more this year.
In 2024, 15 different acts took the stage. With no rock or country performers currently on the schedule, there's a good chance the Grammys aren't finished with lining up acts. Tune in on Sunday to see who else might be taking the stage.