This image shows Grammy nominee Justin Tranter on May 25, 2023. The Grammy-nominated songwriter is credited with some of the biggest hits of the past decade. (Jenna Peffley, via AP)
This afternoon's host is frequently nominated songwriter Justin Tranter. Tranter laid out some ground rules for the winners, including jumping up to let everyone know they're in attendance (no substitutes allowed) and keeping speeches to no more than 45 seconds. The clock starts from the moment the winner takes the stage.
He earlier told The Associated Press the secret to his success. “I just started conversations with artists,” Tranter says. “When they say something that's already the title of a song or at least seems to be the topic of a song, it becomes a secret interview, or a not-so-secret interview. And I just want to talk about that theme. I’ll keep talking.”
This process has produced huge hits for artists such as Selena Gomez, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Halsey, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears, DNCE, Gwen Stefani, and Fall Out Boy, selling over 50 million copies. It generated single sales and 50 billion streams.
Tranter is aiming for this year's songwriting Grammy with an astonishing range of songs, including Italian heavy metal, rap bangers, crystal-clear pop, introspective rock, and soaring Broadway numbers.
The songs included are Miley Cyrus' “River,” Baby Tate's “Jersey,” Maneskin's “Honey (Are U Coming?),” Talk's “A Little Bit Happy,” and “I Want More.” TV series “Grease: Rise of the Pink Lady” and René Rapp's “Gemini Moon” and “Pretty Girls”.
With the exception of Tranter, the frontman of the glam punk band Semi Precious Weapons, who vowed to humanize the songwriting business after experiencing homophobia and record deal fraud. seems to have nothing to do with it.
▶ Read more: Who is Justin Tranter?
