SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center:The 2024 Grammy Awards are here. Taylor Swift, others poised for major wins: Live updates

It's (almost) time for the Grammys! And we're bringing you live updates and SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Centerunfiltered reactions.

The 66th annual awards show kicks off tonight (8 EST/5 PST) on CBS and Paramount+ with Showtime, once we get through the three-hour pre-ceremony. (Hey, good things come to those that wait, right? Let's hope.) When that's over, we'll be getting to the main course: music's biggest night, with performances by Joni Mitchell, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Dua Lipa and more.

Nominees were announced by the Recording Academy in November in 94 categories, including three newcomers: best African music performance, best alternative jazz album and best pop dance recording. Most will be handed out at the early ceremony. The "big four" categories – song, record and album of the year, plus best new artist – will air in primetime, but reduced their total nominees from 10 to eight.

Once the show gets rolling, we'll be updating this story throughout the night with all the juiciest details. In the meantime, here are your burning questions, answered.

Jack Antonoff ties Babyface's record, shouts out Taylor Swift

With his win for best producer of the year, non-classical, Jack Antonoff joined Babyface as the only person to win the category three times in a row. During his acceptance speech, which rounded out the premiere ceremony, Antonoff thanked his wife Margaret Qualley and others who have supported him in his career, including his collaborator Taylor Swift. "We made a song called 'Out of the Woods' for '1989,' and, when I was waiting for that call that says, 'OK, now this goes to some big-name person,' she said, 'Let's mix this...,' " he said. "I love you to death, Taylor."

Michelle Obama makes Grammys history

That’s double-Grammy-winner Michelle Obama to you! The former first lady took home the Grammy for best audio book, narration and storytelling recording for “The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times.” It’s the second time she’s won a Grammy (she won in 2020 for "Becoming), making her the only former first lady with two wins.

When are the Grammy Awards?What to know about the host, 2024 nominees and more.

Joni Mitchell wins Grammy, will be first-time performer

Yes, which is good news, especially for anyone who failed to secure tickets to her Hollywood Bowl performances in Los Angeles later this year. (I promise I'm not bitter or anything.) It's bound to be a special show on Sunday, too. Mitchell, 80, who suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015 that left her temporarily unable to walk or talk, will be performing for the first time ever at the Grammys. During the premiere ceremony, she won for best folk album for "Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live)." Walking out onto the stage with a cane, Mitchell beamed at the crowd before giving a brief, humble thank you.

Grammys red carpet sees stars brave the rain

It’s the calm before the storm inside the massive white tent housing the Grammys red carpet, anyway. Outside, the downpour that meteorologists have promised all week has commenced. We are in the sweet spot on the carpet between artists attending the Grammys pre-show and the televised ceremony, and a few notable faces, including Josh Groban, boygenius and Victoria Monét, have made quick appearances. With two hours to go until the ceremony, things are certain to start heating up soon. –KiMi Robinson

Who is hosting the Grammys?

Trevor Noah, again. It’ll be the comedian’s fourth time as emcee of the Grammys. Noah hosted “The Daily Show” for seven years before his departure in late 2022. Still, the comic hasn’t left the spotlight, nabbing an Emmy in the variety/talk series category last month.

The Beatles win best music video at the Grammys

The Beatles may have broken up about five decades ago, but they still can’t stop winning Grammys! The group won best music video at the premiere ceremony for their 1966 song “I’m Only Sleeping,” which got an official music video in November 2022. “I can’t believe I get to say this: I’d like to thank John, Paul, George and Ringo!” the video’s director Em Cooper exclaimed in her acceptance speech.

'Barbie,' 'Oppenheimer' win back-to-back at Grammys

What was that? You thought the Barbenheimer double features had finally come to an end? Well, think again: “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer,” which dominated theaters last summer, won back-to-back at the Grammys premiere ceremony. “Barbie the Album” won best compilation soundtrack for visual media and “Oppenheimer” for best score soundtrack for visual media. Billie Eilish and Finneas also made an early appearance to accept their award for best song written for visual media for their “Barbie” song “What Was I Made For?” “Making this song saved me a little bit,” Eilish said of the soft ballad in their acceptance speech.

More:You might be way behind on the Oscars. Here's how you can catch up.

Pentatonix, Sheila E., Jordin Sparks and more kick off Grammys with rousing opening number

Well, that got started with a bang! If downtown Los Angeles was feeling sleepy amid this uncharacteristic rain, it better be awake now after the opening number of the premiere ceremony. J. Ivy, Pentatonix, Larkin Poe, Jordin Sparks and Sheila E. took the stage for a rousing set that seemed to jolt the theater awake, ending with a booming drum solo from Sheila E. while Sparks belted for her life. Let’s hope that energy lasts, because the Grammy ceremonies are going to unfold over for the course of the next nine hours.

Where are the Grammys this year?

The ceremony will be held in downtown Los Angeles at the Staples Center − er, I mean, the Crypto.com Arena.

When do the Grammys come on?

The Grammys will air live on CBS and stream on Paramount+ with Showtime (8 EST/5 PST).

Will Taylor Swift be at the Grammys?

I mean, she is the biggest name in music right now, and she's a nominee, so, it'd be a shock not to see her there. According to a TikTok of the Grammys seating arrangement shared by CBS, Swift is set to share a table at the ceremony with Lana Del Rey.

How many Grammy Awards is Taylor Swift nominated for?

A whopping six times! Will she win? And, more importantly, is she planning a “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)” announcement if she does? Swifties certainly hope so.

Who votes for the Grammys?

The Illuminati − just kidding (kind of). Voting members of the Recording Academy do. These members, according to the organization's website, "are composed of a pool of vetted and venerable performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, instrumentalists, and other creators currently working in the recording industry."

Where can I watch non-televised Grammy Awards?

The Grammys premiere ceremony is currently being streamed online at The Recording Academy’s YouTube channel and the Grammys’ website.