SANTA MONICA—Two-time Grammy Winner LL Cool J is set to return as host of the 58th Annual Grammy Awards for the fifth consecutive year, the Recording Academy announced Wednesday, December 16.
The Grammy Awards will take place at the Staples Center on Monday, February 15, 2016 and will broadcast live on CBS from 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Hip-hop artist Kendrick Lamar leads all nominees with 11 nominations, while The Weekend and Taylor Swift each earned seven nominations.
“The performances and moments that take place on the GRAMMY stage are awesome in so many ways for the audience and artists alike,” said LL COOL J. “I’m honored once again to host Music’s Biggest Night as we celebrate the talented music creators of today. It’s going to be an incredible night and I’m excited to share this experience with the world.”
Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow released the following statement regarding the rapper/actor’s return as the master of ceremonies: “We are delighted to welcome back the very talented LL COOL J as our host for the 58th GRAMMYs. His unique expertise, both as a GRAMMY-winning recording artist and accomplished actor, allows him to connect with both his musical peers and the fans at home, and his dynamic personality and charismatic energy set the perfect tone for our show.”
As host, LL Cool J has participated in over 10 Grammy shows, tributes, and specials, and served as a producer for “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night” and “A Very GRAMMY Christmas.”
He was first introduced in 1984 as a Def Jam Records flagship artist and became the first rap artist to garner 10 consecutive platinum-plus-selling albums. He successfully transitioned to acting as a star in the CBS primetime drama series “NCIS: Los Angeles,” with his performance earning him a NAACP Award four years in a row for his role as Special Agent Sam Hanna.
LL Cool J is currently producing and hosting the new hit show “Lip Sync Battle” on Spike TV, which will return for season two in January 2016.
