Kendrick Lamar, Drake & Childish Gambino Turned Down Performing At The Grammys

("Tell the Grammys fuck that 0-for-8 shit/ Have you ever seen the crowd goin' apeshit?") Kanye West has won a staggering 21 Grammys, yet not a single one of them for album of the year.

But as with many awards shows, the most entertaining, unpredictable moments are likely to happen before the festivities begin, on the red carpet.

With regard to attendance, pop acts Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift will both be notably absent from this year's awards show.

USA singer-songwriter and 2019 MusiCares Person Of The Year Dolly Parton accepts her award onstage at the 2019 MusiCares Person Of The Year gala at the Los Angeles Convention Center in Los Angeles on February 8, 2019.

This year, five of the eight Album of the Year nominations went to female artists: Cardi B, Carlile, Monae, R&B prodigy H.E.R. and country star Kacey Musgraves.

Viewers may also be paying close attention to the number of female winners, as past year the show made headlines when Alessia Cara was the only woman to nab a solo Grammy. Women also have a strong presence in those top categories, including Lady Gaga, SZA, Maren Morris and Ella Mai. "As much as I'm nominated, I would not be anything without the village of women who are walking into their truth", she said. "This is just the beginning of moving to a more inclusive future".

The Recording Academy has made an effort to diversify its membership amid complaints that the Grammys are not an even playing field for minority and women artists. He later acknowledged that it was a "poor choice of words", and it forced the academy to launch a new task force focused on inclusion and diversity.

Grande responded to the statements on Twitter saying, "I've kept my mouth shut but now you're lying about me. Know that I support you - win or lose", Monae said. "I hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more".

Carlile told the AP she stands "behind Ariana Grande's decision to stand up for herself and her art".

Grande is nominated for two awards and could miss the chance of giving a speech onstage if she wins.

Lamar leads with eight nominations this year, followed by Drake with seven.

Despite seemingly never caring if the right nominees go home with trophies, the Grammys care deeply about winning their own race to the bottom of the awards show barrel. A representative for the Grammys didn't return an email seeking clarification about the tribute.

Among other big names are Lady Gaga, Cardi B, Jennifer Lopez, Camilla Cabello, Mark Ronson, Miley Cyrus, Dua Lipa, St. Vincent, Chloe x Halle and Travis Scott. Yolanda Adams, Fantasia and Andra Day will honor the late Aretha Franklin with a performance.