A look into The Grammys Best Dance Recording category
The 58th annual Grammy Awards is around the corner, set to kick off Monday, February 15 from Los Angeles, and per usual, there’s no shortage of worthy candidates in the dance/electronic space. With a gramophone up for grabs in the album department and another for remixers, we take a look into the Best Dance Recording category, where five nominees follow in the footsteps of some of the greats.
Check out our rundown of the five contenders for this year’s award, followed by anecdotal notes on past winners and fun facts provided by The Grammys.
“We’re All We Need” – Above & Beyond featuring Zoë Johnston
Released: October 18, 2014
Album: We’re All We Need
Label: Anjunabeats
What you need to know: The title off Above & Beyond’s fourth studio album, “We’re All We Need” was first heard in October of 2014 with the debut of its official music video. That music video has racked up nearly 5 million views to date. In addition to Zoë Johnston, the song’s featured artist, additional production was contributed by Andrew Bayer, an Above & Beyond affiliate who also worked on the trio’s 2011 Group Therapy album.
“Never Catch Me” – Flying Lotus featuring Kendrick Lamar
Released: September, 2014
Album: You’re Dead!
Label: Warp
What you need to know: The lead single off Flying Lotus’s 2014 You’re Dead album joined the producer with Kendrick Lamar, who appears with a guest verse atop psychedelic, jazz-oriented electronica. The pairing of one of hip-hop’s most gifted MCs and Fly Lo’s unique strain of sonics received positive acclaim from critics, more than likely igniting Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly campaign that followed and garnered double digit nominations at this year’s Grammy Awards.
“Where Are Ü Now” – Skrillex and Diplo with Justin Bieber
Released: February 27, 2015
Album: Skrillex and Diplo present Jack Ü
Label(s): Atlantic / Mad Decent / OWSLA
What you need to know: The storied often told is that the project was born when Diplo bumped into Justin Bieber manager Scooter Braun at a party and pleaded his case for a collaboration. In a matter of seconds, Braun had emailed the producer with a vocal recording from Bieber that would become “Where Are Ü Now” and ultimately direct the young singer’s musical direction in the year to come. Skrillex, Diplo and Bieber first performed their collaboration together at Ultra Music Festival in March of 2015. The single, now 2x platinum, peaked at number 8 on Billboard’s Hot 100 but reached the top of its Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
“Go” – The Chemical Brothers featuring Q-Tip
Released: May 5, 2015
Album: Born In The Echoes
Label: Astralwerks / Virgin EMI
What you need to know: The second single off The Chemical Brothers’ eight studio album, “Go” followed “Sometimes I Feel So Deserted” as the project’s commercially appealing breakthrough. Rapper Q-Tip is the song’s featured artist, lacing the production with vocals and credited for its writing. “Go” was used in various promotion campaigns such as Google’s I/O Keynote, the trailer for video game Need For Speed and a commercial for Sony’s Playstation 4.
“Runaway (U & I)” – Galantis
Released: October 5, 2014
Album: Pharmacy
Label: Big Beat / Atlantic
What you need to know: Galantis consists of Miike Snow’s Christian Karlsson (aka Bloodshy) and Linus Eklöw, who’s previously gone by Style of Eye. Following the duo’s self-named debut EP and the success of its tracks such as “Smile” and “You,” it was “Runaway (U & I)” which drew attention from a mainstream audience. The single is certified gold by the RIAA and platinum in the UK and New Zealand. With “Runaway (U & I),” Galantis is the only nominee in the Best Dance Recording category without a credited featured artist.
