The Arts Beat is a weekly deep-dive into Memphis arts, music, dance, theater, fashion, film and events. Keep scrolling for a roundup of the best arts and culture stories from the week. Have a story idea? Send it to eperry@dailymemphian.com.

A Memphis native took part in the opening number at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 1.

Ten minutes later, another Memphis native took to the stage for the broadcast’s second musical performance. 

I would be remiss not to mention that these musicians are cousins. (But wait, there’s more.)

Rosé performs "APT." during the 68th-annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 1, in Los Angeles. Kameron Whalum is seen far left. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Kameron Whalum, singer and trombonist, is part of Bruno Mars’ longtime band The Hooligans. He joined Mars and K-pop singer Rosé for the top of the show, a rendition of the upbeat hit single “APT.”

Kameron Whalum returned to the stage later in the evening for Mars’ funk-soul tune “I Just Might.”

Bruno Mars performs “I Just Might” during the 68th-annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 1, in Los Angeles. Kameron Whalum is seen to the right of Mars. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Kyle Whalum, bassist (and son of saxophonist Kirk Whalum), played during the Grammy Award’s second musical act, Sabrina Carpenter’s “Manchild.” 

Later, Kameron’s brother Kenneth Whalum III, a saxophonist and singer, played in the Grammy tribute to late artist D’Angelo. (Kenneth Whalum III is part of D’Angelo’s band The Vanguard.)

By the way, Kortland Whalum, a singer and actor, and brother of Kameron and Kenneth, plays Curtis in Hattiloo Theatre’s sold-out run of “Dreamgirls.”

Memphians were nominated in multiple Grammy categories: GloRilla for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song (twice for two different songs), Charlie Musselwhite for Best Traditional Blues Album and guitarist Eric Gales and band Southern Avenue both for Contemporary Blues Album.

Royal Studios owner Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell was up for the Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical Grammy for his work on country singer Cam’s “All Things Light” album.

In addition to the main ceremony, Memphis also made noise at the Grammy’s premiere ceremony, which aired earlier that day.

“Sinners,” a hit horror film made with the help of Memphis and Mississippi blues musicians, won the Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. 

Mitchell and Gales accepted the award as composer Ludwig Göransson walked to the stage.

(Click here to learn more about how Mitchell helped Göransson connect with musicians in the region and about Mitchell’s work on the project, including in Royal Studios.)

On stage, Mitchell said, in part, “Big shout to Ryan Coogler for making this movie. Having the idea, the inspiration. Big shout out to Ludwig Göransson for tying the blues in with the modern music and tying it forward to the future. Big shout to Memphis, Mississippi, Louisiana, all the blues artists.”

On stage, Gales said, in part, “I’m just a little ol’ cat from Memphis, Tennessee, mane. It was a huge honor for Ludwig to call me and say, ‘I want you to be a part of this record.’ Ninety percent of the guitar playing I did made this record.”

The very next award also went to “Sinners.” The three ran back on stage to accept the Grammy for Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television).

On stage, Göransson said, in part, “This is a big honor. Boo Mitchell. Eric Gales. We had Bobby Rush, Buddy Guy, Kingfish — amazing musicians be part of this — Super Chikan, Rhiannon Giddens, Brittany Howard, Raphael Saadiq.”

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The Black Keys film in Memphis

On Thursday, Feb. 5, blues/rock band The Black Keys released the video for the new single “You Got to Lose.” In the video, the band performs at Hernando’s Hide-A-Way in Memphis during a packed-house surprise show announced the same day as the shoot. 

Those appearing in the video include Boo Mitchell, Memphis rap pioneer Tommy Wright III and singer/guitarist Jimbo Mathus, among others. Also featured: Shangri-La Records, The Bar B-Q-Shop (both located on Madison Avenue) and Mitchell’s Royal Studios (located on Willie Mitchell Boulevard in South Memphis).

Pastor John P. Kee’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert

Also, on Feb. 5, NPR premiered John P. Kee & New Life’s Tiny Desk Concert.

Among the vocalists for the gospel concert? Memphis-based singer (and Mason, Tennessee-native) Zakeya Stewart. (In the video, Stewart is in the front, far right.)

The Boiler Room broadcasts Memphis rap to the world

London-based platform The Boiler Room released its set of “Legends of Memphis Rap” concert videos on Thursday, Jan. 22. 

Focusing on one city at a time, The Boiler Room tapes and releases intimate performances from DJs and performers from around the world, largely in the electronic and hip-hop genres.

(Think Canadian DJ/producer Kaytranada in Montreal.)

As an example of its reach, The Boiler Room’s YouTube page has five million subscribers.

For its Memphis videos, The Boiler Room recorded DJ Spanish Fly, DJ Zirk, Shawty Pimp, Al Kapone, La Chat and Tommy Wright III, each in Royal Studios. 

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