Every year, Spotify hosts a star-studded party in Los Angeles to honor the nominees for ‘Best New Artist’ at the GRAMMYs. Each nominee performs at the party while being surrounded by their musical peers cheering them on. It’s a room filled with celebration, joy, glamour, delicious food, and a shared love of good music. Pop Crave was blessed with an invite to this year’s Best New Artist Party thanks to Spotify, and we are thrilled to have covered this year’s carpet for the event.
Check out our 19 celebrity interviews from the carpet of Spotify’s Best New Artist Party, featuring: Francisca Valenzuela, Nina Nesbitt, Lizzy McAlpine, Orville Peck, Bob the Drag Queen, GAYLE, Trixie Mattel, jxdn, The Aces, Sofia Reyes, DOMi & JD BECK, Tove Lo, Amber Mark, Sofi Tukker, Blu DeTiger, Gottmik, Jessie Reyez, Tobe Nwigwe & Fat Nwigwe, and the winner of this year’s ‘Best New Artist’ award at the GRAMMYs, Samara Joy.
Francisca Valenzuela
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Francisca: Ooh! I would say curious, creative, bold, colorful, confessional.
Who would you be starstruck to meet during GRAMMYs week?
Francisca: Starstruck! Ooh. I would say Omar Apollo [laughs].
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Francisca: Oh, that’s a great question! To be honest, more than a specific person, what I would love – which I think we’re seeing more and more of – is the diversification of Grammy nominations in the sense of not only sound or style or age, but I would say nationality or even language. Like, I’m really excited to see Bad Bunny everywhere. I’m excited with Rosalía everywhere. Being from Chile, speaking of having a career in Spanish, it’s important to me to see other kinds of music, and particularly Spanish, to take it.
The music industry has gone a lot more global over the last couple years. How does that make you feel?
Francisca: It’s exciting! I think it’s exciting when you begin to diversify the kind of predominant style of music. First, the Latin or the Spanish speaking region of the world is a huge region. I mean, we have amazing music, and it’s exciting to kind of go against the colonial grain, to go upwards and to say there’s an opportunity. That music is exciting, moving, emotional, fun, and diverse within itself, so I’m excited for that.
Nina Nesbitt
My favorite song of yours is “The Sun Will Come Up, The Seasons Will Change.” It’s so amazing! What inspired that song?
Nina: Um, just having a really shit time, basically [laughs]. Then I started to not have a shit time, and I was like, “Oh my God, I thought that was gonna be forever,” so it’s kind of just to remind myself – and hopefully others like you [laughs] – that things aren’t permanent.
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Nina: I’ve been singing her praises the whole night: RAYE.
Oh my God, her album comes out tonight!
Nina: It’s so good. I’ve listened to it ’cause I’ve got the UK Spotify [laughs]. It’s so good. And FLO. I think they’re gonna be huge. I’m gonna go them two.
Who would you be starstruck to meet during GRAMMYs week?
Nina: Um, Dolly Parton if she’s somewhere here hiding.
Do you have a favorite Dolly song?
Nina: There’s so many… I’m gonna be basic and say “Jolene” [laughs].
Samara Joy
Okay, so this is really your night, right? How humbling is that? How crazy is that?
Samara: I feel so overwhelmed! Oh my gosh. I can’t believe. Even you just saying, “This is your night,” I’m like, “Who?” [laughs].
How excited are you to perform at MusiCares tomorrow?
Samara: It’s gonna be amazing! I just had soundcheck today. Oh my gosh. It’s like $100,000 a table or something like that. I was like, “Uh!” [laughs].
What’s your go-to party song?
Samara: “Virgo’s Groove” [by Beyoncé] or Outkast. Anything by Outkast.
“Virgo’s Groove” is very underrated!
Samara: I need it to play tonight! I need it [laughs]!
Who would you be starstruck to meet during GRAMMYs week?
Samara: Probably… probably Adele. I just covered a song of hers for Spotify: “Someone Like You.” You might hear a little bit of it tonight.
What’s one of your favorite lyrics you’ve ever written?
Samara: This melody, it was already written, but I wrote lyrics on top of the melody. It’s the end of the song: Long as I live, I’ll love you for all eternity, and I’m so glad that you chose me.
Lizzy McAlpine
How does it feel to be such a viral TikTok moment right now?
Lizzy: It feels honestly kind of crazy [laughs]. I was not expecting it.
Do you watch all the videos people do of them running around in the parking garages?
Lizzy: I try to, yeah. I’ve seen most of them, I think [laughs].
What’s your go-to party song?
Lizzy: Anything Rihanna or any throwback song.
Who would you be starstruck to meet during GRAMMYs week?
Lizzy: Oh gosh, I don’t even know. Probably everyone. My expectations are so low that I never expect for me to meet anyone, so when I do it’s fucking crazy [laughs].
Are all of your songs equal to you or do you have a favorite song of your own?
Lizzy: I definitely have favorite songs. Most of them are songs that I have not released yet [laughs]!
What do you have coming up for 2023?
Lizzy: Yeah, I’m touring again, and I’m working on my next record which hopefully will come out this year, but who knows! We’ll see.
Orville Peck
This outfit is amazing!
Orville: Thank you very much! I feel like I look like a bumblebee or a mustard bottle.
Is yellow your favorite color?
Orville: Yellow is not my favorite color. My favorite color is green. Funnily enough, I cannot think of the last time I even wore green, but I do like this. I feel like a cute bumblebee old lady cowboy [laughs].
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Orville: Oh, that’s a good question! I love Charley Crockett. He is a country guy. He’s from Houston and lived in New Orleans. He has this incredible old-but-new country sound. I think Charley is one of my favorite new artists. Also, Marci who’s a disco singer from Montreal. She’s incredible. My favorite artists of last year. There’s a few new artists I really have fallen in love with over the last year, actually.
You’re on a new Apple TV+ show, My Kind of Country, with other country icons like Kacey Musgraves and Mickey Guyton. What was that experience of being on the show like?
Orville: It’s been amazing! It was the funnest thing I’ve done, maybe ever, to shoot. We’re all very excited about it. I think we can expect a competition show that no one’s really seen before. It’s filled with heart and authenticity. It’s not so much about attention and the competition. It’s more so just giving people a platform to tell stories in country music that have never had it before, which I’m always all for. It was really, really cool! I can’t wait for people to see it.
Bob the Drag Queen
We have to start with Madonna, I feel like. It’s just the biggest thing ever right now. How does it feel to be opening for her on tour?
Bob: Yeah, of course! It’s surreal! I love Madonna forever, and I became a massive Madonna fan when I saw her live on the ‘Rebel Heart’ tour. I remember watching her and being like, “This is remarkable. This is next level.” She has a real dedication to entertaining people. She takes it seriously. She really takes it seriously. Like, if you come to her shows, she wants to make sure you’re having a good time. She leaves no stone unturned. Honestly, to be in her sphere of a woman who’s been doing music for four decades… Like, how old are you?
It’s crazy. I’m 21.
Bob: Yeah, yeah, yeah! 19 years before you were born, Madonna started making hits, you know what I mean? She’s had 50 number ones. That’s amazing! That’s remarkable.
Okay, I have a friend named Kitara Ravache… Otherwise known as George Santos… Do you have any advice for her on how to become a drag superstar?
Bob: Oh, her! Listen, girl, just be young and have fun at festivals! You know what I mean? It’s what you gotta do!
What’s your go-to party song?
Bob: Okay, I really love “Boss Bitch” by Doja Cat. It’s such a good song. I also love “Vegas” by Doja Cat. I love Doja Cat. I love anything Lizzo graces us with. And if you want to turn the party, and I’m not just saying this because I’m on tour with her… If you play Madonna, people will get turnt. You can do “Vogue,” you can do “Causing a Commotion,” you can do… Pick one! “Bitch I’m Madonna.” Pick one!
GAYLE
How excited are you to be an opening act for Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras’ tour?
GAYLE: I’m so excited! The thing that freaks me out is the first person to start the tour, technically, is me? Which, like, how did that happen? How is that me? But I’m very, very excited, and it’s such a huge, huge, huge, huge opportunity and honor! I’m so excited, and I’m gonna be practicing a lot! I haven’t started practicing, but when I start, I’m gonna do it a lot [laughs]!
Have you had the opportunity to talk with any of the other opening acts yet?
GAYLE: Um, I’ve DMed quite a few when they all came out. I was like, “I know you’re not gonna see this, but like, I’m so excited to play with you!” I don’t think anybody DMed me back [laughs]. Except for OWENN! OWENN was so nice. I’m so excited to meet him. He’s so great.
You’re a GRAMMYs nominee! How is that making you feel?
GAYLE: Who let that happen? Like, how did that happen [laughs]? It’s such a dream come true. My best friend and I started writing songs together when I was 12 and she was 15 in my bedroom, and we both now, at 18 and 21, are able to say we got Grammy nominated together, which just makes me really emotional! We wrote songs in my bedroom, and nobody cared for such a long time, so the fact that we’re here and anybody can care about us or something that we made together, it’s such a high honor. I can’t comprehend it.
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
GAYLE: UPSAHL! UPSAHL! UPSAHL! UPSAHL! I adore her. She’s such a talent. She is such a star. Devon Again, Annika Bennett. There’s so many incredible artists.
UPSAHL is such a good answer!
GAYLE: Oh my God, she’s so good! She’s my top listened to artist this year.
What’s your go-to party song?
GAYLE: “Party In The U.S.A.” I’m not gonna lie. I’m not gonna lie. In Nashville screaming, “It’s definitely not a Nashville party,” is elite. That is elite! I went to homecoming and that was playing. It played three times at homecoming, and it was amazing! And I went when “Old Town Road” was number one on the radio for prom, and not one person was sitting in their seat when that song came on. Like, not one person.
Trixie Mattel
Trixie: Wait, do you guys know that BIBLEGIRL pretends to be Pop Crave [laughs]? It’s so sickening! She’ll be like, “BREAKING. BIBLEGIRL wins Drag Race.” It’s so fucking funny. It’s amazing. It’s amazing. She’s gonna be kicked off Twitter, but it’s amazing.
Elon Musk is coming for her.
Trixie: It’s funny! It’s flattering. Drag queens impersonate everyone, including outlets!
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Trixie: Um, give Orville Peck his fucking nomination. Like, girl, she’s here. She’s in her little mask that’s her “outfit.” She’s trying, and she does what she can. Is she, you know, gifted? Uh! But, like, let’s give her the award, you know?
You’re well-known for your Netflix watch-alongs with Katya. What’s your favorite show or movie that Netflix has had you watch?
Trixie: Hands fucking down Love is Blind. Love is Blind.
Do you have a favorite season?
Trixie: Three! The last one we recapped where the guy did the fake tears. I think about it… not a lot, just like 15 times a day. It’s amazing. It’s amazing, and straight people dating are fucking crazy! It’s crazy… The straight people are wild. There’s a lot of them here tonight. Watch your back.
Okay, I have a friend named Kitara Ravache… Otherwise known as George Santos… Do you have any advice for her on how to become a drag superstar?
Trixie: Sure! Well, I’m gonna say something very diplomatic which is this is a very welcoming community. Let’s say in three years, five years, she changes some views, I bet this community would welcome her with open arms. We’re all about love.
We still haven’t seen a drag queen nominated at the GRAMMYs. When do you think that’s coming?
Trixie: I know! Well, you know, you look at this red carpet… it’s a black carpet, but… there’s about as much fake hair and body makeup that way as there is this way. I think we’re moving toward a place where somebody like Big Freedia or Todrick, there’s so many people where you can’t categorize it as drag. We’re blending the lines, and I don’t think drag matters to people. It’s just a performance. All performing is drag. Britney [Spears] with a snake? It’s drag, bitch! You know what I mean?
jxdn
You released your debut album, Tell Me About Tomorrow, last year! How has the fan reception been for you since its release?
jxdn: It’s so weird, because when I first started making music, I really first started making music. It wasn’t like I’d been working on it for years. The reaction I got from everything was really mind-blowing. My album went number one for a whole day, and no one even knew about it, which is really crazy, but it’s just those little moments that keep me going and doing what I want to do. It’s about to go gold soon which is really fucking cool. It’s something I would’ve never thought. After that, it just gets me more excited for my next album.
Are all of your songs equal to you or do you have a favorite song of your own?
jxdn: Yeah, fuck no! The beginning, my first couple songs that I made, I don’t sound the same ’cause that was me first getting in the studio. It all happened so fast. A bunch of my songs, I’m not like, “Oh, I love them,” but “Pray” is one of my favorite songs, and “Tell Me About Tomorrow” is a really special song to me. It was about my best friend that passed away like six months ago while he was still alive, so those two songs will always be near to my heart, but I’m ready for new music! Fuck yeah!
You’re touring soon and just went on tour recently. What’s your favorite part about the touring experience?
jxdn: Two things. Eating food in every state. It’s so weird how each state is pretty different, you know? And also, genuinely just getting to see how much positive impact I have on people. You go to things like this, and you see all the grand scheme, and it’s like, “Oh, they must be doing something,” but to see it on a personal level with my actual fans is ridiculous. I’m really glad that I get to be something for someone, you know?
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
jxdn: Oh my gosh. I feel like there’s a lot of new artists that deserve it. This is the thing about music; it’s so saturated right now. That’s why you have to take what you’re grateful for, take it all head on, just be excited about everything. I don’t know about ‘Best New Artist.’ All I’m thinking about is Kellz [Machine Gun Kelly] better win a fucking Grammy. If he doesn’t win a fucking Grammy, I’m gonna be so sad. We’re gonna party if he wins, and we’re gonna party if he loses, so whatever happens.
What’s your go-to party song?
jxdn: That’s a really good question. Doja Cat’s “Need to Know.” Fuck yeah, dude, are you kidding me? God, she’s great. I got to see her play in South America when I was doing some festivals there. She’s an awesome performer. She’s just, like, a little weirdo. It’s so cool. I love it. As a weirdo, it makes me feel good.
The Aces
What’s your go-to party song?
The Aces: Oh, it’s gotta be “Juicy” by Doja Cat! It’s gotta be! I just listened to it on the way here. That is my go-to feel good song. Honestly, anything Doja Cat.
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
The Aces: There’s this little band called The Aces that I would really love to see honored [laughs]! But no, I would love to see Ethel Cain get honored. I am such a big fan of Ethel Cain. I think she’s incredible. I think her music is unlike anything that’s happening right now within indie pop and indie rock. It’s so good! Oh my God, I cannot stop listening to “Crush.” It’s embedded in my brain! Over and over and over!
Are all of your songs equal to you or do you have a favorite song of your own?
The Aces: Yeah, and it’s one that’s not out yet [laughs]!
What do you have coming up for 2023?
The Aces: New album, touring, the whole shebang. Everything! The Aces are bigger and better than ever. We’re so excited!
What’s your favorite part about touring?
The Aces: Just getting to see the fans. The shows, yeah. That moment when you’re actually having your music come to fruition. People saying they love it online is amazing, but you don’t really feel it until you’re with them, they’re singing it, and you feel the energy. It’s like the ultimate connection for an artist.
Sofia Reyes
How are you feeling tonight?
Sofia: I’m extremely excited! I’m a little nervous. I don’t know why. I’m not even performing, but I’m nervous.
In five words, how would you describe your own music?
Sofia: Okay, I would say exploration, warm, mystic, earthy, and fun!
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Sofia: Yeah, there’s an amazing singer called Carlos Zaur. He’s from Mexico. Amazing voice, and I would love to see him perform hopefully next year. The sooner the better. He’s amazing!
What’s your go-to party song?
Sofia: I mean, I just saw Anitta. I love her so much… I really hope they play reggaeton. I really hope.
What do you have coming up for 2023?
Sofia: A new album, which is super exciting, and hopefully touring. That’s my goal this year.
Are all of your songs equal to you or do you have a favorite song of your own?
Sofia: Of my own? Mmm, I do… I do… A lot of them haven’t come out yet, I’m gonna be honest. I think “1, 2, 3” is a song that changed my life, and I would say “Corbata” is one of my favorites.
DOMi & JD BECK
Okay, these outfits are amazing! In three words, how would you describe your style?
JD BECK: Terrible! I don’t know. We kind of just pretend we have style, so we just order whatever looks kinda cool.
DOMi: We see stuff online and we’re like, “Oh, this is cool,” and we get it.
How does it feel that this night is all about honoring you? This is really your night, right?
JD BECK: I don’t think so! We played the set, and I feel like nobody even had any idea who we were.
DOMi: Nobody cared, yeah! It was great!
No, we’re here to honor y’all! How humbling does it feel to be nominated on such a large scale?
JD BECK: It’s weird. I just try not to pay attention.
DOMi: Yeah! Somebody voted for us by mistake, and now they regret it. That’s for sure.
What’s your go-to party song?
JD BECK: It depends. Yeah, I don’t know. A bunch of Earth, Wind & Fire. I mean… I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t party, so I don’t really know. We don’t party. We’re, like, anti-party.
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
DOMi: Louis Cole!
JD BECK: Louis Cole. Jon Bap! Maurice II is what he goes by now. He’s not even up-and-coming, but he just needs way more spotlight.
What do you have coming up for 2023?
JD BECK: Absolutely nothing!
DOMi: Yeah, nothing at all!
JD BECK: This is the end of our career.
DOMi: Just blankets, pillows, and sleep.
This is a really sad interview!
JD BECK: This is actually our last interview.
DOMi: We’re gonna play a bunch of shows, tour, and write!
JD BECK: Yeah, same stuff.
Tove Lo
Dirt Femme is literally one of my favorite albums of last year.
Tove: Oh my God, thank you so much! Mine too! No, I’m kidding [laughs]!
“True Romance” is one of the best ballads ever. It’s so explorative for the ballad genre. Are all of your songs equal to you or do you have a favorite song of your own?
Tove: I go in and out of having favorite songs, but that one’s definitely up there. It’s also really fun to sing live. I really get to show off my vocal range, and it’s just such an emotional song to perform, so yeah. That’s a special one.
What’s your go-to party song?
Tove: My go-to party song… I’m gonna say this remix of “Where My Girls At?” by Honey Dijon. It’s really sassy, sexy, and fun. That’s one of my go-to ones, yeah.
What do you have coming up for 2023?
Tove: Well, I’m just about to go on tour on Monday [February 6] all over the U.S., and I’m putting out a new song very, very soon. Like, within weeks! There’s gonna be a video for it. The story continues! Let’s say that [laughs]!
That “No One Dies From Love” video is insane. The robot love gets my every time.
Tove: Thank you [laughs]! Yeah, that’s one of my favorite videos I’ve ever made, so thank you for that!
Amber Mark
Thanks so much for chatting with me! This is my first-ever carpet!
Amber: Is it really? Oh my God, wow! We’re deflowering you [laughs]!
I’ve known your music for so long. “Monsoon” is one of my favorite songs ever.
Amber: Oh my God! That makes me so happy to hear. That’s one of my most meaningful songs, so that really means the world to me.
I have to ask you about your new album, because it’s the prettiest album cover I’ve ever seen. It’s so gorgeous. How did you come up with that?
Amber: Really? Oh my God, I worked so hard on that one… Well, it was a whole mess because we had done a whole photoshoot, and I wasn’t happy with what we had done. I ended up just being like, “Listen, I’m gonna do it myself. I’m gonna produce my own photoshoot,” and I got one of my closest friends who’s really creative to shoot it. She’s just a genius. Her name is Wendy Ngala. We just pulled it together. It was like a family affair. My sister came in, helped with all the set design and everything, and we just pulled it together in, like, three days. I just had this dream of it being cosmic and really emitting the title.
The first photoshoot was bad for a reason. It worked out!
Amber: Exactly! I agree. Honestly, I’m very happy with how it came out.
What’s your go-to party song?
Amber: Oh my God, my go-to party song… Um, right now, it’s probably “Virgo’s Groove” or something like that, but you know what? I gotta represent Sabrina [Carpenter]. We came here tonight, so “Nonsense” all the way! All day every day!
She has that Christmas version too!
Amber: I know! That’s my favorite. All Christmas. That’s all I was listening to.
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Amber: Oh my God. There’s so many people, I feel. It’s crazy, ’cause I feel like there’s so many amazing artists that just come out with amazing music, and they haven’t gotten their flowers yet, but I would say I’ve really been feeling this artist, Q. He’s not very, very well-known, but he will be any minute now, and I’m obsessed with him. I would say probably him… Beyoncé, she’s up-and-coming! I’m just kidding [laughs]! I’m just kidding! She deserves every award at all times.
What do you have coming up for 2023?
Amber: Well, I’ve been doing a lot of writing, so definitely some singles… potentially an album… I’m definitely not gonna wait four years to put out another album, so don’t worry! It won’t happen. I promise, I promise. I would say that’s probably what’s gonna be in the future.
Sofi Tukker
What’s your go-to party song?
Tucker: When I hear any house music, I’m just like… I can’t help it.
Sophie: I feel like for me, it’s when I hear any Latin-inspired, specifically, house music, I will definitely be on the dance floor.
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Sophie: Ooh, great question!
Tucker: Love that question! Now I have to think hard. What is their name? They’re sick! Emily showed them to us. I’m looking them up. They deserve the shoutout…
Sophie: I was gonna say one of my favorite Brazilian artists. Her name is Vanessa Da Mata. That would be really cool. I mean, I feel like more and more, the GRAMMYs are also recognizing artists outside of the U.S.
The music industry has gone a lot more global over the last couple years. How does that make you feel?
Sophie: Yeah, I love it! It makes me so happy! I mean, that’s the way the world is, you know what I mean? People consume music from all over the world, and there’s so much rich culture everywhere. It would be a shame if we only limited it to one place.
What do you have coming up for 2023?
Sophie: Actually, we have a song coming out on February 17 with Kaskade and deadmau5 that’s called “Sacrifice.”
Can we expect any touring?
Sophie: Lots of touring! We’re doing Coachella, we’re doing Red Rocks, and we’re doing Lollapalooza South America.
Tucker: Always back to Vegas a bunch for our residency. We’ll be everywhere! Also, I found the name of the band: Sad Night Dynamite. Wait, was it Sad Night? Shit, did I fuck it up again already?
Sophie: I actually don’t remember.
Tucker: Yup, Sad Night Dynamite! They are awesome!
Blu DeTiger
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Blu: Um… Me [laughs]! Just kidding! Period!
Period! That’s a tough one [laughs].
Blu: Um, I don’t know… I’m trying to give a good answer…
What’s your go-to party song?
Blu: “Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani. Boom! The classics, the classics.
What do you have coming up for 2023?
Blu: An album. Putting out my first album, a lot more shows, more touring, and yeah! More of everything.
Are all of your songs equal to you or do you have a favorite song of your own?
Blu: It goes in waves. Sometimes I’ll like a song for like a day, and then I’ll like another one better the next day, so it kinda depends on the day.
What’s your favorite current TikTok trend?
Blu: Ooh, TikTok trend… Wait, I saw one the other day. The one that’s like you say something really cringe and embarrassing, and the audio is like, “I might kill myself.” It sounds really sad, but there are so many that are so funny, and it’s been a lot on my FYP.
Who would you be starstruck to meet during GRAMMYs week?
Blu: Beyoncé, of course!
Gottmik
What’s your go-to party song?
Gottmik: I actually have the most crazy taste in music ever. You won’t even understand. One day I’ll be in a country mode, and the next day I’ll be in a heavy metal mode. I was in Rob Zombie’s .05% top Spotify listeners this year, so I’m, like, alarmed. Like, I would like to know who beat me. Does Spotify tell you if you’re the number one? Because I might be the number one. I mean, I need something. It was like .005%, and I’m like, “Who’s beating me for Rob Zombie?” [laughs].
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Gottmik: Honestly, I’m so obsessed with a bunch of queer artists right now. Especially here, I’m with Orville Peck, and I’m so obsessed with his music and just everything he represents. He’s just such a good role model for the community. Obviously Trixie Mattel, Bob the Drag Queen, we’re all here together tonight, and I’m releasing some music this year? I know, it’s gonna be cute! I’m all for the drag queens, I’m all for the queer artists, and I’m ready to keep pushing that.
Orville Peck’s outfit tonight is so cute!
Gottmik: It’s so sickening! Girl, a week ago, she was like, “I’m wearing this. Match me,” and I’m like, “Who do you think we are?” [laughs].
Other than the music, is there anything fans can expect from you in 2023?
Gottmik: Oh my gosh, yes! So much! I’m definitely focusing a lot on music this year. Gigi Gorgeous and I just announced our book that comes out in May. It’s called The T Guide, and it’s a little trans guide that a bunch of our queer family wrote in. It’s gonna be really major. It’s books, music, and artistry nonstop this year!
How does the queer representation within the music industry this year make you feel? I feel like it’s skyrocketed in the past year.
Gottmik: I know! It’s so amazing, just ’cause I feel like music is everyone’s go-to therapy or comfort. To be able to see yourself in an artist and just be able to go on Spotify, and the next song that pops up is an amazing queer artist that speaks to you, it’s so important. I’m so honored to live in 2023 where that’s possible!
Jessie Reyez
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Jessie: Um… Huh… Myself.
My favorite song from you is “Apple Juice.” It’s so good! Are all of your songs equal to you or do you have a favorite song of your own?
Jessie: Oh, no fucking shit! Thank you. I secretly have favorites for different reasons. Some of them are just still so potently filled with a memory that I can’t even sing them because they make me cry still, and then some of them are just so fun to do live that I always make sure I put them on the set list, so it just depends.
What’s your go-to party song?
Jessie: “Bohemian Rhapsody” which sounds so ass backwards, but “Bohemian Rhapsody” can turn me and my friends way the fuck up. It’s crazy.
What do you have coming up for 2023?
Jessie: I’m going on tour with Sam Smith, and I’m so excited. I’m so excited. I cannot wait.
What was it like collaborating with Sam Smith?
Jessie: Great! They’re great! They’re fucking great! It’s always a vibe, it’s always fun. We were just turning up, and then we just so happened to make a song while we were having fun. It’s sweet.
What’s your favorite part about the touring experience?
Jessie: Rhythm. Catching a rhythm. I love it. It turns out I like structure, which I never would’ve thought I’d say as a creative, but that kind of structure is nice. It’s a rhythm where you have so much space for freedom in the moment when you’re performing, when you’re meeting people, and all that. It’s really nice.
Tobe Nwigwe & Fat Nwigwe
Is there anyone you’d like to see nominated for ‘Best New Artist’ next year?
Tobe: Oh, Foggieraw. Yeah, he’s a beast. Foggieraw is phenomenal. Coast Contra is phenomenal.
Fat: I was gonna say Coast Contra.
These outfits are amazing! Mint green is my favorite color. Who came up with this outfit idea?
Tobe: I designed everything. The whole fit. Mine and hers. Thank you!
What’s your go-to party song?
Tobe: Currently, “BackOutsideBoyz” by Drake. That’s super random.
Fat: I don’t know if I have one. That’s hard to say. I don’t know…
Tobe: Whoever sings the song, “Come on, baby! Yeah, yeah, yeah!” [laughs].
Fat: No [laughs].
Is there anything fans can expect from you in 2023?
Tobe: 100%! We have a whole project that I feel like is gonna be my greatest work ever coming out. That’s what’s coming out. We got Transformers in June of 2023 coming out that I’m a part of, so yeah. Those are the two main things. And Mo. Season 2 of Mo on Netflix. That show got rated 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, so yeah. It’s amazing!
Photo Gallery
Special thanks to Fernanda Ruiz Martinez for assisting with camera equipment.
