Janelle Monae remembers being frustrated at last year91裸聊视频檚 Grammy Awards, where male acts dominated in nominations and the only woman competing for the night91裸聊视频檚 top award, Lorde, didn91裸聊视频檛 get a chance to perform onstage.

But this year, Monae is looking forward to the show, where women are now leading in nominations for big categories like album of the year and best new artist.

91裸聊视频淭his is going to be a special Grammys. As much as it is about me, it91裸聊视频檚 not just about me. Just knowing that so many women are nominated this year, looking back from last year to this year when I was on the stage at the Grammys, you could see that I was frustrated about the opportunities and about our visibility as women,91裸聊视频� said Monae, who gave powerful speech last year ahead of Kesha91裸聊视频檚 emotional and striking performance celebrating sisterhood and women91裸聊视频檚 rights.

91裸聊视频淵es, we have so much more work to do, but this is a moment to be celebrated. This is a moment for women to love on each other and let each other know,91裸聊视频� she added.

Monae91裸聊视频檚 groundbreaking album, 91裸聊视频淒irty Computer,91裸聊视频� is one of five albums by women nominated for the top prize at Sunday91裸聊视频檚 show, airing live at 8 p.m. Eastern on CBS from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Cardi B91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频淚nvasion of Privacy,91裸聊视频� Kacey Musgraves91裸聊视频� 91裸聊视频淕olden Hour,91裸聊视频� Brandi Carlile91裸聊视频檚 91裸聊视频淏y the Way, I Forgive You91裸聊视频� and H.E.R.91裸聊视频檚 self-titled album are also in contention.

READ MORE: Grammy weekend kicks off with honour for Dolly Parton

Carlile is the most nominated woman with six nominations, including bids for song and record of the year with 91裸聊视频淭he Joke.91裸聊视频� Women also have a strong presence in those top categories, including Lady Gaga, SZA, Maren Morris and Ella Mai.

Six of the best new artist nominees are women, including H.E.R., Chloe x Halle, Margo Price, Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexha and Jorja Smith.

91裸聊视频淲hat I plan to do is let every woman who is nominated, who is here this weekend, know that from the red carpet to the stage, win or lose, I have your back. I see you,91裸聊视频� Monae said. 91裸聊视频淭his is just the beginning of moving to a more inclusive future.91裸聊视频�

Today is Music's Biggest Night! 馃幎 From the red carpet to backstage and beyond, here is how to watch the

91裸聊视频� Recording Academy / GRAMMYs (@RecordingAcad)

This year91裸聊视频檚 nominees mark a departure from the 2018 Grammys, where Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow was criticized when he said women need to 91裸聊视频渟tep up91裸聊视频� when asked about the lack of women in the top categories. He later acknowledged that it was a 91裸聊视频減oor choice of words,91裸聊视频� and it forced the academy to launch a new task force focused on inclusion and diversity.

The lead up to this year91裸聊视频檚 Grammys hasn91裸聊视频檛 been completely smooth though. This week Ariana Grande blasted Grammys producer Ken Ehrlich and accused him of lying about why she was no longer performing at the show.

Ehrlich told the AP that Grande 91裸聊视频渇elt it was too late for her to pull something together.91裸聊视频� She responded on Twitter and said she 91裸聊视频渃an pull together a performance over night and you know that, Ken.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淚t was when my creativity & self expression was stifled by you, that i decided not to attend. i hope the show is exactly what you want it to be and more,91裸聊视频� she continued.

Carlile told the AP she stands 91裸聊视频渂ehind Ariana Grande91裸聊视频檚 decision to stand up for herself and her art.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淎nd I feel like it91裸聊视频檚 a time in this country when women need to support each other and their decisions. I support her and I support her decision,91裸聊视频� she added.

Grande is nominated for two awards and could miss the chance of giving a speech onstage if she wins. Other big stars also won91裸聊视频檛 be in attendance, including Kendrick Lamar, the top nominee with eight, and Drake, nominated for seven awards. Taylor Swift, who was snubbed and one scored one nomination, also won91裸聊视频檛 be at the show.

Drama has also surrounded the Grammys around its Motown Records tribute: Some people complained when a promo aired on CBS showing Jennifer Lopez as the act set to honour the legendary record label, which launched the careers of Jackson 5, the Supremes, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and more. Some complained that a black artist should be involved in the tribute, while others said stronger vocalists should perform over Lopez. A representative for the Grammys didn91裸聊视频檛 return an email seeking clarification about the tribute.

READ MORE: Kendrick Lamar leads Grammy noms, where women make a comeback

Others set to perform Sunday include Cardi B, Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, Travis Scott, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Diana Ross, J Balvin, Camila Cabello, Dan + Shay, H.E.R., Little Big Town, Post Malone and Chloe x Halle. Yolanda Adams, Fantasia and Andra Day will honour the late Aretha Franklin with a performance.

Musgraves, also nominated for best country album, song and performance, said she91裸聊视频檚 been trying to relax this week ahead of the show.

91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檝e been able to find zen moments leading up to all this. I am just grateful, I think. And I am not hung up on what happens or doesn91裸聊视频檛 happen,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淛ust the fact that this album has connected in such a way beyond my wildest dreams is just really cool.91裸聊视频�

______

Mesfin Fekadu, The Associated Press

Like us on and follow us on .