(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Fresh-faced Sam Smith could make history at the Grammys with a chance to sweep top categories, but the music industry's big night could also coronate Beyonce or Pharrell Williams.
The 22-year-old Smith, who a few years ago was bartending in London, has enjoyed a phenomenal rise with Stay With Me-a ballad about a one-night stand marked by rich, soulful tenor voice.
Smith, who will also perform at the ceremony at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, said the sensation of appearing before a global audience was "indescribable" and recalled attending the year before.
"I was in the back-the very, very back. And I couldn't go to a party afterward because I had to record something in my label's building the next day," he said.
Smith is up for Grammys in the four most closely-watched categories-Album of the Year; Record of the Year, which honours the top tune; Song of the Year, which recognises the composer; and Best New Artist.
Only one artist has previously won all four categories at once-Christopher Cross, whose 1981 triumph heralded a decade of soft rock as he controversially beat out Pink Floyd's now-classic The Wall.
But Smith is tied with two big names for a total of six nominations-Beyonce and Williams.
A Grammy victory for Williams would serve as vindication for the 41-year-old producer who achieved success in his own right with the globally viral song of optimism, Happy.
In a forum on Twitter, Williams said that he recorded nine versions of Happy that were rejected before he came up with his hit.
"I had to change my approach to writing it-stop thinking and start feeling instead," Williams wrote.
Williams last year enjoyed Grammy nominations for his work both on Robin Thicke's Blurred Lines and with the French electronic duo Daft Punk, who were 2014's big winners.
In June, Williams is joining former vice president Al Gore in Live Earth global concerts aimed at building momentum for a climate change agreement later this year at talks in Paris.
Beyonce has already won 17 Grammys but never the most prestigious Album of the Year.
The 33-year-old singer offered some of her most personal work on her
latest, self-titled album, which she recorded in secret and released with no previous publicity in December 2013.
The new numbers by the former teen star with R&B band Destiny's Child include the ode to marital bliss Drunk in Love sung with her husband Jay-Z.
A dark horse for Album of the Year is Morning Phase by Beck, the innovative Los Angeles rocker who for two decades has enjoyed critical acclaim and a cult following, if not the mainstream appeal usually recognized by the Grammys.
Also up for Album of the Year is X by Ed Sheeran-like Smith, a British singer and relative newcomer-who previously worked with pop giants such as Taylor Swift and boy band One Direction.
Another new star in contention is Iggy Azalea, who could be the first solo woman to win for Best Rap Album.
Azalea, who is also up for Best New Artist and Record of the Year, has become a cultural flashpoint as the white Australian raps in an accent that is markedly African American.
Her most prominent critic has been rapper Azealia Banks, who has accused Azalea of exploiting African American culture and regretted that the music industry does not offer more space to women of color.
Azalea is up against a packed field for Best Rap Album, including five-time winner Eminem. Other nominees for Best New Artist include alternative country singer Brandy Clark and three-sister rock band Haim.
The Grammys, which take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, are known for elaborate, surprise-filled shows meant to pull in television viewers.
This year's performers will include Madonna, who made an unannounced appearance at the 2014 Grammys.
The last Grammys also featured a reunion of sorts of the Beatles, with surviving members Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr joined by relatives.
McCartney will return-this time to showcase a very different venture, his collaboration with R&B singer Rihanna and hip-hop star Kanye West.
lMusic veterans like Carole King and current stars such as Pharrell Williams rubbed shoulders at record producer Clive Davis' annual star-studded party on Saturday, the night before the Grammy awards, joining in with sing-alongs and dancing.
British newcomer Sam Smith kicked off the evening with soulful renditions of his hits My Funny Valentine and Stay With Me.
R&B singer-producer Pharrell was encouraged into an encore of his upbeat Happy.
Davis' party has become the hottest pre-Grammy ticket in town, attracting an eclectic, high-profile crowd including former US vice president Al Gore, Apple CEO Tim Cook, actress Jane Fonda, popstar Taylor Swift, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell and Motown veteran Smokey Robinson.
The night is also known for its musical performances and impromptu moments on stage.
Robinson hit the stage with singers Miguel, JC Chasez and Aloe Blacc for a throwback of The Temptations' My Girl, with Earth, Wind & Fire's Philip Bailey and actor Jamie Foxx jumping in to lend their vocals.
R&B singers Mary J.Blige and John Legend also spontaneously hopped onto the microphone to sing along with Carole King as she performed Beautiful and You've Got A Friend.
Romance was in the air as veteran crooner Johnny Mathis sang hits such as It's Not For Me To Say and Chances Are, while Legend silenced the room with his ballad All of Me, before dueting with newcomer Meghan Trainor on Like I'm Gonna Lose You.
Rapper Iggy Azalea got the crowd dancing as Rita Ora joined her for Black Widow and Jennifer Hudson came on stage for Trouble. Barry Gibb, the lone surviving member of The Bee Gees, rounded out the night singing the band's classic To Love Somebody.
Davis, 82, is credited with honing the careers of numerous artists including late singer Whitney Houston, who was found dead in a bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel three years ago, just hours before Davis' party in the same hotel.
Former basketball player Magic Johnson paid tribute to the singer as he introduced Davis on stage. He also asked attendees to hold a 30-second silence and send prayers for Houston's 21-year-old daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, who is fighting for her life after being found unconscious in a bathtub last week.
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