Taylor Swift chases album of year record at female-focused Grammys

Luminaries of the music business will gather to hand out the annual Grammy awards on Sunday at a red-carpet ceremony that may culminate with another record for Taylor Swift.

The pop superstar, in the middle of the world's highest-grossing tour, is competing for an unprecedented fourth album of the year trophy with Midnights.

No other artist in the 66-year Grammys history has claimed the coveted honour four times. Music legends Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder won three each.

Swift is not a lock-in for the album award. Industry pundits said it could go to SOS from R&B artist SZA, who would be the first black woman since Lauryn Hill 25 years ago to win the category as a lead artist. SZA, singer of dark ballad Kill Bill, leads all Grammy nominees this year with nine nods.

Women figure prominently in the 2024 Grammys field. Just one man, Jon Batiste, made the cut among eight nominees for the album prize. Other contenders include Olivia Rodrigo, Lana Del Rey and boygenius, the band featuring Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus.

Swift also is vying for song of the year, a writing honour that she has never won despite widespread accolades for her lyrics. Anti-Hero, her examination of self-doubt, faces competition from Miley Cyrus empowerment anthem Flowers and others.

Music from the blockbuster Barbie movie received 12 nominations, including record of the year for Billie Eilish's ballad What Was I Made For?

Contenders in the best new artist field include rapper Ice Spice, country singer Jelly Roll, R&B and pop singer Victoria Monet, singer-songwriter Coco Jones and folk-pop singer Noah Kahan.

Scheduled performers on the Grammys stage include SZA, Billy Joel, Joni Mitchell, Dua Lipa, Luke Combs and Burna Boy. U2 will perform live from the Sphere in Las Vegas.

Winners were chosen by the musicians, producers, engineers and others who make up the Recording Academy. The group has worked to diversify its membership in recent years by inviting more women and people of color to its ranks.

Organisers also added a handful of new categories this year, including best African music performance.