Two-Time GRAMMY® Winner LL COOL J to Host 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards®

Two-Time GRAMMY® Winner LL COOL J to Host 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards®

Rapper/Actor Will Be First Host in Seven Years of the Music Industry's Premier Event Music's Biggest Night® Airs Live on CBS Sunday, Feb. 12, 8 ET/PT

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Two-time GRAMMY® winner LL COOL J is set to host the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards (www.grammy.com), marking the first time in seven years that the music industry's premier event will have an official host. Music's Biggest Night® takes place live on Sunday, Feb. 12, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and will be broadcast in high definition and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network from 8 - 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). The show also will be supported on radio worldwide via Westwood One/Dial Global, and covered online at GRAMMY.com and CBS.com, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thegrammys. Additional performers, presenters and special segments will be announced soon. For GRAMMY coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy®'s social networks on Twitter and Facebook: www.twitter.com/thegrammys, www.facebook.com/thegrammys.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111116/LA07792LOGO)

"I'm thrilled to be part of Music's Biggest Night," said LL COOL J. "I will always have fond memories of my first GRAMMY Awards and to now be hosting the GRAMMY show, in the company of so many other incredible artists, is a dream come true. Great performances and great music -- it's gonna be a great night!"

LL COOL J has hosted "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! -- Countdown To Music's Biggest Night" since its inception in December 2008, and this will be his first time hosting the annual GRAMMY Awards telecast. Recent past hosts include Queen Latifah at the 47th GRAMMY Awards and Jon Stewart for the 43rd and 44th GRAMMY telecasts. Over the years, additional GRAMMY hosts include Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres and Rosie O'Donnell, among others.

LL COOL J joins previously announced performers and current GRAMMY nominees Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, and Taylor Swift. Aldean and Minaj will perform on the GRAMMY telecast for the first time, while Clarkson, Foo Fighters, Mars, and Swift are returning to the GRAMMY stage.

The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards are produced by John Cossette Productions and AEG Ehrlich Ventures for The Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, and David Wild and Ken Ehrlich are the writers.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards -- the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music -- The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @TheGRAMMYs on Twitter, like "The GRAMMYs" on Facebook, and join The GRAMMYs' social communities on YouTube, Tumblr, Foursquare, GetGlue, and Instagram.

SOURCE The Recording Academy

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The Recording Academy

CONTACT: Barb Dehgan, The Recording Academy, +1-310-392-3777, barbd@grammy.com, Tiffany Smith, +1-818-655-1587, tiffany.smith@cbs.com, Anoa'i/Kate Fisher, +1-212-975-3818, khfisher@cbs.com, both of CBS Television, Maureen O'Connor, Rogers & Cowan, +1-310-854-8116, moconnor@rogersandcowan.com

Web Site: www.grammy.com

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