Take a look at this trivia to see how well-versed you are on this year’s nominees.
Daft Punk
From the start of writing to the end of recording, Daft Punk’s smash hit “Get Lucky” took roughly 18 months to complete. Time that was definitely well spent.
All of Daft Punk’s recent outfits have been designed by fellow Frenchman Hedi Slimane.
One of Daft Punk’s earliest videos “Da Funk” was directed by Oscar-nominated director Spike Jonze. It was filmed in the East Village in 1995.
Lorde
Lorde (real name Ella Yelich-O’Connor) wrote the lyrics to her No. 1 hit “Royals” in just half an hour.
After sending out videos of herself singing at a talent show, Lorde was signed to a development deal at the age of 13.
The New Zealander recently came face to face with David Bowie at a party where he gave the 17-year-old a ringing endorsement, and said her music felt like “listening to tomorrow.” No pressure or anything, Ella.
Robin Thicke
Thicke and his wife Paula Patton have been together since they were 16 years old.
According to his dad Alan, Robin’s baby sitter used to be ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky. Gretzky was taking care of an 11-year-old Robin in 1988 when he learned he was being sold by the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings.
Around 20 universities and colleges in the United Kingdom have banned the playing of “Blurred Lines” over fears that the song’s racy lyrics promote and glorify sexual assault.
Sara Bareilles
Bareilles’ breakthrough hit “Brave” was co-written by fun.’s Jack Antonoff. Antonoff wrote the song about a friend’s struggle to come out and since then, it has become a gay anthem.
As a kid, Bareilles auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club but didn’t make the cut. Just think, she could have been Britney or Christina, but she’s probably glad she isn’t.
Before earning his Oscar nomination for playing a Quaalude dropping maniac in “The Wolf of Wall Street,” Jonah Hill directed the video for Bareilles’ 2011 single “Gonna Get Over You.”
Bruno Mars
Despite having numerous hits and a sold out tour during 2013, Mars also had to contend with the sudden death of his mother Bernadette, who had a brain aneurysm.
Bruno’s song writing credits extend beyond his own work. He has also written hits for Cee Lo Green (“F**k You”), Travie McCoy (“Billionaire”) and even Justin Bieber (“Love Me”).
Bruno’s real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, but his family nicknamed him Bruno after the wrestler Bruno Sammartino.
Kendrick Lamar
The cover of Lamar’s breakthrough album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” depicts him as a baby, surrounded by two of his uncles and his grandfather.
Lamar went to Centennial High School in Compton, Calif., the same school as his mentor Dr. Dre.
Lamar also performs with the Californian rap collective Black Hippy, which includes Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul.
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
Because of the hit “Same Love” (that offers support for same-sex relationships), Macklemore has been dogged by rumors about his own sexuality. The first thing that now comes up when searching Macklemore in Google is “Macklemore Gay.” He actually got engaged to his long-term girlfriend last year.
Macklemore did a stint in rehab for drug and alcohol addiction in 2008.
Macklemore met his partner in crime Ryan Lewis via MySpace. Remember that?!
Justin Timberlake
Part one of “The 20/20 Experience” was the best-selling album in the United States last year, moving over 2 million copies.
As if releasing two albums in one year wasn’t enough, Timberlake is also credited as a co-writer on three of the songs on Beyoncé’s recently released self-titled album.
When Justin was just 11, he appeared on “Star Search” (using the name Justin Randall) wearing a cowboy hat as he covered an Alan Jackson song. And, yes, there is video of that.
Pharrell Williams
When writing “Blurred Lines,” Pharrell and Robin Thicke used the groove to Marvin Gaye’s 1977 No. 1 hit “Got To Give It Up” as an inspiration. They obviously stayed too close to the original as Gaye’s family accused them of plagiarizing. Some of the lawsuits are ongoing.
Pharrell has a son named Rocket Man. He deserves a Grammy for that alone.
One of Pharrell’s first ever appearances on record was on the 1992 hit “Right Here” by SWV. You can hear him chanting the group’s name throughout the song.
Taylor Swift
Swift grew up on a Christmas tree farm owned by her family. Her job was to get rid of the praying mantis pods before the trees were sold to customers.
When Swift was in the fourth grade, she won a national poetry contest for a piece she called “Monster in My Closet.”
The “Red” tour was the highest grossing tour in North America last year, beating out Bon Jovi, Kenny Chesney, the Rolling Stones and even Beyoncé.