See the Clive Davis Grammys 2025 Class Photo

Even after 50 years of assembling music‘s greatest and brightest for his pre-Grammy gala, Clive Davis nonetheless has some tips up his sleeve.

In partnership with the Recording Academy, the music mogul, with the assistance of his son, lawyer Doug Davis, curated a signature mixture of iconic performers and anointed rising stars for an evening heavy on only-in-the-room moments. It kicked off in The Hollywood Reporter’s unique portrait studio inside The Beverly Hilton, the place new artist nominees Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, Benson Boone and Doechii smashed the notion of aggressive spirit. “That we’ve all gotten to know one another actually makes it really feel prefer it’s senior 12 months — like a graduating class,” Shaboozey mentioned. “That is actually cool, and all of us respect one another.”

To make certain, a hush fell over the room when elder statesmen Joni Mitchell and Barry Manilow breezed in and assumed place. “Stunning Issues” singer Boone cradled up in opposition to Swims. (“I like you a lot, bro,” mentioned Boone.) Submit Malone shared laughs with Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. Chad Smith, Metallica’s Rob Trujillo and The Black Crowes traded street tales. Jimmy Kimmel caught up with producer Andrew Watt. And Michael Bublé marveled at his luck. “I’ve a lot avenue cred now with my children after assembly Submit Malone,” mentioned the crooner, who paid tribute to Quincy Jones that evening. “And I met my Canadian queen, Joni Mitchell.”

The evening delivered a pinch-me second for Grammy winner Samara Pleasure: “I’m a New Yorker, so I solely get to expertise the [Hollywood] glitz and the glamour yearly. These are icons, and it’s an honor to share the identical area.”