Here’s how Mariah Carey, Clive Davis, Benson Boone and more spent the week leading up to music’s biggest night
See what happened at Hollywood’s biggest music bashes, from Billboard‘s Power 100 awards presentation to a futuristic celebration thrown by Warner Music Group.
Billboard Power 100
Mariah Carey at Billboard Power 100 presented by VENU at Zouk Los Angeles on January 28, 2026 Credit: Courtesy of Billboard / PMC
Mariah Carey kicked off the evening on Wednesday, Jan. 28 at Billboard‘s annual event — presented by VENU at sbe’s Zouk Los Angeles — honoring top executives in the music industry. “I almost sold my publishing when I was 18 years old for $5,000,” Carey told the crowd when awarding the Executive of the Decade honor to Jody Gerson. “But if I had someone like Jody to protect me, it never would have gotten that far,” Carey added.
Sherry Lansing and Lucian Grainge winner of the No 1 Award at Billboard Power 100 presented by VENU at Zouk Los Angeles on January 28, 2026Credit: Courtesy Billboard/PMC
Sherry Lansing honored Lucian Grainge, who spoke about the advantages of AI as well as the danger it poses to creativity. PlaqueBoyMax received the Disrupter Award, Janelle Lopez Genzink received Executive of the Year and Alex DePersia received the Breakthrough Award from Pusha T.
Sharon Osbourne, Clive Davis and Michele Anthony at Billboard Power 100 Presented by VENU held at Zouk on January 28, 2026Credit: Courtesy of PMC/Billboard
Clive Davis finished by presenting the Visionary Award Sharon Osbourne, who extolled the uniqueness of her late husband Ozzie Osbourne. Guests at the lively event danced to DJ Devin Lucien and enjoyed sbe staple bites, such as spicy tuna crispy rice and miso cod.
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Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy Awards Party
Benson Boone and Aaron Bay-Schuck, CEO & Co-chairman, Warner Records attend the Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy awards party on January 29, 2026Credit: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for Warner Music Group
Warner Music took over the former Amoeba Music record store space in West Hollywood for its annual pre-awards celebration, thrown with 1X (leaders in AI robotics) and V Magazine, on Thursday, Jan. 29.
The futuristic event lured guests from the music, entertainment and fashion worlds, including Benson Boone, Cara Delevingne, Darren Criss, Dasha, Diane Warren, Evan Ross, Gunna, Marion Cotillard, Rufus Wainwright, Scout Willis, Skai Jackson, Wayman Bannerman and more.
PinkPantheress performs onstage during the Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy awards party on January 29, 2026 Credit: Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Warner Music Group
Music lovers enjoyed performances by two-time Grammy-nominated artist PinkPantheress; Noga Erez, who’ll be performing at Coachella; artist-to-watch Remy Bond; and Rocco Ritchie, son of Madonna, who played a set.
Rocco Ritchie (R) performs onstage during the Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy awards party on January 29, 2026 Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Warner Music Group)
The event incorporated 1X’s NEO robots — consumer-ready humanoid home robots — which greeted attendees, served drinks and danced with guests — available for pre-order, and arriving in the U.S. in 2026. The otherworldly space was further enhanced with navy blue and silver details and projections of space-age patterns, planets and architecture. In lieu of a disco ball, a silver Pegasus hung over the dance floor.
An interior view at the Warner Music Group Pre-Grammy awards party on January 29, 2026Credit: Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images for Warner Music Group
Johnnie Walker & Sabrina Carpenter Celebrate the Grammys
Colman Domingo at Max & Helen’s on January 30, 2026 Credit: Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Johnnie Walker
Johnnie Walker ‘s toast to the Grammys and six-time Grammy nominee and partner Sabrina Carpenter on Friday, Jan. 30 started on the roof of the Aster, where guests sipped specialty drinks such as The Go Go Highball — Sabrina Carpenter’s signature Johnnie Walker Black Label concoction inspired by a track on her latest album. Johnnie Walker lit up the skyline with animations and a light show.
Johnnie Walker lights up the skyline of Los Angeles with large-scale animations Credit: Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Johnnie Walker
Then, partygoers proceeded to a Sabrina Carpenter-inspired party at Phil Rosenthal and Nancy Silverton’s diner hot spot Max and Helen’s on Larchmont Boulevard. A car decked in florals greeted guests, who entered to an intimate cherry-colored shindig with Johnnie Walker drinks and Max & Helen signatures — like pancakes, grilled cheese, cheeseburgers, hot dogs and club sandwiches.
The Go Go Highball and Johnnie Walker Black Label Credit: Photo by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Johnnie Walker
Melrose Umbrella company’s Zach Patterson manned the bar — and The Go Go Highball will also be available for a limited time at his Melrose Umbrella, as well as at Roger Room and Hotel Figueroa.