HoloGRAMMYS: 6 Famous Projections We Want to See at the 2016 Grammy Awards

Imagine all the reunions that could happen if the Grammys just embraced holograms

Photo: Kevin Winter/Billboard Awards 2014/Getty

Around 2012, the world of mass entertainment events discovered the bizarre allure of the hologram. Projections of singers passed or just not physically present began to appear at music festivals and awards shows.

Jaws dropped, Facebook feeds exploded and commercial holograms seemed like they were here to stay. But instead of living in a holodeck-like world where we get blowouts with flickering copies of the Real Housewives of Wherever, holograms have disappeared from the main stage.

Now I am calling for a comeback! And there’s no better place for holograms to make a grand re-entrance into the world than the 2016 Grammy Awards. It’s literally in the name, folks.

To ease the populous back into the idea of seeing their favorite popstars as a projection on stage, I suggest the Grammys host a reunion tour of all the holograms that have already won our hearts.

Here are the famous holograms I want Kanye to interrupt at this year’s Grammy Awards.

1. Michael Jackson

In 2014, the King of Pop was resurrected as a hologram for the Billboard Awards. The glowing image of Jackson perfectly excuted all of the star’s signature moves, leaving many viewers in awe and a few throughly creeped out. After hearing that Beyonce’s Super Bowl 50 halftime performance was a tribute to Jackson’s Super Bowl 27 set, we would love to see Queen B and the King share that stage together.

2. Tupac Shakur

One of the world’s first doses of digital formaldehyde was in 2012 when a hologram of Tupac surprised Coachella attendees by appearing on stage during Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre’s performance. The rapper’s hologram image held its own, so does that mean digital Tupac could handle going head-to-head with today’s Grammy-nominated rappers?

3. ABBA

Who doesn’t want more ABBA? Don’t respond because that question is rhetorical, and even if it wasn’t, the answer would obviously be “everyone.” Well now you can have the Swedish supergroup in your life whenever you want, all you have to do is stop by the ABBA Museum in Stockholm, where a hologram of the entire band is waiting to perform for you. Could we have that holographic ABBA shipped to Los Angeles for one night to serve as the house band for the 58th Annual Grammy Awards? Please?

4. Keith Urban

In 2014, Urban went on tour in Australia without even leaving his home. An interactive hologram of the country star stopped at malls throughout Australia to play for (and possibly trick) fans. Now it’s time for these Keiths to meet. Imagine Urban performing his Grammy-nominated hit “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” with a special guest appearance by … himself!

5. The Band Perry

Keeping it country, let’s talk about The Band Perry. In 2015, the group simultaneously performed as a hologram in Los Angeles for Jimmy Kimmel Live! and in the flesh in Nashville. Based on this double feature, I don’t see why the world can’t have a holographic The Band Perry on demand, in our homes, whenever the real group is performing live somewhere.

6. Princess Leia

A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, the world of Star Wars figured out holograms way before we did. Perhaps the best known projection of our time, and one used to delivering important messages, holographic Princess Leia should have a place announcing the winners on Monday’s Grammy stage.