The 2026 Grammy Awards took place recently and the best in the music world just received honors for their incredible contributions. It’s no coincidence that the theme of the Feb. 3rd NYT Crossword features clues related to singing and superstars!
You may wonder how it can be related to the world of music when there is no direct riddle mentioning rhythm, harmony and lyrics. However, I’m here to decipher the crossword theme for you and shed light on the hidden singers in the puzzle. Join me as I announce the four nominees for the best artists of the NYT Crossword of Feb 3!
Let me start with the revealer of the grid which is 62-Across: “What children should use at the library … and a literal description of the circled letters in this puzzle.” This clue solves to INSIDEVOICES (Inside Voices), or in other words, the voices inside the grid.
Now, it is time to find the “voices” hidden in the crossword. 18-Across (Narrow, focused perspective) solves to TUNNELVISION (Tunnel Vision). In our answer, we have king of Rock and Roll, everlasting figure, ELVIS. “Let It Be Me”, “Suspicious Mind” and “Always On My Mind” are just part of Elvis’s perfect career.
“Sign near a freshly applied coat” (38-Across) usually marked with WETPAINT (Wet Paint), and the hidden singer in this answer is T-PAIN, American rapper and singer.
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12-Down (Burger chain with custard-based drinks) was a bit tricky to me and I have to go into deep thought to find the singer’s name. The answer is SHAKESSHACK (Shake Shack). I think our hidden artist is Kesha whose hit song named “Die Young” was released in 2012.
30-Down clue (Stage of education) is about one of the best singers of 21th century (in my opinion guys, chill out). Before diving into the review, let me give you the answer: GRADELEVEL (Grade Level). Pay close attention to middle part of the answer; it reads as Adele. I know every one of you loves “Someone Like You”. It is the song of heartbroken lovers who need to find a shelter for their grief.
Today’s grid was a masterclass in “hidden in plain sight.” By using INSIDE VOICES as the revealer, the constructor gave us a puzzle that felt like a VIP backstage pass to the Grammys. It’s always a thrill when the NYT Crossword aligns so perfectly with real-world events.
If you need the answers for daily crossword puzzles like the NYT Crossword or the NYT Mini, make sure to check Daze Puzzle every day to find the solutions you need in record time.
