The Grammys’ most-awarded and most-nominated artist, the superstar, has qualified for the category four times previously, yet many believe that its highest accolades have overlooked her.
Beyoncé became the first Black woman to win the top accolade in the twenty-first century when she won album of the year with “Cowboy Carter.” 26 years ago, Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” was the last. Whitney Houston and Natalie Cole came before her. Accordingly, Beyoncé is just the fourth Black woman to win the Grammy for album of the year.
Beyoncé received the trophy from members of the Los Angeles Fire Department, one of several instances in which the program referenced the devastating wildfires that destroyed thousands of homes.
“Many, many years have passed,” Beyoncé stated during her statement. She referred to Linda Martell, the artist who became the first Black woman to play the Grand Ole Opry, when she said, “I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell.”
Two of the most important honors of the evening went to Kendrick Lamar, who won song and record of the year for his diss single “Not Like Us.”
Lamar declared, “We’re going to dedicate this one to the city,” before mentioning neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area.
In the category, it is the second hip-hop track to ever win. “This Is America” by Childish Gambino was the first. In reference to the long-overdue accomplishment for one of music’s transcendent musicians, anchor Trevor Noah remarked, “We finally saw it happen, everyone.”
With a surprise performance of his new singles “Cry For Me” and “Timeless” with Playboi Carti, The Weekend has patched up his tense relationship with the Grammy Awards.
In his introduction, CEO Harvey Mason Jr. stated that his choice is a direct result of the Recording Academy’s efforts to diversify its voting membership. Since 2020, when he posted on Twitter, “The Grammys remain corrupt,” The Weeknd has been vocally critical of the Grammys organization.
On Sunday night, it was only one of many wonderful surprises. The award for best new artist went to Chappell Roan.
Speaking directly to major companies and the music industry, she gave a speech from a notepad, telling them to “offer a living wage and healthcare, especially to developing artists.” She told how, during COVID-19, she was signed as a minor, dropped, and entered the workforce without any prior work experience or health insurance. She requested that they handle artists as “valuable employees.”
She said, “Labels, we got you,” as she wrapped up her remarks. “However, do you have us?”
The Grammys have a country theme thanks to Beyoncé and Chappell Roan.
One of the evening’s most significant moments occurred when Taylor Swift gave Beyoncé the best country album prize. She won the category, making history as the first Black woman.
She stated in her address that “genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists.” I’m still in disbelief. I sincerely appreciate this award.
Beyoncé was the front-runner going into the evening.
A little of West Hollywood, a touch of the wild west. On the Grammy stage, Roan performed a rollicking rendition of her song “Pink Pony Club.” She sang while perched atop a gigantic pink horse, accompanied by a group of clown cowboys who were dancing.
Thinking of Los Angeles
The Grammys highlighted the city’s resilience by showcasing the flames throughout the performance.
In his introductory remarks, Noah paid tribute to the fire victims and promised a performance that would honor both them and “the city that brought us so much of that music.” Additionally, local companies impacted by the disasters have been granted ad time by the Grammys.
Noah revealed as the show came to a close that fans had so far donated $7 million to relief operations.
On a stage constructed up to look like the mountains of Los Angeles, the LA born-and-raised Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas played her hit “Birds of a Feather.” It was one of a variety of ways the program aims to salute the city. At the conclusion of her performance, she said to the audience, “We love you, LA.”
Dawes, whose members were personally impacted by the Eaton fire, opened the evening with a stirring rendition of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” with support from John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard, and St. Vincent.
Star-studded triumphs and performances
For “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” Doechii won the first televised award for best rap album.
The tears came instantly. In 1989, this category was created. Lauryn Hill—” she corrected herself, “two women have won. “Three women have prevailed. Cardi B, Doechii, and Lauryn Hill.
A tribute to the late, famous, and legendary producer Quincy Jones was introduced by Will Smith. He remarked, “Q touched countless lives in his 91 years, but I have to say he changed mine forever.” “Without Quincy Jones, you probably wouldn’t even recognize Will Smith.”
At age 91, Jones passed away in November. Cynthia Erivo opened the show with a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon,” accompanied on piano by Herbie Hancock. Then came “Let the Good Times Roll” by Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier, and “Bluesette” and “We Are the World” by Stevie Wonder and Hancock. Student vocalists from two schools that perished in the flames in the Los Angeles area joined them for the latter.
Then, emulating Michael Jackson in a glittery tuxedo and a smooth moonwalk, Janelle Monae performed an amazing version of “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough.”
The AI-powered song “Now and Then” by The Beatles won best rock performance. On behalf of his father, John Lennon, Sean Lennon accepted the honor. Regarding the Beatles, he declared, “I think it’s the greatest band ever.”
There were many first-time winners. Among them were country folk singer Sierra Ferrell, French metal band Gojira, Música Mexicana star Carin León, composer Amy Allen, Carpenter, Roan, Doechii, and Charli xcx.
In a brief sing-along of their classic song “Under the Bridge,” Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers encouraged the audience to “support their friends and neighbors as they rebuild their lives,” Kiedis stated. After that, they gave Carpenter the Best Pop Vocal Album award for “Short n’ Sweet.”
She remarked, “I really wasn’t expecting this.” “I’m going to cry because this is my first Grammy, woo.” (She has now received two awards; however, the first one was given out at a pre-telecast ceremony that many artists do not attend.) She performed, too.
In a contentious political environment, winners utilize their speeches to uplift underprivileged areas.
Shakira delivered a brief yet impactful speech and won a Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran.” She declared, “I would like to dedicate this award to all of my immigrant brothers and sisters in this nation.”
Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga collaborated on a rendition of “California Dreamin’.” They later received the prize for best pop duo/group performance for “Die With A Smile” from SZA.
During her statement, Gaga declared, “Trans people are not invisible…. the queer community deserves to be lifted up.”
“DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift,” Alicia Keys, who received the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, said in her speech, alluding to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that the US government and a number of large firms have recently abandoned.
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