Girls artistes dominated on the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.
And it was Taylor Swift who made historical past as the primary artiste to win Album of the Yr 4 occasions, after choosing up the night time’s largest prize for Midnights.
The ceremony was broadcast stay from Los Angeles on Feb 4 (Feb 5 Singapore time).
Swift beforehand gained the identical award for her second album Fearless (2008), fifth album 1989 (2014) and eighth album Folklore (2020).
The American pop star, who got here into the race with six nominations, additionally gained Greatest Pop Vocal Album for Midnights, her tenth album, launched in 2022.
SZA, who scored essentially the most nominations at 9, went residence with three – Greatest Progressive R&B Album for her second album SOS (2022), Greatest R&B Music for Snooze and Greatest Pop Duo/Group Efficiency for Ghost In The Machine, her collaboration with Phoebe Bridgers.
Bridgers’ indie rock supergroup Boygenius – comprising fellow singer-songwriters Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus – gained three out of seven nominations: Greatest Different Music Album for his or her debut album The Report (2023), and Greatest Rock Music and Greatest Rock Efficiency for Not Sturdy Sufficient.
Billie Eilish took residence one of many main prizes, Music of the Yr, for What Was I Made For?, a tune from the Barbie (2023) film soundtrack that additionally gained Greatest Music Written for Visible Media.
Different notable feminine artistes who gained Grammys for the primary time included Miley Cyrus for Report of the Yr and Greatest Pop Solo Efficiency for her 2023 hit Flowers; Colombian singer Karol G, who gained Greatest Musica Urbana – a prize for Latin albums – for Manana Sera Bonito (2023); and American singer Lainey Wilson, who gained for Greatest Nation Album for Bell Backside Nation (2022).
Right here, we recap essentially the most memorable moments of this yr’s 3½-hour extravaganza.
Taylor Swift nonetheless has surprises up her sleeve
She bided her time on the Grammys stage to disclose a “secret” she had been preserving from her followers for the previous two years – the productive star has been engaged on a brand new album, titled The Tortured Poets Division, that will likely be launched on April 19.
She made the shock announcement whereas accepting her first win of the night time.
Like at earlier awards present appearances, she was caught on digicam having fun with herself whereas different acts carried out. She was seen singing and dancing alongside to fellow nominee Olivia Rodrigo’s dramatic rendition of Vampire and SZA’s medley of Snooze and Kill Invoice.
SZA gave a shout-out to Swift whereas accepting one in all her awards. “Hello Taylor,” she greeted with a giggle after noticing Swift within the viewers. “I really like you.”
Swift can be not one to overlook her gal friends in the course of the celebrations. When it was time for her to obtain the Album of the Yr trophy, she pulled up on stage her good good friend Lana Del Rey, who was additionally competing for a similar award.
Taylor Swift (in white) celebrates profitable the Album of the Yr award for Midnights together with her good good friend Lana Del Rey
Credit score: AFP
Lana Del Rey appeared in one of many tracks on Midnights, Snow On The Seaside. Swift additionally shared the highlight with Boygenius backstage in the course of the Grammy winners picture name, and was seen hanging out with the trio within the viewers space.
(From left) Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus of Boygenius, Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff.
Credit score: Reuters
Jay-Z stands up for spouse Beyonce
American rap mogul Jay-Z used his time on stage to name out Grammy organisers for his or her unhealthy judgment.
He accepted the Dr Dre World Influence Award, a prize that recognises artistes with excellent legacy, together with his 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy.
He identified that his spouse, American pop diva Beyonce – who was within the viewers and near the stage – has essentially the most Grammy wins of all time at 32, however that she has at all times been snubbed within the Album of the Yr class.
“I don’t wish to embarrass this younger girl, however she has extra Grammys than everybody and by no means gained Album of the Yr,” he mentioned. “So even by your personal metrics, that doesn’t work. Take into consideration that. Essentially the most Grammys, by no means gained Album of the Yr. That doesn’t work.”
Jay Z, together with his daughter Blue Ivy, criticised the Grammys whereas accepting the Dr Dre World Influence Award.
Credit score: Reuters
Jay-Z additionally proclaimed that some artistes recognised by the Grammys don’t even deserve nominations, however he didn’t title names. “After I get nervous, I inform the reality,” he quipped.
Whereas Beyonce didn’t rating any nominations this yr, Jay-Z’s public criticism delivered to thoughts the time fellow rapper Kanye West infamously stormed the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards stage after Swift gained the Greatest Feminine Video award, arguing that the honour ought to have gone to Beyonce.
Swift’s 4 Album of the Yr Grammy victories stand in distinction to Beyonce’s 4 losses in the identical class.
The return of music legends
A number of iconic artistes who’ve been out of the highlight for a while made a comeback on the Grammys.
Canadian famous person Celine Dion, who suffers from a uncommon neurological situation known as stiff individual syndrome, made a shock look and offered the ultimate prize, Album of the Yr. It was the 55-year-old’s first public look in three months.
Canadian-American music icon Joni Mitchell, who gained her first Grammy 55 years in the past, lastly staged her first efficiency on the awards present.
The 80-year-old, who recovered from a mind aneurysm in 2015, sang her traditional hit Each Sides, Now, a observe from her 1969 album Clouds, which gained Greatest Folks Efficiency on the 1969 Grammys. Earlier within the present, she gained her tenth Grammy, Greatest Folks Album, for Joni Mitchell At Newport (Dwell).
Tracy Chapman, 59, who not often makes public appearances, delivered an unannounced efficiency, singing her signature 1998 hit Quick Automobile, with nation singer Luke Combs. Combs scored successful together with his 2023 cowl of the identical tune.
Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs carried out Quick Automobile collectively on the 66th Grammy Awards.
Credit score: Reuters
Piano Man Billy Joel, 74, carried out his first new tune in 17 years, Flip The Lights Again On, and closed the ceremony together with his 1980 traditional You Could Be Proper.
Billy Joel carried out his first new tune Flip The Lights Again On and closed the ceremony together with his 1980 traditional You Could Be Proper.
Credit score: AFP
Miley Cyrus’ Flowers efficiency
Cyrus was not about to let the viewers overlook that she had simply gained the primary Grammy – Greatest Pop Solo Efficiency for Flowers, one of many largest pop hits of 2023 – of her 20-year music profession.
She peppered her efficiency of the tune with a number of amusing advert libs. “I simply gained my first Grammy,” she shouted in the midst of Flowers. Earlier, she seemingly criticised the attendees when she quipped: “Why are y’all appearing such as you don’t know this tune?”
Miley Cyrus celebrated her first Grammy win whereas performing hit tune Flowers.
Credit score: AFP
Cyrus went on to nab her second and greater Grammy, Report of the Yr, later that night time.
Killer Mike arrested after his Grammy triumph
In in all probability one in all this yr’s most weird flip of occasions, American rapper and activist Killer Mike was arrested and escorted out of the venue in handcuffs after profitable three awards on the pre-show ceremony.
Based on a police spokesman, the artiste was detained due to an altercation that occurred contained in the venue earlier within the afternoon, and was booked on a misdemeanour.
Killer Mike was detained due to an altercation that occurred contained in the venue earlier within the afternoon, and was booked on a misdemeanour.
Credit score: AFP
Killer Mike’s three wins had been for Greatest Rap Efficiency and Greatest Rap Music for Scientists & Engineers, and Greatest Rap Album for Michael.
Throughout his acceptance speech, he alluded to his felony previous. “At 20 years previous, I believed it was cool to be a drug supplier. At 40, I began to stay with the regrets and the issues I’ve carried out. At 45, I began to rap about it. At 48, I stand right here as a person filled with empathy and sympathy for the issues I’ve carried out.”
Record of principal winners
Album of the Yr: Midnights – Taylor Swift
Report of the Yr: Flowers – Miley Cyrus
Music of the Yr: What Was I Made For? – Billie Eilish
Greatest New Artist: Victoria Monet
Greatest Pop Vocal Album: Midnights – Taylor Swift
Greatest Pop Solo Efficiency: Flowers – Miley Cyrus
Greatest Musica Urbana Album: Manana Sera Bonito – Karol G
Greatest Nation Album: Bell Backside Nation – Lainey Wilson
Greatest R&B Music: Snooze – SZA
The Dr Dre World Influence Award: Jay-Z
This text was first printed in The Straits Occasions.
Supply: Her World