The 67th Annual Grammy Awards turned into a powerful evening of celebration and solidarity as it aired live on February 2. Hosted by Trevor Noah for the fifth consecutive year, the event was not just about recognizing musical excellence as usual; it was a profound response to the devastating wildfires that swept through Los Angeles. The telecast was reimagined to raise funds for wildfire relief efforts, and viewers at home responded generously contributed an impressive $7 million by the show's end.
The night featured standout performances from a lineup of talented artists, including Charli xcx, Doechii, Billie Eilish, Shakira, Lady Gaga, and Sabrina Carpenter. Charli xcx stole the spotlight with her fan-fave hits "Von Dutch" and "Guess," prompting everyone to get on their feet. In a moment that resonated deeply, Kendrick Lamar took home the prestigious Song of the Year award for his thought-provoking track "Not Like Us." Accepting the honor from the iconic Diana Ross, he offered advice to up-and-coming artists, saying, "To the young artists … I just hope you respect the art form."
The specific category was fiercely contested, with notable artists including "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey, "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" by Billie Eilish, "Die With a Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, "Fortnight" by Taylor Swift, "Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappell Roan, "Please Please Please" by Sabrina Carpenter, and "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" by Beyoncé.
Artists like Doechii and Beyonce were a center of attention owing to the fact that Doechii is only the third woman to win in the history of the nearly 30-year-old rap album category, behind only Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. Beyonce stands as an artist with the most Grammy wins. She has a total of 35 wins.
Aside from those lost in the LA fires, the music world paused to remember fallen legends in the music industry too. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin delivered an emotional tribute to the late Liam Payne featuring a montage of the former One Direction star's journey and climaxing in a moving performance. The ceremony also saw a heartfelt tribute to the late Quincy Jones, a titan of music production. Will Smith, Cynthia Erivo, Janelle Monáe, Lainey Wilson, Stevie Wonder, and Herbie Hancock, paid homage to the legendary producer by celebrating his musical legacy.
List of winners include:
Album of the Year
"Cowboy Carter" – Beyoncé
Record of the Year
"Not Like Us" — Kendrick Lamar
Song of the Year
"Not Like Us" – Kendrick Lamar, songwriter (Kendrick Lamar)
Best New Artist
Chappell Roan
Best Rap Album
"Alligator Bites Never Heal" — Doechii
Best Pop Vocal Album
"Short n' Sweet" — Sabrina Carpenter
Best Country Album
"Cowboy Carter" — Beyoncé
Best Latin Pop Album
"Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran" — Shakira
Best Pop Duo/Group performance
"Die with a Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
And many more.
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