Sunday was an iconic night for the music industry, the annual Grammy Awards. The event’s 67th show was hosted by comedian Trevor Noah for his fifth consecutive year. The night honoring musical accomplishments and artists in 94 categories left music fans wondering who would take home a shining gramophone.
“Not Like Us” by rapper Kendrick Lamar won for both best record and song. The rap song also brought home three other awards, winning each of the five categories nominated and taking Lamar’s career total to 21 Grammy Awards.
Album of the year was presented by the Los Angeles Fire Department to honor and thank those who fought against the Los Angeles wildfires.The award went to Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, “Cowboy Carter,” which also won best country album.
Female rapper Doechii took home best rap album with “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” making history as the third female to win in the category. Her speech was one of the most notable ones of the night, expressing thanks and offering advice to Black women and girls in the world: “I wanna tell you, you can do it. Anything is possible. Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you that tell you that you can’t be here, that you’re too dark or that you’re not smart enough or that you’re too dramatic or you’re too loud. You are exactly who you need to be, to be right where you are and I’m a testimony,” she said.
Pop princess Sabrina Carpenter’s “Short n’ Sweet” album won for best pop vocal album and best pop duo/group performance went to Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars for their hit song “Die With a Smile.”
Performances this year did not disappoint. For her first Grammys rodeo, winner of best new artist, Chappell Roan, went all out to perform her song “Pink Pony Club.” In her acceptance speech Roan urged record labels to take better care of their artists. “I told myself if I ever won a Grammy, and I got to stand up here in front of the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels and the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage in healthcare, especially to developing artists,” she said.
Sibling duo Billie Eilish and Finneas performed “Birds of a Feather,” a song featured on Eilish’s third studio album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Winner of best dance pop recording and best dance/electronic album, Charli XCX, delivered an iconic BRAT performance of her songs “Von Dutch” and “Guess.”
During the tribute section of the night, Cynthia Erivo delivered a powerful performance of Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon” for record producer and composer Quincy Jones who passed away last November. Another tribute was held for former One Direction band member Liam Payne who unexpectedly passed last October.
This year, the Grammys not only celebrated music, but also prioritized respect to the victims of the L.A. County wildfires that took place last month. Noah opened the show with a statement in regards to the fires, as well as mentioning how the academy would be accepting donations. The broadcast also promoted small businesses that were impacted by the fires. Not only was music honored this night, but also victims, firefighters and first responders who had lives affected by this tragic event.