Many tuned in to the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 4, where women dominated the major categories of the night, with awards like Best Pop Solo Performance going to Miley Cyrus, Best Country Album going to Lainey Wilson, Best Música Urbana Album going to Karol G and more. However, the night started long before the streamed award show with the red carpet and the pre-Grammy Awards to foreshadow the great night ahead.
In addition to the awards, there were breathtaking performances by the top artists throughout the year, which included Olivia Rodrigo with “Vampire,” Dua Lipa with “Training Season” and “Houdini,” Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs with “Fast Car” and others. The Grammys were definitely a night to remember, not only for the nominees but for all the viewers.
Song of the Year was awarded to Billie Eilish and her brother, FINNEAS, for their heartbreaking ballad, “What Was I Made For?” written for “Barbie.” The same song also took the Grammy for Best Song Written For Visual Media after weeks of controversy due to “I’m Just Ken” also being nominated for the “Barbie” movie.
Phoebe Bridgers took home four awards, making her the night’s biggest winner, but she wasn’t alone. Her outstanding trio band, boygenius, won Best Alternative Music Album for their debut album, “the record,” and both Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song with their song “Not Strong Enough.” Bridgers won her fourth award for her work with SZA on their beautiful song, “Ghost in the Machine.”
One of the most anticipated awards, Best New Artist, went to “On My Mama” singer Victoria Monét. Monét was up against Gracie Abrams, Noah Kahan, Coco Jones, Ice Spice, The War and Treaty, Fred again.. and Jelly Roll, which was a prominent victory, for all the nominees have had a monumental year. Monét also took home Grammys for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical, and Best R&B Album for her album “Jaguar II.”
In 2023, Dr. Dre was commemorated with an award in his name, honoring musicians who use their platforms to give back to the community. This year, the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award was awarded to “the one and only” Jay-Z.
Along with his praises to Dr. Dre, Jay-Z used his acceptance speech to call out The Academy for lacking judgment in specific categories. He goes on to reference his wife, Beyoncé, saying, “I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year.” Was what he said justified or inappropriate?
Celine Dion surprised everyone by taking to the stage amid fighting her rare neurological disease, stiff person syndrome, and received an emotional standing ovation. Dion was there to unveil the most significant award of the night, Album of the Year, going to Taylor Swift for her album “Midnights.”
Swift is the first artist in history to take home four Grammys for Album of the Year. While accepting the award, Swift said, “I would love to tell you that this is the best moment of my life, but I feel this happy when I finish a song or when I crack the code to a bridge that I love.” She then added: “For me, the award is the work.”
In gratitude, she also wanted to let everyone in on a secret she’s been keeping for two years.
“My brand-new album comes out April 19,” Swift said. “It’s called ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’ I’m going to go and post the cover backstage.” Swift is truly a master when it comes to album promotion.
To close off the night, Billy Joel took to the stage by singing his first song in about 17 years, “Turn the Lights Back On,” after teasing a possible new album he was “reluctant” to write. What better way to end a great night than with the Piano Man himself?
chollywo@ramapo.edu
Featured photo courtesy of @recordingacademy, Instagram
