The 66th Grammy Awards honored artists’ undeniable talents and highlighted first-time winners, record-breakers, and other special moments.
The much-awaited music’s biggest night highlighted the undeniable musical prowesses of veteran and new artists. This year’s 66th Grammy Awards took center stage at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com arena on Sunday, February 4. The likes of Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Tracy Chapman, U2, Mark Ronson, and Billie Eilish are some who performed during the joyous event.
Here is the full list of nominees and winners declared during the awards show.
READ ALSO: Girls Run The World: Women Dominate The 66th Grammy Nominations
Meanwhile, some of our favorite moments during the music awards ceremony are indicated below.
Trevor Noah hosts the 66th Grammy Awards
Comedian and best-selling author Trevor Noah hosted music’s biggest night at the Crypto.com arena. CBS reported Noah did host the show before but he admitted the role could be “particularly nerve-wracking.”
He expressed that everyone in awards shows loves jokes when it’s “not about them.” The goal and hope is that people would think their spiels are funny. “So, it’s difficult,” he continued. “And I think every comedian understands this.”
Check Noah’s full monologue below.
First Grammy win for Miley Cyrus
Former child star and singer Miley Cyrus won her first ever Grammy award for Record of the Year. Mariah Carey presented her the award for her song “Flowers” from her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation.
Cyrus expressed she was seated at her lucky number three and reflected on how her win was significant. She related a story about a boy who struggled on catching a butterfly and eventually gave up trying to catch one. During that moment, a butterfly landed on his nose. Her heartfelt speech denoted that her win for “Flowers” was her butterfly.
The singer-former child star also performed her award-winning song “Flowers,” and screamed mid-song, “I just won my first Grammy!”
Taylor Swift makes history
“Anti-Hero” singer Taylor Swift snagged Album of the Year for Midnights during Sunday’s Grammy Awards. She took the opportunity to announce a “secret” to thank the fans who have influenced the Recording Academy to vote as they did. Swift will release her 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department, slated for release on April 19.
Swift made history becoming the first artist who attained Album of the Year more than once, having won the fourth for Midnights. Celine Dion presented Swift with her gramophone. The superstar also won Best Pop Vocal Album in the Grammy Awards.
The Grammys also witnessed Swift being an ultimate hype girl actively singing along to performances. One of them involved her jamming to Olivia Rodrigo singing Vampire at the awards show.
Surprise appearance from Celine Dion
Celine Dion graced the 66th Grammy Awards with her presence in spite of facing her health situation, receiving a standing ovation. Today reported Dion got the diagnosis for Stiff-Person Syndrome in 2022, leading her to postpone her tour dates. The rare autoimmune disease causes muscle stiffness in the middle part of the body and spasms in the leg.
The singer expressed that she was happy to attend the Grammys and that she meant it from her heart. She advised “anyone blessed to be at the ceremony must never take music for granted and how it brings love and joy in people’s lives.” She presented Swift’s Album of the Year award. Incidentally, it was the same one she received 27 years ago from Diana Ross and Sting.
Joni Mitchell’s first grammy performance at 80
The award for Best Folk Album went to Joni Mitchell for Joni Mitchell At Newport [Live]. American singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile introduced her as the “matriarch of imagination.” Mitchell appeared onstage in an ornate, throne-like chair and accompanied by a backing band according to the Recording Academy.
The icon gave a profound rendition of her song, “Both Sides Now,” from her 1969 album Clouds. Her song resonated with the crowd, prompting an emotional yet well-deserved standing ovation. This was her first time performing at the Grammy Awards, proving that it’s never too late in life to have firsts.
“We had so much fun at the concert, I think you’ll hear that in the record,” Mitchell said during her acceptance speech.
Burna Boy brings Afro-fusion onstage
Afrobeat artist Burna Boy brought his heritage onstage during the Grammy Awards. Afrobeats fuses African music with black American influences to make a dynamic blend of rhythms.
The Nigerian star danced to the groove among “throngs of performers and colorful buildings.” His performance included some of his nominated works: “On Form,” “City Boys,” and “Sitting On Top Of The World.” He obtained four nominations from the Recording Academy. These include Best Global Music Album, Best Global Music Performance, Best African Music Performance, and Best Melodic Rap Performance. His 2020 LP Twice as Tall received Best Global Music Album in 2021, becoming the first male Nigerian artist to win.
A call for peace
The Grammys also paved the way to send a crucial message to the attendees. Singer and political activist Annie Lennox performed “Nothing Compares To U.” Lennox performed the song in tribute to Irish icon Sinead O’Connor who died last July.
After which, she addressed the events at Gaza and called for a ceasefire, being the first artist to do so. “Artists for a ceasefire. Peace in the world!” cried Lennox with her fist in the air. Deadline reported Lennox’s tribute was the “most meaningful way” to pay homage to O’Connor’s memory.
(WATCH) Annie Lennox calls for “ceasefire” during In Memoriam performance #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/AvnXQO1Rus
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) February 5, 2024
Billy Joel returns to the Grammys
Variety mentioned Billy Joel’s return to the Grammys after 22 years, where he first performed “New York State Of Mind” with Tony Bennett. He delivered an ardent performance of “Turn The Lights Back On,” his new single.
Joel said during his red carpet interview that life inspired his new song. “You have to go through things to write about things,” he said. “Write what you know.”
Jay-Z clamored the Grammys to “get it right”
Rapper Jay-Z accepted the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the Grammys. It is a recognition established last year during the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. He talked about different scenarios of boycotting the awards show, including his own after being nominated for best rap album in 1998.
During his speech, he criticized and clamored for the Recording Academy to “get it right.” He attributed his wife, Beyoncé, saying she has more Grammys than anyone but never won album of the year. The singer won Best Dance/Electronic Album for Renaissance last year, bringing her total awards to 32, the most Grammys to date.
Jay-Z ended his speech telling viewers to keep showing up “until they give you all those accolades you think you deserve.”
Paris Jackson hides more than 80 tattoos
The late king of pop Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris Jackson, went to the Grammys without her body inks. She is usually tattooed up so everyone stopped and stared, according to People.
Jackson revealed she worked with makeup brand Cover FX to completely hide her tattoos. She showed how they painted over her inks, temporarily erasing them, through a video she posted on Instagram.
Exquisite Grammy loot bags
The Grammy Awards paved the way for a memorable night especially for presenters and performers. They will receive $36,000-worth gift bags from Distinctive Assets according to a comprehensive list from CNBC Make It.
Company founder Lash Fary mentioned that performers and presenters are treated alike for the Grammys. Therefore, 145 people will receive the goodie bags as compared to the Oscars, where only a select few nominees take home the goods.
The priciest item in the gift bag is a private performance from mentalist Carl Christman with a value of $25,000. It consisted of a live show combining “magic, mind reading, hypnosis, and comedy.” The novelties include a $699 robotic pool cleaner from Aiper, smart bird feeder costing $299, pet food from Smack valued at $282, a $299 sleep consultation from Wesper, and a $495 handmade pillow from Cate Brown, among others. A Dyson noise canceling headphones valued at $699 made the cut, which also supplies purified air when needed.
Banner photo from the Recording Academy’s Facebook page.
