All eyes on the Grammy Awards had been on whether or not the most-nominated artist within the historical past of the telecast would lastly stroll away with the coveted album of the 12 months trophy. She did. “We finally saw it happen,” host Trevor Noah stated, virtually in aid.
Beyoncé profitable for “Cowboy Carter” capped an evening that became a tribute to a struggling Los Angeles, with metropolis firefighters chosen to disclose the winner of the final award and speeches providing phrases of encouragement for communities devastated. The Grammys virtually veered right into a telethon; $7 million was pledged from viewers of the present.
It was additionally a telecast the place the most effective new artist nominees like Chappell Roan and Sabrina Carpenter got loads of time to indicate why there’s a deep properly of expertise arising. And there was a shock return for The Weeknd, who had been boycotting the Grammys.
Listed below are a few of the night time’s notable moments:
Kicking it off with some native boys
Beyoncé and Girl Gaga had been proper there, as had been Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, however the honor of opening the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles was given to 2 native brothers deeply affected by the wildfires: Taylor and Griffin Goldsmith of the band Dawes.
They misplaced one brother’s residence together with their childhood residence, devices and far else. They’ve advocated for victims, raised cash and had been included within the FireAid profit live performance on Thursday.
“They truly epitomize the unique spirit that we are seeing in LA right now,” host Trevor Noah stated. “What better way to start the Grammy Awards?”
Dawes then performed Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” surrounded by an all-star backing band: John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent.
“Take a look at these firefighters, ain’t nothin like ‘em nowhere,” Taylor Goldsmith sang, altering the line: “Look at these women/There ain’t nothing like ’em nowhere.”
All hail the Swamp Princess
Doechii gained the Grammy for finest rap album, solely the third lady to win in that class. And, along with her mom by her facet, she had a robust message for younger Black women.
“I know that there’s some Black girl out there, so many Black women out there, that are watching me right now, and I want to tell you: You can do it. Anything is possible. Anything is possible,” she stated.
“Don’t allow anybody to project any stereotypes on you, to 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 am a testimony right now. Good night!”
The win caps an astounding few years for the 26-year-old Floridian who mixes R&B, hip-hop, jazz, boundary-pushing sounds and samples, and provides theatricality. She playfully calls herself the “swamp princess.”
Her 2024 mixtape, ”Alligator Bites By no means Heal″ went to No. 33 on the Billboard 200, No. 9 on the Prime R&B/Hip-Hop chart and No. 8 on the Prime Rap Album chart.
Her Grammy efficiency of “Catfish” and “Denial Is a River” was electrical, with the singer-songwriter backed by over a dozen dancers in matching Thom Browne fits and he or she finally stripped right down to a white two-piece set.
Chappell Roan advocates from the stage
Chappell Roan was topped finest new artist after which used her speech to demand change within the music enterprise.
“I told myself that if I ever won a Grammy and got to stand up here before the most powerful people in music, I would demand that labels in the industry profiting millions of dollars off of artists would offer a livable wage and health care, especially to developing artists,” she stated.
Roan started her music profession in 2015 when she signed with Atlantic Data, releasing a number of singles together with “Pink Pony Club.” In 2020, the label dropped her. She moved again to her hometown to work as a barista earlier than releasing her debut full-length album.
“It was devastating to feel so committed to my art and feel so betrayed by the system and dehumanized,” Roan stated in her speech. “Record labels need to treat their artists as valuable employees with a livable wage and health insurance and protection.”
Earlier, Roan carried out a rocking model of her “Pink Pony Club,” joined by a posse of dancing clown cowboys as she sang from atop an enormous pink horse.
Girl Gaga and Alicia Keys get political
Girl Gaga, accepting the trophy for finest pop duo or group alongside Bruno Mars for his or her chart-topping collab, “Die with a Smile,” gave a shout-out to the trans group, targets of President Donald Trump.
“Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love,” Girl Gaga stated.
Not lengthy after, Alicia Keys, being honored with The Dr. Dre World Influence Award, additionally backed variety and inclusion applications, one other Trump goal.
“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices,” stated Keys. “We’ve seen on this stage talented, hardworking people from different backgrounds with different points of view, and it changes the game. DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift.”
The Weeknd returns to the Grammys
The Grammy Awards had a robust approach to show that they’ve modified. They acquired a shock endorsement by The Weeknd, who was final on the Grammy stage in 2017.
The pop famous person in 2020 slammed the Grammys, calling them “corrupt” after he landed zero nominations regardless of a megahit album. “You owe me, my fans and the industry transparency,” he wrote on social media.
Grammys CEO Harvey Mason jr., who began in his put up in 2020, on Sunday stated he understood the criticism and listed all of the issues the Academy has executed to repair it.
“We have completely re-made our membership, adding more than 3,000 women voting members. The Grammy electorate is now younger, nearly 40% people of color, and 66% of our members are new since we started our transformation,” he stated. “Over the past few years, we have listened, we’ve acted and we’ve changed.”
Mason then launched The Weeknd, who carried out two tunes from his just-released album “Hurry Up Tomorrow” — “Cry For Me” and “Timeless” with particular visitor Playboi Carti. He wore an extended druid’s gown and the stage was smoky.
Will Smith returns to the award stage
Will Smith, internet hosting a tribute to the late Quincy Jones, marked his first look at a significant awards present since since he slapped Chris Rock onstage on the Oscars in 2022.
“In his 91 years, Q touched countless lives, but I have to say, he changed mine forever. You probably wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was if it wasn’t for Quincy Jones,” Smith stated.
Smith has been banned from movie academy ceremonies for 10 years however the Grammys are a unique beast. He made no point out of the notorious Slap.
Smith has beforehand nabbed Grammy wins within the quick type music video (“Will 2K”), finest rap solo efficiency (“Getting’ Jiggy Wit It,” “Men in Black”), and finest rap efficiency by a duo or group (“Summertime” because the Contemporary Prince with DJ Jazzy Jeff).
___
