US singer-songwriter Taylor Swift (right) winner of Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year for 'Midnights' poses with Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus of US indie group boygenius holding the Grammy Awards for Best Alternative Music Album for 'The Record', Best Rock Song for 'Not Strong Enough' and Best Rock Performance for 'Not Strong Enough' at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Photo: AFP
Taylor Swift won album of the year at the Grammy Awards for Midnights, breaking the record for most wins in the category with four.
She began her speech by thanking her producer and friend Jack Antonoff and added, "I would love to tell you this is the happiest moment of my life,” she told the crowd, but said she feels this happy when she creates music and plays shows.
Earlier in the night, Taylor Swift used her 13th Grammy win on Sunday (Feb 4) to announce her new album, The Tortured Poets Department, will arrive April 19.
"I know that the way that the Recording Academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion of the fans,” she said while accepting the best pop vocal album award. "So, I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I’ve been keeping from you for the last two years."
One of the night’s biggest awards, record of the year, went to Miley Cyrus for Flowers, her second-ever Grammy and second of the night.
"This award is amazing. But I really hope that it doesn’t change anything because my life was beautiful yesterday,” she said in her speech.
Miley Cyrus accepts the award for Record of the Year for Flowers from presenters Mark Ronson and Meryl Streep during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Photo: Reuters
Victoria Monet won best new artist. "Thank you to the champagne-servers tonight," Monet began her acceptance speech. "Thanks to my mum, a single mum raising this really bad girl." Then she started to cry, telling the room that this award was "15 years in the making.”
Billie Eilish won song of the year for writing the Barbie hit, What Was I Made For? She thanked director Greta Gerwig for "making the best movie of the year.”
It was just one of several standout moments from Sunday's show, hosted by Trevor Noah and broadcast live from Cypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.
Karol G made Grammy history Sunday by becoming the first female performer to win best musica urbana album for her blockbuster Manana Sera Bonito record.
"This is my first time at the Grammys,” she told the audience in English. "And this is my first time holding my own Grammy.”
Performances were many. Olivia Rodrigo brought her bloodsucking ballad vampire - or in this case, bloodletting, as red liquid dripped from the walls behind her.
Joni Mitchell, 80, made Grammy history by performing Both Sides Now from her 1969 album Clouds; Travis Scott did a medley of My Eyes, I Know?, and Fein.
Joni Mitchell and Brandi Carlile perform during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Photo: Reuters
Burna Boy was joined by Brandy and 21 Savage and did On Form, City Boys, and Sittin’ on Top of the World.
A long and touching In Memoriam segment celebrated many of the musical greats lost last year.
Stevie Wonder performed For Once in My Life and The Best Is Yet To Come in honour of Tony Bennett; Annie Lennox delivered Nothing Compares 2 U for Sinead O’Connor.
"Artists for ceasefire, peace in the world,” Lennox said at the end of the song, her fist extended in the air.
Jon Batiste did a medley of Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean On Me, and finally Optimistic with Ann Nesby for the late great music exec Clarence Avant. Oprah introduced a fiery Tina Turner tribute of Proud Mary by Fantasia Barrino and Adam Blackstone.
SZA also took the stage - performing a medley of her larger-than-life hits Snooze and Kill Bill, joined by dancers wielding katanas.
Later, she'd take home the trophy for best R&B song - for Snooze, handed to her by Lizzo. SZA ran to the stage and gave a charming, out of breath speech because she was "changing, and then I took a shot.”
Luke Combs’ delivered a heartfelt rendition of Fast Car with Tracy Chapman - his cover of the Chapman classic has dominated country radio and won him song of the year at the 2023 CMAs. In 1989 the song won Chapman best female pop vocal performance.
Tracy Chapman and Luke Combs embrace after performing during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles. Photo: Reuters
Dua Lipa opened the show with a high-octane medley: first, a tease of her forthcoming single, Training Season, then, her most recent single, Houdini, and finally, her disco-pop Barbie hit Dance the Night.
Eilish and Finneas also brought Barbie to the Grammys stage with live string accompaniment. They were followed by Cyrus, who performed Flowers for the first time live on television.
"Why are you acting like you don't know this song?” she teased the crowd - John Legend and wife Chrissy Teigen were among those in the audience who got up to dance - and later cheered mid-song, "I just won my first Grammy!”
Best country album went to Lainey Wilson for Bell Bottom Country, - her very first Grammy - as presented by Kacey Musgraves. "I’m a fifth-generation farmer’s daughter,” she told the crowd, adding that she’s a "songwriting farmer,” and that’s where the musical magic came from.
Jay-Z was awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and used his speech to talk about the hip-hop greats that came before him - and heavily suggesting at the Grammys history of placing rap on the backburner - or at the very least, not in the televised version of the show. (This year, there were no rap categories on the telecast, but two pop, one Latin, one country and one R&B.)
"We want you all to get it right,” he said. "At least get it close to right,” before switching focus to Beyonce. "Most Grammys, never won album of the year. How does that work?”
Bridgers took an early lead at the Grammys, quickly winning four trophies ahead of the main telecast, with her and her boygenius bandmates bringing an infectious energy to the Premiere Ceremony. But they were shut out on the main show.
Jack Antonoff took home producer of the year, non-classical for a third year in a row, tying Babyface as the only other producer to do so consecutively. "You need the door kicked open for you,” he said in his acceptance speech. "Taylor Swift kicked that (expletive) door open for me," he said.
The first of three new categories in 2024, best pop dance recording, was given out shortly afterward and went to Kylie Minogue for Padam Padam - her first win in 18 years.
About 80 Grammys were handed out pre-broadcast. Regional Mexican star Peso Pluma won his first Grammy for his first and only nomination, for best musica Mexicana album for his Genesis.
Best African music performance, a new category which aims to highlight regional musical traditions and recognising "recordings that utilise unique local expressions from across the African continent,” went to South African singer Tyla for her ubiquitous hit, Water.
"I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 21 years old,” she said in her acceptance speech. "Last year God decided to change my whole life.”
Tyla poses in the press room with the award for best african music performance. Photo: AP
Killer Mike won three awards in quick succession Sunday night, but ended up in police custody before the main Grammys ceremony began because of an altercation, police spokesperson Officer Mike Lopez said.
The rapper won his first first Grammy in 21 years, for best rap performance for Scientists & Engineers, which featured Andre 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane. Soon afterward, they won for "best rap song.” Killer Mike also took home best rap album for Michael, cheering, "It is a sweep! It is a sweep!”
Billy Joel was both the penultimate and final performance of the night. First, he brought his new track Turn the Lights Back on - his first new music in decades - live to the Grammy stage. Then, after album of the year was announced, he returned to the stage for his 1980 classic, You May Be Right.
A welcome surprised was the inclusion of Celine Dion, who handed Swift her record-breaking trophy.
"When I say I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart,” she told the audience.
In 2022, Dion revealed she was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, which causes spasms that affect her ability to walk and sing. - AP
Canadian singer Celine Dion present the Album Of The Year award on stage during the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. Photo: AFP
