As expected, the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards were dominated by new faces. Everything else about the night was unexpected. The Recording Academy crumbled under internal pressure and accusations. CEO Deborah Dugan filed a lawsuit just two days after the event, claiming the Academy operates like a “boy’s club” and allows conflicts of interest to influence the voting process.
Not only was there tension in the room, but also grief. News had spread just hours before the show that Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others died in a helicopter accident that day. The Grammy Awards were being held at the Staples Center, the home arena for the Lakers where Bryant played for the majority of his professional career.
In a touching tribute, Boyz II Men and Tyler the Creator teamed up with Alicia Keys to sing a heart-warming rendition of “It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye” in Bryant’s honor. Though they had mere hours to prepare, the song was still one of the night’s most effective and memorable moments.
Keys, who served as the host of the event, spoke of Bryant and his love of music. She then shifted focus toward acknowledging the accusations against the Recording Academy and the fresh faces among the nominees.
“I feel the energy of all the beautiful artists in this room,” Keys said. “It’s going to be an amazing night because it’s a new decade. It’s time for newness. We refuse the negative energy. We refuse the old systems. We want to be respected and safe in our diversity. We want to be shifting to realness and inclusivity.”
Keys definitely got her wish, as newness proved to be the main theme of the night. Not only was Billie Eilish the youngest singer ever to be nominated for all top four major categories (Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist,) but she actually won them all, too! Not to mention a fifth win for “Best Pop Vocal Album.” Eilish is the first person to do this since Christopher Cross in 1981.
Eilish brought a new sound and a new look to the pop industry this year that well- deserved the sweep. Even funnier was the artist’s humility as the screen captured her mouthing “please don’t be me” before one of her wins.
While Lizzo had the most nominations of the night, she walked away with three Grammy Awards for Best Pop Solo Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance and Best Urban Contemporary Album. The singer opened the show with a killer performance of “Truth Hurts,” complete with high-energy dancing, a signature flute solo and ballet dancers. She closed the routine with “Cuz I Love You,” one of the many ballads of the night.
Fellow Grammy newcomer, Lil Nas X, acquired two Grammys for Best Music Video and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The singer delivered the most meme-able moment of the night as he performed “Old Town Road” and “Rodeo” with Billy Ray Cyrus, BTS, Diplo, Nas, and Mason Ramsey (yes, the yodeling Walmart boy with the fire single called “Famous.” It may or may not be in one of my playlists…talk about a Grammy snub!). The ensemble seemed thrown together for mere shock-value, but it nonetheless sparked joy and laughter on an otherwise slow and mournful night.
Along with all the newcomers, familiar favorites received well-deserved awards as well. Though “IGOR” probably should have been nominated under the pop category instead, Tyler the Creator won Best Rap Album. Michelle Obama won the Best Spoken Word Album category, and Beyoncé won for Best Film Music. Additionally, “Hadestown” won Best Musical Theater Album.
Overall, it was a sobering night of creativity and success. I think it will be interesting to follow the lawsuit against the Recording Academy and see if any changes are implemented behind the scenes. The results of the Grammy Awards this year were definitely a step in the right direction, and I believe the Academy will only move forward.
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