Beyoncé is the most decorated artist in Grammy history, but at the end of Sunday’s show, it was Harry Styles who walked away with the album of the year award.
The Grammys distributed their top honours to other artists, leaving Beyoncé off stage at the end of the night. Even when she wasn’t in the room, the superstar was a constant presence throughout the night, especially after she won her 32nd award and surpassed late composer Georg Solti in all-time wins.
“I’m trying not to be too emotional,” the superstar said after her historic victory, as her husband, Jay-Z, applauded her. The singer expressed gratitude to her late uncle, her parents, Jay-Z, and her children for their support. “This night, I’m just trying to receive. I want to thank God for keeping me safe. God, thank you.”
Beyoncé has not appeared on the Grammys stage at the end of the night since 2010, when she won song of the year for “Single Ladies.” She now has four trophies to her name for her album “Renaissance.”
Styles was overcome with emotion as he accepted his album of the year award, stating that he was inspired by everyone in the category. “I’ve listened to everyone in these categories at various points in my life. It’s critical to remember that “best” does not exist.”
On Sunday, the British singer-actor won three awards. “It feels like confirmation that you’re on the right track,” the singer said backstage. “When we get in the studio and begin the record, we just make the music we want to make. It appears to be It’s really nice to think, ‘Oh, that’s the right thing to do.'”
Beyoncé was not present when she tied Solti’s record early in the telecast. Host Trevor Noah stated that she was on her way to the ceremony but was unable to attend due to traffic in Los Angeles.
When Beyoncé, the night’s leading nominee, arrived, Noah presented her with the award for best R&B song at her table.
Beyoncé won for best R&B song with “Cuff It,” best dance-electric music recording with “Break My Soul,” best traditional R&B performance with “Plastic Off the Sofa,” and best dance-electric album with “Renaissance,” which was nominated for album of the year.
Lizzo won record of the year for “About Damn Time,” delivering a stirring speech that brought many in the audience to their feet, including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Adele.
“Me and Adele were having a good time cheering on our friends. This is a fantastic evening. “This is completely unexpected,” Lizzo said as she dedicated her award to Prince.
“I wanted to make the world a better place, so I wrote this.” That change was required to make the world a better place. Now that I look around, I see that these songs are about loving your body, being comfortable in your own skin, and feeling good.”
Samara Joy, a jazz singer, won best new artist, beating out acts like Wet Led, Anitta, and Maneskin. When she accepted the award, the New Yorker was nearly in tears and mentioned that her little brother was her date. “I’m extremely grateful. Thank you very much.” She has two albums out as a solo artist and won the Grammy for best jazz vocal album earlier in the evening.
Bonnie Raitt, a veteran singer-songwriter, defeated big-name competitors like Adele, Swift, and Beyoncé to win song of the year. “I’m astounded. “I’m at a loss for words,” a visibly stunned Raitt said, adding that the song “Just Like That” is about organ donation. It capped off a night in which Raitt won two more Grammys.for best American roots song and best Americana performance.
Hip-hop royalty took the stage for a 15-minute epic, rousing tribute to the genre’s 50th anniversary. Grandmaster Flash performed a portion of his seminal hit “The Message,” as did Run DMC, Chuck D, and Flavor Flav, as well as Ice-T, Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, and Nelly.
It concluded with everyone on stage yelling “multi-generational! Fifty years!”
The performance was a crowd-pleasing moment in a ceremony that has a long history of failing to recognise rap.
Bad Bunny kicked off the show at Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena with a festive, high-energy performance that brought many in the audience to their feet, including Swift, who rose to her feet and danced near her table.
For their song “Unholy,” Sam Smith and Kim Petras won best pop duo-group performance. Smith asked Petras to give the acceptance speech because “I’m the first transgender woman to win this award,” according to Petras.
“I want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me so I could be here tonight,” Petras said, referring to friend and Grammy-nominated musician Sophie, who died in Athens, Greece in 2021 after an accidental fall. “You said it would happen. I’ve always believed in myself. Sophie, thank you so much for your inspiration. I adore you, and your influence will live on in my music forever.”
Petras thanked Madonna for her unwavering support for LGBTQ rights.
“I don’t “I believe I could be here without Madonna,” Petras explained. “I grew up next to a highway in nowhere Germany,” my mother says. And my mother accepted that I was a girl. I wouldn’t be here without her and her encouragement.”
Several star-studded performers paid tribute to Loretta Lynn, Migos rapper Takeoff, and Christine McVie during the Grammys’ in memoriam segment. Kacey Musgraves sang “Coal Miner’s Daughter” in tribute to Lynn; Quavo and the Maverick City Music performed “Without You” in honour of his nephew Takeoff; and Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood, and Bonnie Raitt performed “Songbird” in memory of McVie.
Beyoncé
Kendrick Lamar won his sixth career award for best rap performance for “The Heart Part 5” and best rap album for “Mr. Morales & The Big Steppers.”
“You know, we entertainers say things to elicit thoughts, feelings, and emotions,” he explained. “Making this record is one of them.”
My most difficult… I’d like to thank the culture for allowing me to grow in order to accomplish this. With this album, I finally discovered flaw.”
Viola Davis became an EGOT — an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony winner — after winning best audio book, narration, and storytelling recording on Sunday. The actor gave an emotional speech and emphatically said “I just EGOT” after she marched on stage to collect her award.
“Oh my goodness, “She stated. “I wrote this book to honour Viola, the 6-year-old girl, her life, her joy, her trauma, everything,” Davis said. “It’s been an incredible journey.”
The Grammys returned to Los Angeles after being delayed and then forced to relocate to Las Vegas last year due to the pandemic. Noah also hosted the ceremony, which saw Jon Batiste win Album of the Year.