Bold fashion, iconic performances and gilded gramophones can mean only one thing: The Grammy Awards are back.
Music’s biggest night combines the star power of Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish with anticipated performances from Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii and Shakira. Doechii (best rap album), Carpenter (best pop vocal album) and Beyoncé (best country album) won early awards among 10 to be handed out during CBS’ primetime broadcast.
The Recording Academy is handing out trophies in more than 90 categories Sunday, but all eyes are watching to see if Beyoncé, the most-winning artist in Grammys history, will win her first album of the year for “Cowboy Carter.” The night’s most prestigious award is always a nail-biter, but this year’s competition promises extra drama with Swift, who holds the AOTY record with four; breakthrough artists Carpenter, Roan and Charli XCX; and industry-evolving musicians Eilish, André 3000 and Jacob Collier in the mix.
And that’s just one category out of 94.
With so much packed into a single awards show, follow along with USA TODAY’s Entertainment team as we bring you the best of the 67th annual Grammys.
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Despite the track’s harsh origin, Lamar gave an acceptance speech that was much more mild, paying tribute to his home city of Los Angeles and offering encouragement to those wanting to rebuild the city after the fires. It’s a message that’s probably one of the only things he and Drake could both agree on.
Gaga continued the trend of giving acceptance speeches with political undertones. “I just want to say tonight that trans people are not invisible,” she said. “The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love. Thank you.”
Shakira shouts out ‘immigrant brothers and sisters’
After winning best Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” Shakira gave a shout-out to fellow immigrants, dedicating her trophy to them. Her speech took on deeper resonance amid ICE raids across the country.
“I want to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country,” she said. “You are loved, you are worth it and I will always fight with you.”
She added: “To all of those women who work really hard every day to provide for their families, you are the true she-wolves.”
The Weeknd ends Grammys boycott. OK?
Throughout the entire show, host Trevor Noah had been hyping up something big. Now, it’s finally here. What could it be? Will Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus duet their hit from “Cowboy Carter”? Will a legend like Dolly Parton return to sing Beyoncé’s version of “Jolene” with her? Is Swift finally going to announce “Reputation (Taylor’s Version)”? Sorry, Beyhive and Swifties – none of those things are happening.
Instead, the big announcement was… the return of The Weeknd to the Grammys! That’s right, he was boycotting the ceremony − remember? Because I didn’t.
Grammy winners:Follow live as Beyoncé wins best country album
Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. took the stage to announce updates to the organization’s voting body, saying its members are now younger and more diverse. Because of that, The Weeknd has decided to end his Grammys boycott. And that’s not all! He’s performing too.
Listen, if the Recording Academy wants to publicly pat itself on the back, they have every right to do that – it’s their show after all. But can they at least not lead viewers on by making us think a music legend was actually taking the stage? The Weeknd’s performance was fine, but it was certainly not worth all that hype.
It’s also worth noting that The Weeknd’s big Grammys return is coming just as he has an album and tour to promote. How big of him. You can practically feel the forgiveness, healing and reconciliation through the television screen.
‘Do you got us?’Chappell Roan urges music labels to support developing artists at Grammys
Roan, always one to speak up about things she believes in (for better or worse), took the opportunity to press record labels to provide a “livable wage” as well as adequate healthcare to their up-and-coming artists. It’s a struggle she said she knows personally: Roan, who’s been dropped by a label before, said she knows what it’s like to not have healthcare.
“Labels, we got you, but do you got us?” she asked.
Sabrina Carpenter beats Taylor Swift for best pop vocal album
Is the era of Swift sweeping every Grammys category officially over? Has the coven of the Recording Academy declared a new supreme?
Carpenter took home the trophy for best pop vocal album, beating industry veterans Ariana Grande, newcomer Chappell Roan and, arguably the biggest artist in the world right now, Ms. Swift, whom Carpenter opened for on the record-breaking Eras tour.
