(top) Taylor Swift via PopSugar - Harry Styles via People (bottom) Sam Smith via Billboard - Beyoncé via People
The Grammy's is one of the most highly-anticipated award shows each year. They're considered very prestigious because rather than being fan voted, it's an academy award. Winning a Grammy is many artist's number one goal in their music careers. Though the viewership for the Grammys has been low these past few years, the 65th annual show was an unforgettable one with many records broken and incredible performances. Here's what you missed if you didn't watch the Grammys this year.
Celebration of 50 Years of Hip-Hop
Hip-Hop was created in 1973 by a DJ named Dj Kool Herc, starting a genre that has changed music forever and has made history. The Grammys gathered together a collection of hip-hop icons to perform a mega-medley in celebration of the genre, including LL Cool J, Flavor Flav, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa, Busta Rhymes, Lil Baby and so many more that made Hip-Hop what it is today.
via: The New York Times
Kim Petras Becomes First Transgender Woman to Win a Grammy for Best Pop Duo
Kim Petras is a German transgender singer-songwriter who was been making a name for herself these past few years after being signed to Republic Records. Kim and Sam Smith won 'Best Pop Duo' for their song 'Unholy', making Kim Petras to become the first ever transgender woman to win a Grammy for the Best Pop Duo category. She thanked her mother, Madonna and her late friend Sophie for inspiring her to be herself.
Viola Davis Becomes an EGOT
If you don't know what an EGOT is, it's someone who has won all 4 major academy awards within their lifetime - Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony. At this year's Grammys, Viola Davis (actress and producer) earned her title as an EGOT when she won her first Grammy for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording.
Beyoncé Breaks the Record for Most Grammy's Ever Won
Queen B made history at the Grammy's this year when she broke the record for most Grammy's ever won with now 32 Grammy awards, beating out the late classical conductor, Georg Solti who had 31. The moment she tied with Solti, she had been stuck in traffic. But a queen is never late, everyone else is simply early! Luckily, when she won her record-breaking Grammy for Best Electronic/Dance Album, she was able to witness the moment. Though she wasn't able to win in the top categories of the night, She still won the most Grammys out of anyone else that night, with a total of 4 awards.
Grammys Honors Legends We Lost in 2022 With Tribute Performance
The Grammys held a beautiful in memoriam performance for all the incredible musicians and industry workers that we lost in 2022 - including Loretta Lynn, Olivia Newton-John, Takeoff, Christine McVie, Lisa Marie Presley, and even Stephen 'tWitch' Boss. It began with Kacey Musgraves singing Coal Miner's Daughter by the late Loretta Lynn, went onto Quavo singing his latest song Without You which was dedicated to his lost bandmate and nephew, Takeoff, and ended with Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt and Mick Fleetwood performing a beautiful rendition of Songbird by Fleetwood Mac.
via: Entertainment Tonight
Sam Smith and Kim Petra's Performance Was Very 'Unholy'
Sam Smith and Kim Petra's performance of their award-winning song 'Unholy' - surprise, surprise - caused a lot of controversy. Dressed in all red and wearing a hat with devil horns, the performance caused some to become uncomfortable while watching, even going as far as calling the Grammys 'satanic'. Though the concern can be understood, it's more likely that things were blown a bit out of proportion. I mean, the song is called Unholy, and the artists were just following the theme of their song. But like Madonna said while introducing the act, if you're being called a troublemaker, then you're doing something right. For me personally, I thought this was a very entertaining performance.
via: We Got This Covered
Lizzo Wins Record of the Year for 'About Damn Time'
Unlike the Song of the Year which is awarded for it's songwriting, Record of the Year is awarded to the best produced and engineered song. This time, is was awarded to Lizzo for her hit song we all know and love, About Damn Time. Watchers are calling Lizzo's speech for the award the best Grammys speech ever. Her words were so genuine and you could see how grateful and excited she was. She even name dropped Beyoncé for being an inspiration to her while she was growing up. She dedicated her award to her other favorite artist, the late and beloved Prince. She stated that when Prince passed away, she decided to dedicate her life to making music that made others feel good.
Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and Chris Stapleton Perform Incredible Motown Medley
This year's Grammys was jam-packed with the most iconic artists in history and such a deep variety of winners and performances. One of the most energetic moments of the whole show was when Stevie Wonder took the stage to play a Motown medley. He brought Smokey Robinson and Chris Stapleton on the stage with him as they sang classic hits like 'Tear of a Clown' and 'Higher Ground'. When I tell you they put on a show, they put on a show. Everyone was on their feet dancing, clapping, and smiling. It was an incredible moment to witness.
via: The Grammy Awards
Harry Styles, Very Deservingly, Wins Album of the Year
Though Beyoncé fans were furious that she didn't win this award, even going as far to heckle Harry during his acceptance speech, many were very happy to see Harry get the recognition he deserves for his incredible album 'Harry's House'. Really, any one of the nominees was deserving of this award and they were all incredible and history-altering albums. Considering Beyoncé had already won 4 awards this night, I think Harry had every right to his time to shine. He went out of his way to say that everyone who was nominated for the award has inspired him and his music in one way or another.
Bonnie Raitt Beats Out Taylor Swift, Adele, Lizzo, Harry Styles and Beyoncé in Song of the Year Award - Presented by the First Lady
Viewers and nominees were shocked the moment Bonnie Raitt, a classic blues/roots singer-songwriter, won one of the biggest award of the night - Song of the Year. She was up against huge names like Taylor Swift, Adele, Lizzo, Harry Styles and Beyoncé. Even Bonnie herself was in complete shock when they called her name. Clearly emotional, she took the stage and expressed how grateful she was to be given the award. Though other nominees easily could've won this award as well, Bonnie's song 'Just Like That' has touched many hearts - especially after learning what it's about. The song was inspired by a news story she heard on the radio about a mother who decided to donate her sons organs after his death, ultimately saving someone else's life. The lyrics of the song are about the mother meeting the person that was saved because of her son's heart donation.
What did you think of the Grammy's this year? Follow us below and let us know in our comments!
Written By Kaitlyn Nicole
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