This yr’s Grammys was an evening to recollect the place justice, the ability of music, and ladies’s illustration took heart stage.
On an evening that noticed International Citizen artists like Miley Cyrus, SZA, Billie Eilish, and FINNEAS rake within the honors, we check out the moments that made the night time, from historic wins for ladies musicians to stars utilizing the platform to name for a ceasefire in Gaza.
1. Girls dominated the night time.
Six years in the past, the Grammys winners circle was a boy’s membership. Over the course of the three-and-a-half hour telecast, just one solo feminine musician accepted an award on display screen: Alessia Cara, who was awarded Greatest New Artist.
Six years later, it’s a really completely different image.
All 9 of the classes represented had been gained by ladies artists, unfold throughout seven completely different names.
Taylor Swift gained Album of the Yr and Greatest Pop Vocal Album, Miley Cyrus grew to become a two-time Grammy winner with the File of the Yr and Greatest Pop Solo Efficiency awards, Victoria Monét was heralded Greatest New Artist, Billie Eilish gained Music of the Yr, SZA’s “Snooze” was named Greatest R&B Music, Lainey Wilson gained Greatest Nation Album, and Karol G took dwelling the golden gramophone for Greatest Música Urbana Album.
2. Annie Lennox known as for a ceasefire in Gaza throughout her tribute to Sinéad O’Connor.
After performing “Nothing Compares 2 U” as a tribute to Sinéad O’Connor through the In Memoriam phase of the awards ceremony, Annie Lennox closed the efficiency by calling for a ceasefire — a second that felt true to O’Connor’s personal legacy as an activist who campaigned in opposition to racism, for the best to abortion, and human rights amongst different issues.
Lennox’s name got here simply over per week because the UN’s prime court docket, the Worldwide Courtroom of Justice, ordered Israel to make sure it doesn’t commit acts of genocide.
3. Recording Academy President paid tribute to the victims of the Supernova music competition assaults.
Recording Academy President Harvey Mason Jr. paid tribute to the 360 competition attendees who had been killed on Oct. 7 by Hamas militants.
Explaining that the string quartet enjoying within the background consisted of musicians of Palestinian, Israeli, and Arab descent, he mentioned: “We stay in a world divided by a lot. And perhaps music can’t remedy every thing, however allow us to all agree, music should stay the widespread floor upon which all of us stand, collectively in peace and concord. As a result of music has all the time been certainly one of humanity’s best connectors.”
4. Jay Z didn’t spare the Recording Academy.
Jay Z was honored with the Dr. Dre International Impression Award for his contribution to the music trade and used his victory speech — for which he introduced his daughter Blue Ivy onstage — to blister the Recording Academy for its glass ceilings and previous missteps.
He famous that the trade had come a great distance since Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff boycotted the Grammys in 1989 over the rap awards not being televised however that there was nonetheless work to be completed.
One of many issues he highlighted was the truth that whereas Beyoncé is probably the most awarded artist in Grammy historical past, she has by no means been awarded album of the yr.
In a mic drop second, he mentioned: “Once I get nervous, I inform the reality.”
5. Burna Boy made historical past as the primary Afrobeats star to carry out.
In a medley efficiency that includes Brandy and 21 Savage, the Nigerian musician grew to become the primary Afrobeats artist to gentle up the stage — and lightweight it up he did.
Burna Boy kicked off his efficiency of “On Kind” in a purple jeweled jacket and pants, then carried out his 2023 single “Metropolis Boys.”
African music has grow to be so widespread that the Recording Academy launched a brand new award this yr: Greatest African Efficiency. Nevertheless, some music critics argue that African artists ought to be included in lots of extra mainstream classes to extend the variety of the academy.
6. Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker wore Artists Name for Ceasefire Now pins.
Boygenius — the choice music group composed of Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker — used their Grammys 2024 purple carpet look to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The trio wore matching ivory white fits and purple pins that said “artists for ceasefire.”
Artists for Ceasefire is a collective of musicians, artists, actors, and advocates who’ve come collectively in response to the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza.
7. Greatest Music for Social Change drew consideration to the worldwide refugee disaster.
Forward of the Grammys, Somali-Canadian musician Okay’naan acquired the Greatest Music for Social Change award for his 2023 single “Refugee.”
On Could 24, 2022, the UN introduced that the variety of displaced individuals worldwide had surpassed a staggering milestone for the primary time: 100 million individuals.
By mid-2023, that quantity had elevated much more to 110 million, in keeping with the UNHRC, the UN’s Refugee Company.