Brooklyn Staab | Student Life Editor
March 21, 2021
The Grammys are a cultural phenomena that almost everyone looks forward to watching. These awards are considered to be the most prestigious of awards for singers and artists in the music industry.
This year, the Grammys had to be done a bit differently than what we are used to. The opening performances had separate stages spread apart for live filming. Many artists attended from their living rooms, while some were able to attend the outdoor stage— with masks matching their extravagant outfits, of course.
However, Elton John might be terribly upset about this year’s awards. He jokingly claimed he would “hit someone” if Phoebe Bridgers did not win a Grammy this year. And Elton, many fans are with you on that one. “Phoebe is incredibly talented and I am so sad she didn’t win,” senior Megan Moe said.
More importantly, history was made multiple times at this year’s Grammys. Beyonce won four awards this year, meaning she now holds the record for the most Grammys awarded to a woman. “I wanted to uplift, encourage, celebrate all of the beautiful Black queens and kings that continue to inspire me and inspire the world,” Beyonce said during her acceptance speech for “Black Parade.”
Taylor Swift also made history for women this year. She became the first woman to win “album of the year” three times. She has previously won for her albums Fearless, 1989, and now, Folklore. Her performance in the show included a medley of “Cardigan,” “August,” and a slightly more rock version of “Willow.” She brought out Jack Antonof and Aaron Dessner for this enlightening performance.
In addition, Megan Thee Stallion won “New Artist of the Year,” along with many other awards.“I think she really deserved it,” junior Sam Shaw said. “I think it’s amazing a woman of color received this, even though many other POC were robbed of their awards.” For years, award shows like the Grammys have been known to be rigged in one way or another, but it is more than amazing to see these musical geniuses receive recognition.
An essential aspect of the Grammys, controversy struck once again when Cardi B. and Megan Thee Stallion performed. Some claimed it to be too provocative, while others thought it was empowering.
Finally, “I Can’t Breathe” by H.E.R. is a song written in response to the pain the Black community has felt over the past years of silence and police killings. This beautiful song won “Song of the Year” and many fans are extremely excited.
A complete list of the Grammy winners:
Album of the Year: Folklore by Taylor Swift
New Artist of the Year: Megan Thee Stallion
Record of the Year: Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish
Song of the Year: “I Can’t Breath” by H.E.R
Best Music Video: “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyonce and Blue Ivy
Best Music Film: “Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” by Linda Ronstadt
Best Children’s Music Album: All the Ladies by Joanie Leeds
Best Pop Solo Performance: “Watermelon Sugar” by Harry Styles
Pop Vocal Album of the Year: Future Nostalgia by Dua Lipa
Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Rain on Me” by Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album: American Standard by James Taylor
Best New Age Album: More Guitar Stories by Jim “Kimo” West
Best Dance Recording: “10%” by Kaytranada Featuring Kali Uchis
Best Dance/Electronic Album: Bubba by Kaytranada
Best Rap Album: Kings Disease by Nas
Best Rap Song: “Savage Remix” by Megan Thee Stallion and Beyonce
Best Rap Performance: “Savage Remix” by Megan Thee Stallion and Beyonce
Best Melodic Rap Performance: “Lockdown” by Anderson .Paak
Best Rock Performance: “Shameika” by Fiona Apple
Best Metal Performance: “Bum Rush” by Body Count
Best Rock Song: “Stay High” Brittany Howard
Best Rock Album: The New Abnormal by The Strokes
Best Alternative Music Album: Fetch the Bull Cutters by Fiona Apple
Best R&B Performance: “Black Parade” by Beyonce
Best Traditional R&B Performance: “Anything For You” by Ledisi
Best R&B Song: “Better Than I Imagined” by Robert Glasper
Best Progressive R&B Album: It Is What It Is by Thundercat
Best R&B Album: Bigger Love by John Legend
Best Improvised Jazz Solo: “All Blues” by Chick Corea
Best Jazz Vocal Album: Secrets are the Best Stories by Kurt Elling Featuring Danilo Pérez
Best Jazz Instrumental Album: Trilogy 2 by Chick Corea
Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album: Data Lords by Maria Schneider Orchestra
Best Latin Jazz Album: Four Questions by Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
Best Latin Pop or Urban Album: YHLQMDLG by Bad Bunny
Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album: La conquista del espacio by Fito Paez
Best Regional Mexican Music Album: Un Canto Por Mexico by Natalia Lafourcade
Best Tropical Latin Album: 40 by Grupo Niche
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album: Live at the Royal Albert Hall by Snarky Puppy
Best Instrumental Composition: Sputnik by Maria Schneider
Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappell: “Donna Lee” by John Beasley
Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals: “He Won’t Hold You” by Jacob Collier
Best American Roots Performance: “I Remember Everything” by John Prine
Best American Roots Song: “I Remember Everything” by John Prine
Best Americana Album: World on the Ground by Sarah Jarosz
Best Bluegrass Album: Home by Billy Strings
Best Traditional Blues Album: Better Than Raw by Bobby Rush
Best Contemporary Blues Album: Have You Lost Your Mind Yet? by Fantastic Negrito
Best Folk Album: All The Good Times by Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Best Regional Roots Music Album: Atmosphere by New Orleans Nightcrawlers
Best Country Solo Performance: “When My Amy Prays” by Vince Gill
Best Country Duo/Group Performance: “10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay & Justin Bieber
Best Country Song: “Crowded Table” by the Highwomen
Best Country Album: Wildcard by Miranda Lambert
Best Gospel Performance/Song: “Movin’ On” by Jonathan McReynolds
Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song: “There was Jesus” by Zach Williams
Best Gospel Album: Gospel According to PJ by PJ Morton
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album: Jesus is King by Kanye West
Best Roots Gospel Album: Celebrating Fisk! by Fisk Jubilee Singers
Best Reggae Album: Got To Be Tough By Toots & The Maytals
Best Global Music Album: Twice as Tall by Burna Boy
Best Spoken Word Album: Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth by Rachel Maddow
Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media: “JoJo Rabbit” by Taika Waititi
Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media: Joker by Hildur Guðnadóttir
Best Song Written For Visual Media: “No Time to Die” by FINNEAS and Billie Eilish
Best Comedy Album: Black Mitzvah by Tiffany Haddish
Best Musical Theater Album: Jagged Little Pill from the Original Broadway Cast
Best Recording Package: Volls 11&12 by Doug Cunningham & Jason Noto
Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package: Ode to Joy by Lawrence Azerrad & Jeff Tweedy
Best Album Notes: Dead Man’s Pop by Bob Mehr
Best Historical Album: It’s Such A Good Feeling: The Best of Mister Rogers by Lee Lodyga & Cheryl Pawelski
Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical: Hyperspace by Drew Brown
Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical: Andrew Watt
Producer Of The Year, Classical: David Frost
Best Remixed Recording: “Roses” by SAINt JHN remixed by Imanbek Zeikenok
Best Engineered Album, Classical: Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 13 ‘Babi Yar’ by David Frost
Best Orchestral Performance: “Ives: Complete Symphony” conducted by Gustavo Dudamel
Best Opera Recording: Gershwin: Porgy and Bees conducted by David Robertson
Best Choral Performance: “Danielpour: The Passion of Yeshua” conducted by JoAnn Falletta
Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance: Contemporary Voices by Pacifica Quartet
Best Classical Instrumental Solo: “The Orfanidis” by Richard O’Neill
Best Classical Solo Vocal Album: Smith: The Prisoner” by Sarah Brailey
Best Classical Compendium: Thomas M.T.: From the Diary of Anne Frank by Isabel Leonard
Best Contemporary Classical Composition: “Rouse” by Christopher Rouse
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