The Grammys are drunk in love with Beyoncé and Taylor Swift: the singers both made history at the 2021 show. Taylor Swift, 31, became first woman to win album of the year three times. “We just want to thank the fans,” said Swift, who won the top prize with “folklore.” Swift previously won album of the year with her albums “Fearless” and “1989.”
Beyoncé made history by surpassing Alison Krauss to become the most decorated female act in Grammy history. Beyoncé earned her 28th Grammy on Sunday, picking up honors like best R&B performance for “Black Parade,” best music video for “Brown Skin Girl” as well as best rap performance and best rap song for “Savage,” with Megan Thee Stallion.
“As an artist I believe it’s my job, and all of our jobs, to reflect time and it’s been such a difficult time,” Beyoncé said onstage as she won best R&B performance for “Black Parade,” which was released on Juneteenth.
She went on to say she created the song to honor the “beautiful Black kings and queens” in the world.
She added: “I have been working my whole life … This is such a magical night.”
Beyoncé is now tied with producer and multi-instrumentalist Quincy Jones for the second most Grammy wins. The late conductor Georg Solti is the most decorated Grammy winner with 31 wins.
The royal family of music all won honors Sunday: Jay-Z shared the best rap song win since he co-wrote “Savage” and nine-year-old Blue Ivy Carter — who won best music video alongside her mother — became the second youngest act to win a Grammy in show’s 63-year history. Leah Peasall was 8 when The Peasall Sisters won album of the year at the 2002 show for their appearance on the T Bone Burnett-produced “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” soundtrack.
Megan Thee Stallion, who won three honors, also made history and became the first female rapper to best rap song. She’s also the fifth rap-based act to win best new artist.
Beyoncé was the night’s top contender with nine nominations, and she’s still up for record of the year, where she’s a double nominee thanks to “Black Parade” and “Savage.”
Beyoncé didn’t perform but Swift did.
She sang “cardigan” and “august” from “folklore,” as well as “willow” from “evermore,” and was joined by the collaborators who helped her make the albums, Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner, who both won album of the year with Swift.
Silk Sonic, aka Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak, also performed, bringing a throwback R&B vibe to the show with their smooth new single, “Leave the Door Open.” Dua Lipa, who won best pop vocal album, proved her pop star status with a performance of her hits “Don’t Start Now” and “Levitating,” where she was joined by the DaBaby, who was an all-star during his own performance of his guitar-tinged rap hit “Rockstar,” flipping the song for an exceptional live rendition featuring R&B singer Anthony Hamilton, a skilled violinist and background singers. And country singer Mickey Guyton – the first Black female nominated for best country solo performance – gave an impressive performance of her song “Black Like Me.”
Other performers included Billie Eilish, Cardi B, Bad Bunny, Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris and Harry Styles, who won best pop solo performance for the hit “Watermelon Sugar.”
“To everyone who made this record with me, thank you so much,” said Styles, the first member of One Direction to win a Grammy.
Host Trevor Noah kicked off the show telling jokes about the coronavirus pandemic and the year that was 2020. He was live from downtown Los Angeles, with attendees wearing masks and sitting, socially distanced, at small round tables.
R&B singer H.E.R. won two honors, including song of the year for her protest anthem “I Can’t Breathe,” becoming one of the rare R&B songs to win the top prize. Another track about the Black experience – Anderson Paak’s “Lockdown,” released on Juneteenth – also won a Grammy, picking up best melodic rap performance.
Other double winners include Fiona Apple, Kaytranada and late performers John Prine and Chick Corea. (AP)
Complete winners list of the 63rd Grammy Awards
Record of the year: Everything I Wanted by Billie Eilish
Album of the year: “Folklore” by Taylor Swift
Song of the year: “I Can’t Breathe” by Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas
Best pop solo performance: “Watermelon” by Harry Styles
Best pop duo/group performance: “Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
Best R&B album: “Bigger Love” by John Legend
Best R&B performance: “Black Parade” by Beyonce
Best traditional R&B performance: “Anything For You” by Ledisi
Best progressive R&B album: “It is what it is” by Thundercat
Best R&B song: “Better Than I Imagined” by Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndeogeocello & Gabriella Wilson
Best new artist: Megan Thee Stallion
Best rap performance: “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyonce
Best rap song: “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyonce
Best rap album: “King’s Disease” by Nas
Best melodic rap performance: “Lockdown” by Anderson .Paak
Best traditional pop vocal album: “American Standard” by James Taylor
Best music video: “Brown Skin Girl” by Beyonce
Best song written for visual media: “No Time to Die” by Billie Eilish
Best compilation soundtrack for visual media: Jojo Rabbit
Best score soundtrack for visual media: Joker by Hildur Guonadottir
Best global music album: “Twice as Tall” by Burna Boy
Best dance recording: “10%” by Kaytranada featuring Kali Uchis
Best dance/electronic album: “Bubba” by Kaytranada
Best contemporary instrumental album: “Live at the Royal Albert Hall” by Snarky Puppy
Best rock performance: “Shameika” by Fiona Apple
Best metal performance: “Bum-Rush” by Body Count
Best rock album: “The New Abnormal” by The Strokes
Best rock song: “Stay High” by Brittany Howard
Best alternative music album: “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” by Fiona Apple
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 album: “Wildcard” by Miranda Lambert
Best country song: “Crowded Table” by Brandi Carlile, Natalie Hemby & Lori McKenna
Best new age album: “More Guitar Stories” by Jim “Kimo” West
Best jazz vocal album: “Secrets Are the Best Stories” by Kurt Elling Featuring Danilo Pérez
Best improvised jazz solo: “All Blues” by Chick Corea, Soloist Track From: Trilogy 2 (Chick Corea, Christian Mcbride & Brian Blade)
Best jazz instrumental album: “Trilogy 2” by Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade
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 gospel performance/song: “Movin’ On” by Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music
