The 66th Annual Grammy awards, hosted by Trevor Noah and broadcast live from Cypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles, was a night filled with legendary appearances and exciting wins.
R&B artist Victoria Monét accepted the award for Best New Artist. Through tears, she shared “My roots have been growing underneath ground, unseen, for so long, and I feel like today I’m sprouting, finally above ground.”
After a Barbie filled year, Billie’s Eillish won for “What Was I Made For,” off the film’s Soundtrack, which also won Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Miley Cyrus took home her first ever Grammy for Record of the year for “Flowers,” which she also performed at the ceremony and won a Pop Solo Performance award for.
Shocked by the wins, Miley reflected later on instagram. After thanking her family, especially her mother Tish, sister Brandi, and godmother Dolly Parton, Miley thanked her fans. “I celebrate my fans above all else. No award means as much to me as the years we’ve spent together. You SAW me before this recognition. I never needed it because I HAVE YOU. A day doesn’t pass that I don’t spend at least a moment thanking heaven for sending me such supportive earth angels. I love you with my entire heart. To many more years together.”
Celine Dion made a surprise appearance to present Taylor Swift with her fourth award for Album of the Year. In 1996, Celine was presented the same award for her album Falling Into You by two other music legends, Diana Ross and Sting.
The Canadian icon was greeted by a standing ovation. “Thank you all. I love you right back,” Dion told the cheering crowd, “When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart.”
This was one of only a few public appearances since she was diagnosed with Stiff person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that can cause “muscle stiffness and painful spasms,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Another music legend that graced the Grammy stage was folk legend Joni Mitchell. For her debut Grammy performance, the 80 year old singer-songwriter performed a timeless rendition of ‘Both Sides Now” with Brandi Carlile.
The 9 time Grammy winner also added another award to her collection for Folk Album for Joni Mitchell at Newport.
Jay-Z accepted the 2nd annual Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. In his speech, he questioned why his wife Beyonce has been nominated for Album of the Year four times, but has never won.
“We want y’all to get it right,” he told the audiences, “At least getting close to right. And obviously it’s subjective. Y’all don’t gotta clap at everything. Obviously it’s subjective because, you know, it’s music and it’s opinion-based.”
He continued, “But, you know, some things — I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won album of the year. So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. The most Grammys, never won album of the year. That doesn’t work.”
Over her career, Beyonce has won 32 Grammy Awards.
The Grammys also celebrated those who music lost this year with their In Memoriam, which included a moving performance by Annie Lennox with Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman, who played in Prince’s band The Revolution, of “Nothing Compares 2 U” by the late Sinéad O’Connor. Lennox took the moment to also honor her friend’s outspokenness. She closed her performance with “Artists for ceasefire! Peace in the world!,” as she punched the air.
In October 2023, Lennox was one of many artists who called on President Joe Biden to “to honor all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay – an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages.”
Other In Memoriam highlights included a performance by Stevie Wonder in honor of Tony Bennett, Jon Batiste’s tribute to music executive Clarence Avant, and Fantasia Barrino’s celebration of Tina Turner.
Other notable moments included Tracey Chapman’s performance of her 1988 track, “Fast Car” and Karol G’s acceptance of her first Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album for her record “Mañana Será Bonito.” This was also the first time a female performer had won in this category.
For the full list of winners, visit https://www.grammy.com/awards/66th-annual-grammy-awards-2023
Photo Credit: KEVIN MAZUR/GETTY IMAGES FOR THE RECORDING ACADEMY