By: Elisabeth Beck
The Grammys aired on February 4th, hosted by Trevor Noah at the Crypto Center in Los Angeles, California. Most of the awards were delivered in the pre-show hosted by Trevor Noah but there were still plenty of big awards to be handed out later that night.
Dua Lipa first opened up the night by performing “Dance the Night Away”. Everyone on their feet, she set off the Grammys to a good start. There were a lot of firsts for Miley Cyrus at the Grammys. The first win of the night started with Miley Cyrus winning Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit song, “Flowers” which later followed her performing “Flowers” for the first time televised. Cyrus shares how she almost missed the Grammys due to the rain but is happy she can be there to accept the award from Mariah Carey.
Following Cyrus’ win, Luke Combs performed “Fast Car” with Tracy Chapman which then followed Karol G winning her first Grammy. First-time attendee and first Grammy won for “QLONA” for Best Musica Urbana Album. She shares “I hope this is the first of so many.”
The show continued with SZA performing “Snooze”. SZA was the night’s most nominated performer. To top off with some of the best performances, Billie Eilish delivered a beautiful performance of “What Was I Made For?” from the motion picture film, Barbie. Eilish was able to be accompanied by her brother, Finneas as he played the piano.
Cyrus then gives her performance of “Flowers” just before Lainey Wilson won Best Country Album for “Bell Bottom Country”. This is just her fourth album and has already received two prior awards for this album. Then the night’s most nominated performer, SZA, accepts the award for Best R&B Song. SZA, in shock, as she accepts the award, couldn’t “believe this is happening”.
The Grammys then jump to Olivia Rodrigo performing one of her hit songs, “Vampire”, on her new album GUTS, which was nominated for Album of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Album. As she sang “Vampire” faux blood dripped down in the background and slowly started to show on her throughout the performance.
All the way from Los Angeles, the Grammys took a trip to Las Vegas for a performance made by U2 from the Sphere – which happens to be the first-ever televised performance from the new venue. U2 announced that Taylor Swift won Best Pop Vocal Album. Taylor Swift’s first win of the night may just be one of the biggest announcements of 2024. Swift won Best Pop Vocal Album for her tenth album, Midnights. She recognizes that she received this award due to her fans, and to thank her fans, just as she smirks, she announced the release of her eleventh album, “The Tortured Poets Department”. The album will be released on April 19th, available for pre-order. Following Taylor Swift’s announcement, Stevie Wonder, Fantasia Barrino, Annie Lennox, and Jon Batiste performed tributes to artists who have passed away in 2023 and 2024.
JAY-Z was then awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and brought his daughter with him up on stage. He mentioned his wife, Beyonce, how she has never won Album of the Year, yet has the most Grammys. But he continued to give an inspiring message to “keep showing up” and not give up.
It then moved back to the astonishing performer, Billie Eilish, who won Song of the Year for “What Was I Made For?”. She accepts the award in complete shock that she won stacked up against the rest of the nominees and thanks director Greta Gerwig for making “the best movie of the year.”
Joni Mitchell then returns to perform after being released 55 years later, performing “Both Sides, Now” with her iconic braids. She then was awarded Best Folk Album which she received earlier in the preshow. Performances are then followed by Travis Scott as he sets the stage on fire while he performs three of his songs. Burna Bay is then joined by Brandy and 21 Savage for “Sittin’ on Top of the World”.
As the show continues Victoria Monet is awarded for 2024 Best New Artist. She was nominated for seven categories and gives an inspiring speech to anyone with a dream. She shares “I want you to look at this example…this award was a 15-year pursuit.” Meryl Streep and her son-in-law, Mark Ronson were allowed to present Cyrus with her second Grammy of the night for Record of the Year, for “Flowers.” Billy Joel then steps out from silence for 17 years. He sang his new song, “Turn the Lights Back On”. Joel shares he has found his love again for making music and songwriting and was happy to perform, as it had just dropped a few days ago.
Celine Dion made a surprise appearance to announce the final award for Album of the Year. Dion has been away from the spotlight after being diagnosed with a rare incurable neurological disease. As she walked out she received a standing ovation and shared how she is so happy to have attended. She then announced Album of the Year award goes to Taylor Swift, who has officially made record-breaking Grammy history. This was Swift’s fourth time winning this award, as she is the only person who has ever won that award four times. Swift said she is “mind blown” and thanks everyone for allowing her to do what she loves so much.