Taylor Swift at the top, Celine Dion presents
All the golden gramophones of the evening were given to women on Sunday evening. Among the winners, singer Taylor Swift, who has dominated popular culture on all fronts in 2023. Her win for album of the year (her third of the evening), for her superb Midnights, allowed her to break a new record in Grammy history: she became the first artist to win four times in this category. Highlight of the evening: Swift received the most important trophy of the evening from none other than… Celine Dion! The Quebec singer made a surprise appearance to present this award that she herself received 27 years ago. “When I say that I am happy to be present, I mean it from the bottom of my heart,” she told the room, visibly moved. Another big surprise of the evening (for admirers): by winning the prize for best pop vocal album, her thirteenth in her career, Taylor Swift announced live the date and title of her next album. The Tortured Poets Department will be released on April 19.
The other winners
Women also led the nominations in the most important categories this year, including album, song and recording of the year. Singer-songwriter SZA was this year’s most nominated Grammy artist and she ended the night with three awards in hand. A total of eight prizes were awarded during the main evening. The trophy for best song of the year was given to Billie Eilish for What Was I Made For?song composed for the film barbie. Miley Cyrus received the recording prize for Flowers and Victoria Monet was crowned best new artist. In the category of Latin urban music album (música urbana), Karol G stood out, while Lainey Wilson received the award for best country album thanks to Bell Bottom Country.
Touching nostalgia
The evening was a wonderful moment of celebration of great artists of recent decades, during which women who have left their mark on music were invited to present categories or to perform. Joni Mitchell, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera and Tracy Chapman all attended the party. Mitchell, performing for the first time on the Grammy Awards stage, was majestic and touching. At 80 years old, she was solid during her interpretation of Both Sides Now, accompanied by Montrealer Allison Russell, Brandi Carlisle, Blake Mills, Lucius, Jacob Collier and Sista Strings. Also on the evening, legend Stevie Wonder paid tribute to his friend Tony Bennett, who died last year. Billy Joel delivered his first single in three decades, another landmark return to the stage.
Spectacular performances
If Dua Lipa was able to open the ceremony by impressing, the second performance of the evening was one of the most beautiful moments of the ceremony which lasted more than three hours. Tracy Chapman was majestic, accompanied by the talented Luke Combs, who recently re-popularized the song Fast Car. It’s been a long time since we last saw Tracy Chapman on stage. And what a return it was. Their interpretation of Fast Car was greeted with a standing ovation. SZA also offered a very good moment of music, at the height of her reign in terms of quotes this year. Billie Eilish, always excellent, accompanied by Finneas, created a moving and remarkable moment of music. For the first time, the brilliant Miley Cyrus performed her hit flowers, crowned a few moments before best pop solo performance of the year, his very first Grammy in his career. The second followed, when she won the Recording of the Year award. Annie Lennox, accompanied by Wendy & Lisa, performed Nothing Compares 2 Uin memory of Sinéad O’Connor, also marking the evening with a poignant musical moment.
Other notable moments
The immense career of rapper Jay Z was celebrated during the evening. The artist received the Global Impact Award. On stage, accompanied by his daughter Blue Ivy, he thanked many of those who contributed to his success, from Dr. Dre to his wife, Beyoncé, who was watching him from the room. He also took the time to mention, three times rather than once, that “this young woman” is the most awarded artist in the history of the Grammys, but that she has never received that of the album of the year. ” That does not make any sense. » For the very first time, afrobeat carved out its place during the ceremony: Burna Boy, 21 Savage and Brandi, very well surrounded by dozens of dancers, musicians and singers, made the whole room dance for the duration of a fabulous number.