The 67th annual Grammy Awards ceremony aired Sunday evening, and music’s biggest stars took over Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
There were several highlights at the ceremony. At last, the Recording Academy awarded Beyoncé with the coveted Album of the Year gramophone for her genre-bending album, “Cowboy Carter,” which received 11 nods. Kendrick Lamar, who received five nominations, swept all the categories he was up for, including Best Rap Song, Record of the Year and Song of the Year for the diss track heard ’round the world, “Not Like Us.”
Chappell Roan, who burst onto the pop scene in the last few years, won Best New Artist — and used her speech to call out the record industry and push for livable wages and health insurance, especially for developing artists.
Roan, Billie Eilish, Charli XCX, Doechii, Sabrina Carpenter and more dazzled the stage with performances that their fans will be talking about for a while.
The event, hosted by comedian Trevor Noah, honored the best and brightest in the music industry, paid homage to music legend Quincy Jones and celebrated the city of Los Angeles, which has been devastated by wildfires this month. At one point during the ceremony, Noah announced that the telecast had raised more than $7 million to support relief efforts for fire victims.
To open the show, the band Dawes, along with a supergroup of sorts including Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard, John Legend and St. Vincent, performed a tribute to Los Angeles by singing a rendition of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.”
HuffPost staff chatted about the ceremony throughout the night. Catch up on what you missed below.
Beyoncé Wins Best Country Album For ‘Cowboy Carter’
Beyoncé was truly shocked that she won this award, and I thought it was hilarious but I also kind of understood why. So many people, the Country Music Awards included, have played in this album's face like it isn’t great.
This album pays homage to the history of Black country music while holding a significant message about the box America tries to place around Black people and artists. With regressive legislation and companies deemphasizing the impact Black people have in this country, “Cowboy Carter” is an album that’s right on time. And it was undoubtedly a deep and resonant representation of what it means to be country. — Taryn
Beyoncé’s shocked reaction was me for a split second. But it would’ve been so crazy to give Best Country Album to anyone else after the groundbreaking impact of “Cowboy Carter.” That’s not to say the Grammys won’t still find a way to play in her face tonight — I’m holding my breath over Album of the Year — but at least they made the right choice here.
“Cowboy Carter” gave so many Black country artists looks last year and helped elevate their careers. More than that, though, Beyoncé’s country album is a testament that she, and other Black artists, cannot and should not be boxed into any one genre for anyone else’s comfort. This win is monumental. Now, let’s hope they give “Cowboy Carter” the big one by the end of the night. — Njera
I’m so happy she won in this category. And she better still win for the Album of the Year category. These award shows love to play games, and I HOPE she’s going up on that stage again. — Erin
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At Last, Beyoncé Wins Album Of The Year
Chile, I thought the Grammys might piss me off at this late hour. Congrats, Beyoncé. “It’s been many, many years,” she said in her acceptance speech. Tell ’em, B! — Erin
I AM SCREAMING! SHE DID IT! And it’s about damn time.
Only the FOURTH Black woman to win this award. SO well deserved. SO belated. And just such a beautiful album to win for. And she dedicated this win for Album of the Year to Linda Martell, a Black woman the country music industry blackballed and who was significant to the genre on so many levels. All I can say is … finally. — Taryn
Kendrick Lamar Wins Song Of The Year For ‘Not Like Us’
OMG. LMAO. I love this. I hope Drake rescinds that lawsuit this week. That’s all. — Erin
“Not Like Us” now being a five-time Grammy-winning diss song, Diana Ross giving Kendrick Lamar this award for that record… this is the chaos I live for LMAO. The dedication to Whitney’s crip walk in the music video. This man is too hilarious, I can’t. — Njera
I loved his adoration for Diana Ross, too. Like, THEE Diana Ross presented Kendrick this award and he got up there with his boys and CUT UP. This is too good. He’s about to go off next weekend at the Super Bowl.
And y’all heard the man: “Respect art form and that’ll get you where you need to go.” MESSAGE! — Taryn
Kendrick Lamar Wins Record Of The Year For ‘Not Like Us’
Drake is SICK! That’s the fourth win of the night for Kendrick’s “Not Like Us.” He got the whole world yelling “A MINOOOOOOORRRRRR” on Grammy night. Since the beef, you can’t go anywhere without hearing this record blast through the streets, contrary to what the Canadian rapper’s dropped lawsuit claimed. This is such a great win. And so appropriate during Black History Month. They not like us, for real. — Taryn
Kendrick calling out different neighborhoods in LA and dedicating his award to those ‘hoods is just so great. “I can’t give enough thanks to these places I’ve rode around since high school,” he said in his speech, after calling out a bunch of areas in Los Angeles. “Most importantly the people and the families out in the Palisades and Altadena. This is a testament that we can continue to restore this city.” This win just makes me so happy. — Erin
I can’t think of a more fitting winner for Record of the Year. A diss song is now a four-time Grammy-winning track — I know Drake is somewhere seething. I think back to what Sean Ono Lennon said during the Grammys premiere ceremony earlier today: “I just wanted to give some advice to the young people out there. Never get into a rap battle with Kendrick Lamar.” He just might win (several) Grammys off it. — Njera
Lady Gaga And Bruno Mars Win Best Pop Duo/Group Performance For ‘Die With A Smile’
I keep forgetting this song exists. But then when I hear it, I get confused on how Bruno went from this to “Fat, Juicy and Wet” with Sexyy Red. Then I remember how much money he owes MGM. This song just feels like a calculated record label move to me. — Taryn
Am I the only one who didn’t completely love this song when it dropped? I didn’t expect it to top the Billboard Hot 100, and I definitely didn’t anticipate this Grammy win. But congrats? I guess. — Njera
Janelle Monáe Channels Michael Jackson In Tribute To The Late Quincy Jones
Respect to Janelle’s moonwalk, though! She brought some great energy to this tribute. — Erin
I am LIVING for this tribute performance from Janelle. When she pays homage, she goes all in. You gotta love it. I selfishly wish “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” wasn’t the only MJ song performed, but that was so much fun to watch. — Njera
Yeah, Janelle did that! I loved that they ended Quincy Jones’ tribute with a double nod to him and Michael Jackson. — Taryn
Now, Why Did The Grammys Do All Of That Just To Introduce The Weeknd?
I rolled my eyes so hard just now. CEO Harvey Mason Jr. got up there to talk about how much the Recording Academy has improved since 2020 and hype up this special performance for it to be … The Weeknd. That was the most anticlimactic “surprise” I’ve ever seen during an award show. They literally rolled out the red carpet for this man just because he once boycotted the award show and now he’s back. Boy, bye! What a waste of excitement. — Taryn
The Weeknd is giving the surprise performance that I, for damn sure, didn’t ask for. I watched him in that horrible HBO show “The Idol” and told myself that I never needed to see him again. I have nothing to say. I’ve never really been a fan of his music so there’s that. — Erin
OK, considering he just dropped an album two days ago, the timing of this doesn’t surprise me. However, that was such an extra ass introduction to bring The Weeknd, of all people, back to the Grammys stage. I had no idea he was the “very special guest” CBS was teasing in commercials leading up to the show, but like … I don’t think this was the big moment they thought it’d be. — Njera
Also, considering all of the artists who’ve boycotted or spoken out about the Grammys, The Weeknd isn’t even the first to come to mind. I’m actually really annoyed at how much effort they spent on this. — Taryn
Taylor Swift On The Red Carpet
Chappell Roan Wins Best New Artist
Chappell Roan calls for livable wages and health insurance for developing artists. She said if she ever made it to the Grammys stage that she would advocate for these basic human rights. “Labels, we got you. But do you got us?” This is such good use of an acceptance speech. I’m here for it. — Erin
Before tonight, I didn’t know too much about Chappell Roan aside from “Hot To Go” (which is my jam). But with that stellar performance of “Pink Pony Girl” and a poignant acceptance speech that should have these record execs shaking in their boots, I see why people go up for Chappell. Her presence has been such a highlight at this year’s show and her words were so necessary. We know how exploitative the music industry is, and what better way to call the folks in power out on their shit than on music’s biggest night. — Taryn
I’ll never forget seeing Chappell Roan at Lollapalooza last summer and the record number of people who were elated to watch her set. I knew then she was a star, but seeing the way she’s continuously advocated for artists’ well-being lets me know she’s not just in it for the music, she really wants to make a difference, too, and that’s admirable. A Best New Artist win is going to help cement her place in this industry and I can’t wait to see how far she takes it. Hopefully, her moving acceptance speech isn't ignored either. — Njera