The 65th Annual Grammy Awards generated so much buzz this past weekend. The Grammys have, over the years, become the music industry’s biggest night. It’s an opportunity for fans and viewers to predict the evening’s winners and performances and, mostly, anticipate the best and worst fashion moments. The main event usually builds up all the best and worst pop culture moments of all time. Take JLo’s green Versace dress, which she wore to the 2000 Grammys. The sheer, low-cut gown was so widely searched on Google after the event that the company had to create its Image Search function and talk about shifting the culture.
The 2023 Grammys brought a different kind of cultural shift, and there were celebrations all around. This is the year in which stars such as Beyoncé, Tems, and Viola Davis made history in their respective fields. This year, UK singer Harry Styles won Album of the Year for Harry’s House, and Lizzo picked up Record of the Year for her viral hit About Damn Time.
Beyoncé Officially Became The Most Awarded Grammy Winner
Beyoncé’s four wins on Sunday night made her the most awarded artist in Grammy history, with an overall tally of 32 trophies. Beyoncé has yet to win the award’s twin marquee prizes, Album of the Year and Record of the Year, despite being nominated for both categories four and six times, respectively. Beyoncé won Best R&B Song for Cuff It and Best Dance Electronic/Music Album for Renaissance. She also took home the award for Best Traditional R&B Performance. That win (inexplicably announced by James Corden) meant that Beyoncé now has the most Grammy wins of any artist ever. She choked up as she arrived onstage and thanked God, her family, the Grammys, and “the queer community for your love and for inventing this genre.”
In her acceptance speech, Beyoncé said, “I’m trying not to be too emotional. I’m trying to just receive this night. I want to thank God for protecting me. I would like to thank my uncle Johnny, who is not here but he is here in spirit. I’d like to thank my parents, my father and my mother, for loving me and for pushing me. I’d like to thank my beautiful husband and my beautiful children who are watching at home.”
Tems Became The First Nigerian Female Artist Ever To Win A Grammy
Nigerian artist Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has bagged another international award at the 2023 Grammy Awards. The 27-year-old artist won her first Grammy for her part in Future’s hit single “Wait For U” ft. Drake is under the award category for “Best Melodic Rap Performance.” Tems is the first non-mixed Nigerian female musician to win the prestigious award. Sade Adu, who won the Grammy for “Best New Artist” in 1986, and Cynthia Erivo, who bagged “Best Theater Album” in 2017, were British Nigerians. The Afrobeat singer has added this to her list of accomplishments following her Africa Future Awards win and her Oscar nomination.
This victory marked a major milestone in Tems’ illustrious music career, cementing her place as one of the most prominent African artists of the decade.
Viola Davis Became The 3rd Black Woman To Win An EGOT
Viola Davis became the 18th person — and third Black woman — ever to win the coveted EGOT (an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony) when she took home the award for performance of the audiobook for her memoir “Finding Me” at the 65th Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony earlier on Sunday.
Taylor Swift Showed Up With A ‘Midnights’ Theme
One thing Taylor Swift will do is be on brand. Swift’s latest (and record-breaking) album, “Midnights,” won’t be eligible for the Grammys until next year’s show, but the pop megastar still showed up in a midnight blue ensemble.
Ben Affleck’s “Misery” State Turned Into Memes
Newly-wed Ben Affleck tagged along as J-Lo’s date, and he looked, well, as Twitter has noticed, maybe not super-excited to be there. Ben was captured on camera multiple times looking rather bored.
Lizzo’s Acceptance Speech & Beyoncé Shoutout
Lizzo has won the 2023 Grammy Award for Record of the Year for her Special single “About Damn Time.” She beat ABBA, Adele, Beyoncé, Brandi Carlile, Doja Cat, Harry Styles, Kendrick Lamar, Mary J. Blige, and Steve Lacy. In her acceptance speech, Lizzo shouted out artists who inspired her, including Prince and Beyoncé, whom she called “the artist of our lives,” referencing Adele’s 2017 Grammy remarks about Beyoncé.
The singer will kick off a massive tour in support of Special later this month.
Beyoncé Arriving 1 Hour Late To Receive 31st Grammy Award
Beyoncé reportedly arrived about an hour into the show. According to Grammys host Trevor Noah, the Renaissance star and her husband Jay-Z were apparently stuck in traffic. Beyoncé won best R&B song for “Cuff It,” but she wasn’t actually there to accept the trophy. Before collaborator Nile Rodgers took the stage, Trevor Noah assured the crowd that she was on her way to the show. She arrived and was handed her record-tying 31st Grammy award in her hands moments later.
Taylor Swift & Harry Styles “Private” Moment
Two years after their reunion at the 2021 Grammys, exes Taylor Swift and Harry Styles gave the world another rare display of their post-relationship dynamic at the 2023 Grammys. First, Swift appeared as the most supportive ex for Styles, dancing during his performance and applauding him when he won the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and after he finished performing. The two broke up in early 2013 after dating for a couple of months in late 2012. Fans shared footage of the moments on Twitter:
Hip Hop 50th Anniversary Medley FT Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah & 30 Others
The 65th Grammy Awards turned back the clock, amassing dozens of hip-hop icons to celebrate the genre’s 50th anniversary. LL Cool J, a two-time Grammy winner and seven-time nominee, took the stage first to present the special performance. The tribute’s all-star lineup included: Big Boi, Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star, De La Soul, DJ Drama, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Future, GloRilla, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Mele Mel, Scorpio/Ethiopian King, Ice-T, Lil Baby, The Lox, Method Man, Missy Elliott, Nelly, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Questlove, Rahiem, Rakim, The Roots, Run-DMC, Salt-N-Pepa and DJ Spinderella, Scarface, Swizz Beatz, and Too $hort.
Mary J Blige’s Performance
We all love it when some soul takes us to church during an award show, and Mary always gets it right. Mary J. Blige gave the audience a stellar performance of her hit song “Good Morning Gorgeous.” Apart from her beautiful, classic vocals, she is a legend that just keeps on giving. She looked stunning in a gold sequined ensemble and a dramatic hat during her performance.
This year’s Grammys definitely carried some great highlights. Apart from Ben Affleck being super bored, everyone seemed to have had a great time. However, there is still brewing controversy around Queen Bey. Non-Bey-hivers are alleging that Beyoncé might have paid the Grammys for her to win. This, however, doesn’t affect the B-Hive, as they are not only celebrating B’s G.O.A.T. status at the Grammys but also her upcoming performance at the Oscars in March and also her upcoming Renaissance Tour coming up this year. 2023 will be an interesting year for music as we await Rihanna’s return, who was notably absent from the Grammys.
What are some of your highlights from this year’s Grammys?
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