Live from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and hosted by Trevor Noah, the 65th Annual GRAMMY Awards returned for star-studded evening of performances and honors. More than 11,000 Recording Academy® voting members — music professionals across all genres and disciplines, including recording artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers — vote during the GRAMMY Awards process.
This year’s leading nominees represented a wide range of musical genres, including dance/electronic, R&B, rap, pop, American roots, and rock. Nearly half of this year’s leading nominees are women and more than half are people of color.
The night kicked off with a performance by Bad Bunny performing “El Apagón” / “Después de la Playa”
Trevor Noah did a wonderful intro of the who’s-who in attendance and even took a moment to introduce Adele to The Rock.
Brandi Carlile was introduced by her wife and children before she took the stage to perform “Broken Horses” which won Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song during the Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony. Brandi also won a Grammy for Best Americana Album for In These Silent Days.
Jennifer Lopez presented the award for Best Pop Vocal Album to Harry’s House by Harry Styles. The album also won a Grammy for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical.
The Grammy for Best R&B Song was presented by Viola Davis, who won a Grammy earlier tonight for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording, to Beyonce for “Cuff It.”
With Beyoncé’s nine nominations and JAY-Z’s five nominations this year, the artists are now tied as the most nominated artists in GRAMMY history, each at 88. Beyoncé is also the most awarded woman artist in GRAMMY history.
Shania Twain present the award for Best Country Album to Willie Nelson for A Beautiful Time.
Billy Crystal announced the MusiCares Persons of the Year to be Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. He then introduced Stevie Wonder who performed in honor of the recipients. He was joined on stage by WanMor to perofrm “The Way You Do The Things You Do”, Smokey Robinson to perform “Tears of a Clown”, and Chris Stapleton. Seeing Chris and Stevie performing “Higher Ground” together really blew the roof off.
Robinson noted he had been blessed through the years to receive many honors for his work. But the shared Person of the Year with Gordy, he said, was the most special of them all “because I’m getting awards with my best friend in the world.”
Smokey Robinson then presented the award for Best Pop Group/Dou Performance to Sam Smith and Kim Petras for “Unholy.” Kim is the first transgender woman to win this award.
Jayla Rose Sullivan introduced Lizzo for her performance on stage of “About Damn Time” and “Special.” She did a gospel version of “Special” and it received a standing ovation.
Sza presented the award for Best Musica Urbana Album to Bad Bunny for Un Verano Sin Ti. During his acceptance speech he spoke about the album and how it was made with “love and passion.”
Friend and Collaborator, Kid Harpoon introduced Harry Styles to the stage for his performance of his hit song, “As It Was” Kid Harpoon co-wrote 12 of the songs on the album “Harry’s House.” What a fun performance and outfit! The voice at the beginning of “As It Was” is the daughter of Grammy producer, Ben Winston
Grammy winner Cardi B presented the award for Best Rap Album to Kendrick Lamar for Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers. Kendrick was awarded for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for “The Heart Part 5” earlier tonight.
During the In Memoriam, Kacey Musgraves performed “Coal Miner’s Daughter” in a tribute to Loretta Lynn. She played Loretta’s guitar, not a dry eye in the theater. Macverick City Music joined Quavo for “Without You” as they remember the life and legacy of Takeoff. Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood and Bonnie Raitt performed “Songbird” to honor Christine McVie and all the song birds lost this year. Their legacy will be remembered and felt deeply for generations to come.
Madonna introduced Sam Smith and Kim Petras’ performance of “Unholy.” Four decades in music made her want to give thanks to all the rebels out there and taking the heat for it. “Your fearlessness does not go unnoticed. You are seen, you are heard and you are appreciated.”- Madonna. From being Best New Artist to be being Unholy on the Grammy’s stage.. .what. a. journey.
Late Late Show host James Corden, presented the award for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album to Beyonce for Renaissance. At this moment, history was made as Beyonce broke the record for Most Grammy Awards of all time. She is the GOAT. This was her first nomination in the category for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album.
Following Beyonce’s moving speech and win, Mary J. Blige took the Grammy stage and performed “Good Morning Gorgeous.”
Every year on the Grammy’s you get to see moments you will never see again. LL Cool J presented for the the first ever the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award to Dr. Dre. His story is the most impactful and successful story of all time. It was created by Recording Academy and Black Music Collective this year – and it’s the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop. “Inspiration is on of my favorite words … and what I am always in search of…never compromise your vision, everything is important.” – Dr. Dre
To Rock the Bells of the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop, LL Cool J then introduced Black Thought and The Roots with electrifying performances by Big Boi, Busta Rhymes with Spliff Star, De La Soul, DJ Drama, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Missy Elliott, Future, GloRilla, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Mele Mel & Scorpio/Ethiopian King, Ice-T, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, The Lox, Method Man, Nelly, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Rahiem, Rakim, RUN-DMC, Salt-N-Pepa and Spinderella, Scarface, Swizz Beatz, and Too $hort. It was broken down into Three Chapters:
Chapter 1:
Black Thought Narration
Grandmaster Flash w/ Barshon, Mele Mel, Rahiem & Scorpio – “Flash To The Beat”
Grandmaster Flash w/ Barshon, Mele Mel, Rahiem & Scorpio – “The Message”
Run-DMC – “King Of Rock”
LL Cool J – “I Can’t Live Without My Radio”
DJ Jazzy Jeff – “Rock The Bells”
Salt-N-Pepa – “My Mic Sounds Nice”
Rakim – “Eric B Is President”
Chuck D & Flavor Flav – “Rebel Without A Pause”
Chapter 2:
Black Thought w/ LL Cool J – “El Shabazz Skit”
De La Soul – “Buddy”
Scarface – “My Mind’s Playing Tricks On Me”
Ice-T – “New Jack Hustler (Nino’s Theme)”
Queen Latifah – “U.N.I.T.Y.”
Method Man – “Method Man”
Big Boi – “ATLiens”
Busta Rhymes & Spliff Star – “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See” / “Look At Me Now”
Missy Elliot – “Lose Control”
Chapter 3:
Queen Latifah Narration
Nelly & City Spud – “Hot In Herre”
Too $hort – “Blow The Whistle”
Swizz Beatz & The Lox – “We Gonna Make It”
Lil Wayne – “A Milli”
Lil Baby – “Freestyle”
GloRilla – “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)”
Future – “F*ck Up Some Commas”
LL Cool J – “Just Wanna Rock
Dwayne Johnson presented the award for Best Pop Solo Performance to Adele for “Easy On Me.”
Justin Davis introduced Luke Combs to the Grammy stage for the first time ever for his performance of “Going, Going Gone.” Justin Davis is the owner of Town Tavern in North Carolina and is were Combs first started playing music. Combs lived above the bar and also did security there – he has come a long way from that tiny bar to playing the Grammy stage.
First Lady of the United States, Jill Biden presented a new award for Best Song for Social Change Special Merit to Shervin Hajipour. This award was created for the purpose to acknowledge that a song can change the world by inspiring change. Shervin’s song, “Baraye” has become the anthem of protests that have swept through Iran, evoking grief, anger, hope and a yearning for change
She also presented the award for Song of the Year to Bonnie Raitt for “Just Like That.” The inspiration behind this song was John Prine.
Coldplay’s Chris Martin presented the award for Record of the Year to Lizzo for “About Damn Time.” She dedicated her award to Prince and dedicating her life to making positive music. She also gave a huge shout to Beyonce for being one of her biggest musical influences growing up. “In a world of darkness, I like to believe that we can do good, and that we are good … stay true to yourself.” – Lizzo
Steve Lacy took the Grammy stage and performed “Bad Habits”
Olivia Rodrigo presented the award for Best New Artist to Samara Joy. Trevor Noah (and music fans attending the Grammys) presented the award for Album of the Year to Harry Styles for Harry’s House. “On night’s like tonight, it’s good to remember that there is no such thing as the best. Thank you so so much.” – Harry Styles
To close the show, DJ Khaled ft. Fridayy, Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, John Legend & Jay-Z performed “God Did.”
And that’s a wrap!
The GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony® happened prior to the Grammy Awards main telecast and over 70 winners were announced along with several special performances.
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