By Nicole Sanchez, Staff Writer
Sunday, Feb. 5, was the 65th annual Grammys award ceremony. It’s one of music’s biggest nights. Many records were broken at the ceremony.
In the main categories, Beyoncé broke the record for most wins by any artist in Grammy history, Harry Styles took home album of the year for “Harry’s House,” Lizzo won record of the year and Samara Joy won best new artist and Bonnie Raitt won song of the year.
The Grammys are not only about winning awards, the live performances are also emphasized. Bad Bunny opened the ceremony, having everyone up from their seats dancing to one of his biggest songs, “Un Verano Sin Ti.” Other performers included Luke Combs, Kacey Kusgraves, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Mick Fleetwood, Migos’ Quavo, Mary J. Blige, Stevie Wonder, Brandi Carlile, Lizzo and Harry Styles.
Not only did they have talented artists perform but the Recording Academy hosted a celebration of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. LL Cool J, Big Boi, Busta Rhymes, Spliff Star, De La Soul, DJ Drama, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Missy Elliott, Future, Glorilla, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Mele Mel, Scorpio, Ice-T, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, the Lox, Method Man, Nelly, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Rahiem, Rakim, Run-D.M.C., Salt-N-Pepa, DJ Spinderella, Scarface, Swizz Beatz and Too $hort joined the Grammys in tribute to the genre. They also honored musicians who passed away this year during a separate segment.
The biggest award of the night is Album of the Year. The nominees were “Voyage” by ABBA, “30” by Adele, “Un Verano Sin Ti” by Bad Bunny, “Harry’s House” by Harry Styles, “Renaissance” by Beyoncé, “Good Morning Gorgeous” by Mary J. Blige, “In These Silent Days” by Brandi Carlile and “Music of the Spheres” by Coldplay. Harry Styles took home the prize.
Styles was stunned as he heard his name being called and was jumping up and down with the super fan who announced his win. During his speech, he included his fellow nominees, “I’ve been so inspired by every artist in this category with me at a lot of different times in my life. I listen to everyone in this category when I’m alone and I think moments like tonight it’s obviously so important for us to remember that there is no such thing as best in music,” Styles said.
While many of his fans were ecstatic for Styles’ win, it was a huge upset to many critics and fans who expected Beyoncé to take home the award, especially after her barrier-breaking visual album “Lemonade” lost the same category in 2017. Other fans were rooting for Bad Bunny’s album, “Un Verano Sin Ti” that made history as the first fully Spanish album to be nominated as Album of the Year.
Fans of Styles shared their joy at his victory in the category.
“I was nervous the entire time I was watching the Grammys. There were so many amazing artists up for Album of the Year but I was so happy when Harry’s name was read off the envelope. He’s worked really hard on this album, touring for almost 2 years now and it’s only his 3rd Grammy. I truly think it was well deserved,” sophomore musical theater major Grace McNally said.
Beyoncé’s fans, also known as the ‘Beyhive,’ believe that she should have won and that she was robbed of winning. However, on the night, she set the record for most Grammy wins. Since her first win in 2001, she has won a total of 32 Grammy’s. That night, she won four awards: Best Dance/Electronic album, Best Dance Recording, Best Traditional R&B and Best R&B song.
Fans of Beyoncé shared their disappointment and frustration at the decision not to award her with Album of the Year.
“Honestly, what does Beyoncé have to do to win Album of the Year?” senior fashion merchandising major Mikaela Fracsino said. “I love Harry Styles, I’ve been a fan since his One Direction days, but I don’t know. Beyoncé is a musical legend. She didn’t win album of the year last time and “Lemonde” was so good. I just think these award shows are a scam but at least Beyoncé knows that she is the best of the best,” she said.
Styles’ album, “Harry’s House” was released in 2022 and was at the top of the music charts globally. His music was in commercials, movies, on the radio and on TikTok. He had a highly visible press coverage of his music that Beyoncé’s album couldn’t match. Although “Renaissance” was a long-awaited comeback, she still kept a low profile.
“I don’t think any of us sit in the studio thinking, making decisions based on what is going to get us one of these,” Styles said during his acceptance speech.
Freshman nutrition major Amanda McCarty shared her agreement with this sentiment.
“I agree with Harry Styles. No one is thinking ‘oh my God, I have to do anything I can to win an award.’ Artists do what they want, what they feel, what they think is special,” she said. “Harry and Beyoncé are both respected artists and it’s hard to tell who is better, but I believe they’re both truly equally amazing.”
The 2023 Grammys ceremony had 12.4 million viewers across the United States, an increase from last year’s numbers.
Here is the list of winners at the 2023 Grammys:
Record of the Year
About Damn Time — Lizzo
Album of the Year
Harry’s House — Harry Styles
Song of the Year
Just Like That” — Bonnie Raitt
Best New Artist
Samara Joy
Best Music Video
All Too Well: The Short Film — Taylor Swift
Best Pop Solo Performance
Easy on Me — Adele
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
Unholy — Sam Smith & Kim Petras
Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Higher — Michael Bublé
Best Pop Vocal Album
Harry’s House — Harry Styles
Best Dance/Electronic Recording
Break My Soul — Beyoncé
Best Dance/Electronic Music Album
Renaissance — Beyoncé
Best Rock Performance
Broken Horses — Brandi Carlile
Best Rap Performance
The Heart Part 5 — Kendrick Lamar
Best Melodic Rap Performance
Wait For U — Future feat. Drake & Tems
Best Rap Song
The Heart Part 5 — Kendrick Lamar
Best Rap Album
Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers — Kendrick Lamar
Best Música Urbana Álbum
Un Verano Sin Ti — Bad Bunny
Be First to Comment