2021 Grammy recap

By Brandon Montemayor

The 63rd annual Grammy Awards was Sunday. Hosted by “Daily Show” host, Trevor Noah, the award ceremony was delayed six weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The star studded event was a bit different from years past, with social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions in place. However, while the attendance was sparse, the show was packed with live and remote performances as well as big wins for women in music. 

The night kicked off with live performances from nominees, Harry Styles, Billie Eilish, Black Pumas, Haim and Dua Lipa. The awards began rolling in with Best New Artist winner Megan Thee Stallion, taking home the first of her later three Grammy wins. She also won the award for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance. 

Pop star Billie Eilish took home Record of the Year for her song “Everything I Wanted,” a song she performed earlier in the night with her brother and fellow artist FINNEAS. Winning her third Album of the Year award was Taylor Swift, for her studio album “folklore.” Song of the Year went to singer and songwriter H.E.R. for her song “I Can’t Breathe,” a powerful song that shines a light on racial inequality, the Black Lives Matter movement and the protests for social change. 

History was also made Sunday when Beyoncé broke the record for the most Grammys won by a woman and any singer, male or female, with an astonishing 28 Grammys, tying the record for most Grammys by a living person with producer Quincy Jones. Beyoncé set the record after winning four awards on the night for Best Music Video, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance and Best R&B Performance. 

Other notable winners are Dua Lipa for Best Pop Vocal Album, Lady Gaga with Ariana Grande for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Harry Styles for Best Pop Solo Performance, Nas for Best Rap Album and Miranda Lambert for Best Country Album. For a full recap of the night’s winners and nominees for each category visit Billboard.