Grammy awards 2021

The 63rd Grammy Awards took place on Sunday March 14, 2021 between Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. The Recording Academy had postponed the date of January 31, 2021 following the pandemic.

This year, the ceremony was partially virtual, as were the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice Awards.

R&B star Jhéné Aiko presided over the premiere of the Grammys, which awarded 73 trophies.

Harry Styles opened the 63rd Grammy Awards with a sultry take on his hit « Watermelon Sugar ». Devonte Hynes from Blood Orange, accompanied him on bass. disco-embraced pop of sound »Fine Lin Album

The Grammy Awards paid tribute to Little Richards, John Prine and Kenny Rogers. For several years, this sequence has honored musicians, producers and industry figures who died the previous year.

New for the year

This year, 4 different legendary venues (The Troubadour club and The Hotel Café in Los Angeles, the famous Apollo theater in New York and the Station Inn in Nashville) hosted the biggest American musical event of the year. Prior to that, the Staples Center in Los Angeles had hosted the ceremony since 2000 to recognize the best in music in various categories.

After Alicia Keys, the last 2 years, the South African comedian and animator, Trevor Noah presented for the first time this new edition of the Grammy Awards. Artists made the show between 2 awards ceremonies: Taylor Swift, Post Malone, Roddy Rich and Dua Lipa, as well as Chris Martin, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Cardi B or Doja Cat.

Mickey Guyton became the first black country artist to perform at the ceremony. She sang « Black like me » there.

BTS was the first South Korean group nominated in the category « Best Pop Performance in a Duo or Group. » The Lady Gaga / Ariana Grande duo won the trophy with « Rain on me », against the 7 boys of the K-Pop boyband. and their title “Dynamite”. The other contestants were Justin Bieber and Quavo with “Intentions”, J. Balvin, Bad Bunny, Dua Lipa and Tainy with “Un dia / One day” and Taylor Swift and Bon Iver with “Exile”.

SOPHIE, electronic producer was the first openly trans artist nominated in the category « Best dance / electronic album for her debut album » Oil of every pearls Un-insides « . Since its creation in 2005, only 3 women have been awarded. This year, the winner was Bubba with his album “Kaytranada”. Producer / DJkayne west also won the « Best Dance Recording » trophy for the album’s single (« -10% »).

The absent noticed

Greatly absent noticed, the Canadian The Weeknd, had decided to boycott the evening, in response to the Grammys which seemed to snub him. Yet he had delivered an incredible performance during the Super Bowl with his title « Blinding Lights », which became the first to remain for 52 weeks in a row in the Billboard Top 10. His album « After Hours » flew over 2020. The singer accused the Grammy Awards of being « corrupt ». He added « that because of the secret committees, he would no longer allow his label to submit his music to the Grammys.

Fiona Apple was also absent from the ceremony, although nominated 3 times and winner in 2 categories; Best Rock Performance and Best Alternative Music Album with « Shameika ».

Posthumous trophies

John Prine won 2 Grammy Awards (American Performance and American Song) posthumously for his song « I Remember Everything », bittersweet love letter to life. The legendary singer and songwriter was swept away by Covid-19 on April 7, 2020. His wife of 30 years, Fiona Whelan Prine, accepted the award from her home in Nashville. The family thanked Prine fans and her longtime team for their dedication.

The American musician, Chick Corea, a pivotal artist between jazz, fusion and Latin music, received 2 Grammys posthumously. The awards: Best Instrumental Jazz Album was for his latest album « Trilogy 2 ». The one for « Best Improvised Solo was for » All Blues « by Miles Davis. The musician died in February 2021, at the age of 79 (after jury votes).

Men’s trophies

• Kanye West won Best Contemporary Christian Music Album for « Jesus Is King ».
• Burna Boy, Nigerian superstar, received his first Grammy, for « Twice as Tall », world music album. And his 5th opus with a series of acclaim for the global African diaspora. This 5th album marks his pan-Africanist solidarity.
• The award for Best R&B Album goes to John Legend.
• Best contemporary urban music album with “YHLQMDLG” for Bad Bunny.
• The group « The Strokes » wins the bid for Best rock album. Their 2020 LP album « The New Abnormal » broke all records.

Latino artists

• Dua Lipa, New Grammy Artist 2019, took home the Best Pop Vocal Album Award with « Future Nostalgia ». She did a performance of « Don’t Start Now » and « Levitating » For the latter, DaBaby joined her on stage. The star arrived at the ceremony, in a beautiful pink dress paved with Swarovki crystals, signed Atelier Versace.
• Puerto Rican duo Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez performed their Latin pop hit, “Dakiti”, the first single from Bad Bunny’s 3rd studio album, “El Último Tour Del Mundo”, released in 2020. Bad Bunny was the artist most listened to latino in 2020. They won the trophy for « Best Latin or urban pop abum » with « YHLQMDLG ».

Black Lives Matters very present

Atlanta hip-hop star Lil Baby delivered a chilling performance of his 2020 protest anthem, « The Bigger Picture. »

In solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, actors performed heartbreaking scenes inspired by real-life violence against African Americans, as well as the 2020 uprisings in American cities.

Profits from sales of the song went to the National Assn. from Black Journalists, the Bail Project and Black Lives Matter, as well as a fund for Breonna Taylor, who was shot in bed by police in Louisville, Ky.

New York civil rights activist Tamika Mallory stepped onto the podium, surrounded by protesters holding up signs to appeal to President Biden.

Killer Mike also participated by reciting a verse about the tragedy.

HER and his title « I can’t breath » also

Records

• With 28 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé Knowles is the most awarded female artist. In 2017, it already had 62 nominations. Today, she is making history at the Grammy Awards as the most named female artist in their history. The most awarded male artist is Georg Solti with 31 Grammys.
• Quincy Jones and Jay-Z are the most nominated artists in Grammy history, with 80 nominations.
• 8 Grammy Awards in one evening are awarded in 2014 to Michael Jackson for his album « Thriller ». He becomes the most awarded male artist at the Grammy Awards. In 2000, Carlos Santana received the same number of awards for his album “Supernatural”.

AWARDS 2021

Recording of the Year: « Everything I Wanted », Billie Eilish

Song of the Year: « I Can’t Breathe », Dernst Emile II, H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas, songwriters (H.E.R.)

Album of the Year: « Folklore », Taylor Swift

Revelation of the Year: Megan Thee Stallion

Best album

• pop: « Future Nostalgia », Dua Lipa
• rock: « The New Abnormal », The Strokes
• alternative music: « Fetch the Bolt Cutters », Fiona Apple
• rap: « King’s Disease », Nas
• R&B: « Bigger Love », John Legend
• dance / electro: « Bubba », Kaytranada
• country: « Wildcard », Miranda Lambert
• urban or pop latino: « YHLQMDLG », Bad Bunny
• vocal jazz: « Secrets Are The Best Stories », Kurt Elling Featuring Danilo Pérez
• world music: « Twice As Tall », Burna Boy
• folk: « All the Good Times », Gillian Welch and David Rawlings
• reggae: « Got to Be Tough », Toots and The Maytals

Best performance

• rock: « Shameika », Fiona Apple
• solo pop: « Watermelon Sugar », Harry Styles
• metal: « Bum-Rush », Body Count
• rap: « Savage », Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé
• R&B: « Black Parade », Beyoncé
• melodic rap: « Lockdown », Anderson .Paak
• pop by a duo / group: « Rain On Me », Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
• country by a duo / group: “10,000 Hours”, Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber

Best Musical Film: « Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice »

Best Music Video: « Brown Skin Girl », Beyoncé

Best Rock Song: « Stay High, » Brittany Howard, Songwriter (Brittany Howard)

Best R&B Song: “Better Than I Imagine”, Robert Glasper, Meshell Ndegeocello and Gabriella Wilson, songwriters (Robert Glasper Featuring H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello)

Full list on the official Grammy Awards website.

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