At this year’s Grammy Awards, Taylor Swift stole the spotlight by clinching the Album of the Year award for the fourth time, a historic achievement. Previously, she shared the record of three wins with Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, and Frank Sinatra. Celine Dion, amidst health concerns, presented Swift with the prestigious prize, and Swift took the opportunity to unveil a surprise new album.

Noteworthy winners included Miley Cyrus and Billie Eilish, who secured other top awards during Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles. The event showcased a significant presence of women, with R&B stars SZA and Victoria Monét, as well as the all-female indie supergroup Boygenius, receiving multiple accolades. Additionally, rare and poignant performances were delivered by music icons Tracy Chapman and Joni Mitchell.

Despite Killer Mike’s three rap trophies making him the top male winner, his success was marred by a backstage altercation, leading to him being “booked for misdemeanor battery,” as reported by the Los Angeles police.

• Album of the year – Taylor Swift, Midnights
• Record of the year – Miley Cyrus, Flowers
• Song of the year – Billie Eilish, What Was I Made For?
• Best new artist – Victoria Monét

Celine and Taylor celebrated

Dion received a warm welcome as she presented the best album trophy, returning almost a year after canceling live shows due to a rare neurological disorder. Expressing genuine happiness, she said, “When I say I’m happy to be here, I mean it from my heart.”

The audience showed equal excitement when Dion announced Swift as the best album winner. This historic achievement adds to Swift’s recent successes. While she values the recognition, she finds joy in the creative process itself, stating, “For me, the award is the work.” Swift, a three-time album of the year winner, expressed her love for music and the happiness it brings.

Big night for Billie and Barbie

This Sunday, Midnights clinched the award for Best Pop Vocal Album. However, it’s notable that Swift has yet to receive accolades for Song or Record of the Year. In the Song of the Year category, Eilish’s contribution to the Barbie film soundtrack, “What Was I Made For?,” triumphed over Swift’s “Anti-Hero.” The competition also featured tracks from SZA, Cyrus, and Olivia Rodrigo.

Accepting the award alongside her brother and co-writer Finneas, Eilish expressed her awe, stating, “Everybody in this category – that was a crazy list of incredible people, incredible artists, incredible music. I feel crazy right now.” Additionally, the winning tune earned the title of Best Song Written for Visual Media. Mark Ronson-produced Barbie album secured the award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media.

Miley’s Grammy breakthrough

Cyrus won Record of the Year for “Flowers,” also securing Best Pop Vocal Performance in her debut Grammy appearance. During her performance, she celebrated the achievement by altering the lyrics to acknowledge her first Grammy win, exclaiming, “I just won my first Grammy!”

In her acceptance speech, Cyrus shared a touching anecdote about a boy and a butterfly, emphasizing that her song “Flowers” symbolized her own meaningful moment, saying, “And right when he did is when the butterfly came and landed right on the tip of his nose. And this song, Flowers, is my butterfly.”

Sizzling SZA

SZA, leading with nine nominations, took home three prizes and delivered a captivating performance at the Grammys. Her rendition of the Crazy 88 fight scene from Kill Bill, accompanying her winning R&B song, featured sword-wielding female dancers playfully dispatching suited men in a nod to the comical tale in her hit.

Dubbed “music’s biggest night,” the Grammys, the industry’s premier awards, saw Dua Lipa kick off the ceremony with an energetic medley, including her contribution to the Barbie album, “Dance the Night.” Other performers included Rodrigo, Eilish, Burna Boy, and Travis Scott, while stars like Beyoncé, Doja Cat, and Meryl Streep graced the audience. Yet, the presence of two music legends overshadowed the younger stars.

Spine-tingling moments

In a rare appearance, Tracy Chapman performed alongside country singer Luke Combs, known for his hit cover of her song “Fast Car” last year. Mitchell, who has been semi-retired since 2009, delivered a spine-tingling seated rendition of her classic “Both Sides Now” at the age of 80, marking her first Grammy performance. Earlier, she won the Best Folk Album for a live recording capturing her return to the stage in 2022 after a brain aneurysm. These notable moments unfolded during a four-hour “premiere ceremony” on Sunday afternoon, where several awards were presented.

Kylie’s comeback

In the pre-ceremony, Boygenius celebrated multiple wins for their debut album “The Record,” blending 1970s California rock harmonies with themes of love and friendship. Kylie Minogue secured her second Grammy, winning Best Pop Dance Recording for the viral hit “Padam Padam” – two decades after her first. South African singer Tyla, aged 22 and ranked fourth in the BBC’s Sound of 2024, made history with the first-ever award for Best African Performance. Her viral sensation “Water” sparked a TikTok dance craze last summer.