The 64th Annual Grammy Awards took place April 3 in Las Vegasand there were surprising and moving moments.
Jon Batistea musician who is also the creative director of the National Jazz Museum in Harlemwon four trophies, including the prestigious Album of the Year honor for We Are. He went into the night with 11 nominations.
The duo Silk Sonic (composed of singer Bruno Mars and rapper/singer Anderson .Paak) took the night's two other big categories: Record and Song of the Year, both for "Leave the Door Open" as well as Best R&B Performance (in a tie with Jazmine Sullivan) and Best R&B Song. Teen Olivia Rodrigo was named Best New Artist (beating acts such as Sweetie and Japanese Breakfast); she also won Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Solo Performance.
The Foo Fighters received Grammys for Best Rock Album, Best Rock Performance and Best Rock Song. The band was scheduled to play at the show, but pulled out after the sudden death of drummer Taylor Hawkins.
Some of the other winners included Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga (Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album); Rufus Du Sol (Best Dance/Electronic Recording); Esperanza Spalding (Best Jazz Vocal Album); Carrie Underwood (Best Roots Gospel Album); actor Don Cheadle (Best Spoken Word Album, beating Dave Chappelle and former President Barack Obama, among others); Bad Bunny (Best Musica Urbana Album); Angelique Kidjo (Best Global Music Album); controversial comic Louis C.K. (Best Comedy Album); and, yes, Kanye West (Best Melodic Rap Performance), whose performance was pulled in light of recent actions that concerned Grammy organizers.
Queer musicians and singers were definitely part of the show. Lil Nas X, who performed a medley of his hits, Grammy darling Brandi Carlile and Brothers Osbourne (a country duo with an openly gay brother) was among a long list of performers that included Billie Eilish (who wore a T-shirt featuring Hawkins), Underwood, Lady Gaga, legendary rapper Nas, H.E.R., BTS and Batiste, among others. LGBTQ singers Cynthia Erivo and Ben Platt sang along with Leslie Odom Jr. and Rachel Zegler during an "In Memoriam" segment that resulted in a standing ovation. In addition, out gay actor/singer Billy Porter and trans actress Mj Rodriguez were among the presenters; Questlove (who won), Megan Thee Stallion, Jared Leto, Dua Lipa and the legendary Joni Mitchell (who also won this year) were among the others who presented awards.
In addition, LGBTQ musician St. Vincent won for Best Alternative Music Album, for Daddy's Home. Brothers Osbourne won for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
The telecast also featured a special segment meant to raise awareness about the situation in Ukraine that featured a surprise video appearance from that country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky. In addition, Ukrainian singers Siuzanna Iglidan, Mika Newton and Lyuba Yakimchuk performed alongside John Legend, who sang his new song "Free."
"We're going to be keeping people's names out of our mouths," event host Trevor Noah during his opening monologue, referencing the slap/incident involving Will Smith and Chris Rock at this year's Oscars.