Los Angeles, 6 February 2023 (TDI): The 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony, featuring an array of stars, took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The awards honored the finest recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility period, covering October 1, 2021 to September 30, 2022. Nominations were announced on November 15, 2022.
Highlights of the ceremony
The ceremony returned to Los Angeles after heading to Las Vegas last year due to increased Covid rates in the city. South African comedian Trevor Noah, who hosted the 63rd and 64th ceremonies, returned as the host for the third time.
Noah celebrated music as a way of uniting despite differences. “Music isn’t just the harmony of sound but the harmony of human beings.” He said.
Also read: Golden Globe Awards 2023
The evening was kicked off with an energetic performance from Bad Bunny. Bad Bunny also won the Grammy for best musica urbana album.
There was also the introduction of a new award aimed at celebrating artists who have made a major contribution to black music.
The First lady of the United States (US) Jill Biden, was a surprise presenter, announcing the first winner of the best song for social change, awarded to Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour for Baraye, “a powerful and poetic call for freedom and women’s rights.”
It is pertinent to note that Hajipour was arrested two days after the song was published but was later released on bail.
Beyoncé wins four awards
Beyoncé became the most awarded artist in Grammys history during the historic evening in Los Angeles.
The singer won for best R&B song, best dance/electronic recording, best dance/electronic album, and best traditional R&B performance. She has now won 32 Grammy awards.
While receiving the awards, the 41-year-old singer said, “I’m trying not to be too emotional. I’m trying to receive this night.” She also paid tribute to her husband Jay-Z.
Other winners
Harry Styles picked up the biggest Grammy of the night, an album of the year, for Harry’s House.
During his speech, he said winning out over Beyoncé and Adele, “I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me.” He also won the award for the best pop vocal album.
Adele won best pop solo performance for Easy on Me, her sixteenth Grammy to date. “I was just looking forward to coming tonight.” She said at the start of a brief but emotional acceptance speech that saw her choke up when talking about her son.
Kendrick Lamar brought home the best rap performance, best rap song, and best rap album. Lizzo won the record of the year for About Damn Time. She also paid tribute to Beyoncé for changing her life, calling her “the artist of our lives”.
Bonnie Raitt beat out Adele, Styles, Lamar, Lizzo, and Beyoncé to win song of the year for Just Like That.
Kim Petras also became the second transgender woman to win a Grammy, bringing home the award for best pop duo/group performance with Sam Smith for their song Unholy.
The best new artist of the year award that has previously gone to acts such as Billie Eilish, Lauryn Hill, Adele, and Chance the Rapper went to New York-born jazz singer Samara Joy.
