The 68th Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles and were broadcast on the CBS channel and streamed on Paramount+. The show was hosted by Trevor Noah once again, who announced (and made jokes about) some of the most talented musicians of our time. This year was specifically notable for Bad Bunny’s barrier-breaking achievement: being the first artist to win Album of the Year for a predominantly Spanish-speaking record, Debí Tirar Más Fotos. Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell won Song of the Year for “Wildflower,” confirming the longevity and strength of their career.
Upon accepting their award, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, and many other musicians used their platform to speak on the state of America, sparking controversy. The artists criticized ICE and called upon viewers to take action against social injustices. Junior Maddy Portsmore remarks, “I’m happy Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny won. I think it is important that celebrities spoke up about the ICE issues in our country. We need to keep spreading that message.” However, other viewers thought that music and politics should be kept separate. Inherently, music defines culture and often has a profound impact on the political and social views of a generation. Music and art are directly correlated with the human experience, and oftentimes this includes rebellion. Junior Karley Kurz said, “One thing I would say about the entire show is how so many people online are reacting to it. Politics and art go hand in hand, but people online are blowing it out of proportion and exaggerating what some musicians said to the extreme.”
In addition to these controversies, many viewers were upset with the quality of the performances and which artists were given awards. Junior Tess Amador said, “I did not understand why Sombr got so much hate for his performance, or how Lola Young’s ‘Messy’ won over ‘The Subway’ by Chappell Roan, or how Sabrina Carpenter didn’t win ANY Grammys.”
It is quite surprising that Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend didn’t secure any wins, especially since it was one of the most-streamed new albums this year. Roan’s “The Subway” held a significantly higher level of cultural relevance than “Messy,” being that it was one of the most popular songs among young listeners this year. However, it was clear that most viewers were pleased with Olivia Dean’s win. Junior Karley Kurz said, “I enjoyed the Grammys. I’m so happy Olivia Dean won. I think she really did deserve the new artist award.” Performing her hit song “Man I Need,” Dean confirmed her position as one of the most promising new artists of the year.
Addison Rae’s performance received harsh criticism as her choreography seemed messy and her stamina seemed unfit for the popstar persona that she attempted to pursue. Alex Warren gave a powerful performance of his hit song “Ordinary” despite the technical difficulties with his ear monitors. Somber performed “12 to 12” in disco-inspired clothing and energetic presence. Sabrina Carpenter gave an elaborate performance of “Manchild,” where she dressed as a pilot with the scenery of an airport and even a real dove! Lady Gaga also gave a dramatic rock rendition of “Abracadabra,” returning to her popular edgy style. Justin Bieber shockingly performed his song in only his underwear, sparking mixed reviews from viewers.
Pharrell Williams was honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award during this award season, emphasizing his impact on modern music culture. Overall, the performance sectors of the show were enticing and unique, making this year stand out for the artists’ ability to take risks.
Despite mistakes and disappointments, the Grammys have always been a wonderful time to celebrate music and the creators who have inspired this art to be made. Junior Sophie Fox exclaimed, “I thought the Grammys were great this year! I loved the performances from the Best New Artist nominees.” Watching the Grammys is a great opportunity to expose yourself to music that you wouldn’t usually listen to and learn about different styles of creativity. This year in particular had a wonderful range of artists that spanned different genres, ages, styles, and topics, ensuring an enjoyable award season.