Grammys 2021: 5 key moments from the historic awards ceremony
Beyonce and Taylor Swift each made Grammys history, while British artist Harry Styles scooped his first award
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The 2021 Grammys took place on Sunday (14 March), with Megan Thee Stallion, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift all scoring top awards in what was an eventful (yet socially distanced) ceremony.
Trevor Noah hosted the event from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Despite a modified format due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the evening included several energetic performances from Harry Styles, Cardi B, BTS, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa, and more.
The ceremony marked the turning of a few pages of Grammys history, with Beyoncé becoming the female artist with the most trophies, Taylor Swift becoming the first woman to score three wins in the Album of the Year category, and Harry Styles taking home his first Grammy.
Here are the main talking points from the 2021 Grammy Awards:
1. Beyoncé becomes the female artist with the most Grammys ever
Beyoncé has officially become the female artist with the most Grammys ever, with 28 trophies to her name. Four of those wins came on Sunday, in the Best Music Video ("Brown Skin Girl"), Best R&B Performance ("Black Parade"), Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance (both for “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé) categories. In her acceptance speech, Beyoncé said she has been working towards this accomplishment her entire life, and dedicated her wins to her children – notably Blue Ivy Carter, who was a joint winner in the Best Music Video category.
2. Megan Thee Stallion dominates the 2021 ceremony
The 26-year-old rapper, whose year has been marked by the breakout single “Savage” as well as her featuring on Cardi B’s “WAP”, was crowned Best New Artist – becoming the first female rapper to do so in two decades. “Savage” then took Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song. It really is no wonder that Billie Eilish dedicated her Record of the Year win to Megan Thee Stallion – who really would have been a deserving winner in that category too.
3. Taylor Swift becomes first female artist to win Album of the Year three times
Swift only scored one win on Sunday night, but it marked an important step in her career: she took home Album of the Year forFolklore, her surprise album recorded during the coronavirus pandemic. This marks the third time she has won this award. Swift took home the trophy in 2016 for 1989, and in 2010 for Fearless. She’s the first female artist to win in that category three times.
4. Harry Styles wins his first Grammy
It was a big night for Harry Styles too. The British singer won his first Grammy ever, taking home Best Pop Solo Performance for his chart-topping hit “Watermelon Sugar”. He’s the first former One Direction member to win one of the awards – and the band itself never won one, either. He defeated Justin Bieber, Doja Cat, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, and Taylor Swift in that category. Styles went into the evening with three nominations, but missed out on Best Pop Vocal Album (won by Dua Lipa) and Best Music Video (which went to "Brown Skin Girl" by Beyoncé, Saint Jhn and Wizkid featuring Blue Ivy Carter).
5. Billie Eilish takes Record of the Year and dedicates her speech to Megan Thee Stallion
Billie Eilish, who swept last year’s ceremony five wins, took home two trophies on Sunday: one for Best Song Written for Visual Media, for the James Bond theme “No Time To Die”, and the most high-profile award of the evening: Record of the Year, for “Everything I Wanted”. It’s the second year in a row Eilish wins this specific trophy; she took it home last year for “Bad Guy”.
In her acceptance speech, Eilish praised Megan Thee Stallion, telling her: “This is really embarrassing for me. Megan, girl... I was gonna write a speech about how you deserve this but then I was like, ‘There’s no way they’re going to choose me,’ I was like, ‘It’s hers.’ You deserve this. You had a year that I think is un-toppable. You are a queen—I want to cry thinking about how much I love you. You’re so beautiful. You’re so talented.”
The liveblog is now closed. See the full list of Grammy winners here.
If Taylor Swift wins Album of the Year tonight, she’ll match previous three-time winners Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and Paul Simon.
If Beyoncé’s nominations all turn into wins, she will become one of the most successful artist at the Grammys in its history, surpassing Alison Krauss.
Elsewhere, if Megan Thee Stallion wins Best Rap Song, she will become the first woman to ever do so.
Hi everyone – Clémence here taking over for Jacob. We’re about two hours away from the beginning of the ceremony. Now’s a good time to read up on this year’s nominees:
Some early winners are being announced ahead of the main ceremony. Here is a screenshot of the wonderful Megan Thee Stallion winning Best Rap Performance for “Savage” feat Beyoncé:
Earlier today, John Legend shared his gratitude after winning Best R&B Album:
Here is a partial list of early winners announced so far:
— Best traditional pop vocal album: American Standard, James Taylor
— Best dance/electronic album: Bubba, Kaytranada
— Best rock album: The New Abnormal, the Strokes
— Best alternative music album: Fetch the Bolt Cutters, Fiona Apple
— Best progressive R&B album: It Is What It Is, Thundercat.
— Best R&B album: Bigger Love, John Legend
— Best rap album: King's Disease, Nas
— Best jazz vocal album: Secrets Are the Best Stories, Kurt Elling featuring Danilo Perez
— Best jazz instrumental album: Trilogy 2, Chick Corea, Christian McBride and Brian Blade
— Best gospel album: Gospel According to PJ, PJ Morton
— Best contemporary Christian music album: Jesus Is King, Kanye West.
— Best Latin rock or alternative album: La Conquista del Espacio, Fito Paez
— Best reggae album: Got to Be Tough, Toots and the Maytals
— Best spoken word album: Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia, and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth, Rachel Maddow
— Best comedy album: Black Mitzvah, Tiffany Haddish
— Best compilation soundtrack for visual media: Jojo Rabbit
— Best score soundtrack for visual media: Joker
— Producer of the year, non-classical: Andrew Watt.
— Best music video: "Brown Skin Girl," Beyoncé with Blue Ivy
— Best music film: Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice, Linda Ronstadt
Blue Ivy Carter has become the second youngest Grammy winner ever after winning the Best Music Video trophy for “Brown Skin Girl”:
Blue Ivy Carter becomes second youngest Grammy winner ever
Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s nine-year-old daughter contributed to ‘Brown Skin Girl’ music video
Two other early winners: Billie Eilish and Finneas accepting Best Song Written For Visual Media for “No Time To Die”, the theme to the upcoming James Bond film of the same name:
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments