Unforgettable performances and historic wins defined the 68th annual Grammys on Sunday, February 1st. Although every Grammys is a historical event in pop culture and music, this year’s award show was quite different from the past.
Key moments from the show included Bad Bunny winning “Best Album of the Year”, as well as tributes of D’Angelo, Roberta Flack, and Ozzy Osbourne.
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell won Song of the Year for “Wildflower”. Her acceptance speech brought lots of motion on social media.
“As grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything but that no one is illegally on stolen land,” said Billie Eilish.
She also encouraged the audience to project our voices and fight for what’s right.
“The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love. So please, we need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love,” said Bad Bunny.
Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio who goes by the stage name Bad Bunny is a Puerto Rican musician who has changed Spanish rap music to rise higher in popularity. Especially since he is the world’s most streamed artist.
He is also a producer and does professional wrestling occasionally.
Due to the division of the world with ICE, political officials, and people of the world. Bad Bunny took a stand to represent and teach all cultures to fall into community and not hatred during this heavy time.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ‘ICE Out’” said Bad Bunny.
‘ICE Out’ is a slogan against Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Bad Bunny won Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, the English translation being ‘I Should Have Taken More Photos’. Debí Tirar Más Fotos represents appreciating to live in the moment, pride in his culture, nostalgia, migration and colonization.
Best New Artist, Olivia Dean also had a beautiful acceptance speech. She is a British singer and songwriter with Caribbean roots.
“I’m a product of bravery, and I think that those people deserve to be celebrated. We’re nothing without each other,” said Olivia Dean.
She performed ‘Man I Need’ that is a part of her album The Art of Loving.
Some performances that were very eye-catching were Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter having a whole airport setting, Bruno Mars with Rosé and The Marias with their ethereal musical energy.
Addison Raye, KATSEYE, Leon Thomas, Alex Warren dealing with technical issues, Lola Young, Sombr, Justin Bieber performing in his boxers, Reba McEntire, Eclipse with Pharrell Williams, Tyler the Creator, Post Malone, and of course Lauryn Hill.
Lauryn Hill who has been a phenomenal legend in music history. From being the first woman to win 5 Grammys in 1999 to carrying the Bob Marley lineage by having 5 children with Rohan Marley.
The last time she performed at the Grammys was 27 years ago.
Joining Lauryn Hill in this tribute was Wyclef Jean, Lucky Daye, Jon Batiste, Leon Thomas, Chaka Khan, John Legend, Bilal, Raphael Saadiq, Leon Bridges, October London, and Lalah Hathaway.
“The passing of Roberta Flack is the end of an era, one marked by her pioneering experimentation with the boundaries of genre in popular song. The four-time GRAMMY winner and Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient died on Feb. 24 at age 88,” said GRAMMY AWARDS.
D’Angelo was also an R&B singer, songwriter, and producer who was widely loved for his combinations of funk, jazz, hip-hop, and even blues. Being a neo-soul legend.
Producer Andrew Watt, Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Guns N Roses guitarist and bassist Slash and Duff McKagan performed in honor of Ozzy Osbourne’s passing as well.
The Recording Academy has a memoriam section for those who have passed.
This Grammys was a sorrowful but empowering celebration of musical artists. From the tributes to those few who used their platform to unite and express love and community.
