Beyoncé made history at Sunday’s Grammys. With her win for Best Dance/Electronic Album for Renaissance, Beyoncé became the all-time leader in Grammy wins with 32. In her acceptance speech, Beyoncé said, “Thank you so much, I’m trying not to be too emotional. I’m trying to just receive this night. I’d like to thank my uncle johnny, who’s not here, but he’s here in spirit. I’d like to thank my parents, my father, my mother, for loving me and pushing me.” She added, “I’d like to thank my beautiful husband, my beautiful three children who are at home watching. I’d like to thank the queer community for your love and for inventing this genre. God bless you and thank you so much to the Grammys.”
Viola Davis has officially joined the legendary ranks of EGOT status, earning an Emmy, Oscar, Tony Award, and now a Grammy!! On Sunday, she received her first Grammy trophy for her performance of the audiobook for her memoir Finding Me. Davis won her first Tony Award in 2001 for her performance in August Wilson’s King Hedley II. She took home her second Tony in 2010 for her work in Fences. Her Emmy win came in 2015 when she picked up the honor for How to Get Away With Murder. In 2017, she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film adaptation of Fences, costarring and directed by Denzel Washington. She now becomes the third Black woman in history to achieve EGOT status. The other two are Whoopi Goldberg, who hit the milestone in 2002, and Jennifer Hudson, who completed hers last year.
One of the most memorable moments from Sunday’s Grammys was the 50th-anniversary tribute to Hip-Hop. We knew Questlove was curating the performance, and we also heard some of the names performing, but it didn’t hit home until all of these superstars hit the stage. The participants included Big Boi, Busta Rhymes, De La Soul, DJ Drama, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Missy Elliott, Future, GloRilla, Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, Ice-T, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, The Lox, Method Man, Nelly, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Rahiem, Rakim, Run-DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, Spinderella, Scarface, Swizz Beatz, Black Thought, Questlove, LL Cool J, and Too Short. Before the performance, Questlove said Will Smith was supposed to be a part of the set, but his filming schedule for Bad Boys 4 prevented him from being there.
Record of the Year “About Damn Time” — Lizzo
Album of the Year “Harry’s House” — Harry Styles
Song of the Year “Just Like That” — Bonnie Raitt, songwriter (Bonnie Raitt)
Best New Artist – Samara Joy
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance “Unholy” — Sam Smith and Kim Petras
Best R&B Performance “Hrs & Hrs” — Muni Long
Best R&B Song “CUFF IT” — Denisia “Blu June” Andrews, Beyoncé, Mary Christine Brockert, Brittany “Chi” Coney, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, Morten Ristorp, Nile Rodgers & Raphael Saadiq, songwriters (Beyoncé)
Best Rap Performance “The Heart Part 5” — Kendrick Lamar
Best Rap Song “The Heart Part 5” — Jake Kosich, Johnny Kosich, Kendrick Lamar, & Matt Schaeffer, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
Best Rap Album “Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers” — Kendrick Lamar
Best Música Urbana Album “Un Verano Sin Ti” — Bad Bunny
Best Comedy Album “The Closer” — Dave Chappelle
