Are you ready to believe in awards shows again? After 12 months where zoom acceptance speeches, at-home red carpets, and pre-taped performances became the norm, the 63rd Grammy Awards provided the closest “return to normal” yet. Winners accepted their awards in person. Performers (mostly) performed live and there was some semblance of an audience on hand (if not limited for safety purposes. And, whew, the Grammys and CBS were insanely lucky rain in the forecast won’t hit LA until 5 AM Monday morning.
READ MORE: Taylor Swift, H.E.R., Megan Thee Stallion lead 2021 Grammy Award Winners
Overall, the Grammys delivered what they are best known for, incredible performances that help boost record sales and showcase new artists to a massive audience. For example, tonight’s telecast featured a segment with three performances from Country artists Mickey Guyton, Maren Morris, and Miranda Lambert. Social media lit up from Americans who were completely unaware of Guyton, the first African-American woman nominated for a Best Country Solo Performance. Something tells us sales and streams of her nominated song “Black Like Me” are gonna jump.
Before jumping into the traditional Best and Worst breakdown, it’s notable that there were few weak performances. Harry Styles, Doja Cat, Lil Baby, Da Baby, and Haim, were more than memorable. Did they make the best of the best? Well…
Best and Worst: Trevor Noah
Noah had a very short opening monologue, but it set the stage for the night to come. That might have been “The Daily Show” host’s best moment. Granted, he had a difficult job racing over a not-so-small complex for what was an untraditional awards ceremony. That being said, as the night progressed he seemed to interrupt the proceedings more than add to it. Beyonce had a look of horror when he stopped her and Megan Thee Stallion from leaving the stage to inform the former that she tied the record for most Grammy wins. Even with these pandemic circumstances, Noah seemed a bit out of his element and a bit too much of a hype man. (He was still light years better than last year’s host James Corden, however).
Best: Dua Lipa
Someone must have sent a note to Dua that she was going to be the only true dance-associated artist performing this year because she took the ball and ran with it. Three outfits, two songs (“Levitating,” “Don’t Start Now”), a swarth of masked dancers, and a euphoric end that made you wonder how she only took home one Grammy.
Worst: Where were the awards?
One hour in, they had only presented one award. Just one. Within two hours they had given out just…three. Considering the program lasted 3 1/2 hours that was a choice.
Best: Taylor Swift
In a gorgeously designed set, Taylor Swift sang three songs from her last two albums (“Cardigan,” “August,” “Willow”) in a performance that was simply stellar.
Best: Jam Session Set-Up
The four-stage setup (built within the LA Convention Center) provided an intimacy rarely felt when the Grammys were held in the Staples Center, but that wasn’t the kicker. The Grammys have been masters of staging for the past 10 years. That wasn’t in doubt. The surprise was the joy of watching peers enjoy each other’s performances. Whether it was Billie Eilish smiling at Harry Styles or Styles enjoying Haim’s rocking center stage anthem. Sadly, that element disappeared as the show wore on.
Worst: The Record of the Year spotlights
These weren’t necessary and slowed the show down significantly. More performances or longer performances would have made the telecast more exciting.
Best: In Memoriam Concert
In a year where so much was lost, the Grammys shaped a 10 minute long In Memoriam that was a highlight of the night. Bruno Mars and Anderson Pak saluting Little Richards. Lionel Richie singing “Lady,” a song he wrote that Kenny Rogers took to no. 1. Brandi Carlisle honoring John Prine. And then finishing up with Brittany Howard and Chris Martin. Incredibly moving and superbly directed.
Best: Surprise winners
Who said the Grammys were predictable? H.E.R. was a major surprise winning Song of the Year for “I Can’t Breathe.” Billies Eilish was not expected to win Record of the Year (again) for “Everything I Ever Wanted” and
Best: Cardi and Megan Thee Stallion pull off W.A.P.
In theory, it was impossible. Cardi and Megan Thee Stallion’s pop culture collaboration “W.A.P.” is dominated by lyrics you could never imagine being sung or performed on network TV. With some specific word changes (Cardi appeared to say “coochie” at one point) and reconfiguring, the pair delivered a highly entertaining performance that kept the spirit to the song. This was one performance that probably couldn’t have opened the program, but after 10 PM on the East Coast, the FCC complaints should be minimal (maybe). Bravo ladies. You did it.
Best: Beyonce makes history
As hinted earlier in the night, Beyonce not only tied but then set a new record for the most individual Grammys ever with 28. The pop culture icon made history when her song “Black Parade” won R&B Performance of the Year. She also won two Grammys earlier that night for her “Brown Skinned Girl” music video (along with her daughter Blue Ivy) and then for Rap Performance for “Savage” alongside Megan Thee Stallion. Beyonce exuded major proud mom energy focusing her acceptance speech on her kids perhaps knowing she’ll be back on a Grammy Dias many times to come in the years ahead.