Women make history at the 2021 Grammys
COVID made the award show a smaller-than-usual affair, but Beyonce still made big history. DW looks at some of the winners in the 83 categories.
A historic night for Beyonce
The 2021 Grammy Awards was a historic event — and not just because it took place outside and with few in-person attendees, due to the coronavirus. Superstar Beyonce made history when she won best R&B performance for "Black Parade," along with 3 other awards, making her the most decorated woman in Grammy history. Just one question remains: Will she have enough space for all her 28 trophies?
Album of the year: Taylor Swift
Women were front and center among the winners of the 63rd Grammy Awards, with the four top prizes all going women. The award for album of the year went to Taylor Swift for "Folklore," making her the first female performer to win the prize three times; she previously took home the award in 2010 and 2015. She also performed during the ceremony, singing songs "Cardigan" and "August" from the album.
Record of the year: Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish may only be 19 years old, but she has already won seven Grammys, including two at the 2021 award ceremony. Her song "Everything I wanted" earned record of the year, while "No Time to Die," the title song of the newest James Bond film, which she wrote with brother Finneas, won the Grammy for best song for visual media.
Best new artist: Megan Thee Stallion
Right at the start of the multihour award gala, American rapper and singer-songwriter Megan Thee Stallion won the best new artist prize. Her song "Savage" (featuring Beyonce) also earned her the best rap performance and best rap song Grammys, making her the first female rapper honored in the latter category.
Song of the year: H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas
R&B singer H.E.R, Tiara Thomas and Dernst Emile II wrote the song "I can't breathe" in the aftermath of George Floyd's death from police violence in May 2020; his last words became a motto for the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as the title of the single that H.E.R. performed. Thomas (right) and H.E.R. (left) accepted the trophy for song of the year at the 2021 Grammys.
Best score soundtrack for visual media: Hildur Gudnadottir
The Grammys, presented by the Recording Academy, are considered the US music industry's top awards. The categories include everything from jazz to Latin to classical to spoken album. In the category best score soundtrack for visual media, composer Hildur Gudnadottir took home the prize for the second year running, this time for her music for the film "Joker." She accepted her trophy virtually.
Best improvised jazz solo: Chick Corea
The 2021 Grammys were awarded in 83 categories, including jazz. Composer and keyboardist Chick Corea (above), who died in February 2021, posthumously received two Grammys: best solo jazz improvisation for the song "All Blues" and best jazz instrumental album for "Trilogy 2." The awards were shared with musicians Christian McBride and Brian Blade.
Best global music album: Burna Boy
In his song "Level Up," Nigerian rapper and singer-songwriter Burna Boy sings, "I remember when I couldn't level up/'cause the Grammys had me feeling sick as f***" Yet after winning best global music album for "Twice as Tall," he may be feeling different! He was nominated last year in the same category but didn't win. Burna Boy also performed in the 2021 premiere ceremony.
Best Latin pop: Bad Bunny
Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny scored his first win after five nominations when he took home the award for best Latin pop or urban album for his 2020 release, "YHLQMDLG." He was also nominated for best pop duo/group performance. It was a memorable evening for him, as he presented his hit song "Dakiti" on a glowing neon stage and also accepted his Grammy trophy in a unique eared hat.