From Miley Cyrus and Victoria Monet’s groundbreaking Grammy win to Taylor Swift rewriting history, we’re all about women’s victories at the 2024 Grammy Awards.
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Since its inception in 1959, the Grammy Awards have been THE celebration of musical excellence, showcasing the best recordings, producers, and artists. Yet, it wasn’t until its 66th edition that the excitement reached new heights—the year when women rightfully owned the center stage.
With fierce female nominees slaying the charts and the likes of Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, and SZA shining bright in the limelight, we were all ready for a show. But what went down was beyond our wildest predictions—women not only scooped up awards in the expected categories but also took over what were usually male-dominated genres, namely rock, remixes, and rap!
Reflecting on the not-so-distant memory of then-Recording Academy President Neil Portnow’s infamous call for women to “step up” in the music industry, it’s safe to say that we have the last laugh. Scroll through these moments when women undeniably dominated this year’s Grammy Awards.
All Love for Laufey
Hold onto your seats because Icelandic sensation Laufey is taking the world by storm! With her electrifying European Tour and the talk surrounding her highly-anticipated return to Manila, the 24-year old is proving that she’s an undeniably powerful up-and-coming artist–and she’s not stopping soon.
Picture this: the glitz, the glamour, and the golden gramophones at the 2024 Grammy Awards show. That’s right, the mastermind behind Valentine, snagged the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album with Bewitched.
Laufey performs ‘From The Start’ at the #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/0b0JGtrL7G
— Laufey Updates (@LaufeyUpdates) February 4, 2024
If you’re just dipping your toes into the magical world of jazz, then Laufey’s performance of From the Start at the 2024 GRAMMYs Premiere Ceremony is your golden ticket. Be warned, though: her enchanting melody might leave you head over heels for the entire genre.
Full-Circle Moment with Tracy Chapman
Back in 1989, Tracy Chapman’s anthem Fast Car was the talk of the town, scoring nominations left and right at the Grammy Awards. Fast forward to today, and we’re still getting the feels as Chapman made a surprise appearance on stage alongside Luke Combs for a duet performance of the beloved classic.
It was like a blast from the past, but with a fresh twist! As Chapman and Combs belted out the lyrics, it wasn’t just a performance; it was a trip down memory lane for fans who couldn’t help but feel the nostalgia wash over them. And get this—this was Chapman’s first TV gig in decades! We’re talking full-circle moments and a comeback onto the scene.
Here’s How to Rock ‘n’ Roll—According to Paramore
Paramore totally slayed the Grammy game, snagging not one but two awards! They rocked the Best Alternative Music Performance for their banger This Is Why and clinched the Best Rock Album title for the album of the same name, making history as the first female-fronted band to claim the title.
Now, if you’re thinking they missed out for not making it to the Grammy stage, think again. A day after another milestone for women in music, Paramore spilled the tea on why they were absent and even threw in a CTA for good measure.
Reflecting on their groundbreaking achievement in snagging the Best Rock Album award, Paramore took to Instagram to share their thoughts (and gratitude) following their Grammy win: “Turns out, our win for Best Rock Album was a historic feat as we are the first female-fronted band to ever take home a trophy for this category. Ridiculous yet true!“
Encapsulating their commitment to breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity in the music industry, they continued, “It’s an honor for Paramore to be a small but constant reminder for people to keep pushing these rock and alternative spaces to be more inclusive.” Now, that’s how you tell someone to “step up.”
Miley Cyrus Clinches Her First Grammy with ‘Flowers’
Miley Cyrus is soaking up the sweet scent of success as she finally snags the well-deserved acknowledgment for the lead single off her eighth studio album, Endless Summer Vacation—nabbing herself a Grammy for the chart-topper Flowers.
Graciously taking the win, she humbly shared, “This award is amazing, but I really hope that it doesn’t change anything because my life was beautiful yesterday. Not everyone in the world will get a Grammy, but everyone in this world is spectacular.”
The Party in the U.S.A. singer didn’t just stop at words; she took the stage to perform live, belting out the tunes with her signature energy. She even playfully tweaked the lyrics, belting out, “Started to cry, then remembered I just won my first Grammy!“
Victoria Monét and Her Mini-Me
Victoria Monét’s career in the music industry has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, with twists and turns leading her from the shadows to the center stage. While she’s been pulling strings behind the scenes for quite some time, her recent sensation On My Mama thrust her into the limelight.
The 34-year old’s acceptance speech for Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards was a tearjerker. With emotion tugging at her voice, she gave a shoutout to all the dreamers out there, urging them to move forward.
3x Grammy Award winner Victoria Monét's speech during her Best New Artist Award win #GRAMMYs
— Victoria Monét Updates (@victoriantribe) February 5, 2024
pic.twitter.com/L7iFJbguJm
Also, as Monét strutted down the red carpet, she had her mini-me in tow. At two-years old, Hazel made Grammy history as the youngest nominee ever, sharing a mother-daughter moment for Hollywood. This heartwarming win not only sealed Monét’s Grammy but also hinted at the bright future ahead, with Hazel already making waves in the industry before she can even say “Grammy.”
SZA Didn’t Snooze with Nine Nominations
SZA is not just making waves; she’s commanding the spotlight at the 2024 Grammy Awards. With a staggering nine nominations under her belt, the critically acclaimed artist is the undisputed frontrunner of the night. From her sophomore album SOS to her hit single Kill Bill, SZA’s artistry has no limits.
SZA’s nominations include Best Traditional R&B Performance for Love Language, Best R&B Song for Snooze, and Best Melodic Rap Performance for Low—but the accolades don’t stop there. At Music’s Biggest Night, she claimed two Grammy Awards for Best Progressive R&B Album and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, solidifying her status as a powerhouse in the industry.
4X Grammy Winner, SZA, performs unreleased track “Saturn” off of her unreleased, deluxe to “SOS”, “Lana” #SOSAOTY #SZA #LANAISCOMING #SOS #Grammys pic.twitter.com/0SQC2XXeNg
— SZA4k (@bluetraphouse) February 5, 2024
And if that wasn’t enough, SZA treated the audience to a mesmerizing performance of an unreleased track, Saturn, transforming the Grammy House into an enchanted forest with her ethereal vocals. With SZA at the helm, the 2024 Grammy Awards is a celebration of artistry, pure talent, and powerful women.
What Women Are Made For
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas struck gold at the 2024 Grammy Awards with their emotional ballad from the Barbie soundtrack, What Was I Made For? The song, which tugs at heartstrings with its poignant lyrics, clinched the coveted title of Song of the Year, cementing its status as a tearjerker anthem.
Adding to the triumph, Barbie The Album, helmed by producers Mark Ronson, Brandon David, and Kevin Weaver, triumphed with a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Media. This win resonates far from the confines of the music industry, serving as a tribute to the countless mothers, sisters, and little girls who find solace and empowerment in the heartfelt melodies and messages of the Barbie soundtrack.
With ‘Midnights,’ Taylor Swift Makes History
The 2024 Grammy Awards etched Taylor Swift’s name into the history books with an out-of-this-world win in the Album of the Year category for Midnights, proudly placing her as the first-ever artist to take home that trophy four times. In a night that saw women win the Big Four awards for the first time in history, the 34 year old had an undoubtedly great evening.
As if all that weren’t enough to fill a lifetime, Taylor took center stage at the Grammys. While snagging the award for Best Pop Vocal Album, she slyly spilled the beans about her 11th studio album—introducing the world to Tortured Poets Department. Imagine making Grammy Awards history, jet-setting on a world tour, and basically tossing a brand-new album into the mix.
It’s safe to say that Taylor Swift isn’t just breaking records; she’s shattering them with the force of a pop supernova.
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