Probably the most raw and intriguing, yet uncomfortable, moment at The 2024 Grammys was Jay-Z accepting his Dr. Dre Global Impact Award with one hand and dragging the award show across the floor with the other. In the spirit of protest and taking advantage of having the mic and the attention of the world music community, he thanked the Grammys, then talked about how the award show has failed to properly recognize some of the greatest, undisputed, Black talent of a generation, including late hip hop artist DMX when he was at the top of his game and dominated pop radio. With his daughter Blue Ivy by his side, Jay-Z pointed out the award show’s oversight of Beyonce, his wife, seated in the audience, who for many years, was the undisputed queen of pop, yet she has never won album of the year at the Grammys, though she’s received more Grammys than any other act.
Fantasia sang [Proud Mary] from the depth of her soul, in tribute to Tina Turner, fiercely shaking and shimmying in a fitted dress covered with tassels on stage and in the audience, with a dedication and determination which would have made Turner proud.
St. Louis-born SZA who was the most nominated artist of the evening, won three awards Sunday night – Best R&B song for “Snooze”, the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Ghost in the Machine” with Phoebe Bridgers and Best Urban Contemporary Album for SOS. SZA captivated the audience with her performance of her smash sleeper hit “Snooze,” before segueing into the haunting ‘Kill Bill,” a ballad about revenge-killing her ex and his girlfriend. “Kill Bill” was Spotify’s [the largest music streaming platform] second most-streamed song of 2023.
Oprah introduced Fantasia Barrino-Taylor, who honored St. Louis legend Tina Turner by performing “Proud Mary”. Fantasia’s raspy voice didn’t necessarily invoke the exact tone and timbre of Tina Turner’s voice, but it has some of the power and magnitude of Turner’s voice. Fantasia sang from the depth of her soul, in tribute to Tina Turner, fiercely shaking and shimmying in a fitted dress covered with tassels on stage and in the audience, with a dedication and determination which would have made Turner proud.
South African comedian, writer and producer, Trevor Noah seamlessly hosted the evening, although he seemed to have to be prompted to mention Black Rock and Roll legend Lenny Kravitz, who stood out with his long dreads sitting at a table close to the stage.
The night included the unsurprising history-making Album of the Year win by Taylor Swift. Swift has now won that award four times, cementing a record. Music legends such as Joni Mitchell, 80, performed at the Grammy award show for the first time and Tracy Chapman became teary-eyed performing the American classic ‘Fast Car’ with country music star Luke Comb, who covered it. The cheering crowd was visibly moved by the song’s stirring evocation of the timeless yearning to escape poverty, transcend life on the edge, become great.
Two-thirds of what some music lovers call the vocal trinity presented awards, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. The other member is the Late Whitney Houston.
Other female winners included: Miley Cyrus (Record of The Year and Best Pop Solo Performance, “Flowers”), Billie Eilish (Song of The Year, “What was I made for”), Samara Joy (Best Jazz Performance, “Tight”), Coco Jones (Best R&B Performance, “ICU”) the Colombian pop star Karol G, Best Musica Urbana Album “Mañana Será Bonito, and the women’s band Boy Genius won three awards (Best Alternative Music Album, “The Record,” Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song, Not Strong Enough”) and member Phoebe Bridgers took home a fourth award for her collaboration with SZA..
Black R&B artist Victoria Monét won the Best New Artist award and Best R&B Album, “Jaguar II.”
Lil Durk featuring J. Cole won for Best Melodic Rap, “All My Life.” Killer Mike, won Best Rap Album, “Michael,” and Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane won Best Rap Song, and Best Rap Performance for “Scientists & Engineers.”
Kirk Franklin received the Grammy for Best Gospel Performance/Song, “All Things;” Lecrae and Tasha Cobbs Leonard won Best Contemporary Christion Music performance/song, “Your Power,” and Tye Tribbet won Best Gospel Album for “All Things New: Live in Orlando.”
Music legend Stevie Wonder performed “The Best Is Yet to Come” and “For Once in My Life” in honor of the Late Tony Bennett.
Annie Lennox achingly and defiantly sang Sinéad O’Connor signature song, a cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U,” in tribute to the late singer and female icon. Lennox raised her fist and called for a ceasefire in Gaza at the end of the song. This protest also honored the spirit of O’Connor known for being an outspoken activist.
The Grammys recognized the talent bursting out of Africa. Nigerian artist Burna Boy performed, and South African artist Tyla made history by being the first awardee of the Best African Music Performance for her song “Water.”