Taylor Swift wins album of the year at the Grammy Awards
LOS ANGELES: Taylor Swift won album of the year at the Grammy Awards for “Midnights,” breaking the record for most wins in the category with four.
She began her speech by thanking her producer and friend Jack Antonoff and added, “I would love to tell you this is the happiest moment of my life,” she told the crowd, but said she feels this happy when she creates music and plays shows.
Earlier in the night, Taylor Swift used her 13th Grammy win on Sunday to announce her new album, “Tortured Poets Department,” will arrive April 19.
“I know that the way that the Recording Academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion of the fans,” she said while accepting the best pop vocal album award. “So, I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I’ve been keeping from you for the last two years which is that my brandnew album comes out April 19. It’s called ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’ I’m gonna go and post the cover right now backstage.”
One of the night’s biggest awards, record of the year, went to Miley Cyrus for “Flowers,” her secondever Grammy and second of the night.
“This award is amazing. But I really hope that it doesn’t change anything because my life was beautiful yesterday,” she said in her speech.
Victoria Monét won best new artist. “Thank you to the champagneservers tonight,” Monét started her acceptance speech. “Thanks to my mom, a single mom raising this really bad girl.” Then she started to cry, telling the room that this award was “15 years in the making.”
Billie Eilish won song of the year for writing the “Barbie” hit, “What Was I Made For?”
“Thank you to Greta Gerwig for making the best movie of the year,” Eilish said during her acceptance speech.
It was just one of several standout moments from Sunday’s show, broadcast live from Cypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.
Karol G made Grammy history Sunday by becoming the first female performer to win best música urbana album for her blockbuster “Mañana Será Bonito” record.
“This is my first time at the Grammys,” she told the audience in English. “And this is my first time holding my own Grammy.”
Performances were many. Olivia Rodrigo brought her bloodsucking ballad “vampire” — or in this case, bloodletting, as red liquid dripped from the walls behind her. Joni Mitchell, 80, made Grammy history by performing “Both Sides Now” from her 1969 album “Clouds”; Travis Scott did a medley of “My Eyes,” “I Know?,” and “Fein.” Burna Boy was joined by Brandy and 21 Savage and did “On Form,” “City Boys,” and “Sittin’ on Top of the World.”
A long and touching In Memoriam segment celebrated many of the musical greats lost in the year. Stevie Wonder performed “For Once in My Life” and “The Best Is Yet To Come” in honor of Tony Bennett; Annie Lennox delivered “Nothing Compares 2 U” for Sinéad O’Connor. “Artists for ceasefire, peace in the world,” Lennox said at the end of the song, her fist extended in the air.
Jon Batiste did a medley of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” and finally “Optimistic” with Ann Nesby for the late great music exec Clarence Avant. Oprah introduced a fiery Tina Turner tribute of “Proud Mary” by Fantasia Barrino and Adam Blackstone.
Here is the list of top winners at the 66th annual Grammy Awards:
Album of the Year: “Midnights,” Taylor Swift
Record of the Year: “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus
Best New Artist: Victoria Monét Song of the Year (Songwriter’s Award): “What Was I Made For?” Billie Eilish and Finneas
Best Pop Vocal Album: “Midnights,” Taylor Swift
Best Pop Solo Performance: “Flowers,” Miley Cyrus
Best New Artist: Gracie Abrams; Fred again..; Ice Spice; Jelly Roll; Coco Jones; Noah Kahan; Victoria Monét; The War and Treaty
Best Country Album: “Bell Bottom Country,” Lainey Wilson Best R&B Song: “Snooze,” SZA
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: “Ghost in the Machine,” SZA featuring Phoebe Bridgers
Best Alternative Music Album: “The Record,” Boygenius
Songwriter of the Year, Nonclassical: Theron Thomas
Producer of the Year, Nonclassical: Jack Antonoff
Best R&B Album: “Jaguar II,” Victoria Monét
Best Progressive R&B Album: “SOS,” SZA
Best Rap Album: “Michael,” Killer Mike
Best Rap Song: “Scientists & Engineers,” Killer Mike ft. André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane
Best Pop Dance Recording: “Padam Padam,” Kylie Minogue
Best Rock Album: “This Is Why,” Paramore
Best Rock Song: “Not Strong Enough,” Boygenius
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: “Barbie The Album,” various artists
Best Song Written for Visual Media: “What Was I Made For?,” Billie Eilish
Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: “Oppenheimer,” Ludwig Göransson
Best African Music Performance: “Water,” Tyla