The Grammys: A feel-good concert plus a few awards
This was “the most attitude-free Grammys ever,” said Rob Sheffield in Rolling Stone. A week after the Oscars made headlines with that disastrous slap, the Recording Academy put on “a celebration of live music that felt truly uplifting.” Hosted by comedian Trevor Noah, the ceremony in Las Vegas focused on performances, resulting in “a slew of stellar music moments.” Chris Stapleton, Lady Gaga, Billie Eilish, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo, Brandi Carlile, and the K-pop superstars BTS were among the many artists whose performances made the telecast “the best Grammys ever.” The stars radiated positivity throughout; Eilish “kept lighting up the room” by cheering other winners. One somber note was a taped address by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealing for aid against Russia’s attack; Ukrainian performers joined John Legend for the next song.
The night’s surprise was Jon Batiste, said Andrew Chow in Time. The jazz pianist, singer, songwriter, and Late Show bandleader was nominated for 11 awards and took home five, including the top honor, Album of the Year. Batiste brought the audience to its feet with an “exuberant” performance of “Freedom,” the song whose vivacious music video won him Best Music Video. And lesser-known artists such as Cuban singer Aymée Nuviola and bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings got a rare chance to shine.
As usual, the Grammys “couldn’t quite decide on its target demographic,” said Joe Coscarelli in The New York Times. Hip-hop seemed like an afterthought, even though it’s “the lifeblood of the music industry” in 2022. Veteran rapper Nas performed, but “few of the genre’s rising stars were present.” Instead, the Grammys celebrated the retro music of such acts as Silk Sonic and Lady Gaga in her 1930s torch-singer mode, said Jon Caramanica, also in the Times. Grammy voters pick performers who appear young and relevant but “embody old-fashioned values of musicianship.” What results is “a kind of piteous compromise that holds real innovation at bay.” If the Grammys can’t pull more of hip-hop’s trailblazers into the show, its attempts to stay current with pop “will consistently fall flat.”
And the winners were...
Album of the Year: We Are, Jon Batiste
Record of the Year: “Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic Best Pop Vocal Album: Sour, Olivia Rodrigo
Best New Artist: Olivia Rodrigo
Best Rap Album: Call Me If You Get Lost, Tyler, the Creator Best R&B Album: Heaux Tales, Jazmine Sullivan
Best Rock Album: Medicine at Midnight, Foo Fighters