Taylor Swift won the Grammy award on Sunday for album of the year, becoming the only artist to win the top music industry prize four times over her career.
Swift won the honour on Sunday for pop album “Midnights” at a ceremony dominated by female musicians.
No other artist in the 66-year Grammys history has claimed the coveted honour four times. Music legends Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder won three each.
Swift, who also won best pop vocal performance at the Grammys, used the moment to announce that she will release a new album on April 19 called “The Tortured Poets Department.”
“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,” Swift said as she disclosed the new album.
And the winner of the Grammy is…
SZA, who won the award for best R&B song for “Snooze,” ran out from backstage, where she was changing outfits, and accepted her trophy from presenter Lizzo. SZA recalled how she and Lizzo had played to small rooms of people as they were building their careers.
“I came really, really far, and I can’t believe this is happening, and it feels very fake,” she said.
Billie Eilish claimed song of the year for “What Was I Made For?,” a ballad written for the “Barbie” movie soundtrack.
Miley Cyrus won her first Grammy, taking the best solo pop performance prize for her empowerment anthem “Flowers” and was handed the gold trophy by Mariah Carey. Cyrus said she got stuck in traffic during heavy rain in Los Angeles and nearly missed the moment her name was called.
“I could have missed the award, that’s fine, but not Mariah Carey!” Cyrus said as she stood on stage.
Boygenius, a band formed by indie rock stars Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, has won three Grammy trophies as the top names in music began handing out the industry’s highest honours.
Other early winners included rapper Killer Mike, who claimed three honours including best rap album. South African singer Tyla won a new award for best African music performance.
Rapper Killer Mike taken away from Grammy Awards in handcuffs
Rapper Killer Mike was taken away from Sunday night’s Grammy Awards in handcuffs by police after sweeping up three of the music industry’s biggest prizes for rap music, witnesses said.
Los Angeles police offered no statement on the matter and two separate press officers on duty said they had no information.
Video posted on social media showed police escorting Killer Mike, his hands cuffed behind his back, through the concourse of Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
The Hollywood Reporter, citing an arena security official, reported that Killer Mike was detained for an unspecified misdemeanor charge unrelated to the Grammy Awards.
Making an Impact
Taking home the Dr.Dre Global Impact Award, Jay Z used his speech to praise his wife Beyoncé’s historic musical achievements — and call out the awards show for failing to recognise her work.
“Think about that. The most Grammys. Never won Album of the Year. That doesn’t work,” the rapper stated. “Some of you are going to go home tonight and feel like you have been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category. … But outside of that, we have to keep showing up.”
Comedian Trevor Noah returned for a fourth stint to host the ceremony at Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.
Women figure prominently in the 2024 Grammys field.
Just one man, Jon Batiste, made the cut among eight nominees for the album prize. Other contenders include Olivia Rodrigo, Lana Del Rey and boygenius, the band featuring Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus.
Music from the blockbuster “Barbie” movie received 12 nominations, including record of the year for Billie Eilish’s ballad “What Was I Made For?”
WATCH: Annie Lennox Sings Tribute to Sinead O’Connor at Grammys
