Upon accepting an Innovator’s Award named after him, Dr. Think about what he had in common with many of the people he saw from there Grammy Awards Stage.
“Where would many people be here without hip-hop?” the r renowned rapper, producer and entrepreneur called.
The 2023 Grammy Awards may ultimately be remembered as the year the music industry’s top event sought to embrace rap, whose leaders have viewed the institution with suspicion for almost as long as the 50-year history celebrated on Sunday.
Just four years ago, Song of the Year winner Childish Gambino boycotted the show for perceived disrespect for rap. Kanye West and Eminem were among past stars whose seminal work was overlooked for mediocre fare, and rappers complained for years that their work was banned from television.
The 15 minute journey through time, curated by Questlove, was a delight bringing dozens of stars on stage including Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Ice T, Missy Elliott, Queen Latifah, Method Man, Salt -N-Pepa… the list goes on, and there were still the ones you wish were there.
Almost as important was the eight-minute version of DJ Khaled’s “God Did,” which closed the show – Khaled publicly acknowledged the length – with an intriguing performance by Jay-Z.
Quavo’s tribute to Takeoff of Migos was arguably the culmination of a packed and memorable “In memoriam” segment for artists who have died in the past year.
Kendrick Lamar delivered a succinct acceptance speech after “Mr. Moral & the Big Steppers won a Grammy for Best Rap Album, his third trophy in the category.
It was a night when it seemed like the Grammys were finally accepting rap as the dominant form of music. Will rappers finally accept the Grammys? That remains to be seen.
QUEEN BEY’S HAUL
beyonce went down in history on Sunday when her four Grammys earned her a career total of 32, better than everyone else.
And yet…
The Grammys have a clear pecking order, with four of their awards being the most prestigious: Song, Record and Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Beyoncé has only won one of those awards when “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” was named top song in 2010.
She has been nominated for Record of the Year eight times and has never won. Her most memorable Grammy moments came when two colleagues took to the stage with their own trophies and saluted her: When A dele said Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” should have won instead of her in 2017 and on Sunday, when Lizzo talked about skipping school in fifth grade to see Beyoncé perform.
Thirty-two trophies. It’s still hard to shake an empty feeling.
TRIVIA QUESTION
Whose record did Beyoncé break? That would be the classical composer George Solti.
RAITT’S TRIUMPH
It may be a few days before Bonnie Raitt loses that shocked look. The 73-year-old guitarist won Best Song for “Just Like That,” a track inspired by the story of a heart transplant in which she attempted to emulate the late John Prine’s writing style. It was particularly enjoyable because Raitt is more of an interpreter. “I don’t write many songs, but I’m proud that you appreciate this one,” she said. It’s been 33 years since Nick of Time won Album of the Year.
NOAH’S NIGHT
Show host Trevor Noah skillfully played the part of a fan, instead of serving up snark from the stage, he moved through the audience “like a floating Chinese balloon,” he said. And why not? With Adele, Lizzo, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Co. there was plenty of star power. Noah was neither abusive nor submissive. And a delightful tool — getting fans talking about their favorite albums — paid dividends when a memorable grandma announced winning Styles’ Album of the Year.
HARRY’S STYLE
OK, while performing “As it Was,” Styles was dressed a bit like one of those festive tinsel decorations you thought you’d put away. The smooth pop composition has clearly served him well. He later marveled at the quality of the competition and how difficult it is to pick a winner. “You never know with this stuff,” he said backstage. “I don’t think you can look at any of the nominees and not feel like they deserve it. I’m really grateful they chose us.”
THE MOMENT OF PETRAS
By accepting a Grammy for her duet on Sam Smith’s “Unholy,” Kim Petras proudly acknowledged her status as a transgender woman and paid tribute to heroes like the late transgender singer Sophie and Madonna. The latter returned the favor by introducing a performance of the song. Petras and Lizzo, who won record of the year with “About Damn Time,” made strong, joyful statements about accepting differences. “I felt like I was being looked at from the outside and staying true to myself because I wanted to make the world a better place,” Lizzo said.
INTRODUCTION…
One element that worked less well was trying to get family or friends to introduce performances. You lose the notion of “real people” when Madonna is one of the options. Best of all came first – Catherine Shepherd, the proud wife, and Brandi Carlile’s two children (the children also debuted in a hotel commercial). “I’m a very, very happy gay guy,” Carlile said backstage.
WHY I’M HERE?
The Rock as one of the Grammy presenters? Jill Biden? James Corden? At least the outgoing talk show host noted the incongruity that he was handing out an award for dance and electronic music. There’s enough musical firepower in the room that I’m sure would appreciate the opportunity to present an award. And while we’re questioning why anyone was there, Ben Affleck morphed into an unwanted internet star when the camera panned to him in the audience and it seemed like he’d rather be somewhere else. Actors don’t know how to look like they’re having a good time?
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Associated Press writer Beth Harris in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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