Grammys Recap 2023

by Olivia Riportella '25 on March 5, 2023
A&E Staff


Arts & Entertainment


Music’s biggest night proved that they are back and better than ever after the historic 65th Annual Grammy Awards this past weekend. With performances from icons such as Harry Styles, Bad Bunny, Mary J. Blige, Steve Lacy, Lizzo, Stevie Wonder, Luke Combs, Kim Petras, and Sam Smith, and among others, this award show was jam packed with action that you did not want to miss.

Most notably, the celebration of hip-hop was at the center of the Grammys this year in order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the genre. LL Cool J introduced the segment by awarding Dr. Dre a 2023 Global Impact Award to honor his achievements in the music industry over the decades. LL Cool J hailed Dre as “an icon who helped define West Coast Hip Hop and has become one of the most impactful success stories of our time.” Following his acceptance speech, the Academy invited a slew of the genre’s biggest and most innovative figures such as Missy Elliott, Lil Wayne, Big Boi, and even contemporaries such as Lil Uzi Vert and Lil Baby to perform during this special ceremony. 

History was also celebrated for a different reason at the 65th Award Show, as Beyoncé officially became the most decorated Grammy winner ever. Beyoncé is now rightfully crowned “Queen of the Grammys” as she took home her 32nd trophy this year for “Best Electronic/Dance Album.” Beyoncé’s whopping total of 88 Grammy nominations have her tied with her husband Jay-Z for all time number of Grammy nods. With her first ever award dating back to 2001, her 22 years in the making has finally surpassed the late legendary Hungarian conductor Georg Solti, who held 31 statues. Kim Petras also became the first transgender woman to ever receive an award from the Academy, marking another historical landmark for the 65th Award Show.

There was fierce competition amongst all 91 categories this year, and of course, especially within the “Big Four” categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best New Artist. The top prize Album of the Year went to Harry Styles for Harry’s House, which was almost inescapable due to the mass media attention and love that Styles received for his third studio album, marking his first ever Grammy Award. Song of the Year went to Bonnie Raitt for “Just Like That” in a surprise win, as she beat out huge industry staples Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Harry Styles and Lizzo for one of the night’s biggest prizes. Record of the Year went to Lizzo, who became a fourth time Grammy winner, and dedicated her award to Prince in a heartfelt speech about the importance of dedicating her life to making positive music. Finally, Best New Artist went to Samara Joy, a Gen-Z artist born and raised in the Bronx. Samara released her first album, self-titled Samara Joy, in 2021, but her sophomore album, Linger Awhile released in 2022 is what demanded the Academy’s attention, getting her two nominations for Best New Artist and Best Jazz Vocal Album.