Swift wins Grammy, announces ‘secret’ album
Taylor Swift is now the only artist in history to win the Album of the Year trophy four times.
Kylie Minogue has won her first Grammy award in over two decades.
Australia’s pop princess took home the inaugural trophy for best pop dance recording at the 2024 Grammys with ‘Padam Padam’, the lead single off her 16th album Tension.
Padam? Padam! @recordingacad â¤ï¸â¤ï¸ Thank you SOOO much 🥹🥰😘 @inawroldsenofficial @areyoulostboypic.twitter.com/3MiObxCz6k
— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) February 4, 2024
Minogue has been nominated six times over the years, with ‘Padam Padam’ marking her second win. The first was in 2001, for ‘Come Into My World.’
Minogue beat out Perth pop star Troye Sivan for his hedonistic club anthem ‘Rush,’ Bebe Rexha and David Guetta for ‘One in a Million’, Calvin Harris and Ellie Goulding for ‘Miracle’, David Guetta, Anne-Marie, and Coi Leray for ‘Baby Don’t Hurt Me’.
Australian guitar god Tommy Emmanuel finally cinched his first win, having been nominated previously in 1998 and 2006, for best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella, for his acoustic cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison Blues, produced by Cash’s son John Carter Cash.
Melbourne producer Dom Dolla lost out on the best remixed recording category, for his Tame Impala-featured remix of Gorillaz’s ‘New Gold.’ That prize went to the UK rock duo Wet Leg for their reworking of the Depeche Mode single ‘Wagging Tongue.’
Also Montaigne, who represented Australia at Eurovision in 2021, and was nominated for score soundtrack for interactive media, for their work on the video game Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, lost out to the composers of Star Wars Jedi: Survivor.”
There’s still a shot at Grammy glory for Australian production duo FnZ’s (Michael “Finatik” Mule and Isaac “Zac” De Boni) work has also been recognised in the best rap performance category. The pair helped produced Drake & 21 Savage’s single ‘Rich Flex.’
SZA is the most nominated artist of the evening, with nine nods for her second album SOS; the R & B singer and songwriter Victoria Monet has seven; and Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus, and the indie-rock trio boygenius follow with six apiece.
Swift, who is touring Australia later this month, could make Grammy history. She is already a three-time album of the year winner, for 2010s Fearless, 2016’s 1989, and 2020s Folklore — tying her with Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon. If her album Midnights wins, she will become the first four time winner for the Grammys’ top prize.
Of this year’s 94 Grammy categories, just nine awards will be televised. The rest were given out during a nontelevised ceremony. SZA, an early winner, won two trophies — progressive R & B album and pop duo/group performance, with Phoebe Bridgers — but lost three.
The indie-rock trio boygenius — comprised of Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker — won three early prizes, including best rock song, rock performance and alternative music album, for their debut The Record. They accepted their award wearing “artists for ceasefire” pins on their matching white trouser suits.
“We were all delusional enough as kids to think this might happen to us one day,” Dacus said, during her speech.
Trevor Noah, returning to host the Grammys for the fourth year running, delivered his sharpest monologue to date. The target of his wrath? The music business: “Shame on you, TikTok, for ripping off all these artists. How dare you do that? That’s Spotify’s job,” he said.
Miley Cyrus, whose hair is quiffed like her godmother Dolly Parton’s, and who is already onto her second outfit change of the night, has won the her first ever Grammy for best pop solo performance with ‘Flowers.’
Oop, here comes the waterworks: Tracy Chapman is on stage performing her 1988 song ‘Fast Car,’ on stage with Luke Combs — whose 2023 cover was a huge hit in 2023. The last time Chapman played a full set was back in 2009, the entire crowd stood up for a very weepy standing ovation.
Karol G won Best Música Urbana Album at the for her record Mañana Será Bonito. This year, the category included just three records, and the Colombian artist won over albums from Rauw Alejandro’s Saturno and Tainy’s Data. It marks her first Grammy win, and second nomination.
Billie Eilish has taken a leaf out of Barbie star Margot Robbie’s book; she is dressed like the 1965 Poodle Parade Barbie doll for her performance of ‘What Was I Made For’ from the Barbie soundtrack. Earlier tonight, that song took home the award for the best song written for visual media.
Lainey Wilson, who will touch down in Australia next month to perform at CMC Rocks Festival in Queensland, won her first-ever Grammy award for the best country album, Bell Bottom Country.
SZA, the most nominated artist of the evening, clinched her first televised award for Best R & B Song with ‘Snooze.’ The 34-year-old artist, following an awkward pause, hurried onto the stage to explain she had been changing, and, well, taking a shot.
“I came really far, and I can’t believe this is happening, it feels fake,” she shared while fighting back tears. “I’m not an attractive crier, so have a good evening.”
Swift nabs her first major award for best pop vocal album — and pulls her producer, Jack Antonoff, in for a massive bear hug. “This is my 13th Grammy, which is my lucky number.”
She used her speech to announce her new album, which, she tells her fans “I’ve been keeping from you for the last two years.”
The Tortured Poets Department will arrive on April 19.
All’s fair in love and poetry... New album THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT. Out April 19 ðŸ¤https://t.co/WdrCmvLHyA
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) February 5, 2024
📷: Beth Garrabrant pic.twitter.com/CCPhmSZ2UD
During the memorial section, Stevie Wonder paid tribute to his one-time duet partner, Tony Bennett, who died in July at the age of 96, with a performance of ‘Once in My Life.’
Wonder sang at the piano, and Bennett was displayed on a video behind him. Eurythmics frontwoman Annie Lennox is the only artist of the night to make a explicitly political statement: “Artists for ceasefire; peace in the world,” she declared at the end of her tribute performance to Sinead O’Connor, during which she performed ‘Nothing Compares 2 U.’
Billie Eilish wins song of the year, which recognises songwriting, for “What Was I Made For” and opens her speech with, “Yo. Yikes. This is stupid.” Both she and brother Finneas look embarrassed and are practically grimacing about standing there. “Thank you to Greta Gerwig, for making the best movie of the year,” she said. No doubt Barbie will fare better at The Grammys than it will any of the film awards.
Jay-Z, the recipient of the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, which recognises “Black music creators whose dedication to the art form has greatly influenced the industry,” used his speech to call out the Grammys for their historical missteps and inconsistencies, specifically in the recognition of hip-hop and his wife, Beyoncé.
“I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year,” Jay-Z said of Beyoncé. “So even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. Think about that. The most Grammys; never won Album of the Year. That doesn’t work.”
There is not a dry eye in the arena for Joni Mitchell’s performance. Flanked by Brandi Carlile, Jacob Collier, Lucius, Blake Mills, Allison Russell and SistaStrings, the 80-year-old folk legend played her 1966 song ‘Both Sides Now.’
The 80-year-old musician, who played her first headlining show in 23 years in June last year, won the Grammy for best folk album for Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live).
At the close of her performance, the entire crowd gave a standing ovation, and Mitchell, draped in velvet, chuckled right through it.
The best new artist award goes to the deserving Victoria Monét, whose 2023 album, Jaguar II, is exquisite, by the way. Monét was nominated for seven Grammys at the 2024 awards, tied for second-most overall.
It’s not the first time she’s had Grammys acknowledgment either; back in 2019, she was recognised for her work on the Ariana Grande hit, ‘thank u, next.’ “This award was a 15-year pursuit,” she said.
Miley Cyrus wins the Record of the Year—pointed out by presenter Meryl Streep as confusingly celebrating the best song of the year—for ‘Flowers.’ This is her second Grammy of the evening, and she had never won a Grammy before tonight. In beating out formidable nominees such as Taylor Swift’s ‘Anti-Hero,’ Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Vampire,’ boygenius’s ‘Not Strong Enough,’ and SZA’s ‘Kill Bill,’ this may stand as the first major upset of the night. Cyrus isn’t phased, she ended her mic-drop worthy speech with: “Thank you all so much. I don’t think I forgot anyone... but I might have forgotten underwear. Bye!”
Taylor Swift has made Grammys history by becoming the first artist to ever win Album of the Year four times. The prize went to her tenth album, Midnights, and she previously won for Fearless in 2010, 1989 in 2016, and Folklore in 2021.
In accepting the trophy from Celine Dion, she brought her collaborators, producer Jack Antonoff, and fellow artist Lana Del Rey, who was also up for the award, with her.
Swift made the point that “So many female artists would not be where they are” without Lana Del Rey, who is “a legacy artist who’s in her prime”.
2024 Grammy Award Nominees
Record of the Year
‘Worship’, Jon Batiste
‘Not Strong Enough’, boygenius
‘Flowers,’ Miley Cyrus
‘What Was I Made For?’ from Barbie, Billie Eilish
‘On My Mama,’ Victoria Monét
‘Vampire,’ Olivia Rodrigo
‘Anti-Hero,’ Taylor Swift
‘Kill Bill,’ SZA
Album of the Year
World Music Radio, Jon Batiste
The Record, boygenius
Endless Summer Vacation, Miley Cyrus
Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, Lana Del Rey
The Age of Pleasure, Janelle Monáe
Guts, Olivia Rodrigo
Midnights, Taylor Swift
SOS, SZA
Song of the Year
‘A & W,’ Jack Antonoff, Lana Del Rey and Sam Dew, songwriters (Lana Del Rey)
‘Anti-Hero,’ Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift, songwriters (Taylor Swift)
‘Butterfly,’ Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson, songwriters (Jon Batiste)
‘Dance the Night’ (From “Barbie: The Album”) Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt, songwriters (Dua Lipa)
‘Flowers,’ Miley Cyrus, Gregory Aldae Hein and Michael Pollack, songwriters (Miley Cyrus)
‘Kill Bill,’ Rob Bisel, Carter Lang and Solána Rowe, songwriters (SZA)
‘Vampire,’ Daniel Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo, songwriters (Olivia Rodrigo)
‘What Was I Made For?’ from “Barbie,” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)
Best New Artist
Gracie Abrams
Fred again.
Ice Spice
Jelly Roll
Coco Jones
Noah Kahan
Victoria Monét
The War and Treaty
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Jack Antonoff
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Hit-Boy
Metro Boomin
Daniel Nigro
Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
Edgar Barrera
Jessie Jo Dillon
Shane McAnally
Theron Thomas
Justin Tranter
Best Pop Solo Performance
‘Flowers,’ Miley Cyrus
‘Paint the Town Red,’ Doja Cat
‘What Was I Made For?’ from Barbie, Billie Eilish
‘Vampire,’ Olivia Rodrigo
‘Anti-Hero,’ Taylor Swift
Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
‘Thousand Miles,’ Miley Cyrus featuring Brandi Carlile
‘Candy Necklace,’ Lana Del Rey featuring Jon Batiste
‘Never Felt So Alone,’ Labrinth featuring Billie Eilish
‘Karma,’ Taylor Swift featuring Ice Spice
‘Ghost in the Machine,’ SZA featuring Phoebe Bridgers
Best Pop Vocal Album
‘Chemistry,’ Kelly Clarkson
‘Endless Summer Vacation,’ Miley Cyrus
‘Guts,’ Olivia Rodrigo
‘-’ (Subtract), Ed Sheeran
‘Midnights,’ Taylor Swift
Best Dance/Electronic Recording
‘Blackbox Life Recorder 21F,’ Aphex Twin
‘Loading,’ James Blake
‘Higher Than Ever Before,’ Disclosure
‘Strong,’ Romy & Fred again.
‘Rumble,’ Skrillex, Fred again. and Flowdan
Best Pop Dance Recording
‘Baby Don’t Hurt Me,’ David Guetta, Anne-Marie and Coi Leray
‘Miracle,’ Calvin Harris featuring Ellie Goulding
‘Padam Padam,’ Kylie Minogue
‘One in a Million,’ Bebe Rexha & David Guetta
‘Rush,’ Troye Sivan
Best Dance/Electronic Music Album
Playing Robots Into Heaven, James Blake
For That Beautiful Feeling, the Chemical Brothers
Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022), Fred again.
Kx5, Kx5
Quest for Fire, Skrillex
Best Rock Performance
‘Sculptures of Anything Goes,’ Arctic Monkeys
‘More Than a Love Song,’ Black Pumas
‘Not Strong Enough,’ boygenius
‘Rescued,’ Foo Fighters
‘Lux Æterna,’ Metallica
Best Metal Performance
‘Bad Man,’ Disturbed
‘Phantom of the Opera,’ Ghost
‘72 Seasons,’ Metallica
‘Hive Mind,’ Slipknot
‘Jaded,’ Spiritbox
Best Rock Song
‘Angry,’ Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Andrew Watt, songwriters (the Rolling Stones)
‘Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl,’ Daniel Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo, songwriters (Olivia Rodrigo)
‘Emotion Sickness,’ Dean Fertita, Joshua Homme, Michael Shuman, Jon Theodore and Troy Van Leeuwen, songwriters (Queens of the Stone Age)
‘Not Strong Enough,’ Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers and Lucy Dacus, songwriters (boygenius)
‘Rescued,’ Dave Grohl, Rami Jaffee, Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Pat Smear, songwriters (Foo Fighters)
Best Rock Album
But Here We Are, Foo Fighters
Starcatcher, Greta Van Fleet
72 Seasons, Metallica
This Is Why, Paramore
In Times New Roman …, Queens of the Stone Age
Best Alternative Music Performance
‘Belinda Says,’ Alvvays
‘Body Paint,’ Arctic Monkeys
‘Cool About It,’ boygenius
‘A & W,’ Lana Del Rey
‘This Is Why,’ Paramore
Best Alternative Music Album
The Car, Arctic Monkeys
The Record, boygenius
Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd, Lana Del Rey
Cracker Island, Gorillaz
I Inside the Old Year Dying, PJ Harvey
Best R & B Performance
‘Summer Too Hot,’ Chris Brown
‘Back to Love,’ Robert Glasper featuring SiR and Alex Isley
‘ICU,’ Coco Jones
‘How Does It Make You Feel,’ Victoria Monét
‘Kill Bill,’ SZA
Best Traditional R & B Performance
‘Simple,’ Babyface featuring Coco Jones
‘Lucky,’ Kenyon Dixon
‘Hollywood,’ Victoria Monét featuring Earth, Wind & Fire and Hazel Monét
‘Good Morning,’PJ Morton featuring Susan Carol
‘Love Language,’ SZA
Best R & B Song
‘Angel,’ Halle Bailey, Theron Feemster and Coleridge Tillman, songwriters (Halle)
‘Back to Love,’ Darryl Andrew Farris, Robert Glasper and Alexandra Isley, songwriters (Robert Glasper Featuring SiR and Alex Isley)
‘ICU,’ Darhyl Camper Jr., Courtney Jones, Raymond Komba and Roy Keisha Rockette, songwriters (Coco Jones)
‘On My Mama,’ Dernst Emile II, Jeff Gitelman, Victoria Monét, Kyla Moscovich, Jamil Pierre and Charles Williams, songwriters (Victoria Monét)
‘Snooze,’ Kenny B. Edmonds, Blair Ferguson, Khris Riddick-Tynes, Solána Rowe and Leon Thomas, songwriters (SZA)
Best Progressive R & B Album
Since I Have a Lover,’= 6lack
The Love Album: Off the Grid, Diddy
Nova, Terrace Martin and James Fauntleroy
The Age of Pleasure, Janelle Monáe
SOS,” SZA
Best R & B Album
‘Girls Night Out,’ Babyface
‘What I Didn’t Tell You (Deluxe),’ Coco Jones
‘Special Occasion,’ Emily King
‘Jaguar II,’ Victoria Monét
‘Clear 2: Soft Life EP,’ Summer Walker
Best Rap Performance
‘The Hillbillies,’ Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar
‘Love Letter,’ Black Thought
‘Rich Flex,’ Drake & 21 Savage
‘Scientists & Engineers,’ Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane
‘Players,’ Coi Leray
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