Hosted by Trevor Noah, and CBS, the Recording Academy presented the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards live on CBS. Usually held at the Staples Center, the 2021 Grammy Awards took place at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Cameras followed the live-action from performance spaces created inside the L.A. Convention Center to an outdoor open-air tent in the plaza of L.A., but some performances were pre-taped.
Trevor opened the broadcast from the outdoor stage in front of a socially distant audience seated at round tables. “Tonight is going to be the biggest event this year outside of the Capitol riot.
He did his stand-up open walking from the outside stage onto the inside studio stage. The band, Black Pumas were on stage, and the Haim Sisters, and while Billie Eilish was seated to the side of the stage with her brother, Finneas.
Trevor first introduced a live performance by Harry Styles. He sang Watermelon Sugar. He then introduced Billie Eilish who performed, Everything I Wanted. Followed by the Haim Sisters who performed, The Steps.
Back outside, Trevor announced the first category, Best New Artist. Lizzo was the first presenter. “Thank you, Trevor. I love you, cutie.” Lizzo blurred out, “Bitch I’m back” and could not stop laughing as she got through the introduction. The nominees were Ingrid Andress, Phoebe Bridgers, Chika, Noah Cyrus, D Smoke, Doja Cat, Kaytranada, and Megan Thee Stallion.
The 2021 Grammy went to Megan Thee Stallion. Megan sat shocked in the audience and walked slowly to the stage. She hugged Lizzo and stood shocked with her mouth open and then held back tears. “I want to thank God for putting life into my body for me even being here today.” Megan gave a shout out to the other nominees, thanked her fans, recording team, and her mother.
Black Pumas performed, Colors.
Trevor introduced a pre-recorded segment on the DaBaby, followed by the DaBaby’s on-stage performance of his mega-hit, Rockstar.
Bad Bunny was up next and performed in Spanish.
Trevor introduced a pre-recorded segment on Dua Lipa followed by her stage performance of Levitating with the DaBaby. She also performed, Don’t Start Now.
Back outside, Trevor introduced Silk Sonic. Silk Sonic is R&B group featuring Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak. They performed their first single, Leave the Door Open.
Trevor introduced JT Gray in Nashville Tennessee. He talked about the music of the area and how venues had to close due to Covid. He presented the Grammy Award for Best Country Album. The nominees were Ingrid Andress, Brandy Clark, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, and Ashley McBryde. The 2021 Grammy Award went to Miranda Lambert for Wildcard. Miranda accepted her award live and giggled a bit, thanked her husband and her crew. “I love you so much. Thank you!”
Trevor then introduced Taylor Swift who performed Willow.
Trevor back outside introduced Michele Erratchu as the next presenter. The category was Best Solo Pop Performance. The nominees, Justin Bieber, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, Harry Styles, and Taylor Swift. The 2021 Grammy went to Harry Styles for Watermelon Sugar. Harry accepted live. He thanked is team at Columbia. Some of his audio was clipped. It could have been censored. He ended with, “Thank you so much.”
Trevor introduced the In Memoriam segment to Billy Withers Ain’t No Sunshine, followed by Bruno Mars who sang Little Richard songs, and Lionel Richie who sang Lady by Kenny Rogers and ended by saying, “I miss you.” The segment was very well done and showed remembrance of many of the lives that have been lost.
Trevor introduced the first Black woman ever nominated in a country music category, Mickey Guyton. She performed, Black Like Me.
Miranda Lambert followed and performed, Bluebird. Miranda then introduced Maren Morris who sang, The Bones.
Trevor announced the nominees for Song of the Year. The 2021 Grammy went to H.E.R. for I Can’t Breathe. She thanked her mom and dad, and her music team at RCA. “I’m so speechless right now. Thank you so much.” “We are the change we want to see. Keep that fight in us.
Trevor then introduced a pre-record segment on Megan Thee Stallion. She talked about her career and said when you feel like quitting don’t give up. She followed with her onstage performance of her hits, Body and Ratchet.
Cardi B then made a grand entrance performing her hit, Up. And of course, the ladies came together to perform, WAP.
Trevor came onstage with Cardi B. The ladies performed on a large bed. Trevor came to the stage screaming, “Wow, Wow, Wow!” He said it has been his dream to be in bed with Cardi B. and he started dancing like them.
Billy Michell with the Apollo Theater was the next presenter. He announced the nominees for Best Rap Song. The nominees were Big Sean Featuring Nipsey Hussle for Deep Reverence, DaBaby for Bop, Jack Harlow for What’s Poppin, Lil Baby for The Bigger Picture, Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé for Savage, and Pop Smoke – Dior
The 2021 Grammy went to Megan Thee Stallion for Savage.
Megan had a great night. She went to the podium with Beyoncé. Her mouth wide open again and thrilled that Beyonce was standing with her. She thanked Beyoncé. “If you know me, you have to know that I would say when I grow up, I’m going to be the next Beyoncé.” She also thanked Jay Z in the audience. Beyoncé said “I want to quickly give my love to Megan for putting me on the song.
Trevor then jumped in front of the ladies as they were leaving the stage and announced that this Grammy win made Beyoncé is tied for the most Grammy wins ever, male or female, with 27 Grammys.
Post Malone followed with his performance of Circles.
The next category was Best Pop Vocal Album. The nominees were Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, and Taylor Swift. The 2021 Grammy Award went to Dua Lipa for Future Nostalgia. She gave a massive thank you to her fans, manager, her label, and the team she made the album with.
Lil Baby followed and performed his socially significant hit, The Bigger Picture.
The next category was Best R&B Performance. The nominees were Jhené Aiko Featuring John Legend for Lightning & Thunder, Beyoncé for Black Parade, Jacob Collier Featuring Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign for All I Need, Brittany Howard for Goat Head, and Emily King for See Me.
History was made. The 2021 Grammy went to Beyoncé for Black Parade.
“I am so honored. I am so excited.” Thank you, God. As an artist I believe it’s my job to reflect the times. It’s been such a difficult time.” “I can’t believe this has happened. This is such a magical night.” She thanked her daughter who also won a Grammy, and she ended her speech with thanks to Jay Z.
Doja Cat performed next. In her pre-taped video, she said her career started online and just grew to what it is today. She followed the video with a live performance of her hit, Say So.
The next category was Album of the Year. The nominees were Jhené Aiko for Chilombo, Black Pumas for Black Pumas, Coldplay for Everyday Life, Jacob Collier for Djesse Vol. 3, Haim for Women in Music Pt. III, Dua Lipa for Future Nostalgia, Post Malone for Hollywood’s Bleeding
and Taylor Swift for Folklore.
The 2021 Grammy went to Taylor Swift for Folklore. She thanked all her collaborators on stage, she thanked the fans, and the recording academy.
The BTS performance was pre-tape. They performed their latest hit, Dynamite.
Roddy Ricch performed, The Box.
The biggest and last award of the evening is always Record of the Year. Ringo Starr announced the nominees. He said he was honored and glad to be there, “Glad to be anywhere.” The nominees were Beyoncé for Black Parade, Black Pumas for Colors, DaBaby Featuring Roddy Ricch for Rockstar, Doja Cat for Say So, Billie Eilish for Everything I Wanted, Dua Lipa for Don’t Start Now, Post Malone for Circles, Megan Thee Stallion Featuring Beyoncé for Savage.
The 2021 Grammy went to Billie Eilish for Everything I Wanted.
“This is really embarrassing to me.” Billie told Megan that she deserved this award, and she asked the audience to cheer for Megan Thee Stallion. She thanked everyone and her brother Finneas accepting with her.
Trevor Noah closed the broadcast and did a great job hosting a three a half hour juggernaut. He got us through quite nicely.
Congratulations to all the 2021 Grammy winners!
Tanya Hart
AURN.Com – Hollywood Live with Tanya Hart