A Unique Blend of Records, Protest, and Entertainment at the Grammy Awards

Staff Report: PNN

This year’s Grammy Awards, one of the most prestigious global music events, witnessed an exceptional blend of history, protest, and entertainment. From record-breaking achievements to political messages, the event became a central topic of discussion.

American rap star Kendrick Lamar made history by winning five awards, setting the record for the most Grammys won by a rapper, surpassing Jay-Z. Lamar’s total Grammy count now stands at 27. Before the main broadcast, he won three awards: Best Rap Performance, Best Melodic Rap Performance, and Best Rap Song. Later, on the main stage, he won Best Rap Album and Record of the Year jointly with Cesar. During his acceptance speech, Lamar mentioned that he expresses his feelings better through music than words.

Another historic moment was achieved by Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny, who became the first Spanish-language artist to win the Album of the Year award for his album “DE BONY TIERRA MÁS FOTOS.” On stage, he criticized the United States’ strict immigration policies and highlighted the human dignity of immigrants. In addition to this award, he won two more Grammys.

Political stances were prominently reflected throughout this year’s Grammys. Many artists wore pins with “ICE OUT” written on them, symbolizing protest against immigration policies. Artists such as Gloria Estefan, Olivia Dean, and Shabuj emphasized the contributions of immigrants in their speeches. Billie Eilish and Cesar also addressed social uncertainty and the need for change.

The event was hosted for the last time by Trevor Noah. In his opening remarks, he humorously touched on political issues, which drew sharp criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump. On social media, Trump described the show as “unwatchable” and mocked Noah’s satire.

Record of the Year was won by Billie Eilish, Best Pop Solo Performance by Lola Young, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance jointly by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. Lady Gaga received the Best Pop Vocal Album award.

Special highlights included 90-year-old Dalai Lama winning his first Grammy for a spoken-word album. In the Best Musical Film category, “Music by John Williams” won, completing Steven Spielberg’s EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony) achievement. Additionally, a K-pop song won a Grammy for the first time.

Alongside awards, there were notable surprises in performances and stage setups. Chappelle Ron’s outfits drew attention, and Lady Gaga’s innovative performances were widely discussed. Performances by Sabrina Carpenter, Bruno Mars, and Justin Bieber created a major impact on both the audience and social media.

Overall, this year’s Grammy Awards were not limited to celebrating musical excellence; they also reflected the social and political realities of the times.