The Grammy Awards is the biggest music award in the world. This award celebrates the best and brightest in the industry. The 2024 Grammys were no exception. On February 4th, the Grammys was broadcast on CBS with 16.9 million viewers. Viewers witnessed history made right in front of their eyes. 

Performances by Dua Lipa, Billie Eilish, SZA, Olivia Rodrigo, and more entertained the audience. After the show aired, The New York Times named Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo as the strongest performances of the night. Eilish performed her song “What Was I Made For?” from the movie Barbie. This won the coveted Song of the Year later in the night. Rodrigo performed her single from her album Guts, which received no awards at Grammy night. “Each performance, in its own way, felt like a rebuttal to the constricting standards to which so many young women are held,” the Times article revealed. 

Another incredible performance was from the talented Tracy Chapman. Chapman found herself back into the spotlight recently after Luke Combs covered her song “Fast Cars,” which was originally released in 1988. “Tracy’s obviously written one of the best songs for a few generations,” Combs explained to a reporter from Entertainment Weekly. Viewers were amazed while Chapman showcased her talent alongside Combs on stage. Showcasing a black woman and a white man together was meant to inspire viewers as we all have troubles and dreams, regardless of one’s race or gender. 

Jay Z made a surprise appearance to accept his Dr.Dre Global Impact award. The singer made a shocking statement, calling out the Grammys for snubbing his wife Beyoncé for the Album of the Year award. “We love y’all. We want you to get it right,” he said

Miley Cyrus accepted her first two Grammys that night.  The song “Flowers” won both Record of the Year and Pop Solo Performance of the Year.  To celebrate, she sang her famous single “Flowers” from her album Endless Summer Vacation.  Performing her song, never missing a beat, she ad libbed the line, “I Just Won My First Grammy!” Congratulations to the talented Cyrus for recognition of her lyrical accolades after nearly 15 years in the industry.  

One of the biggest shockers from the night was the surprise appearance of famous musician Celine Dion.  She has stayed out of the spotlight for over three months after a diagnosis of stiff person syndrome. “When I say that I’m happy to be here, I mean it from my heart,” Dion said.  She announced the winner for Album of the Year, an award she herself earned 27 years ago. 

Taylor Swift accepted her fourth Album of the Year for Midnights. She has won album of the year previously for Fearless, 1989, and Folklore.  This unprecedented accomplishment set records as Swift is the first musician to win this award a total of four times. When accepting the Pop Vocal Album award, Swift announced her much-awaited 11th studio album The Torture Poets Department, which will be released April 19th.  

At this year’s Grammys, viewers saw women win every main category of the night. Some include Victoria Monét from Best New Artist of the Year and SZA for Best R&B Album of the Year. Brooke Smith, Olympic Heights junior, said, “It was amazing to see women dominate the Grammys.”  Overall, the Grammys were a must-see event that showcased wonderful musical talent.