Beyoncé confirmed her status as an icon of American music by winning four awards at the Grammy Awards, including the best R&B song (Cuff it) or Best Dance/Electronic Album (Renaissance). “Queen B” thus became, on Sunday February 5, the most crowned artist of all time at the Grammy Awards, with 32 gramophones.
It breaks the award record held by conductor Georg Solti, namely 31 awards. With nine nominations this year, the 41-year-old American singer also equals the record of her husband, Jay-Z, as the most nominated artist in the history of these awards (88). Beyoncé therefore enters the story. But once again, a major reward eludes him. As in 2017 with Lemonadewhich has become a classic, Renaissancehis latest house and dance opus, failed to obtain the prize for best album, beaten by Harry Styles who won the lot, thanks to Harry’s House.
Arrived a little late, Beyoncé was not yet there that a first gramophone was intended for her, that of the best R&B song for Cuff it. In a dress with a silver train, she then went on stage to collect the best dance / electronic album, under the shining eyes of her husband, rapper Jay-Z. “I try not to be too moved”, she launched, thanking in turn her parents, her “beautiful husband” and her “three beautiful children”, as well as “the queer community” who supported her. always supported.
With the release of his album Renaissancean opus with dance, house and disco accents, Beyoncé had begun to write history from the pre-ceremony, by winning two first Grammys, for the best dance / electronic recording, with her hit Break My Soul and for Best Traditional R&B Performance with Plastic Off the Sofa.
Bonnie Raitt wins Grammy for Song of the Year
To everyone’s surprise, however, Beyoncé did not win the song of the year award, which went to American blues, folk and country singer Bonnie Raitt for her song “Just Like That”. The competition was fierce in this category, one of the most prestigious of these “Oscars of music”, but the prize finally goes to the 73-year-old singer, acclaimed by critics, and who already had 10 gramophones to her credit.
The American singer Lizzo also beat out the great favorites Beyoncé and Adèle, to win the prize for the best recording of the year thanks to her title “About Damn Time”. This interpretation award has a taste of revenge for Lizzo. In 2020, she was widely expected to be the big winner of this equivalent of the Oscars of music, but finally had to bow to the pop phenomenon Billie Eilish.
Harry Style wins album of the year
British singer Harry Styles for his part won the award for best album of the year at the Grammy Awards, a surprise victory over the big favorites Beyoncé, who still eludes the reward, or Adele. The pop sensation snagged the most coveted accolade at this Oscar-equivalent for music thanks to Harry’s House, his third opus. A disc where synthesizers and soft acoustics are accompanied by very personal lyrics, to make it the most intimate album of the British star.
“It doesn’t happen that often to people like me and it’s so cool,” the singer said on the Los Angeles stage of 65e Grammy Awards ceremony. The album poses as a sonic equivalent of a warm California afternoon by the pool, while showcasing the Brit’s songwriting talents.
It should also be noted that among the sensations of the pre-ceremony, the actress Viola Davis entered the very exclusive club of artists who won the four major American awards, the Oscar (cinema), the Emmy (television), letTony (theatre) and Sunday evening a grammy, in the category “audio book, narration” for his memoirs Finding Me. It’s the 18e artist to accomplish this exceptional performance, baptized “EGOT”, after in particular Whoopi Goldberg, Mel Brooks or Rita Moreno.
Samara Joy revelation of the year
The highly prized Grammy Award for Newcomer of the Year was won by young American jazz singer Samara Joy. This 23-year-old African-American from the Bronx in New York triumphed against Brazilian pop-star Anitta, Franco-American duo DOMi & JD Beck and Italian rockers Maneskin. Impressed by her voice, critics compare her to great African-American jazz singers like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan or Nina Simone.
On the Los Angeles stage, the young woman paid tribute to her family and to all the artists present in the room, “sources of inspiration”. “I sang all my life,” said Samara Joy, to applause. Endowed with an exceptional voice, Samara Joy triumphed in the revelation of the year category of artists such as the Brazilian popstar Anitta, the Franco-American duo DOMi & JD Beck or the Italian group Maneskin. She also won the grammy for best sung jazz album for her 2e opus Linger Awhile.
The young prodigy had already been crowned with a prize from the Sarah Vaughan International Singing Competition in 2019, after studying and discovering jazz at Fordham High School for the Arts and at Purchase College of New York University. After graduating, Joy became a star for musical performances on social networks, especially on TikTok. She has already toured Europe and the United States, including the Monterey Jazz Festival.
The best recording of the year for Lizzo
American singer Lizzo beat favorites Beyoncé and Adele to win the Grammy Awards for best recording of the year on Sunday, thanks to her song “About Damn Time”.
On stage in Los Angeles, in tears, she paid tribute to Prince who died in 2016, but also to Beyoncé, queen of this 65e Grammy Awards ceremony. “I promise you that in your life you will find people, you will attract people who will believe in you and who will support you,” she said to applause.
Lizzo truly made a name for herself in 2019, when she won over legions of fans with her soulful self-esteem anthems, sizzling rap tracks and taste for twerking. The 31-year-old artist, Melissa Viviane Jefferson in civilian life, made her debut in 2013 but only achieved success with the release of her third studio album Cuz I Love You.
Born in Detroit and raised in Houston, blessed with a powerful voice, she was seduced by hip-hop as a pre-teen, but originally aspired to a career as a professional flautist. She moved to Minneapolis in 2011, a career move that led her to meet the legendary Prince, who co-signed her to work with him. “It takes 10 years to become an overnight success,” she told NBC when her latest album was released. “I needed to discover my self-esteem,” she continued. “Music that connects people is about self-esteem. »
Here are the awards in the main categories for the 65es Grammy Awards, the prizes of the American music industry awarded Sunday in Los Angeles:
Album of the Year: Harry’s HouseHarry Styles
Recording of the Year, awarded for the overall performance of a title: “About Damn Time”, Lizzo
Song of the Year, awarded to songwriters and composers: “Just Like That”, Bonnie Raitt, author (Bonnie Raitt)
Revelation of the year: Samara Joy
Best Rap Album: Mr. Morale & the Big SteppersKendrick Lamar
Best Rock Album: Patient Number 9Ozzy Osbourne
Best Vocal Pop Album: Harry’s HouseHarry Styles
Best Video Game Soundtrack: Assassin’s Creed Valhalla : l’Aube du RagnarökStephanie Economou, compositrice
The artists with the most awards:
Beyoncé 4
Kendrick Lamar 3
Brandi Carlile 3
Bonnie Raitt 3
charm 3
Harry Styles 2