Pop superstar Taylor Swift has made Grammy history. The 34-year-old won in the main album of the year category for her record “Midnights” on Sunday evening (local time) in Los Angeles. It’s her fourth Grammy for an album, following wins for “Fearless,” “1989” and “Folklore.” Swift surpasses Paul Simon, Frank Sinatra and Stevie Wonder, who each received three awards in the category. “It makes me so happy,” Swift – dressed elegantly in white – said in her acceptance speech. “It’s unbelievable to me that it makes some people happy and that they voted for this award.” The most Golden Gramophones were won by singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers, who received four awards – three of them with her band Boygenius for the album “The Record” and the single “Not Strong Enough”. The artists SZA (“Kill Bill”) and Victoria Monét each received three Grammys, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish and Swift two. Cyrus won the important Record of the Year award for “Flowers,” while Eilish won the important award for “What Was I Made For?” the Best Song of the Year award, honoring the strongest songwriters. The piece comes from the also excellent soundtrack of the Barbie film.
Swift, who is attracting millions of fans and making record sums with her “Eras Tour”, had already announced a surprise shortly before her Grammy record: “I’ll tell you a secret that I’ve been keeping from you for the last two years. My brand new one Album comes out April 19. It’s called ‘The Torted Poets Department,'” Swift said. Shortly before, she had won in the Best Pop Vocal Album category.
“The Torted Poets Department” means something like “The Department for Tortured Poets” in German. The cover, which Swift published online at the same time, shows a black and white photo of a woman lying on a bed and a piece of paper with a lyric text. However, Swift had to do without the company of her new boyfriend Travis Kelce on Sunday evening. The Kansas City Chiefs football player is preparing for the Super Bowl with his team.
The major categories in what is probably the most famous music award in the world were already firmly in female hands after the nominations. In the three main categories, the only man nominated was singer Jon Batiste. Famous producer Jack Antonoff, who works with Swift, among others, stood out as the male winner.
The Grammys were awarded for the 66th time this year – presenter and comedian Trevor Noah said: “The biggest evening in music is still younger than America’s next president” – with a view to the most promising presidential candidates Joe Biden (81) and Donald Trump ( 77). Around 13,000 members of the Recording Academy decide on the winners of the gramophones, which are awarded in 94 categories – even in the Best Audio Book category.
Meanwhile, Killer Mike caused a stir on another matter: The rapper from Atlanta, who won three gramophones – including for his album “Michael” – was led out of the arena in LA in handcuffs before the actual gala. The background to the incident initially remained unclear. The magazine “Hollywood Reporter” wrote, citing a police spokesman, that the musician was arrested “due to a physical altercation” and was therefore being questioned.
Another stir was caused by rap artist Jay-Z, who won more than 30 Grammys in his career and clearly criticized the organizers in a speech. Decisions in the past, especially the recurring ignorance towards black artists, were wrong. The 54-year-old also pointed out that his wife Beyoncé has 32 Grammys to her name, but has never won the main Album of the Year category. “We want you to get it right – at least close to right.”
Performances from legends Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder as well as the Irish band U2 received much applause. But Cyrus, who also performed “Flowers” on stage, and Olivia Rodrigo with “Vampire” also received great applause.
For the fourth time, Trevor Noah led the three and a half hour show as confidently and funny as usual. Perhaps Noah’s strongest scene came when Swift came into the room a little late and the host commented, alluding to her uber-superstar status, “See what’s happening? As Taylor Swift walks across the room, the local one improves Economy at the tables around them.”
