Each year, music lovers around the world anxiously await for their favorite artists and bands to be announced as a GRAMMY winner. And this year, there’s been some major praise and upsets that we simply HAVE to discuss. Here’s a quick recap:
The GRAMMYs 2024: Major Wins
The GRAMMYs is chock-full of some major industry powerhouses each year. Only the best of the best are nominated, with thousands of artists vying for the day they become a GRAMMY nominee—and eventually, a winner. For 2024, we have witnessed history being made on a variety of fronts.
To begin, there are many artists who have had a whirlwind of a year leading up to the GRAMMYs. Some up-and-coming artists have reached the peak of stardom in record time, like first-time winners boygenius (Best Alternative Music Album and Best Rock Song), Laufey (Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album), and TYLA (Best African Music Performance). Others are finally getting the recognition they deserve after devoting many years of their careers to exceptional music, like Victoria Monet (Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical and Best R&B Album) and Paramore, who is the first female-fronted rock band to win Best Rock Album.
“My friend, you deserve this one million times over… You have worked so hard and given so much of yourself to this industry for so, so long while quietly being in your absolute own league.”
–Ariana Grande on Instagram about Victoria Monet’s first GRAMMY win
Other first-time winners include Zach Bryan (Best Country Duo/Group Performance), Peso Pluma (Best Musica Mexicana Album), Phoebe Bridgers (Best Pop Duo/Group Performance), and Karol G (Best Musica Urbana Album). Miley Cyrus wins her first (and second!) GRAMMY with “Flowers,” which she later performed. It was definitely a night of significant importance to many of our favorite artists.
One of the most impressive is SZA, who was the most decorated artist for this year’s GRAMMYs, with NINE nominations. In a phenomenal testament to her talent and artistry, the singer took home multiple wins. These include Best Progressive R&B Album, Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best R&B Song.
And lastly, a most notable shoutout to none other than Taylor Swift. This year, she has officially made history as the first artist to win Album of the Year FOUR times, surpassing Stevie Wonder and Frank Sinatra. What a remarkable and well-deserved accomplishment!
Snubs and Upsets
In a slip-up on social platform X, the Academy got a bit carried away with their tweets and accidentally announced Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice’s “Barbie World” track as the winner for Best Rap Song. In reality, the real winner went to Killer Mike and his album, Scientists & Engineers. This marks yet another GRAMMY that rapper Nicki Minaj has lost—twelve in total. Amidst all of the current drama with Texas rapper Megan Thee Stallion, this felt like salt in the wound for fans of Minaj.
Another shock came in the form of Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” winning Song of the Year. With a stacked category flaunting the likes of Jon Batiste, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, SZA, Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa, Billie’s win came as a shock to many. Fans stormed social media, divided by the Academy’s choice. Nonetheless, this marks Eilish’s 9th win—a major accomplishment for someone at only 22 years old.
Lastly, and most controversial is Taylor’s aforementioned Album of the Year win. Other nominees in the category included SZA’s SOS and Olivia Rodrigo’s GUTS. Between great album sales and social popularity, they were both strong contenders. And it surely didn’t help that Olivia didn’t go home with a single GRAMMY.
Bidding Farewell to The GRAMMYs Until 2025
With such a jam-packed evening, one article cannot possibly wrap up all that occurred at this year’s GRAMMYs. Between tear-jerking tributes, groundbreaking collaborations and a special guest appearance, this year was one for the books. For a full list of nominees and winners, check out the Academy’s official website.
Congratulations to all of the winners! And keep an eye out on Music Daily to get the inside scoop on these artists before they make it to the GRAMMYs stage next year.
