The Highlights of the 66th Grammy Awards

By Tom Wilson

The glitz and glamour of awards season has definitely been dulled these last few years. Controversy and backlash from both fans and artists have led to a rethinking of how these shows should take place, if at all. Whether it be embarrassing slip ups announcing winners, controversial hosts, or a slap to the face, the list of lowlights has seemingly eclipsed the highlights of the winners. The Grammy Awards are no different, with many of its artists publicly criticising the organisation and some refusing to submit their music. 

Even with all the backlash surrounding the awards, the Grammys are still the most influential award ceremony for Western music, with millions of eyes and ears tuning in . This year’s ceremony saw higher ratings than the previous edition, with the Associated Press reporting the average viewer count reached 16.9 million. With questions over the tenability of award shows, who were the big winners on the night?

The Big Winner - Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has never been more popular. With an illustrious career, it seems like nothing will stop her momentous rise. Her album Midnights was awarded album of the year. The victory was a historic one, making her the artist with the most Album of the Year wins in Grammys history. The headlines did not end there however, as she announced in her acceptance speech that her latest record, The Tortured Poets Department, would be coming out later that year.

The past year has been a memorable one for Swift even beyond music. While her partner Travis Kelce celebrated his team’s victory in Super Bowl LVIII over the weekend, many acknowledged, perhaps somewhat sarcastically, that “Taylor Swift had won the Super Bowl.” She may as well have. The Guardian, Washington Post, and New York Times all ran reports of the game with the main photo being of Swift and Kelce’s celebratory embrace. Her year has not been without controversy either, with her excessive private jet usage creating backlash due to its environmental impact, with many pointing to her past comments as a climate activist.  Whether one identifies as a Swiftie or not, her impact is undeniable. If 2024 is anything like 2023, it is unlikely that Taylor-mania will end anytime soon.

The Surprise - Killer Mike

Killer Mike’s pedigree and influence over hip hop cannot be understated. A member of the duo Run the Jewels with producer EI-P, multiple records have placed him as one of the most respected rappers of his generation. His victory at the 66th Grammy awards came as somewhat of a shock however. Alongside his album Michael, the nominees for Best Rap Album were Drake and 21 Savage’s Her Loss, Metro Boomin’s Heroes & Villains, Nas’ Kings Disease III, and Travis Scott’s long awaited UTOPIA. Commercially, the contrast between Michael and these other records was tremendous. 

While Mike’s victory may have surprised many, it was refreshing. Awards should reward quality, not popularity, and Michael certainly does not lack in that department. The win did certainly upset Travis Scott, who after ten Grammy nominations is still winless. During Scott’s performance at the ceremony, the rapper could be heard screaming “they slept on me ten times!” in clear frustration towards the members of The Recording Academy.

Killer Mike’s evening did not end there. He won two more prizes, with Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance for his track ‘Scientists and Engineers’. Nearing fifty years of age, it was satisfying to see a veteran being given his flowers. A true rebel to the core, he left the arena in handcuffs after an altercation with security, but downplayed the incident and stated to The View that he “walked out with the same dignity and respect that I walked in with." 

The Power of a Good Host - Trevor Noah

Award show controversy over the last few years has often gone hand in hand with hosting faux pas. The usual practice of having the host “roast” the nominees has seemed to go out of favour with members of the public. While popular in the past, recent incidents such as Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock at the 2022 Academy Awards and Jo Koy’s dud of a performance at the Golden Globes last month have created conversation over what an award show host’s role is. 

Fresh off of a seven year run as host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central, Trevor Noah stepped up to host this year’s Grammy Awards. His approach was the polar opposite of his peers. Rather than criticise, he hailed the nominees. His jokes to Taylor Swift were in good taste, a sharp contrast to Jo Koy’s jibes and attacks on the singer. 

Comedy is certainly subjective, and some may say that celebrities should accept the insults as part of their job. Ricky Gervais’ various Golden Globes speeches are certainly among the most viewed of all time, yet that is mostly down to their shock value. Awards are meant to be a celebration of the year’s art and artists, a night where the best get rewarded. In an age where award ceremonies want to limit controversy, Trevor Noah’s graceful comedy and tact should be looked to as an example.