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All Of The Big Wins And Highlights From The 2023 Grammys

The 65th Annual Grammys Awards was full of firsts, epic performances, tear-dropping tributes, and big wins! Hosted by Trevor Noah, the biggest night in music took place at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. From an HBCU Grammy win and EGOT status to Bey-breaking wins, below are a few highlights from the Grammys.

Starting with Queen Bey, Beyoncé, who is now the most decorated Grammy artist of all time. She broke the record for the most Grammy wins of all time, with 32, having won five awards, including Best R&B Song, best dance/electronic recording, best traditional R&B performance and best dance/electronic album for Renaissance.

“I’m trying not to be too emotional and I’m trying to just receive this night,” she said, during her acceptance speech. She went on to pay homage to her late uncle, to who she dedicated her album to.  “I want to thank God for protecting me. … I’d like to thank my uncle Johnny who’s not here, but he’s here in spirit.”

 

Viola Davis’ EGOT  win

Viola Davis achieved EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) status, becoming only the third Black woman ever to receive the honor following Jennifer Hudson and Whoopi Goldberg. The actress, author and philanthropist took home the first win at the Grammys for her performance of the audiobook version of her memoir, Finding Me.

“It has just been such a journey,” Davis said in her acceptance speech at the Grammys. “I just EGOT!”

Hudson tweeted about her win saying, “Hold the line !!!!!!! Viola Davis just became EGOT #18 !!! Omg @violadavis U are absolutely everything! Congratulations to a living LEGEND. Time to celebrate !!!”

 

Dr. Dre Global Impact Award

The Grammys honored Dr. Dre with his own, announcing the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, presented by LL Cool J.

 

The honor was part of the Grammy’s 50th celebration of hip-hop. Legendary performances included Run DMC, LL Cool J, Queen Latifah, Salt-n-Peppa, Rakim, Public Enemy, Ice T, Outkast, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, and Nelly.

 

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A big Grammy win for Lizzo

Lizzo won Record of the Year for her album, About Damn Time, beating out Beyoncé, Doja Cat, Steve Lacy, Kendrick Lamar, Harry Styles,  Brandi Carlile and  Mary J. Blige. During her acceptance speech, she dedicated her award to Prince. “When we lost Prince, I dedicated my life to making positive music.  I was like I don’t care if my positivity bothers you what’s wrong with you?”

She added, “And this was at a time when positive music and feel-good music wasn’t mainstream at that point and I felt very misunderstood.I felt on the outside looking in but I stayed true to myself because  I wanted to make the world a better place so I had to be that change to make the world a better place.”

She also paid homage to Beyoncé, whom she called “the artist of our lives.” Earlier that evening, Lizzo took us to church, performing her single, “You’re Special.” “Is it just because I’m Black and heavy?/Y’all don’t hear me though,” she belted out. She was nominated for five awards, including Album of the Year and Pop Vocal Album.

 

According to Buzzing Pop, Lizzo is also the first Black woman to win Record of the Year this century. The last Black woman to claim that award was the late Whitney Houston in 1994.

Other epic Grammy wins

Muni Long received her first-ever Grammy for Best R&B Performance for her smash hit, “Hrs & Hrs.” Another first was Tems, who is now the first Nigerian female artist to win a Grammy. 

Bad Bunny won the album for Best Música Urbana, beating out Daddy Yankee, Farruko, Maluma, and Rauw Alejandro. He kicked off the night with a performance of “El Apagón” and “Después de la Playa.” Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, will be the first Latin artist to headline Coachella this April. 

Kendrick Lamar beat out Drake, Future, Jack Harlow and Pusha T for Best Rap Album. He also won Grammys for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for “The Heart Part 5.”

 

But one of the more hidden figure wins was that of the Tennessee State University Marching Band which won a Grammy Best Roots Gospel Album for The Urban Hymnal during the premiere ceremony.

“These kids worked so hard,” artist, songwriter, and producer Sir the Baptist said during his acceptance speech. “And to be honest with you guys, HBCUs are so grossly underfunded, to where I had to put my last dime in order to get us across the line. My cousin got us across the line, even when I gave all. We’re here with our pockets empty, but our hands aren’t!”

See a list of all of the Grammy winners here.

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