The biggest night in music generated some pretty big headlines.
Records were broken, history was celebrated, and some artists made significant firsts in their fields at the 2023 Grammy Awards on Sunday night in Los Angeles. Here are some of the highlights, ranging from Beyoncé’s new title to Viola Davis’ entry into the EGOT club.
Beyoncé Breaks the Record for All-Time Grammy Wins
She succeeded! Beyoncé, an 88-time Grammy nominee, officially broke the record for most Grammy wins with 32.
“Thank you so much,” she said as she began her acceptance speech for No. 32, best dance/electronic music album for Renaissance. “I’m trying not to be too emotional. I’m trying to just receive this night.”
Queen Bey, 41, took home four awards on Sunday, including best dance recording for “Break My Soul,” best traditional R&B performance for “Plastic off the Sofa,” and best R&B song for “Cuff It.”
Georg Solti, a Hungarian-British conductor, held the previous record with 31 Grammy Awards.
Kim Petras Becomes the First Transgender Woman to Win Her Category
Kim Petras broke down in tears while accepting the best pop group/duo performance award alongside Sam Smith for their collaboration, “Unholy,” as she revealed she was the first transgender woman to win in that category.
“I just want to thank all the transgender artists who kicked the door open in order for me to be here tonight,” the 30-year-old singer said.
Viola Davis Becomes an EGOT
Kim Petras broke down in tears while accepting the best pop group/duo performance award alongside Sam Smith for their collaboration, “Unholy,” as she revealed she was the first transgender woman to win in that category. Hello and welcome to the club! Viola Davis won best audiobook, narration, and storytelling recording for her memoir Finding Me before the show aired, cementing her EGOT status.
“Oh my goodness! I wrote this book to honor Viola, a 6-year-old girl, her life, her joy, her trauma, everything “Davis, 57, launched into her acceptance speech. “And it’s been quite a journey. I’ve just gotten!”
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Artists Celebrate 50 Years of Hip-Hop
In a rousing tribute to hip-50th hop’s anniversary, an all-star lineup of artists came together to celebrate recent history.
LL Cool J got things started, and everyone from Run-DMC and Ice-T to Queen Latifah and Missy Elliott joined in with a steady stream of hits from the past and present.
The performance included a tribute to Nelly’s 2002 single “Hot in Herre,” 1988’s “My Mike Sounds Nice” by Salt-N-Pepa and Spinderella, and Busta Rhymes teaming up with Spliff Star to recite all of the lyrics from his verse in Chris Brown’s 2011 single “Look at Me Now,” among other major highlights that had the audience on their feet.
Hip-hop’s 50th anniversary will be celebrated on Aug. 11, the same day DJ Kool Herc held a back-to-school party at the Bronx’s Sedgwick Avenue in 1973.
Adele Makes a Record of Her Own
Adele’s Grammy win for best pop solo performance for “Easy on Me” on Sunday night marked a special milestone for the 34-year-old: it was her fourth time in that category.
She has previously won for her hits “Someone Like You,” “Set Fire to the Rain [Live],” and “Hello.”
“I wrote this first verse in the shower when I was choosing to change my son’s life; he’s been nothing but humble, gracious, and loving to me the whole time,” she said of her 2023 victory.