Grammy Awards 2024 Celebrates Historic Milestones and First-Time Winners
The 68th annual Grammy Awards unfolded on Sunday, radiating high spirits from the outset as a series of back-to-back, history-making moments captivated the music world. The ceremony, held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, showcased a diverse array of talent across genres, with numerous artists securing their inaugural Grammy trophies in a night filled with emotional speeches and cultural significance.
Dalai Lama Claims First Grammy in Spiritual Victory
In a remarkable achievement, His Holiness the Dalai Lama won his first Grammy Award for Best Audio Book, Narration and Storytelling Recording. His album, Meditation: The Reflections of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, triumphed over formidable contenders including Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Grammys host Trevor Noah. During the acceptance, singer Rufus Wainwright humorously noted, "I am not the Dalai Lama," while expressing privilege in contributing to the project, highlighting the collaborative effort behind the win.
K-Pop Breaks Barriers with Maiden Grammy Win
Marking a pivotal moment for the global music industry, K-pop scored its first-ever Grammy victory. The song "Golden" from "KPop Demon Hunters" won the award for Song Written for Visual Media during the Premiere Ceremony. The songwriters delivered their acceptance speech in both English and Korean, emphasizing the track's bilingual appeal and celebrating this milestone for Korean pop music on the international stage.
Steven Spielberg Achieves Coveted EGOT Status
Renowned director Steven Spielberg officially entered the elite EGOT club by winning his first Grammy. The award for Best Music Film went to "Music for John Williams," completing Spielberg's collection of an Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Oscar. This achievement solidifies his legacy as a multifaceted artist excelling across television, music, theater, and film.
Premiere Ceremony Highlights Diverse Talent
The Premiere Ceremony, a pre-telecast event at the adjacent Peacock Theater, kicked off with host Darren Criss presenting the first award of the day. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande won Best Pop/Duo Group Performance for "Defying Gravity," though they were absent to accept. Throughout the ceremony, an impressive 86 Grammys were awarded, showcasing a wide spectrum of musical excellence.
Rock, Metal, and Alternative Genres Shine
Yungblud celebrated his first Grammy win for Best Rock Performance with his cover of Black Sabbath's "Changes (live from Villa Park)," performed at Ozzy Osbourne's final show. Hardcore band Turnstile also secured their debut Grammy for Best Rock Album and later for Best Metal Performance, with frontman Brendan Yates dedicating the win to Baltimore. The Cure won Best Alternative Music Performance but could not attend due to the funeral of longtime guitarist Perry Archangelo Bamonte.
Dance, Rap, and Latin Music Celebrate Diversity
FKA twigs earned her first Grammy for Best Dance/Electronic Album with "EUSEXUA," becoming only the second Black woman to win in this category. In her speech, she expressed surprise and gratitude, stating, "I didn't expect to come up here. I was just so happy to be nominated." Rapper Lefty Gunplay won his first Grammy for Best Rap Performance for his role on Kendrick Lamar's "TV Off," inspiring "all the Latino kids in the hood" with his message of possibility.
Latin Music Honors Homegrown Talent
The Latin music categories saw heartfelt victories, with Edgar Barrera presenting awards. Natalia Lafourcade won Best Latin Pop Album for "Cancionera," while CA7RIEL & Paco Amoroso secured Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album for "Papota" on their first nomination, thanking Argentina and Latin America in Spanish. Carin Leon won Best Música Mexicana Album (including Tejano) for "Palabra De To's (Seca)," marking his second win on his second nomination.
This year's Grammys not only celebrated musical achievements but also underscored the power of diversity, innovation, and cultural representation in the global entertainment landscape.
