THE 68TH GRAMMYS: A NIGHT ENAMOURED WITH CONTROVERSY AND CONTEMPORARY POP
BY HANNAH JAMIESON PHOTO COURTESY OF FLICKR
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards occurred last weekend with a whirlwind of contemporary pop, political activism, and more. Nine awards were presented live, complemented by performances from varying newcomers, such as Addison Rae, and notable music figures, such as Reba McEntire. Sparked by tension among strong nominees and other chaotic moments throughout the night, this year's Grammys is one to remember.
Prior to the show, the red carpet itself was a preview of the frantic night. Grammy winner Chappell Roan sparked some buzz after appearing in a topless, sheer dress by designer Miguel Castro Freitas for Mugler. Among others in their ensembles, many noticed big differences in pre-show rituals this year. The absence of the Glambot this year was prominent, as Cole Walliser, the Glambot’s famous field operator, was under fire for treating potential clients poorly, on the pretense that they couldn’t afford his services. Regardless, stars still shone throughout the night.
The Best New Artist performance lineup was unforgettable. Despite the controversy of the Grammys only allotting short performing times, artists nevertheless persisted. One of the most notorious performances was the transition between Addison Rae performing her hit song, “Fame is a Gun,” into Katseye’s “Gnarly”. Both performances tapped into 2000s pop culture and showed off a groundwork of contemporary pop music, highlighting the strength of these new artists. Olivia Dean won Best New Artist, undoubtedly well deserved, especially after her performance of “Man I Need” at the show.
One of the most notable incidents of the night was a result of the Grammys highlighting ‘70s singers Joni Mitchell and Cher. Joni Mitchell was heavily recognized for her musical significance, winning Best Historical Album for her album "Joni Mitchell Archives, Vol. 4: The Asylum Years.” Later on, Cher was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award, a notable distinction for artists who have made major contributions to the field of recording. Cher walked off stage before presenting the Record of the Year (won by Kendrick Lamar and SZA for “luther”), an honor bestowed upon Lifetime Achievement Award winners. She further misspoke when presenting the winner, and the chaos resulted in a memorable night for all.
Many artists spoke out about ICE on Sunday, whether it be wearing a pin out of solidarity, like Carole King and Hailey Bieber, or during their acceptance speeches. Olivia Dean gave her perspective as a granddaughter of an immigrant, whereas others solidified their message that “no one is illegal on stolen land,” such as multi-winners Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny. Six-time host Trevor Noah also poked at Trump’s authority, with statements about his involvement with Nicki Minaj (who was absent this year) and the Epstein files.
Among these occurrences, there were many milestones and accomplishments set at this year's Grammys. At last year's 67th Grammys, Kendrick Lamar notoriously swept awards — this year, all the same. Additionally, the Grammys set a new record for the youngest winner of all time, with 8-year-old Aura V, who won for a collaboration with her father and was awarded Best Children’s Album. This record was previously set by Blue Ivy Carter, who was 9 when she won in 2021. Steven Spielberg also officially became an EGOT recipient for his production of the 2024 documentary “Music” by John Williams.
Amid the mess of presenting and red carpet controversies, the award show perfectly encapsulated the talent of all artists present. Although many would have liked to see longer performances from certain artists, the choice of having all new artists performing shows the transformative movement in music in 2026. Mixing new artists among other notable figures, like Ms. Lauryn Hill, shows unity through music in times of uncertainty — allowing for another notable Grammys.
