The Grammy Awards, the American music industry’s awards, offered a few surprises Sunday night in Los Angeles, beyond the inevitable Taylor Swift. Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell on stage, an award-winning rapper, and arrested a few minutes later, a touch of afrobeat: Long grayish braids, guitar on her shoulder, and voice still as sweet and pure, Cleveland singer was acclaimed, while many fans shared their emotions on social media. The song has had a second life thanks to Luke Combs’ cover this year.
And since its broadcast at the Grammys, it has topped the Apple Music downloads chart. Among the tributes, Annie Lennox sang, tears in her eyes, “Nothing Compares 2 U” by the Irishwoman Sinead O’Connor, who passed away in 2023, before launching: “Artists for a ceasefire” in the Gaza Strip. One of the few political interventions of the evening.
“When I say I’m glad to be here, I really mean it, with all my heart,” she said. “Those who have had the chance to attend the Grammy Awards should never take for granted the immense love and joy that music brings to our lives and to people all over the world,” she continued. The Quebec star, nominated 16 times for the Grammys (5 wins), has not taken the stage since a concert in Newark, USA, in March 2020.
A few days ago, Prime Video announced the upcoming release of a documentary about the 55-year-old singer, “I Am: Céline Dion,” in which she wants to “raise awareness” about her illness. This is what happened to rapper Killer Mike Sunday night. The star of the evening in the hip-hop category, he won three gramophones, including the best rap album for “Michael,” and the best rap song for “Scientists & Engineers,” with André 3000 of the duo Outkast.
But shortly after these awards, given during the pre-ceremony, a video posted on social media showed him handcuffed and escorted by the police in the halls of the Crypto Arena. Asked about the reason for this arrest, the Los Angeles police did not immediately comment. A paradox, because “Queen B” is the most awarded artist in the history of the ceremony, with 32 gramophones.
“Think about that, most Grammys won, not once album of the year, something’s wrong,” he said, his wife present in the room. Beyoncé had become last year the most awarded artist of all time at the Grammy Awards, but the Album of the Year award had eluded her in favor of the British pop star Harry Styles. A critique that Jay-Z clearly wanted to bring up again Sunday night.
African music award*.” It was won by South African singer Tyla for her song “Water.”