The 66th Annual Grammy Awards aired on February 4, 2024 to honor the best recordings, compositions, and artists from October 1, 2022 to September 15, 2023. The nominees, which were announced on November 10, 2023, are chosen by the voting members of The Recording Academy, who go through a series of ballots, select five finalists for each award and ultimately decide the winner. Every year after the Grammys, controversy sparks as viewers share their opinions on who won and who should’ve won. This year was no different and spectators have become very vocal about the results.
This year, pop star Taylor Swift’s album “Midnights” won two grammys, including an award for “Album of the Year” and for “Best Pop Vocal Album.” After the announcement of her win, she brought Lana Del Rey up on stage to celebrate with her, as they’re close friends and Del Rey featured on one of her songs. While some think it was nice of Swift to do so, others disagree.
“Most people think that it was nice for Taylor to bring Lana up on stage, after it was announced that Taylor won, but to me it seemed like Lana didn’t want to be there,” said Emily Manivong (12). “Lana should’ve won something. However, I think it was sweet how Taylor supported Olivia Rodrigo during her performance because Olivia looked up to Taylor as an inspiration for her music. Billie Eilish looked hot and Miley Cyrus popped off with her performance.”
To celebrate, Miley Cyrus finally won a grammy for her song “Flowers” for “Record of the Year.” Cyrus has been nominated for eight different awards in the past nine years, and finally went home with a win. “Flowers” wasn’t everyone’s favorite song, but many think she deserved this one after her years of hard work.
“I think it was nice of Taylor to bring Lana up on stage and she did not look forced,” said Mikaela Claros (12). “However, SOS or Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd should’ve won album of the year. Boygenius had a mediocre album and should not have won against Lana. Taylor’s album was good, just not her best, but did have some good lyrics and was somewhat deserving. Tracy Chapman is a queen for her performance. Miley finally won record of the year for her song “Flowers” and Billie fully deserved the grammys she won this year. Also, Victoria Monet deserved her grammy for best new artist because she’s the most authentic. The Grammys are bad every year but I’m fully invested even though it’s all a scam.”
It’s upsetting to many fans who didn’t get to see Del Rey win a grammy this year. She has previously been nominated for nine different awards, not including the grammy for “Album of the Year” in 2024. A great deal of fans and viewers think this should’ve been Del Rey’s year after the release of “Did You Know That There’s a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd” but unfortunately it was not.
“I think SZA or Lana should’ve won that grammy instead of Taylor,” said Sofia Lyons (12). “I disliked how Taylor dragged Lana on stage with her to accept her award even though Lana lost. Then she went on to talk about her new album like it was fans in the audience and not other artists.”
Swift’s victory is one of the most controversial, as some believe there were more deserving artists. Another artist in the running for “Album of the Year” was SZA, for her hit album, “SOS.” She was also nominated for “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and “Best R&B Performance.” SZA may not have won best album but she did win the grammy for “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance” with her and Phoebe Bridger’s song “Ghost in the Machine.”
Whether you agree or disagree with the results, it’s a great honor and accomplishment for those who received an award. Each individual worked hard and deserved to be rewarded for their achievements.
