With 2020 behind us, it’s time to look back on all of the amazing music from this past year during the 63rd annual Grammy Awards Show. After a year of staying at home and quarantining, it’ll be great to have a taste of live performances once again from artists such as Harry Styles, Megan Thee Stallion, BTS, Taylor Swift, Dua Lipa and more! Stay tuned for live updates on winners, performances, and other highlights from the Grammys.
Before we get into the actual show, let’s look at some pre-show wins! Andrew Watt took home the Producer of the Year award. He’s produced “Break My Heart” by Dua Lipa and “Take What You Want” by Post Malone featuring Ozzy Osbourne and Travis Scott, amongst other songs. “Crowded Table” by the Highway Women won best Country Song of the year. A first time Grammy win for The Strokes with their album The New Abnormal taking home the Best Rock Album award. Body Count won Best Metal Performance with “Bum Rush,” making it Ice-T’s second Grammy win ever. It’s no surprise that Lady Gaga won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance with Ariana Grande for their song, “Rain On Me.” Jazz Legend Chick Corea won Best Improvised Jazz Solo with the song “All Blues.” Fiona Apple took home the Best Rock Performance with “Shameika.” And of course, Megan Thee Stallion wins best rap performance with the viral song, “Savage” featuring the iconic Beyonce.
This years Grammy red carpet looks a little bit different than usual. The red carpet isn’t bustling with the biggest names in music and celebrities. Instead, people are interviewed one at a time and some artists, like BTS and Chloe x Halle are being interviewed over video call. This year’s Grammys are taking place at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
5:00 pm (PST): Trevor Noah makes his first appearance as Grammy’s host mentioning how the Grammys this year are socially distanced. He runs through the performance list while walking down a hall way and right onto this years Grammy stage. Trevor Noah welcomes Harry Styles to the stage. Harry dons a bright green scarf, singing a slow rendition of his hit summer song, “Watermelon Sugar.” He’s in a full flared leather suit (no shirt, of course) , and owns the stage, interacting with each and every musician up there with him. A chill and stellar intro to this years Grammy Awards.
5:09 PM (PST): Billie Eilish performs her song “Everything I Wanted” right after Styles’ performance. The stage becomes dark and smoky, creating the typical Billie Eilish atmosphere.
5:13 PM (PST): The show, so far, feels like a lounge performance. It’s extremely intimate, a huge contrast to the typical Grammy openers. There’s no camera panning towards the crowd, as there isn’t any. There’s an occasional pan towards our host, Trevor Noah and a few straggling “audience members”, jamming out to the tunes. It’s completely focused on the musicians and their talent. Haim have taken over the stage now, and as per usual, they’re rocking out.
5:21 PM (PST): Lizzo is presenting the Best New Artist Award, wearing a lovely iridescent dress and hitting a casual high note during her presentation! Grammys are being presented outdoors, which is something I’ve never seen before. It looks like a super elite dinner party. Lizzo fumbles opening the Grammy, but reveals that Megan Thee Stallion is the winner! She looks completely shocked, even behind her bright orange mask (to match her beautiful bright orange dress.).
5:26 PM(PST): Black Pumas introduce their performance with a recap of their music. It’s a great introduction for someone who might not know who they are. They talk about the art of street performing on the Santa Monica pier, and then proceeds to perform right on the legendary Grammy Stage! Eric Burton’s vocals are sultry and warm, before hitting an incredible high note leading into Adrian Quesada’s guitar solo.
5:37 PM (PST): Dababy introduces himself and his daughter. His performance begins with an amazing violin, and him conducting the orchestra of judges behind him. A classical twist to his song “Rockstar” featuring Roddy Rich. An up close shot shows the many diamond chains on his neck, and his badazzled white glove (as well as a bedazzled conductor’s wand). The judges in the background hit a high note at the end, closing out the performance. Bad Bunny performs on a completely transformed stage, walking through neon shades of pink and blue. He’s rocking some cute mini buns, completely vibing out to his own performance (I don’t blame him).
5:46 PM (PST): Trevor Noah makes a comment about feeling like he was back in the club after Bad Bunny’s performance, and I completely agree. Oh, how we long for the club again…
5:49 PM (PST): Dua Lipa performs “Levitating” in a bright pink gown, with a dream like backdrop. The camera pans to Trevor Noah dancing along to the song with Bad Bunny, super cute. Dua Lipa owns the stage as per usual, and as Noah said per the last performance, this song also makes me miss the club. She’s rocking a disco theme as the song shifts to “Don’t Start Now”. Her backup dancers are all wearing masks, a reminder that this years Grammys are unlike any other. I’m living for this performance, it’s light hearted, it’s fun, it’s pink and it’s everything I need right now.
5:59 PM (PST): Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak perform together as Silk Sonic, singing their song “Leave the Door Open”. This is the first time I’ve seen Bruno Mars perform in a long time, and it’s great to see him again. If Dua Lipa’s performance was 70s disco, this is old school Rhythm and Blues, giving us The Temptations, The Jackson Five and others. Not just in the performance, but in the outfits and the backdrop. Bruno Mars is putting his all into this performance, hitting all the right notes.
6:04 PM (PST): The Best Country Album goes to Miranda Lambert for her album Wild Card. She was going against big names like Little Big Town and Ashley McBryde.
6:09 PM (PST): Taylor Swift begins her performance lying on the grass, looking beautiful. The stage has been transformed into a woodland wonderland, as she sings on top of a moss covered hut in the forest, wearing a gorgeous blue and gold dress. Taylor Swift’s performances are always a pleasure to watch. Jack Antonoff, wonderful producer and of Bleachers fame, performs alongside her. The statuesque Swift struts out of the hut and performs “Willow,” flinging her dress towards the audience. She knows that she’s one of the greats. This was one of the best sets we’ve seen all night on the stage.
6:19 PM (PST): We’re anxiously anticipating the Best Pop Solo performance. The night manager of the Troubadour makes us miss going to live concerts, as she announces the awards. The Grammy goes to Harry Styles, making this his first Grammy win ever! I’m smiling while writing this. He’s also changed his scarf feather boa from green to purple, but if there’s anything we know about Harry Styles, it’s that he can rock almost anything. “Watermelon Sugar” was truly the song of the summer and deserves the win. Styles was against some great songs such as “Say So” by Doja Cat and “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa.
6:25 PM (PST): To remember Little Richard and everything he brought to music, Bruno Mara puts on a stellar performance of “God Golly Miss Molly,” showcasing his voice to the best degree. What a tribute!! Bruno Mars is on fire tonight.
6:28 PM (PST): Lionel Richie’s performance of “Lady,” written by the late Kenny Rogers is heart felt and moving. This tribute creamy holds a special place in Richie’s heart as he ends the performance with “I miss you Kenny. I miss you man.” So many musical legends have passed away this year, most recently including Sophie, a masterful artist of hyper pop. Brandi Carlisle performs a tribute to John Prine, acclaimed singer-songwriter. Carlisle’s voice tugs at heart strings as she sings “I Remember Everything,” and you can feel the pain in her voice. While her voice is incredible, it’s the lyrics that are the standout here. The tributes end with an amazing performance by Brittany Howard. I’m completely astounded by her performance. If you haven’t heard her sing before, it’s an incredible experience. It’ll give you chills every time.
6:41 PM (PST): Mickey Guyton, the first Black, female solo artist to be nominated in the country music category, performs her song “Black Like Me.” This performance and this song are both huge and necessary break throughs in country music, an industry that has notoriously marginalized people of color and LGBT+ people. Her voice is amazing, but the lyrics to this song are out of this world. She performs with gusto in her long, gold dress. After her song, she introduces Miranda Lambert to the stage. John Mayer joins Maren Morris for her performance. Mayer is focused on his guitar playing and Morris works the stage in her bright red dress.
6:52 PM (PST): I’m sure we’re all anticipating the first ever performance of WAP by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. Are they going to bleep out the entire song?
6:58 PM (PST): Anderson Paak won Best Melo Rap album, prompting the audience to “use their voice.” Bad Bunny won best Latin Pop or Urban Album, looking like a gothic bunny with his bunny eared beanie. H.E.R brings home the Grammy for Song of the Year for her song “I Can’t Breathe.” Her acceptance speech was wonderful, letting us into her lives by telling us that her father was in tears when she first played the song to him. She adds, “but remember, we are the change we wish to see. The fight that we had in us summer 2020, keep the energy.” SAY IT AGAIN FOR THE PEOPLE IN THE BACK!
7:07 PM (PST): It’s time to get to know Megan Thee Stallion as she performs “Body.” She makes her appearance in a all white burlesque style fit, looking amazing. Her performance is absolutely mesmerizing, if there’s one thing you should know it’s that Megan Thee Stallion knows how to work a stage. I never thought tap dancing and Megan The Stallion would go together but as a matter of fact, it does and I want more!! More people should tap dance to hip hop. Her high energy performance leads directly to Cardi B’s, “Up.” The stage is lit up in a trippy backdrop, with Cardi B dancing in the center- everyone’s fever dream. The camera pans to Post Malone, who is clearly having the time of his life watching this performance. Now it’s time for the legendary first time performance of “WAP” and it’s everything we’ve ever imagined. There’s a dancer dancing inside a giant stiletto with money flying, as Cardi dances around the heel like a stripper pole. But the best part was when Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B rolled around on a giant bed, singing the finale parts of “WAP.” and unfortunately they did not have a pillow fight. At the end of the performance, Trevor Noah asks the audience “did you see that?” Yes, and we want more.
7:24 PM (PST): Billy Mitchell thanks James Brown for kick starting his career at the legendary Apollo Theatre. The empty seats and stage are a heart breaking sight, but concerts seem closer everyday. Mitchell announces the award for “Best Rap Song.” The Grammy goes to Megan Thee Stallion for “Savage,” making it her third win of the night. Although Beyonce didn’t perform with Megan Thee Stallion, she followed her up on the stage to accept her award. Megan thanks everyone she can think of, making sure to throw in a few of her signature “ahh’s.” With this win, Beyonce is now tied for the most Grammys ever held by a female artist at 27 awards.
7:33 PM (PST): Post Malone steps out on the stage to perform “Hollywood’s Bleeding.” The highlight reel shown before the performance shows Malone’s likable character and shy personality. He’s wearing all black leather, creating a super villain/gothic look. His voice is deep and raspy, but still being able to hit some of the higher notes. This performance is slightly terrifying. If you don’t like cults you won’t like this. Shadowy, cloaked people gather around Post Malone with candles, smoke twisting around them.
7:44 PM (PST): And the Best Pop Vocal Album Grammy goes to Dua Lipa for her album Future Nostalgia. She went up against Harry Styles (who has since changed his scarf boa to black) for his album Fine Line and Lady Gaga for her amazing album Chromatica.
7:48 PM (PST): Lil Baby’s performance of “The Bigger Picture” has a full set, and displays a terrifyingly realistic scene of police brutality. This performance does a great job of moulding together real life events, acting and music. Killer Mike also makes an appearance, as well as social justice leader Tamika D. Mallory. It tells a very real story that’s not over yet. The performance ends with Lil Baby jumping up on a cop car, with fireworks going off in the background.
7:57 PM (PST): Beyonce makes history with her win of Best R&B performance, making her the first female artist with 28 Grammy awards. Beyonce thanks her children, and acknowledges that her daughter Blu won her first Grammy tonight. A historic win for Beyonce!
8:00 PM (PST): If you’re a fan of Doja Cat, she needs no introduction. We’ve been with her since “Mooo!” It’s great to see Doja Cat at the Grammys. Her robotic themed performance of “Say So” looks like the weirdest and best version of dystopia.
8:10 PM (PST): The Grammy for Album of the Year goes to Taylor Swift for her album “Folklore.” Swift looks great as she accepts her award in a beautiful floral dress.
8:20 PM (PST): Billie Eilish talks about her experience with sleep paralysis and nightmares to create her music. She recounts her time at the 2020 Grammys, one of the best nights for her. At such a young age, Eilish has achieved so much in the music industry.
8:26 PM (PST): BTS performs”Dynamite,” the upbeat, catchy song that’s been on everybody’s minds. The dancing is a standout and leads them to the roof of the building, where they finish the performance. The roof is all lit up as the members of BTS dance the night away. It’s seamless and looks as if they were right in LA with everyone else. Beyonce’s album Black Parade is spotlighted after their performance. If you haven’t listened to the album, this will give you a taste of what it’s like.
8:32 pm (PST): Roddy Ricch performs “The Box.” Stay tuned, there are more awards to be announced!
8:39 PM (PST): Billie Eilish wins, and is as humble as ever in her acceptance speech. She pulls an Adele and tells Megan Thee Stallion that her award goes to her.
And that’s a wrap on this year’s Grammy Awards! If there’s anything to be said about the 63rd Grammy Awards it’s that music will make any situation better, and it will always be there for us- even in a global pandemic.
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