Every music star dreams of one day winning a Grammy. The gold-plated trophy depicting a gramophone represents years of hard work and dedication to up-and-coming stars. Recognized as one of the most prestigious awards in the music industry, The Grammys honor major achievements each year and help put new artists on the board.
This year’s Grammys were not disappointing. Filled with shocking wins and a variety of new artists, controversy spread quickly. Viewers questioned the winners and were upset for the losers. They shared their thoughts through social media, putting new artists on the map.
A new artist in particular blew up the map with her fantastic year on the charts. Indie pop artist Chappel Roan took home the Grammy for “Best New Artist.” Her hit album “The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess” made her a worldwide sensation and solidified Roan as a serious artist within the music industry. When receiving the award, Roan took the opportunity to speak on issues regarding artist protection and support. Whether it be livable wages, healthcare, or humanization Roan advocated for developing artists stating, “Labels we got you, but do you got us?”
Within a category with fewer nommenties, Best Country Album went to Beyonce’s, “Cowboy Carter”. Beyonce’s popular reaction was similarly shared by many other viewers due to her album not aligning with traditional genre stereotypes. Beyoncé countered within her acceptance stating “Genre is a cold word to keep us in our place as artists… I want to encourage people to do what they’re passionate about.” Though “Cowboy Carter” signifies genre bending elements, many country music fans seem to be not as open minded to the idea of artists pursuing their passions.
Additionally popular rap artist Kendrick Lamar had quite the year taking home a number of awards for his hit diss track “Not Like Us.” Lamar received five Grammys for his song in the following categories: Song of the year, Record of the year, Best rap performance, Best rap song, and Best music video. Attendees of the show can be heard singing along to the lyrics alluding to the record’s extreme success.
Another artist who finally received the recognition she deserved was Sabrina Carpenter. Carpenter received Best Pop Solo Performance for her song “Espresso” and she also received Best Pop Vocal Album for her album “Short n’ Sweet.” Carpenter’s fan base has been growing rapidly since the beginning of her career and her hard work finally paid off this year as she won these two awards.
Along with Carpenter, Doechii celebrated a big win for women in the rap industry as she received Best Rap Album for her album “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” The only two other women besides Doechii who have won this award are Lauryn Hill and Cardi B. Doechii’s victory open up the door for up and coming female rappers.
Each year, the Grammys honor musical achievements and the industry’s diversity. As one of the most prestigious and talked about events, artists’ hard work and dedication is recognized, paving the way for the next generation of music stars.
