Women Rule: boygenius, SZA, Taylor Swift Win Big At Female-Led Grammys

CRYPTO.COM ARENA, LOS ANGELES — It was only fitting for this year’s “biggest night in music” to be headlined by the same women who propelled the industry to remarkable heights in 2023. Female artists not only dominated the Grammy Awards stage to deliver electrifying performances but also to receive the evening’s top awards with boygenius, SZA and Victoria Monét leading the pack and Taylor Swift making history at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California, on Feb. 4.

Today, the Grammys’ incredible performances is likely will be what’s discussed most. Highlights included Joni Mitchell making her Grammy Awards debut with an elegant performance of “Both Sides Now” backed by Brandi Carlile and Allison Russell; Tracy Chapman teaming up with Luke Combs for a stunning rendition of “Fast Car;” an electric tribute to Tina Turner from Fantasia Barrino; a bloody good Olivia Rodrigo singing her hit single “Vampire;” and Billy Joel returning to the Grammys stage for the first time in over 20 years to unveil his new song, “Turn the Lights Back On.”

More historic by far, however, is that all four major categories were won by a female artist, with boygenius (see Pollstar cover story), a.k.a. Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus, the biggest winner of the night taking home three golden gramophones (Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Alternative Music Album), went out with a bang after announcing a hiatus while performing an acoustic set in Los Angeles on Feb. 2 — along with a win in the Best Pop Duo/ Group Performance category for being featured on SZA’s “Ghost in the Machine.”

SZA, (see cover story) who turned in a cinematic performance with dystopian and science fiction elements, nabbed three awards, including Best R&B Song for “Snooze.” Monét also scored three wins, the biggest coming in a Best New Artist category that featured a stellar list of artists including Jelly Roll, Noah Kahan and The War And Treaty— all of whom were featured on the cover of Pollstar in the past year.

A night of recognizing women wouldn’t have been complete without Swift, who won the award for Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year with Midnights. Following a year in which she set the all-time touring record by eclipsing the billion-dollar mark (which was first reported by Pollstar), Swift made history yet again, this time at the Grammy Awards, by becoming the first artist ever to win Album of the Year four times. She entered the ceremony tied with Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon as the only three-time winners of the coveted award.

“I would love to tell you that this is the best moment of my life, but I feel this happy when I finish a song or when I crack the code to a bridge that I love or when I’m shot listing a music video or when I’m rehearsing with my dancers or my band or getting ready to go to Tokyo to play a show,” said Swift, who also announced that she is releasing a new album, The Tortured Poets Department, on April 19. “For me, the award is the work. All I want to do is keep being able to do this.”

Swift’s “Eras Tour” film was also a testament to her star power, grossing more than $261 million to become the highest-grossing concert movie of all time. Another female-led film that bolstered the film industry was “Barbie,” which not only resonated with general audiences but with the Recording Academy as well. One of the hits featured on the soundtrack, “What Was I Made For?,” earned Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas O’Connell two Grammy awards, including the Song of the Year honor.

“Damn, dude. Wow. I’m shocked out of my balls. … Thank you to Greta Gerwig for making the best movie of the year,” said Eilish, who performed a haunting rendition of the song.

It was also a career night for Miley Cyrus, who got the crowd on their feet with her performance of “Flowers.” The 31-year-old popstar finally captured her first Grammy wins, taking awards in the Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance categories.

It truly was a triumphant return for Hayley Williams and her Paramore bandmates. They picked up their second and third Grammys with This Is Why winning Best Rock Album and the LP’s titular song taking Best Alternative Music Performance.

One of the surprises of the early awards presentation was Killer Mike sweeping nominations in three rap categories, including a Best Rap Album category that featured a stacked nominees list with Drake and 21 Savage, Travis Scott, Metro Boomin and Nas. Taking home three golden gramophones, his first since winning in 2003 when he released his debut album Monster, is quite a feat for the 48-year-old rapper and activist.

“I wanna encourage people out there that are chasing their dream if it feels like you’re slower, if it feels like some other people are reaching the finish line first or ahead of you, don’t worry. Just keep running your race,” he said. “Keep running your race and grinding your plans. … It is our opportunity, it is our must, it is our absolute responsibility to be grand in every action. So, for 20 years I’ve been saying I can do it, I can do it, I can do it. And in [my] 20^th year of hip hop, here I am doing it.”

Killer Mike was involved in another shocking Grammys moment shortly after speaking to the press about his victories. A video from The Hollywood Reporter surfaced on social media showing Killer Mike being escorted out of the arena in handcuffs. He was booked for misdemeanor battery, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

It wouldn’t be the Grammys if there wasn’t some drama, and there was more of it during the telecast and backstage with the media. Artists didn’t hold back from expressing their opinions and thoughts about the Recording Academy’s members. After being honored with the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, a nervous Jay-Z spoke about the fact that his wife Beyoncé has won a record 32 Grammys but none of them were for Album of the Year.

“We love y’all … we want ya’ll to get it right, at least get it close to right,” he said. “Obviously it’s subjective because it’s music and it’s opinion-based. […] I don’t want to embarrass this young lady, but she has more Grammys than everyone and never won Album of the Year, but even by your own metrics, that doesn’t work. … Some of you gonna go home tonight and feel like you’ve been robbed. Some of you may get robbed. Some of you don’t belong in the category.”

The rapper went on to say, “You gotta keep showing up until they give you all those accolades you feel you deserve, until they call you chairman, until they call you a genius, until they call you the greatest of all time. You feel me?”

Bridgers was also outspoken and didn’t mince her words when speaking about former Recording Academy president Neil Portnow, who controversially said that female artists needed to “step up” six years ago after women were underrepresented among the list of winners.

“I have something to say about women,” Bridgers told the media. “The ex-president of the Recording Academy Neil Portnow said that if women want to be nominated and win Grammys that they should step up. He’s also being accused of sexual violence. And to him, I’d like to say, ‘I know you’re not dead yet, but when you are, rot in piss.'”

Country song “White Horse” earned Chris Stapleton two awards and Lainey Wilson took home the Best Country Album honor.

Fred again..’s remarkable year continued at the Grammys ceremony with the EDM star claiming awards for Best Dance/Electronic Recording and Best Dance/Electronic Music Album.

Karol G became the first woman to win the Best Música Urbana Album award, and the charming Colombian proceeded to introduce herself to the crowd before saying, “This is my first time at [the] Grammys, and this is my first time holding my own Grammy.”

She wasn’t the only Latin star to be recognized. Peso Pluma, who became a sensation last year by bringing corridos (Mexican folk music) to the limelight, took home the award for Best Música Mexicana Album with GÉNESIS.

2024 GRAMMY AWARD WINNERS

Record Of The Year
“Flowers” by Miley Cyrus

Album Of The Year
Midnights by Taylor Swift

Song Of The Year
“What Was I Made For?” – Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

Best New Artist
Victoria Monét

Producer Of The Year, Non-Classical
Jack Antonoff

Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical
Theron Thomas

Best Pop Solo Performance
“Flowers” by Miley Cyrus

Best Pop Duo/Group Performance
“Ghost In The Machine” by SZA featuring Phoebe Bridgers

Best Pop Vocal Album
Midnights by Taylor Swift

Best Dance/Electronic Recording
“Rumble” by Skrillex, Fred again.. & Flowdan

Best Pop Dance Recording
“Padam Padam” by Kylie Minogue

Best Dance/Electronic Music Album
Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022) by Fred again..

Best Rock Performance
“Not Strong Enough” by boygenius

Best Metal Performance
“72 Seasons” by Metallica

Best Rock Song
“Not Strong Enough” – Julien Baker, Phoebe Bridgers & Lucy Dacus, songwriters (boygenius)

Best Rock Album
This Is Why by Paramore

Best Alternative Music Performance
“This Is Why” by Paramore

Best Alternative Music Album
The Record by boygenius

Best R&B Performance
“ICU” by Coco Jones

Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Good Morning” by PJ Morton featuring Susan Carol

Best R&B Song
“Snooze” – Kenny B. Edmonds, Blair Ferguson, Khris Riddick-Tynes, Solána Rowe & Leon Thomas, songwriters (SZA)

Best Progressive R&B Album
SOS by SZA

Best R&B Album
JAGUAR II by Victoria Monét

Best Rap Performance
“SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS” by Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future And Eryn Allen Kane

Best Melodic Rap Performance
“All My Life” by Lil Durk featuring J. Cole

Best Rap Song
“SCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS” – Andre Benjamin, Paul Beauregard, James Blake, Michael Render, Tim Moore & Dion Wilson, songwriters (Killer Mike Featuring André 3000, Future And Eryn Allen Kane)

Best Rap Album
MICHAEL by Killer Mike

Best Spoken Word Poetry Album
The Light Inside by J. Ivy

Best Jazz Performance
“Tight” by Samara Joy

Best Jazz Vocal Album
How Love Begins by Nicole Zuraitis

Best Jazz Instrumental Album
The Winds Of Change by Billy Childs

Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album
Basie Swings The Blues by The Count Basie Orchestra Directed By Scotty Barnhart

Best Latin Jazz Album
El Arte Del Bolero Vol. 2 by Miguel Zenón & Luis Perdomo

Best Alternative Jazz Album
The Omnichord Real Book by Meshell Ndegeocello

Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album
Bewitched by Laufey

Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
As We Speak by Béla Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer, Featuring Rakesh Chaurasia

Best Musical Theater Album
Some Like It Hot – Christian Borle, J. Harrison Ghee, Adrianna Hicks & NaTasha Yvette Williams, principal vocalists; Mary-Mitchell Campbell, Bryan Carter, Scott M. Riesett, Charlie Rosen & Marc Shaiman, producers; Scott Wittman, lyricist; Marc Shaiman, composer & lyricist (Original Broadway Cast)

Best Country Solo Performance
“White Horse” by Chris Stapleton

Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“I Remember Everything” by Zach Bryan featuring Kacey Musgraves

Best Country Song
“White Horse” – Chris Stapleton & Dan Wilson, songwriters (Chris Stapleton)

Best Country Album
Bell Bottom Country by Lainey Wilson

Best Americana Performance
“Dear Insecurity” by Brandy Clark featuring Brandi Carlile

Best American Roots Song
“Cast Iron Skillet” – Jason Isbell, songwriter (Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit)

Best Americana Album
Weathervanes by Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit

Best Bluegrass Album
City Of Gold by Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway

Best Traditional Blues Album
All My Love For You by Bobby Rush

Best Contemporary Blues Album
Blood Harmony by Larkin Poe

Best Folk Album
Joni Mitchell At Newport [Live] by Joni Mitchell

Best Regional Roots Music Album
Tie — New Beginnings by Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. & The Legendary Ils Sont Partis Band
Tie — Live: Orpheum Theater Nola by Lost Bayou Ramblers & Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

Best Gospel Performance/Song
“All Things” – Kirk Franklin; Kirk Franklin, songwriter

Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song
“Your Power” by Lecrae & Tasha Cobbs Leonard

Best Gospel Album
All Things New: Live In Orlando by Tye Tribbett

Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
Church Clothes 4 by Lecrae

Best Roots Gospel Album
Echoes Of The South by Blind Boys Of Alabama

Best Latin Pop Album
X Mí (Vol. 1) by Gaby Moreno

Best Música Urbana Album
MAÑANA SERÁ BONITO by Karol G

Best Latin Rock or Alternative Album
Tie — Vida Cotidiana by Juanes
Tie — De Todas Las Flores by Natalia Lafourcade

Best Música Mexicana Album
GÉNESIS by Peso Pluma

Best Tropical Latin Album
Siembra: 45º Aniversario (En Vivo en el Coliseo de Puerto Rico, 14 de Mayo 2022) by Rubén Blades Con Roberto Delgado & Orquesta

Best Global Music Performance
“Pashto” by Béla Fleck, Edgar Meyer & Zakir Hussain Featuring Rakesh Chaurasia

Best African Music Performance
“Water” by Tyla

Best Global Music Album
This Moment by Shakti

Best Reggae Album
Colors Of Royal by Julian Marley & Antaeus

Best New Age, Ambient, or Chant Album
So She Howls by Carla Patullo Featuring Tonality And The Scorchio Quartet

Best Children’s Music Album
We Grow Together Preschool Songs by 123 Andrés

Best Comedy Album
What’s In A Name? by Dave Chappelle

Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording
The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times by Michelle Obama

Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media
Barbie The Album

Best Score Soundtrack For Visual Media (Includes Film And Television)
Oppenheimer – Ludwig Göransson, composer

Best Score Soundtrack for Video Games and Other Interactive Media
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor – Stephen Barton & Gordy Haab, composers

Best Song Written For Visual Media
“What Was I Made For?” [From Barbie The Album] – Billie Eilish O’Connell & Finneas O’Connell, songwriters (Billie Eilish)

Best Music Video
“I’m Only Sleeping” by The Beatles – Em Cooper, video director; Jonathan Clyde, Sophie Hilton, Sue Loughlin & Laura Thomas, video producers

Best Music Film
Moonage Daydream (David Bowie) – Brett Morgen, video director; Brett Morgen, video producer

Best Recording Package
Stumpwork – Luke Brooks & James Theseus Buck, art directors (Dry Cleaning)

Best Boxed Or Special Limited Edition Package
For The Birds: The Birdsong Project – Jeri Heiden & John Heiden, art directors (Various Artists)

Best Album Notes
Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos – Robert Gordon & Deanie Parker, album notes writers

Best Historical Album
Written In Their Soul: The Stax Songwriter Demos – Robert Gordon, Deanie Parker, Cheryl Pawelski, Michele Smith & Mason Williams, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer; Michael Graves, restoration engineer

Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical
JAGUAR II – John Kercy, Kyle Mann, Victoria Monét, Patrizio “Teezio” Pigliapoco, Neal H Pogue & Todd Robinson, engineers; Colin Leonard, mastering engineer (Victoria Monét)

Best Engineered Album, Classical
Contemporary American Composers – David Frost & Charlie Post, engineers; Silas Brown, mastering engineer (Riccardo Muti & Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Producer Of The Year, Classical
Elaine Martone

Best Remixed Recording
“Wagging Tongue (Wet Leg Remix)” – Wet Leg, remixers (Depeche Mode)

Best Immersive Audio Album
The Diary Of Alicia Keys – George Massenburg & Eric Schilling, immersive mix engineers; Michael Romanowski, immersive mastering engineer; Alicia Keys & Ann Mincieli, immersive producers (Alicia Keys)

Best Instrumental Composition
“Helena’s Theme” – John Williams, composer (John Williams)

Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella
“Folsom Prison Blues” – John Carter Cash, Tommy Emmanuel, Markus Illko, Janet Robin & Roberto Luis Rodriguez, arrangers (The String Revolution featuring Tommy Emmanuel)

Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals
“In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning” – Erin Bentlage, Jacob Collier, Sara Gazarek, Johnaye Kendrick & Amanda Taylor, arrangers (säje Featuring Jacob Collier)

Best Orchestral Performance
Adès: Dante – Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic)

Best Opera Recording
Blanchard: Champion – Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor; Ryan Speedo Green, Latonia Moore & Eric Owens; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus)

Best Choral Performance
Saariaho: Reconnaissance – Nils Schweckendiek, conductor (Uusinta Ensemble; Helsinki Chamber Choir)

Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance
Rough Magic by Roomful Of Teeth

Best Classical Instrumental Solo
The American Project by Yuja Wang; Teddy Abrams, conductor (Louisville Orchestra)

Best Classical Solo Vocal Album
Walking In The Dark – Julia Bullock, soloist; Christian Reif, conductor (Philharmonia Orchestra)

Best Classical Compendium
Passion For Bach And Coltrane – Alex Brown, Harlem Quartet, Imani Winds, Edward Perez, Neal Smith & A.B. Spellman; Silas Brown & Mark Dover, producers

Best Contemporary Classical Composition
Montgomery: Rounds – Jessie Montgomery, composer (Awadagin Pratt, A Far Cry & Roomful Of Teeth)