In a historic, triumphant night for women in the field of music as female artists won the top awards at the Grammy awards 2021. HER won the song of the year for the Black Lives Matter anthem I Can’t Breathe. Taylor Swift became the first woman to win album of the year three times while rapper Meghan Thee Stallion won the best new artist and best rap performance for her Savage remix with Beyonce. Beyonce was also awarded best R&B performance for Black Parade.
(Images for representation only)
This cascade of success for black female artists glossed over a growing wave of criticism over the Grammy’s opaque nomination process. Canadian artist The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, led an anti-Grammys chorus along with Zayn and Drake. He said that he would boycott the awards from now and direct his record label not to submit his music for future contention.
The show highlighted several independent music venues strapped by lost business due to the shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The evening belonged not to one superstar but to several women especially Meghan Thee Stallion, Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia won the best pop vocal album while Billie Eilish took home record of the year for Everything I Wanted.
