Grammy Awards Trophies/GRAMMYs. Photo credit: Getty Images — editing: LeCircles ©LeCircles
We will all remember these 2021 GRAMMYs not just because they took place outdoors after being postponed a first time. Or because of its very few in-person attendees due to the global Covid-19 pandemic but more so because the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards definitely wrote a new page in both the Recording Academy & the Music Industry’s history.
We aren’t just talking about a record broken but more the testimony that this month of March was truly Women’s Month. After all, we love to see Queens winning! Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, H.E.R & Megan Thee Stallion were there to rep! You wanna know why? Well, keep reading.
63rd Grammy Awards, Part of Main Stage designed by Kristen Merlino, L.A. Convention Center, Los Angeles CA, USA. ©LeCircles
Photo credit: Kirsten Merlino — editing: LeCircles
63rd Grammy Awards, Part of Main Stage by RKproductions, L.A. Convention Center, Los Angeles CA, USA. ©LeCircles
Photo credit: RKproductions — editing: LeCircles
Herstory at the GRAMMYs: Beyoncé
Women were front and center among the winners of theses 63rd GRAMMY Awards, with the four top prizes all going to women. Megastar Beyoncé thanks to her “Black Parade” made history when she won best R&B performance, along with 3 other awards, making her the most decorated woman in GRAMMY history and ties with legend producer Quincy D. Jones, Jr.
Album of the year: Taylor Swift
The award for album of the year went to “Miss Americana” Taylor Swift for "Folklore," making her the first female performer to ever win the prize three times; previously taking home the coveted GRAMMY in 2010 and 2015.
During the ceremony, on a stage mimicking a blissful copse she performed her songs “Cardigan” & “August” from her 2020 “Folklore” album. Taylor Swift is truly a heavyweight of the industry and we love to see her achieve milestones after one another, don’t you?
Record of the year: Billie Eilish
Legendary French dramatists Corneille wrote this famous quote: “Aux âmes bien nées, la valeur n’attend point le nombre des années”. Although it’s definitely true for all our women in this article, nevertheless, it’s particularly right for this next artist. At only 19 year old Billie Eilish has already won seven Grammys, including two at this years’s ceremony. Her song "Everything I wanted" earned record of the year, while her song "No Time to Die” wrote with her brother Finneas & soundtrack to the latest James Bond movie, won the Grammy award for best song for visual media.
Best new artist: Megan Thee Stallion
With no much teasing and an early announcement at the premiere, Megan Thee Stallion — American rapper and singer-songwriter won the best new artist prize. Moreover, proving she came to “slay” like her model Queen B, her song "Savage" (featuring Beyoncé) also earned her the best rap performance and best rap song Grammys, turning her to be the first female rapper honored in the latter category.
Song of the year: H.E.R
If you had not yet understood that H.E.R was the embodiment of #BlackExcellence in the making & a true Queen as well, the R&B singer thanks to her “I can’t breathe” song in tribute to George Floyd’s death and wrote with Tiara Thomas and Dernst Emile II earned her the 2021 GRAMMY for song of the year! If you ask anyone at LeCircles we will say it just had to happen! We loved to see her perform her single during the Award show. The fact that these exact words became the motto for the Black Lives Matter just made this win even more powerful! These GRAMMYs were truly HERstory. Both Thomas and H.E.R. accepted the trophy for song of the year at this 2021 GRAMMY ceremony.
Best score soundtrack for visual media: Hildur Gudnadottir
Considered the US music industry's top awards, the GRAMMYs done by the Recording Academy offer a plethora of categories as you may know by now. Women were truly at honor since also in the category best score soundtrack for visual media, composer Hildur Gudnadottir took home the venerated prize for the second year running, this time for her music for the film "Joker.". Covid-19 times, she accepted her trophy virtually.
Herstory all the way up.
We saw women and women winning big! We couldn’t have been happier that despite the controversies — at least these women’s talent, dedication and hard work were (rightfully so) rewarded. The only question that remains — does Beyoncé have enough space for her 28 GRAMMYs? Oh and for Blue Ivy’s one too? Well, if we dare give our thoughts — trust us when we say we want to see that Album of the year go to Queen B some time soon.
Beyoncé (center right) breaking records!
Photo credit: T. Patrick — editing: LeCircles
— SPECIAL NOTE —
Best improvised jazz solo: Chick Corea
We lost so many people during this past year and we offer sincere condolences to every family, person or household that lost a loved one. However, we would like to acknowledge these posthumous GRAMMY wins in both best solo jazz improvisation for his song "All Blues" and best jazz instrumental album for "Trilogy 2." categories. Composer and keyboardist Chick Corea, who died in February 2021, was posthumously awarded those trophies — receiving two GRAMMYs that were shared with musicians Christian McBride and Brian Blade.
Chick Corea — In loving memory.
Chick Corea At the 2013 Grammy Awards
Photo credit: Frederick M. Brown /Getty Images — editing: LeCircles