The 64th annual Grammy awards took place on Sunday, April 3rd 2022 — marking the first time the event was held in Las Vegas due to the global pandemic of COVID-19 and the various measures taken by different states. The ceremony was held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, which was a first for the awards show. Sadly it’s important to point out that the pre-Grammy Brunch wasn’t held this year either for fear of the ongoing pandemic.
Despite the challenges of holding another edition during a pandemic — the show went off without a hitch and was a night to remember.
One of the most notable aspects of the ceremony was the diverse group of winners. The top awards were mainly issued from the minority pool with the likes of Olivia Rodrigo, Silk Sonic, Doja Cat and Jon Batiste who took home some of the biggest awards of the night. This is a testament to the progress that the music industry has made in recent years towards greater representation and inclusion.
Tyler, the Creator took home the award for Best Rap album with his album “Call Me If You Get Lost” winning over a DJ Khaled with star studded features but that’s what music is about. Silk Sonic definitely captured the audience’s heart. Chris Stapleton’s “Starting Over” won best Country Album and legendary group Foo Fighters won in the Best Rock album category. The South African phenomenon DJ Black Coffee rightfully won Dance/Electronic Album with “Subconsciously”. It is just undeniable that Jon Batiste was the star of the night being the most nominated and most wins. We loved it!
Another element different from previous editions was the address via video of the Ukrainian president — a stance that the Recording Academy decided to take.
All in all, it was a night to remember and a great showcase of the diversity and talent in the music industry. Even though the event was held in Las Vegas, it was a gamble that truly paid off in spades! Speaking of spades, it's still time to "ace" the music game with more representation and diversity at every level.