Rapper Kendrick Lamar won five Grammys at the 68th edition of the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday evening local time, including those for ‘Record of the Year’ and ‘Best Rap Album’. The producer of the song Luther that received the prize for ‘Record of the Year’ is the Dutch Roshwita Bacha, better known as Roselila. The Utrecht native also won a Grammy in 2022 with a song by Kendrick Lamar and Baby Keem.
With his five awards, Kendrick Lamar was the most successful artist of the evening. He has now won a total of 27 Grammys, dethroning Jay-Z as the rapper with the most Grammys ever. “I tell you this every time: hip-hop will always be here,” he said during a brief acceptance speech.
Bad Bunny: ‘ICE out’
Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny won the prestigious Grammy ‘Album of the Year’ at the very end of the evening Debí Tirar Más Photos. It was the first time a Latino artist took home the top Grammy. He was deeply touched and involved the entire Latin American community: “To all the Latinos around the world and to all the artists who were there before me and who should have been here on this stage to receive this award: thank you very much.”
Earlier in the evening, Bad Bunny used his Grammy for best música urbana album to make a political statement about ICE. “Before I thank God, I first want to say: ICE has to go,” he began his speech, followed by loud applause. “We are not barbarians, we are not animals, we are not aliens, we are human beings and we are Americans.” Bad Bunny will perform the halftime show during the Super Bowl later this month.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar receives the Grammy for ‘Best Rap Album’.
Photo Chris Torres / EPA
American singer Billie Eilish won the Grammy for ‘Song of the Year’ together with her brother Finneas for the song Wildflower. They are the first songwriters to win the award three times. Both wore an ‘ICE out’ button during the acceptance speech in protest against President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration policies. “No one is illegal on stolen land,” Eilish said in her speech. “We have to keep standing up and keep protesting. Our voices really matter.”
Olivia Dean best new artist
British singer Olivia Dean won the Grammy for best new artist. She was already considered a favorite beforehand, thanks to her light, soulful pop songs such as Man I Need and So Easy (To Fall In Love)which caught on in both Europe and the US last year. She also performed at the start of the show Sunday night in Los Angeles.
British singer Olivia Dean receives her Grammy for best new artist.
Photo Chris Torres / EPA
In her acceptance speech, Dean emphasized her background: “I stand here as the granddaughter of an immigrant. I am a product of courage and these are people who should be celebrated. We are nothing without each other.”
Justin Bieber and Ozzy Osbourne
A standout moment during the show, once again presented by Trevor Noah, was Justin Bieber’s return to the stage after a four-year hiatus with a performance of his single YUKON wearing only boxer shorts and a pair of black socks.
Canadian singer Justin Bieber performs at the 68th edition of the Grammy Awards.
Photo Chris Torres / EPA
There was also a tribute to artists who died last year such as Ozzy Osbourne, D’Angelo and Roberta Flack. Widow Sharon Osbourne and children Kelly and Jack were visibly moved by the Black Sabbath song War Pigs, which was performed by an occasional formation of various artist friends. And to honor D’Angelo and Roberta Flack, Lauryn Hill returned to the Grammy stage for the first time in 25 years.
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