British star Harry Styles won the biggest prize at this year’s Grammys, the award for best album – on a night that also saw Beyoncé make history and become the ceremony’s most awarded artist of all time.
Former One Direction star Style collected the award for his third album Harry’s House, facing serious competition from artists including AdelLizzo and Kendrick Lamar, plus records Beyonce.
Earlier in the evening, the 29-year-old told the audience that the album “from start to finish” was “the greatest experience” of his life.
Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Beyonce arrived late to the show (even Queen Bey gets stuck in traffic, it seems), but she arrived in time to pick up her Best Dance/Electronic Album gong for Renaissance – her 32nd Grammy trophy, which saw her break the record previously held by the late British-Hungarian conductor Georg Solti, who won 31 throughout his career.
“I try not to get too emotional,” the 41-year-old said as she accepted her award on stage. “I’m just trying to get this night.”
The award was presented by British star James Corden, who told the crowd as he announced the result: “We are witnessing history tonight.”
Adele was also among the winners who took to the stage. Despite her partner Rich Paul apparently telling her “not to cry” if she wins any of the gongs she’s nominated for, the star was visibly emotional as she picked up the award for Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit song Easy On Me and dedicated it. to her son, Angelo.
The 34-year-old received the award from her “new best friend” Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who she met for the first time earlier in the night.
New BFFs: Adele and The Rock. Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Elsewhere, there was something of a surprise win for 73-year-old blues singer Bonnie Raitt, who beat Adele, Beyonce, Styles, Lizzo and Taylor Swift to win best song for Just Like That.
Song of the Year, which recognizes composition and songwriters, is one of the “big four” awards at the Grammys, along with Record of the Year, Album of the Year and Best New Artist.
Record of the Year, which looks at the recording of a track and honors contributing artists, producers and engineers, went to Lizzo for About Damn Time, while jazz singer Samara Joy saw off competition from British stars Wet Leg ( favorite of Barack Obama), as well as 2021 Eurovision winner Maneskin, to be named Best Newcomer.
Lizzo took the award for best album, for About Damn Time. Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
As for the trophies, the Grammys are all about the performances, and the biggest of the night came from artists like Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, Rakim, Salt N Pepa and Grandmaster Flash – their medley of songs celebrating 50 years of hip-hop.
The special segment began with LL Cool J presenting the Global Impact Award to Dr Dre, announcing that in future years the award will now bear his name.
Also read: All the best looks from the red carpet
Dr Dre’s hip-hop career has been honored with an award that will henceforth bear his name. Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Kim Petras, right, and Sam Smith were recognized for their hit Unholy. Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello
Non-binary stars Sam Smith and Kim Petra performed a blistering rendition of their smash hit Unholy after picking up the Grammy for Best Pop Duo Performance for the song – making Petras the first trans woman to win the award.
And Kacey Musgraves, Mick Fleetwood, Sheryl Crow and Quavo were among the stars who performed during the in memoriam segment, which paid tribute to artists including Migos rapper Takeoff, Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie and Jeff Beck .
Viola Davis joins the EGOT club
With more than 90 awards, many are handed out before the televised ceremony, and another big moment came earlier in the evening – when actress Viola Davis earned coveted EGOT status after winning the Grammy Award for Best Audiobook, Narrative and Storytelling .
The EGOT title is awarded to those who have won one of the four major US awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony – and Davis becomes only the 18th person to win the distinction.