On Sunday 4th February, the biggest names in music gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate the industry’s most prestigious awards show: The 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards.
With 94 categories in total, it was a night to celebrate the musical achievements of singers, songwriters, and producers across a wide range of genres and styles.
But who scooped up the top prizes at this year’s GRAMMYs, and how can you listen to them on Amazon Music? Read on to find out.
Album of the Year: Midnights — Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift made history once again at the GRAMMYs by becoming the only artist to win Album of the Year four times, having recently broken the records for the highest-grossing tour and accompanying concert film of all time with TAYLOR SWIFT - THE ERAS TOUR (EXTENDED VERSION).
She won the most prestigious prize of the evening for her album Midnights, a concept album inspired by her musings during sleepless nights. Produced with regular collaborator Jack Antonoff, Midnights is the tenth studio album by the global pop superstar, which also took the prize for Best Pop Vocal Album.
While many Swifties were expecting the announcement of the re-recorded album Reputation (Taylor’s Version) during her acceptance speech, Taylor Swift surprised fans yet again by announcing that she will release her brand-new album The Tortured Poets Department on 19th April. The big question is: will Swift break her own record with a fifth Album of the Year win next year? Looks like we’ll have to wait until 2025 to find out.
Listen to Taylor Swift’s Midnights on Amazon Music and watch Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Extended Version) on Prime Video.
Record of the Year: “Flowers” — Miley Cyrus
Beating out strong competition from the likes of Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, and SZA, Miley Cyrus picked up the gong for Record of the Year with her pop song “Flowers”.
This self-love anthem generated record-breaking commercial success for Cyrus last year, released as the lead single from her eighth studio album Endless Summer Vacation.
With an empowering message about independence set to a funk-influenced bassline, complete with Cyrus’s trademark raspy vocals, “Flowers” is a modern classic that impressed The Recording Academy’s voters, also nabbing the prize for Best Pop Solo Performance.
Song of the Year: “What Was I Made For?” — Billie Eilish
In 2023, Barbie Fever took over the world, with Greta Gerwig’s latest movie becoming the highest-grossing film of the year and nabbing a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars. But beyond the pink outfits and iconic performances from Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, one of the most praised aspects of the film was its soundtrack.
So it’s no surprise that Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?”, co-written with her brother and long-time collaborator Finneas O’Connell exclusively for the soundtrack, picked up one of the top prizes at the GRAMMYs for Song of the Year.
This tear-jerking ballad sees Eilish ponder identity, existential dread, and the fear of change, with its touching lyrics complimented perfectly by her tender vocals.
Listen to Billie Eilish’s “What Was I Made For?” on Amazon Music and rent or buy Barbie on Prime Video.
Best New Artist: Victoria Monét
One of the most hotly anticipated awards of the night, previous winners of Best New Artist include Megan Thee Stallion, Olivia Rodrigo, and Adele. This year, joining their ranks is American singer-songwriter Victoria Monét.
Having previously penned songs for major artists including Kendrick Lamar, Fifth Harmony, and close friend Ariana Grande, Monét released Jaguar II, her debut studio album as a recording artist, in 2023.
Monét’s incredible voice and songwriting skills shine on Jaguar II, which also won the GRAMMY awards for Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical and Best R&B Album. With such a critically acclaimed debut, it’s safe to say that Victoria Monét will be one to[MOU2] watch in 2024 and beyond.
Listen to Victoria Monét’s Jaguar II on Amazon Music.
Best Rock Album: This Is Why – Paramore
After receiving their first GRAMMY back in 2015, Paramore scooped up two more awards in the 2024 ceremony, winning Best Rock Album for This Is Why and Best Alternative Music Performance for the lead single of the same name.
This Is Why was the band’s first album in nearly six years, but it was certainly worth the wait. Full of Paramore’s trademark pop-punk guitar riffs and Hayley Williams’s powerhouse vocals, This Is Why was critically acclaimed by critics and adored by fans.
Listen to This Is Why by Paramore on Amazon Music.
Best Rap Album: Michael — Killer Mike
Michael is the sixth studio album by American rapper Killer Mike, and his first solo album in 11 years after releasing four albums as part of hip-hop duo Run the Jewels. Influenced by genres such as gospel, soul, funk and hip hop, Michael showcases Killer Mike’s incredible lyricism against a backdrop of rich sounds including choirs, organs, and church bells.
As well as winning the award for Best Rap Album, Killer Mike also picked up the GRAMMYs for Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song for "Scientists & Engineers", featuring André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane.
Listen to Michael by Killer Mike on Amazon Music.
Best Alternative Album: The Record — boygenius
When American singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers teamed up with Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus to form indie supergroup boygenius, fans eagerly awaited their debut album. The Record, released in 2023, went down very well with both fans and critics alike, garnering praise for the trio’s musical chemistry and storytelling.
At The 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards, The Record won the prize for Best Alternative Music Album, while its second single “Not Strong Enough” scooped the award for both Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance.
Listen to The Record by boygenius on Amazon Music.
Best Country Album: Bell Bottom Country — Lainey Wilson
Best Country Album is another highly competitive category at the GRAMMYs, with previous winners including Shania Twain, Taylor Swift, and Miranda Lambert. This year, the gong was awarded to American country singer-songwriter Lainey Wilson for her album Bell Bottom Country.
Blending a classic country sound with elements of '70s rock, funk and soul, the album is a celebration of all the things that make a person unique and the power of being unapologetically yourself.
Listen to Bell Bottom Country by Lainey Wilson on Amazon Music.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you can access over 100 million tracks in a shuffle based experience on Amazon Music — available ad-free at no additional cost. Not a Prime member? An Amazon Music Unlimited membership gives you access to the full catalogue of music, completely ad-free.
To get your full fix of some of the best music celebrated at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards, check out the 2024 GRAMMYs playlist on Amazon Music, curated by our music experts.
