Even the Grammy upsets were predictable. Our full analysis of the 2022 awards
Don’t check your calendar: Yes, it’s April 3, and finally time for the 64th Grammy Awards. Originally scheduled to take place at the end of January in L.A., the show was upended by the winter surge in the Omicron variant, and eventually moved two-plus months and about 250 miles northeast, to Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Arena.
Scheduled to appear at what’s expected to be a wide-open ceremony: host Trevor Noah; top nominee Jon Batiste; pop stars Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Justin Bieber, Lil Nas X and Lady Gaga; Musicares Person of the Year Joni Mitchell; and certainly there in spirit, 95-year-old multiple nominee Tony Bennett and the late Foo Fighter Taylor Hawkins. Not expected: Kanye West, or anyone involved in last Sunday’s slap.
Keep it here throughout the day, for who-wore-it-worst updates from the red carpet and the first wave of winners from the afternoon’s Premiere Ceremony, starting at 12:30 Pacific. Then, beginning at 5 p.m. Pacific, The Times’ Mikael Wood and Suzy Exposito will break down the big winners, bigger upsets, best live performances and other top stories from Sunday’s main ceremony in our 2022 Grammys live chat.
Grammys 2022 list of winners including Jon Batiste, Silk Sonic and Olivia Rodrigo
8:48 p.m. Why was Batiste looking so puzzled about winning album of the year? He explains in the media room: “I really don’t do it for the awards! I really believe that music is so subjective. But I was just having a good time. I was with my family, we had just performed. It was surreal because of the moment, and the lead-up to it — and seeing Uncle Lenny up there was like a whole vibe, it was far out.” —SE
8:39 p.m. After the show, SZA enters the media room on crutches, ready to explain exactly what has befallen her: “I fell out of bed the day before I had to leave for the Grammys,” she says. She adds that she’s finished her new album, and that it’s her most “unisex project yet.” —SE
8:35 p.m. Remember that year when Beck beat Beyoncé in this category? And Kanye almost rushed the stage? Simpler times. —SE
Batiste’s “We Are” joins a long list of head-scratching album of the year winners — think Herbie Hancock, think Mumford & Sons, think Steely Dan more than two decades after “Aja” — that actually make perfect Recording Academy sense when you think about it. Grammy voters love tradition and musical dexterity and just a pinch of showbiz razzle-dazzle. Does it matter that Batiste’s music didn’t actually play a significant role in the world of pop music over the past year? I’d say yes. The academy says, What do you kids know about JAZZ? — MW
8:26 p.m. Grammys gonna Grammy. — MW
Batiste with the biggest win of the night — “We Are” is named album of the year! He’s not just extremely confused, but he’s playing it really cool for someone decked in a bedazzled cape. —SE
8:24 p.m. It never gets old. And neither does he! —SE
I believe this is Lenny Kravitz in a DIFFERENT pair of leather trousers?? —MW
8:22 p.m. Carrie is far from Nashville’s shrewdest song-picker. But when she wants to go big and dramatic, she rarely misses. Country’s Celine Dion. —MW
Carrie Underwood has stormed the Grammys with the help of a strategically placed gale-force wind to blow her hair! The drama! The turbulence! —SE
8:14 p.m. Nothing but respect for the leader of a showbiz trade group who starts a speech absolutely no one is waiting for by asking, “Why are we here?” —MW
8:10 p.m. “We’re gonna get out of here before the internet get to talking,” says .Paak. I can’t get over his funky tío character right now. Is it a character? Or is the real .Paak an exceptionally funky tío? —SE
Is this the year of the musical buddy comedy? —SE
Record of the year goes to Silk Sonic’s “Leave the Door Open,” which also won song of the year. The Grammys love Bruno Mars. Always have; always will. —MW
8:05 p.m. This performance was absolutely volcanic, from that “Rebel Girl” throwback by Travis Barker to the glorious return of Lenny Kravitz. H.E.R. power, truly. —SE
Lenny Kravitz, showing Justin Bieber how to wear a pair of non-breathable pants. —MW
Love to see H.E.R. rocking out from behind the drum kit! —SE
Did not expect to see a keytar solo tonight. Not mad about it! —MW
Tribute was paid to Hawkins, Sondheim and other musicians and music industry figures who died in the past year.
8:00 p.m. “I have never taken such a fast piss in my whole life,” says Doja, who apparently sprinted in heels from the ladies room to accept what is also her first Grammy award. What I would do to watch a “Laverne & Shirley” reboot starring these two. —SE
That Doja Cat speech was a whole emotional journey. —MW
7:58 p.m. SZA wins her first Grammy tonight for pop duo performance… And she’s on crutches?! Is she OK?! —SE
7:56 p.m. We needed more than 5 seconds of Avril on that stage. A Rodrigo-Lavigne collab would have been aces. —SE
7:50 p.m. Not a fashion critic — I’m wearing Old Navy for the second day in a row — but I don’t understand boot-cut vinyl pants? Hot band behind Bieber, though. Always happy to hear him in his R&B bag. —MW
This visual of Justin Bieber sitting at a piano in a hoodie, singing “I get my weed from California…” seems more subversive than it actually is. —SE
7:45 p.m. Noting who was omitted from the In Memoriam segment of an awards show is grim work, but start the Grammys’ list with Drakeo the Ruler, the young L.A. rapper who was killed backstage at a musical festival in December. —MW
7:41 p.m. We can’t be more than 6 months from a Jon Batiste/Janelle Monáe collab. —MW
Jon Batiste is fun personified! And so is this radiant ensemble of musicians and dancers, all working hard to keep up with his groove. Batiste is a master of vibes. —SE
7:34 p.m. Ben Platt, Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr. and Rachel Zegler all sang well in the Grammys’ tribute to the late, great Stephen Sondheim. And they’re super-tricky songs to sing — so doing them at all is an accomplishment. But how did the Grammys not have Lady Gaga do “Being Alive”? I can see it in my mind, and it. Is. A. Showstopper. —MW
7:27 p.m. The Foo Fighters bestowed rock music with a very wholesome kind of joy — to the point where one might call it “cringe” — but the respect shown for Hawkins, by so many artists across generations and genres, is a testament to the power of his shine. —SE
Touching tribute to Taylor Hawkins to lead off this year’s In Memoriam segment. Rock music will be a less exuberant place without the Foo Fighters drummer. —MW
‘The war doesn’t let us choose who survives,’ said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the 2022 Grammy Awards.
7:24 p.m. Olivia Rodrigo’s “Sour” wins best pop vocal album — over competition including Billie Eilish — which makes me think she’s still in the hunt for album of the year. —MW
7:22 p.m. Jared Leto used more conditioner today than I have in the last 12 months. —MW
Fans of Olivia Rodrigo and K-pop sensation BTS had a lot to unpack after V flirted with her at Sunday’s Grammys during the band’s performance of “Butter.”
7:19 p.m. It’s been great to see Jazmine get the recognition she deserves over the last year or so. She’s been one of R&B’s deepest thinkers for more than a decade. (Check out her “Let It Burn” and her song “Insecure” from the HBO series if you haven’t heard them.) But “Heaux Tales” feels like one of those records that provides a bridge to an artist’s next act. —MW
7:13 p.m. If ever there was a consciousness-raising group encapsulated in an album, it was “Heaux Tales” — a funny and unflinching look at sex and desire in the Roaring 2020s. Upon accepting her award, Sullivan said: “I wrote this to work [through] my shame… What it ended up being was a safe space for Black women to tell their stories. To learn from each other, to laugh with each other, and to not be exploited.” —SE
Best R&B album goes to Jazmine Sullivan’s “Heaux Tales,” which is 100% the correct choice. —MW
On her “Heaux Tales” album, R&B singer Jazmine Sullivan enlisted testimonials from friends and family to help explore the wages of sex and romance.
7:05 p.m. Tony Bennett couldn’t make it to the Grammys to perform with Lady Gaga, but don’t worry — Lady Gaga is doing enough singing for the both of them. —MW
This banter between BTS and Trevor Noah is so silly. RM not only credits the show “Friends” for being his “English parents,” but he identifies as… a Chandler! —SE
6:56 p.m. Rich pop stars do-gooding on awards shows is tricky territory. This was probably as well-done a moment as I’ve seen. —MW
Introducing Ukrainian singer Mika Newton — whose sister is fighting the Russian army as we speak — and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk, who just fled the country! I have to admit I was skeptical of a John Legend tribute to Ukraine, but I feel like the Recording Academy is well aware how oblivious it would be to blithely power through without acknowledging a humanitarian crisis. —SE
6:53 p.m. The president of a country under a brutal attack appealing for help from Americans on an awards show. What a time to be alive. —MW
A missive from Ukrainian President Zelensky: “Support us in any way you can, but not with your silence.” This is chilling. —SE
6:51 p.m. A partial list of artists who appear not to be at the Grammys this year: Adele. Harry Styles. Taylor Swift. Drake. Kanye West. Beyoncé. Jay-Z. The Weeknd. Will just leave that here. —MW
6:43 p.m. What kind of country would it be without the blues? —SE
I was delighted to find, when I interviewed Chris Stapleton recently, that he grew up listening to Luther Vandross and Mariah Carey along with the country stuff you’d expect. This performance of “Cold” shows off that R&B side. He’ll be playing the Grammys for as long as he wants to. —MW
6:36 p.m. Would not have called a Baby Keem win in rap performance, even with the song’s feature by Kendrick Lamar, a longtime Grammy fave. But agree with you, Suzy — good to see an up-and-comer recognized instead of the same veterans. Nice speech too, in which Baby Keem thanked the women who raised him. —MW
Baby Keem and Kendrick for the win! This is so refreshing. And Ludacris, an exemplary Virgo king, needs to host the Grammys next year. —SE
6:34 p.m. What if the song we all end up humming after the Grammys is … this execrable new Goldfish jingle that keeps playing during commercial breaks??? —MW
Pop musician Billie Eilish wore a T-shirt bearing the likeness of late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins at the 2022 Grammy Awards.
6:29 p.m. It’s pretty wild that Nas won his first Grammy only last year for “King’s Disease” (in the rap album category). He’s been nominated 15 times since “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” contended for rap solo performance in 1997 — this year he’s up for the Grammy for rap performance alongside Jay-Z and the late DMX for “Bath Salts.” A posthumous DMX win would be meaningful, I think. —SE
The Grammys famously overvalue the work of older artists at the expense of young innovators, and a big performance by Nas — in 2022 — is the proof you didn’t need. Still, the man hired a whole bunch of horn players who were no doubt grateful for the paycheck. Could’ve been worse. —MW
6:17 p.m. Brandi’s rainbow sunburst was a very nice touch! We’re here, we’re queer, and we’re flaunting it, whether you like it or not : ) —SE
Brandi Carlile writes songs with the idea of coming on the Grammy Awards and showing off, and I APPROVE. —MW
6:15 p.m. Bonnie Raitt helping Joni Mitchell is the Lady Gaga helping Liza Minnelli I needed from this show. —MW
The 19-year-old singer-songwriter enjoyed a breakout 2021, propelled by her smash ballad ‘Drivers License.’
6:11 p.m. Olivia earned that best new artist trophy. The only sensible choice. —MW
Japanese Breakfast, Arlo Parks, Saweetie… Honestly this is the flyest lineup of best new artist nominees in recent memory. —SE
6:08 p.m. Trevor Noah drops the first “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” joke of the night! Bruno Mars’ side-eye though… —SE
BTW getting madder about Silk Sonic winning song of the year the more I think about it. Love “Leave the Door Open”; saw them play it last night in their Vegas show, and it killed. But it is not a feat of songwriting! It doesn’t imagine a new scenario or embody a complicated emotion. It marshals the skills of an insanely talented studio wizard — two of them, actually — for a good time. Which it is. But still. Justice for “Drivers License.” —MW
5:59 p.m. Love a performance where the artist is clearly having fun. Good stuff from Billie, who’s on the road at the moment and is obviously in the zone as a live performer. Happy to hear her rage, too, given how many people (how many adults!) still think of her as a sulky teenager. —MW
Brb I’m gonna go open up this pit —SE
5:56 p.m. Billie Eilish is not just shredding, but she is wearing a giant T-shirt with Taylor Hawkins’ face on it! —SE
Last year, the Grammys showcased folks who work for venues that had been hit hard by COVID. Now they’re putting a spotlight on people who work in touring production. Classy move. —MW
5:53 p.m. Best country album goes to “Starting Over” by Chris Stapleton, Nashville’s most reliable award winner. —MW
5:46 p.m. Oh, for sure. He brings such welcome wit (and charm) (and swag) (and SPARKLES) to institutions like the Grammys. —MW
I would rather not, to be honest! —SE
Do you remember an age before Lil Nas X, Suzy? Because I certainly do not. —MW
I wonder if three costumes in one performance is a Grammy record.—MW
Lil Nas X is lip syncing for his life in this performance! And this marching band act feels like a callback to “Band Geeks,” the absolute best and funniest episode of “Spongebob Squarepants” ever to air. —SE
5:37 p.m. Aymée Nuviola is a 2020 Grammy winner and a Cuban salsa icon! This is an interesting song choice, though — “La Gota Fría” is a vallenato classic made famous by the Grammy-winning Colombian singer Carlos Vives, who some may also remember from his number on the “Encanto” original soundtrack. Too bad the soundtrack was released past the eligibility date for this year’s Grammys! —SE
Two big moments for Spanish-language music this early in a Grammys show feels like a real sign of change at the academy. —MW
Grammys host Trevor Noah’s opening monologue alluded to what went down between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars last week.
5:30 p.m. I am dying to know what Tae-hyung whispered in Olivia Rodrigo’s ear… The scene that’ll launch a thousand fanfics. —SE
I’m not sure I understand the spy-movie theme of this performance. (“Ocean’s 11,” I suppose?) But “Butter” is a banger. —MW
BTS are masters of suspense! —SE
5:27 p.m. Surprised by this win. Bruno Mars is a proven Grammy fave, but I thought he’d win for record of the year — the song is a piece of expert recordmaking, no doubt, but “Drivers License” is the more impressive piece of writing in my view. —MW
Anderson .Paak is shaking that wig like he’s starring in a Garnier commercial! —SE
The song award — which, FYI, goes to the writers of a song (as opposed to the performers or producers) — goes to “Leave the Door Open,” Silk Sonic’s lush tribute to 1970s soul. —MW
A joke about The Slap from Questlove, who’s presenting song of the year — and whose Oscar win with “Summer of Soul” last weekend will forever be linked to that moment. —MW
5:17 p.m. And the night’s first award for Two Humans In One Duet But Two Weather Systems goes to J. Balvin (wearing a long trench coat) and Maria Becerra (in a skimpy leather top). Let’s see if Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow can provide any competition. —MW
Latino Gang Gang: Argentine pop starlet Maria Becerra takes the stage with Colombian superstar J Balvin for their hit song from 2021, “¿Que Más Pues?” But this “In Da Ghetto” EDM sidequest feels like Balvin’s official bid for a Vegas residency. —SE
Grammys 2022 red carpet, premiere ceremony and show in photos
5:11 p.m. She’s nominated in all Big Four categories tonight, but has she learned how to parallel park yet? —SE
Olivia Rodrigo sounds good! Though her stardom has come quick, she’s hardly a proven live performer. (Her first tour starts Tuesday.) But singing “Drivers License,” she’s on point. —MW
5:05 p.m. The beloved BTS is in the house! Now that Jungkook has recovered from Covid-19, the K-pop titans return to the Grammys triumphant and in tandem for tonight’s performance. The show must go on! —SE
Oof — the night’s first joke (from host Trevor Noah) about Olivia Rodrigo having to show her actual driver’s license to someone. You knew it was coming. Still wasn’t great. —MW
And I’m Mikael Wood, The Times’ pop music critic, here with all the instant analysis you want (and don’t!) from the Grammys. Silk Sonic just opened the show with a performance of “777” that made sure everyone knows the show is happening this year in Las Vegas. Slot-machine graphics. Jackets with diamonds and hearts on them. And fire! —MW
Hello party people! This is Suzy Exposito, music reporter, blogging live from the media room at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Stoked to report that I’ve only had one wardrobe mishap tonight — I’m keeping it very profesh in a paisley pantsuit and Vans skate shoes. Punk’s not dead and neither is this crowd! —SE
4:05 p.m. Olivia Rodrigo has taken her first Grammy with a win for pop solo performance for “Drivers License.” The 19-year-old singer and songwriter is nominated for a total of seven awards, including the Grammys’ big four prizes of album, record and song of the year along with best new artist. If she were to sweep those awards, she’d become the third person in Grammys history to do it after Billie Eilish in 2020 and Christopher Cross in 1981.—MW
4:04 p.m. Kanye West two Grammys in the rap categories: one for melodic rap performance (for “Hurricane”) and one for rap song (for “Jail”). The rapper had been barred from performing on the telecast because of recent threats he’s made on social media, though the Recording Academy’s chief executive, Harvey Mason Jr., told The Times he was welcome to attend the show. His “Donda” is nominated for album of the year. West didn’t turn up to accept his awards at the Premiere Ceremony.
Tyler, the Creator won the rap album award for “Call Me If You Get Lost,” his second win in that category after taking it in 2020 with “Igor.”—MW
3:45 p.m. Foo Fighters swept the Grammys’ rock categories, taking the awards for rock performance (for “Making a Fire”), rock song (for “Waiting on a War”) and rock album (for “Medicine at Midnight”).
The wins come nine days after the band’s drummer, Taylor Hawkins, died at 50 while on tour in Colombia. The group had been scheduled to perform on Sunday’s show but canceled its appearance along with its upcoming tour dates. “We’re sorry for and share in the disappointment that we won’t be seeing one another as planned,” the band said in a statement. “Instead, let’s take this time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loves ones close, and to appreciate all the music and memories we’ve made together.”—Mikael Wood
3:22 p.m. The actor Don Cheadle won the Grammy for spoken word album for “Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation From John Lewis.” Cheadle’s reading of some of the final thoughts and reflections of the late Georgia congressman and civil rights hero bested albums from former President Barack Obama, Dave Chappelle and Amir Sulaiman, and LeVar Burton. It’s Cheadle’s second Grammy.—AB
3:11 p.m. Selena Gomez lost out on her first-ever Grammy nomination for Latin pop album to the Canadian-Cuban Alex Cuba’s “Mendó.”
While Gomez’s Spanish-language “Revelación” was an enticing genre shift for the pop star, the Afro-Cuban jazz artist Cuba was well-established in the genre and a multiple Latin Grammy winner.
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny took home the música urbana album Grammy for “El Último Tour del Mundo,” besting Rauw Alejandro, J Balvin and Karol G. “Mundo” was his third album released in a year, and followed last year’s win for Latin pop or urban album for “YHLQMDLG.”
Vicente Fernández, the late Mexican balladeer, won for regional Mexican music album for “A Mis 80’s.” The singer, a generational staple of Mexican and Mexican-American life, will have a street named in his honor in Boyle Heights.—AB
2:52 p.m. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s documentary “Summer of Soul,” about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival with headliners like Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone, continued its awards-season sweep with a Grammy win for music film.
A winner last week at the Oscars, Questlove had the cursed luck of immediately following Will Smith’s smack of Chris Rock. This time around, Quest and the doc’s producers thanked, among a long list of contributors and influences, the late cultural critic Greg Tate.—August Brown
2:43 p.m. For those keeping score at home, after taking the Grammy for best video, Jon Batiste has won 4 of the 5 Grammys for which he’s been nominated thus far. His only loss was to Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette and Gonzalo Rubalcaba for jazz instrumental album.—Craig Marks
2:32 p.m. Fresh off being named Person of the Year at Friday’s Musicares event, Joni Mitchell was on hand to accept the award for best historical album for “Joni Mitchell Archives Vol. 1, the Early Years 1963-1967.”
Mitchell, who suffered a brain aneurysm in 2015, received a standing ovation from the audience while taking the stage with her physical therapist. “Much thanks to the Academy for this nomination and win, I didn’t expect this,” she said, before thanking the long list of names who helped her put the project together. “Everybody at Rhino who made the package so beautiful. Thank you.”
Mitchell, 78, has won 9 Grammys Awards.—KD
1:54 p.m. Jon Batiste won his second and third Grammys of the day, taking home American Roots performance and song for “Cry.” Batiste’s co-writer Steve McEwan accepted the award for Roots song. “These things aren’t really important, until you win one,” he joked. “To Universal, can we make this a big radio single, so I can get a bunch of money?”
Batiste is this year’s leading nominee with 11.—KD
1:45 p.m. Chris Stapleton took home two Grammys this afternoon, one for country solo performance for “You Should Probably Leave” and one for country song, for “Cold.” His album “Starting Over” is nominated for best country album.—Kenan Draughorne
1:23 p.m. Brooklyn-based Pakistani composer Arooj Aftab won her first Grammy on Sunday, for global music performance.
Aftab, who also earned a surprise best new artist nomination, won for her song “Mohabbat,” from her album “Vulture Prince.” Accepting her award, Aftab thanked the academy while expressing confusion at what connected her fellow nominees in the category. “I feel like this category in of itself is has been so insane — Burna Boy, Wizkid, Femi Kuti, Angelique Kidjo? I mean, should this be called best world music performance? I feel like it should be called, like, Yacht Party category.”
Aftab will return to the prime-time ceremony to learn whether she’ll upset favorite Olivia Rodrigo for best new artist.
1:07 p.m. Pianist and bandleader Jon Batiste just earned his first Grammy of the day, winning score soundtrack for visual media for his work with Atticus Ross and Trent Reznor on the Pixar film “Soul.”
Batiste, best known for being bandleader on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” leads the Grammys field with 11 nominations in categories including R&B, jazz, American roots music, music video, classical and music for visual media. Later tonight, Batiste will compete for album of the year for his “We Are” and record of the year for “Freedom.” —RR
1:03 p.m. Welcome to our coverage of the 64th Grammy Awards, which has officially commenced at the MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom in Las Vegas.
For the first of 86 (!) awards, the winners in musical theater album are: Emily Bear and Abigail Barlow for “The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical.” — Randall Roberts
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