The 2021 GRAMMY Awards are in the books as fans were treated to stunning performances, touching tributes, and a celebration of our favorite artists and their achievements.
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Taking place in downtown Los Angeles, the 2021 GRAMMY Awards had the brightest stars in music out in full force with plenty of eye-popping outfits on the Red Carpet. Inside the venue, there were plenty of smiles behind the masks as the list of winners at the 2021 GRAMMY Awards spanned 83 categories deep.
Whether you missed the show, got up to have a snack, or were in a haze of excitement over your favorite artist winning a GRAMMY, here are the 17 best moments you missed at the 2021 GRAMMY Awards.
Trevor Noah tees it up and sets the stage for music’s biggest night
Host Trevor Noah began his opening speech with a brisk walk through the interior of this year's base of operations in the Los Angeles Convention Center. With a set up reminiscent of 'Later... With Jools Holland,' Black Pumas, HAIM, Billie Eilish and FINNEAS, and more were all perfectly situated in their own spaces with excellent views of each performance.
Harry Styles opens the GRAMMYs in style and had us singing ‘Watermelon Sugar’ all night
We were told Harry was going to be playing “music coming at you heavy and hard like you’ve not seen it before” and did he deliver. Styles kicked off the GRAMMYs with a bang treating us to a rousing performance of his hit single “Watermelon Sugar.” Plus, for his first ever GRAMMY performance, we’d say he did a-ok.
Lizzo presenting Megan Thee Stallion with the “Best New Artist” Grammy
First Lizzo took the GRAMMYs stage and proclaimed “b**** I’m back” as she stepped up to the presenter’s mic after snatching up three GRAMMYs herself in 2020. The “Truth Hurts” singer made a solid case as to why she could rock as host at the 2022 GRAMMYs. As the emotional moment between Megan and Lizzo ensued, the Good News artist was in shock over her first GRAMMY win. Glowing as she took in her first win, Megan Thee Stallion thanked God and shared that she felt her mother by her side while accepting her trophy.
DaBaby gives a cinematic performance of “Rock Star”
With a composer and violinist on stage, DaBaby created a true cinematic experience as he performed a reimagined version of his hit song “Rock Star.” Plus, he brought out the stars as Anthony Hamilton and Roddy Ricch joined him on stage. New version of a hit song, superstar guests, this is exactly the type of performance that’s deserving of the GRAMMYs stage.
Glitter in her eyes, glitter in the sky, Dua Lipa shining on the GRAMMY stage
After a goosebump-inducing video montage, Dua graced the GRAMMY stage, enchanting us all with ethereal vibes singing fan fave “Levitating,” that couldn’t even stop Bad Bunny from bopping. Joined by DaBaby for his remix verse, Dua stepped away for a quick change. Showing back up stunting and stunning us all in a bedazzled oversized blazer, which she didn’t rock for very long and thank gawwwd for that. A jaw dropping dance break and “Don’t Start Now” was up next, and by the time it was over we were checking our pulse to make sure we were still alive. From start to finish our eyes we’re glued to the screen. As promised by Dua, it was “pink,” but also unforgettable and made all of our disco dreams come true. Brava Dua, Brava.
Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak “Leave The Door Open” and our jaws dropped
The men behind Silk Sonic, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak literally hashtagged their way into performing at the 2021 GRAMMYs, and let us tell you, it was totally worth it. The funky duo brought their new 1970s inspired sound to the stage and it was quite a golden moment. Clad in wide collared, burnt sienna suits, Mars and .Paak were as smooth as ever, leaving us wanting everything and more from Silk Sonic.
Music’s biggest night pays tribute to the independent venues that make music happen
The GRAMMYs paid tribute to independent music venues that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and chose several independent venue owners to present awards. These are the venues where so many GRAMMY winning artists got their start and it was fitting they had a piece of the spotlight on music’s biggest night.
Taylor Swift brings folklore to blossom on the Grammys stage
Prior to Taylor Swift's incredible GRAMMYs performance this evening, Swift and her collaborators spent the week before the GRAMMYs quarantining in the same house together. Giving us an emotional rendition of “Cardigan” and tracks off of her first surprise album, Taylor was surrounded by a verdant forest setting that felt like folklore had come to life on stage. Bringing her newfound folk sound to the 2021 GRAMMYs, Taylor continually glowed as Jack Antonoff and her band performed by her side.
The GRAMMYs in-memoriam segment is one of the best you’ll ever see
It's no easy feat chucking a pair of drumsticks away mid song and quickly grabbing another pair, but Anderson .Paak did just that during his and Bruno Mars' rockin' tribute to Little Richard during a package honoring the artists we lost in the past year. Next up was Lionel Richie who gave a beautiful rendition of “Lady” as he told the camera “I miss you, man” at the end of the song. Brandi Carlile then stepped up to give a tribute to John Prine with a timely version “I Remember Everything.” Finally, Brittany Howard and Chris Martin joined together to perform “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by Gerry & The Pacemakers that served as the perfect climax to one of the best in-memoriam segments you’ll ever see at an awards show.
Mickey Guyton makes history at the 63rd Annual GRAMMYs
Making all sorts of history at this year’s award show, Mickey Guyton performed as the GRAMMYs first Black solo female artist to earn a nominee in the Country music category. Singing her hit song “Black Like Me,” Guyton’s tear-jerking performance filled with fervor was backed by a choir and extremely moving particularly in the context of 2020’s Black Lives Matter protests.
Maren Morris is a beacon during a big night for leading ladies in Country music
As Maren Morris was joined by America’s heartthrob circa 2004, John Mayer, the Country superstar gave us a striking performance of her hit track “The Bones.” As Mickey Guyton and Miranda Lambert proudly watched in the wings, tonight was a shining moment for women in Country.
Megan and Cardi B really made us scream “macaroni in a pot” after their flaming moment on the GRAMMYs stage
Full with a parental warning from Trevor Noah, the fiery Broadway-inspired performance from Megan Thee Stallion may have had us twerking on our living room floor. Unlike The Great Gatsby vibes Megan Thee Stallion brought to the stage, nothing about this performance was a lie. Full with tap solos and glittery leotards Young Tina Snow made us all scream “classy, bougie, ratchet.” Then you throw in the Bardi Gang matriarch giving us a snippet of her newest single “Up” and a rendition of ‘WAP” that had us boiling water for our “macaroni in a pot” almost instantly. Megan and Cardi truly left the stage in flames while busting out incredible choreography amidst a giant silky bed and a larger-than-life stripper stiletto, whose thin heel doubled as a stripper pole for some of the hottest, hard-hitting dance moves to ever appear on the GRAMMYs stage.
Megan Thee Stallion has a historic night and proves she's the Queen of the GRAMMYs
Megan Thee Stallion is proving that Hot Girl Summer has quickly become a Hot Girl Year. The Houston native took home three GRAMMYs for Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best New Artist. Megan was even joined on stage to accept the award for Best Rap Song by her "Savage (Remix)" costar, Beyoncé. Not only did she garner her first GRAMMY wins, but she also stole the show with her sensually enthralling performance of "WAP," alongside Cardi B.
Beyoncé makes history and sets a new GRAMMY record
As Beyoncé was awarded the GRAMMY for Best R&B Song, she set a new record as the most GRAMMY-winning female artist with 28 total wins to her name. It was already a successful night for Bey as she took home awards for Best Music Video, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Song.
Lil Baby brings the Black Lives Matter message to the GRAMMYs stage
With Killer Mike and Tamika Mallory as guests during his performance, Lil Baby brought the most powerful messages of the Black Lives Matter movement to his performance this evening. As Mallory appeared in front of protestors she proclaims, “President Biden, we demand justice, equity, policy and everything else that freedom encompasses.”
Taylor Swift becomes first female artist to win 'Album of the Year' three times
Taylor Swift made history by becoming the first female artist to win Album of the Year three times as she won the award for her album folklore. During her speech, Swift offered a heartfelt thanks to her boyfriend, Joe Alwyn, and talked about how much she loves being able to spend time making music together.
BTS’ GRAMMY performance is “Dynamite,” of course
In true BTS fashion, the K-Pop group delivered their hit song “Dynamite” perfectly and gave the stans everything and more. From excellent, tight and precise choreography to rebuilding the entire GRAMMYs set in Korea, the 7 members of the group made our Big Hit Entertainment dreams come true.
WATCH MORE: Five stars who brought glamor to the GRAMMYs
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A look at the most memorable moments from the 2021 GRAMMY Awards
