On Feb. 1st, the 68th Annual Grammys took place, leaving room for the usual discussions, from reactions to celebrities’ gorgeous and often questionable outfits to debates over snubs and surprises. But the night’s most memorable moments came from the number of awards won by talented Black artists—personal standouts including Kendrick Lamar and Olivia Dean.
Kendrick Lamar took home four Grammy awards, securing him the title of the most decorated rapper in history with 27 awards. Lamar won Best Rap Performance along with rap duo Clipse for his feature on their song, “Chains & Whips,” Best Rap Album for GNX, Best Melodic Rap Performance and Record of the Year for “Luther,” and Best Rap Song for “tv off.”
Time and again, Lamar has illustrated his earnest storytelling and lyrical complexity, not only through his accolades but also through his sustained relevance. Lamar’s sophomore album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, released in 2012, holds the record of longest-charting hip-hop studio album on the Billboard Top 200. It has sold over 10 million units in the U.S. Over a decade after winning his first Grammy for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance with “I,” Lamar has sustained a loyal fan base with more and more immense hits, with this new milestone further cementing his legacy.
On the other hand, Olivia Dean won Best New Artist this year, following her incredibly successful second album, The Art of Loving, which blends neo-soul and pop to create an upbeat and comforting tone. In her acceptance speech, she paid tribute to the hard work of many immigrants by reflecting on her own family.
“I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant. I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated. We’re nothing without each other,” Dean said.
Her speech was incredibly powerful and timely, considering the aggressive operations conducted by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as well as their underlying promotion of white supremacist ideals. Other artists, such as Bad Bunny and Billie Eilish, also called out ICE in their acceptance speeches.
Influential figures speaking up against ICE are crucial, as their voices are extremely impactful on the general public. Hearing artists champion their immigrant backgrounds with pride amid ICE crackdowns fosters a sense of unity. By telling the general public that they are not alone in being against these acts, it shows that even successful celebrities refuse to support the U.S.’s rising fascism. It is only once we realize the power of collective action that change can occur, and these speeches are shifting this movement in the right direction.
Beyond music, two awards were given to the momentous horror film Sinners, spotlighting Black actors. It won Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media, awarded to composer Ludwig Göransson, and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, awarded to the entire collection of songs in the movie. The music in Sinners consists of many original songs inspired by classic blues and Irish folk music, setting the tone for both the historical context and the film’s overall emotional profundity. One of the most memorable songs in the movie is Last Time (I Seen the Sun) by Alice Smith and Miles Caton, which plays during the end credits. This song accompanies the melancholic final conversation shared between two cousins who reunite after 60 years. Sinners is a beautiful movie that highlights themes of African-American life during the Jim Crow era, using the beloved theme of vampires to tell the story. It is terrific to see this movie gain the praise it deserves from this award show.
Overall, award shows remain relevant as markers of success and history being made in the arts. There is much potential for reflection on an artist’s career through the awards and nominations they receive, as these can act as milestones in their profession. These shows also create a space for us to ponder the art these talented individuals have given us and take a moment to appreciate how they have made our lives more creative and colourful.
