2024 Grammy Awards: Taylor Swift Makes History, Miley Cyrus Wins First, and Joni Mitchell Delivers a Tear-Jerker

The 66th Annual Grammy Awards delivered a night of historic milestones, stunning performances, and unexpected drama. From Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena, music’s biggest night saw Taylor Swift shatter records, Miley Cyrus finally take home her first golden gramophone, and Joni Mitchell transform a massive arena into an intimate sanctuary. With rain pouring outside and emotions running high inside, the 2024 Grammys cemented themselves as a turning point in the industry—one where legacy artists and rising stars shared the spotlight in equal measure.

The Big Winners: Swift, Cyrus, and boygenius Rule the Night

Taylor Swift walked away with the night’s biggest prize—Album of the Year for Midnights. It was her fourth win in the category, breaking her own tie with Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Simon. The pop superstar used her acceptance speech to remind fans that the real reward is the work itself, saying, “I feel this happy when I finish a song.”

Miley Cyrus finally secured her first competitive Grammy, winning Best Pop Solo Performance for “Flowers” and later taking home Record of the Year. In a playful speech, she quipped, “I might have forgotten underwear,” drawing laughter from the audience.

Phoebe Bridgers emerged as the most awarded artist of the evening, collecting four trophies—three with her supergroup boygenius and one solo. The indie rock darling also made headlines backstage when she called out former Recording Academy President Neil Portnow, referencing his infamous 2018 comment that women needed to “step up.”

Performances That Defined the Night

Joni Mitchell’s candlelit rendition of “Both Sides Now” was the emotional high point of the telecast. Accompanied by Brandi Carlile and a chamber orchestra, the 80-year-old legend turned the arena into a living room, proving her voice remains as powerful as ever. Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Meryl Streep were among those giving a standing ovation.

Billy Joel performed his first new song in 17 years, “Turn the Lights Back On,” a piano-led anthem that earned a roaring reception. SZA brought the heat with a medley that included “Kill Bill,” complete with sword-wielding dancers, while Tracy Chapman surprised the audience by joining Luke Combs for a tender duet of “Fast Car.”

Dua Lipa opened the show with a high-energy medley, and Billie Eilish and Finneas delivered a haunting performance of “What Was I Made For?” from the Barbie soundtrack. The sibling duo later won Song of the Year for the track. Olivia Rodrigo, clad in a blood-smeared face, sang “Vampire” with raw fury, later telling the AP she loves “singing about rage.”

Fashion and Red Carpet Highlights

Victoria Monét, who won Best New Artist, glowed in a bronze Versace gown alongside her two-year-old daughter Hazel in a matching hue. Billie Eilish teased a new album and showed off a varsity jacket trend that swept the red carpet. Taylor Swift arrived in a classic white dress, but her watch—a choker set to midnight—was an Easter egg for her album Midnights.

Miley Cyrus debuted a voluminous hairdo inspired by Tina Turner and Dolly Parton, changing outfits at least four times throughout the evening. Kelly Clarkson brought her son Remington in snazzy red attire, while Coco Jones, who won her first Grammy for Best R&B Performance, admitted she used to edit her face onto photos of Beyoncé holding awards.

Surprises and Controversies

The night wasn’t without its share of shockers. Celine Dion made a rare and emotional appearance to present Album of the Year, receiving a standing ovation amid her battle with stiff person syndrome. Jay-Z, accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, took a pointed swipe at the Recording Academy for never giving his wife Beyoncé the Album of the Year trophy despite her having the most Grammys of any artist.

Killer Mike won three rap Grammys but was later detained by police for an alleged altercation inside the arena. Video showed the rapper being handcuffed and escorted out. And Taylor Swift announced a brand-new album, The Tortured Poets Department, due April 19, sending her Instagram into overdrive with millions of likes within minutes.

Looking Ahead: What This Means for the Industry

The 2024 Grammys underscored a shift toward honoring legacy alongside innovation. With Swift’s record-breaking win, Cyrus’s long-awaited recognition, and Mitchell’s triumphant return, the ceremony reflected a music landscape that values both staying power and reinvention. African music’s global ascendance was celebrated through Burna Boy’s electrifying set and Tyla’s first-ever Best African Music Performance win. And as the audience spilled out into the rainy LA streets, one thing was clear: the Grammys are more than an awards show—they are a barometer of cultural change, and this year’s readings suggest the future of music is as unpredictable as it is exciting.

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