LAS VEGAS — Olivia Rodrigo has won the Best New Artist crown at the Grammy Awards, joining esteemed previous company including Carly Simon, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Tom Jones, The Beatles and Billie Eilish.
A veteran of the “High School Musical” series, Rodrigo became the music star of 2021, leading with his massive viral hit “Drivers License” and following up with the sore album “Sour” and single “Good 4 U.”
So far on Sunday, “Drivers License” has won him the trophy for Best Pop Solo Performance, and he’s up for Record of the Year, while “Sour” is up for Album of the Year. year. Rodrigo entered the night nominated for the night’s top four awards – Best New Artist, Album, Record and Song of the Year – but lost the Best Song trophy to Silk Sonic.
“It’s my biggest dream come true,” she said.
Silk Sonic — the star union of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak — opened the Grammys in Las Vegas with their energetic, infectious dose of retro soul and funk performing their “777.” They returned to the stage soon after to collect the Song of the Year trophy for “Leave the Door Open”.
Mars and .Paak jumped out of their seats, raised their hands, and danced to their song.
“I couldn’t be more proud to do this with someone other than you,” Mars told .Paak.
“We will sing this song together for the rest of our lives.”
Host Trevor Noah introduced the duo’s opening performance saying they singlehandedly brought back the 1970s, “which might explain the inflation”.
By the time the show debuted on CBS, Jon Batiste has already won four Grammys, including his first ever, in what could be a big night for this year’s main nominee.
At the show’s pre-airing ceremony, Batiste won Best American Roots Performance, Best American Roots Song, Best Music Video, and tied with Carlos Rafael Rivera for Best Soundtrack for Visual Media. .
“I am so grateful for the gifts God has given me and the ability to share them for the love of humanity,” Batiste said. “We just wanted everyone to see it. Any depression, bondage or darkness that has overwhelmed your life is completely eliminated by the love and joy of video.
Foo Fighters picked up three awards, but weren’t there to collect their trophies following the recent death of drummer Taylor Hawkins. The rock band extended their record for most top rock album wins with five for “Medicine at Midnight.” The band’s song “Making a Fire” won Best Rock Performance and “Waiting on a War” beat out other nominees for Best Rock Song.
Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson won his sixth Grammy for Best Musical Picture thanks to “Summer of Soul (…Or, When Revolution Couldn’t Be Televised”).
Chick Corea and Vicente Fernandez have each won Grammys posthumously. Joni Mitchell won Best Historical Album for “Joni Mitchell Archives – Vol. 1: The Early Years (1963-1967).”
