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An in memoriam segment that had the entire room on its feet. A famous director achieving EGOT status. And a whole lot of celebrities criticizing Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
The 68th Grammy Awards on Sunday, which comedian Trevor Noah helmed for the sixth and final time, were a long (a little over 3½ hours, to be exact) but memorable event.
Here are our biggest takeaways from music’s biggest night.
Artists speak out against ICE
The awards show came just over one week after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti at the hands of Customs and Border Patrol agents and weeks after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE officer.
Justin Bieber, Carole King, Teddy Swims, Joni Mitchell, Finneas, Billie Eilish, Samara Joy, Lachi and Kehlani were among the artists sporting “ICE OUT” pins.
On the red carpet, artist Bon Iver said he wore a bright orange whistle on his lapel to honor “observers” in Minneapolis, who he said patrol the streets and blow their whistles when ICE is near, protecting their neighbors and communities.
Kehlani criticized ICE on the red carpet and as she accepted her first award at the Premiere Ceremony.
“Together we’re stronger in numbers to speak against all the injustice going on in the world right now,” she said. “So instead of letting it be just a couple few here and there, I hope everyone’s inspired to join together as a community of artists.”
Gloria Estefan talked about the hundreds of children who “are in detention, in horrible conditions,” and encouraged viewers to stand up and vote.
And while he was accepting his preshow award, an emotional Shaboozey thanked his immigrant mother for having worked multiple jobs to provide for him and his siblings.
“Immigrants built this country, literally. So this is for them,” he said. “This is also for those who came to this country in search of better opportunities and to be part of a nation that promised freedom for all.”
In her speech accepting the award for best new artist, Olivia Dean also gave a shoutout to immigrants (though she did not denounce ICE itself).
“I just want to say I’m a granddaughter of an immigrant. I wouldn’t be here. … I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated,” she said. “So yeah, we’re nothing without each other.”
But perhaps the biggest statement came from Bad Bunny, who is headlining the Super Bowl next weekend. The Puerto Rican star did not tour in the U.S. for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” because of immigration policies.
“Before I say thanks to God, I gotta say: ICE Out,” he began his acceptance speech for best musica urbana album. “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.
“The hate get more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love,” he continued. “We need to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them, we love our people, we love our family, and that’s the way to do it. That’s the way to do it. With love.”
Billie Eilish, known to get political at awards shows, took after Bad Bunny and used nearly her entire acceptance speech for song of the year to call out immigration legislation.
“No one is illegal on stolen land,” Eilish said, later encouraging the room to “keep fighting and speaking up and protesting.”
“Our voices really do matter,” she said, “and the people matter.”
A first for K-pop
They’re going up, up, up, it’s their moment.
The fictional band from Netflix’s “KPop Demon Hunters” delivered a first for the K-pop genre.
The animated blockbuster, produced by Sony Pictures Animation and released by Netflix in June, was nominated in several categories, including the coveted song of the year.
“Golden,” a hit song from the film, snagged a win for best song written for visual media at the Premiere Ceremony.
“Golden,” a track from the animated film, received three Grammy nominations, including song of the year. The song from the fictional band Huntr/x (in real life, Ejae, Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami) was written by Ejae and Mark Sonnenblick.
The film and its voice stars have been everywhere this awards season, and most recently the film snagged two Oscar noms. Last month, it won two Golden Globes, including best original song.
A brand-new celebrity joins ‘EGOT’ club
Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg just got added to the “EGOT” club.
The accolade is for those who have won all four major awards — Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony — a feat that has been achieved by only 21 people.
Spielberg produced the award-winning “Music by John Williams,” which won the Grammy for best music film.
Though he was not onstage to accept the award, he was thanked by director Laurent Bouzereau, who accepted the award during the Premiere Ceremony.
In a statement to People magazine, Spielberg thanked Grammy voters.
“This acknowledgment is obviously deeply meaningful to me because it validates what I have known for over 50 years: John Williams’ influence on culture and music is immeasurable and his artistry and legacy is unrivaled,” he said. “I am proud to be associated with Laurent’s beautiful film.”
AI top of mind for some artists
Artificial intelligence has been in the backdrop of many awards shows and big Hollywood events since its prominence began exploding in recent years. Sunday night was no exception.
Nick Waterhouse, a co-producer on Jon Batiste’s “Big Money,” accepted the award for best Americana album on Batiste’s behalf, reading a message from him onstage.
“Jon says: Thank God real musicians and real people playing in the same room together is one of the oldest traditions in humanity and must be protected,” Waterhouse said.
In what appeared to be a call to protect artists from AI, Waterhouse continued by calling “on [digital service providers], the Academy, corporations, the big money to protect our humanity in music right now.”
Nate Smith, who won best alternative jazz album for “LIVE-ACTION,” also called on the Recording Academy to ensure AI is not a threat to artists.
“This music is about playing together and human beings playing together. We are living in a time when human beings are not playing together and being featured playing together. … AI is kind of taking over, and I think it’s incumbent upon the Recording Academy and the recording industry to protect the rights of artists,” he said.
Kendrick Lamar sets Grammy record
Lamar became the rapper with the most Grammy wins ever. He now has 27 Grammys, breaking Jay-Z’s record of 25.
“Hip-hop is gonna always be right here. We’re gonna be in these suits, we’re gonna be looking good, we’re gonna be having our folks with us, we’re gonna be having our culture with us,” Lamar said as he accepted his fourth Grammy of the evening. “So I appreciate y’all.”
Lamar was the most-nominated artist at the Grammys this year, with nine nods.
He also dominated last year’s Grammy Awards.
Angela Yang, Nicole Acevedoand Saba Hamedy contributed.
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Rebecca Cohen | NBC News
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