Biggest Winners at the 2022 Grammys

“Wait … it’s the Grammys?”

When the Grammys’ sultry red carpet unfurled, this seemed to be social media’s overwhelming question. I mean what a shocking surprise. And indeed, it seems that the award show is getting less and less relevant each year.

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With major artists questioning its legitimacy — Drake, Frank Ocean, and The Weeknd are among the big names who no longer submit their work for consideration, citing their exasperation over the industry’s dismissal of Black art — the Grammys have been struggling to entice viewers. The 2021 Grammys ceremony was the least-watched in years, drawing record low numbers.

What used to be music’s biggest night kinda felt just like … Sunday.

Do the Grammys Even Matter?

The 2022 ceremony — finally unfettered from pandemic restrictions that made 2021 a tad awkward — aimed for a dramatic comeback with a slate of young performers like Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, and Lil Nas X in hopes of gaining a larger viewership.

Yet, because the Omicron surge pushed the ceremony from its original February date, this year’s ceremony came as a surprise to everyone. There we were, obsessing about the Oscars drama when suddenly the Grammys were upon us.

Since most things start as they continue, the night felt pretty much as forgettable as the date itself. While the Grammy Awards have landed a not-so-favorable reputation — yes, disappointing, yes, downright boring — the past two years have stepped it up a little by being just … okay.

The performances were good, Trevor Noah hosted again — though he lacked the sharp, pointed commentary we all love on The Daily Show. Although after last week’s distasteful jokes and turmoil, who could blame him for playing it a tad safe. And most of the wins felt deserved. Yet, it still felt, may I say milquetoast and unremarkable, despite the Vegas venue.

Overall, the show was fine. The bar was low, and they didn’t fall beneath it, thankfully. But people are tired of seeing the same celebrities win — or not win — the same damn awards while there’s so much more going on in the world. True, there were references to current events but at the end of the day, how much does an award show truly matter anymore?

While the Academy fights for relevancy, we’ll still be here, watching the Grammys until they die out. And, despite the general lackluster vibe of the night, there were some really nice moments worth remembering.

Best Moments from the 2022 Grammys

For one, there was the chills-inducing spotlight on Ukraine. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky had reportedly wanted to speak at the Oscars, but didn’t get the chance. At the Grammys, his pre-recorded video urged people to raise awareness about the truth of the war and crisis in Ukraine. The video segment was a reminder of the world beyond celebrity, but also a celebration of the power of art and music to empower and communicate. Zelensky said: “Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded … Russia brings horrible silence with its bombs. Fill the silence with your music.” It was followed by John Legend’s song “Free” Legend performed alongside several Ukrainian artists and musicians—bandura player Siuzanna Iglidan, singer Mika Newton, poet Lyuba Yakimchuk.

There were heartwarming tributes to musicians throughout the night. The Foo Fighters, who recently lost their drummer Taylor Hawkins, swept in every category they were nominated for. Billie Eilish wore a t-shirt with Taylor Hawkins’ face on it as a small tribute to him as she performed one of the hottest performances of the night. Another powerful tribute was Lady Gaga’s emotional tribute to her duet partner Tony Bennett, who retired from performing due to Alzheimer’s.

These genuinely touching moments were worth all the awkward jokes, the lulls, and the snubs. The best moments were the ones that felt the most earnest. Namely, some of the wins and speeches that made us say awwww.

Say what you want about the Grammys, but they don’t have the best track record for reflecting the culture in their picks for the top prizes. Remember when Macklemore beat out Kendrick Lamar for Best Rap Album in 2014? Or when Beyonce’s Lemonade was snubbed in 2016? And, one of the most laughable, Fun. winning Best New Artist in 2013 over Frank Ocean. Frank Ocean. Fun. I’m sorry … has anyone even thought of Fun. Since 2013? I can’t discuss it.

Anyway, though there were some upsets and surprises this year, there were a number of first wins from some super deserving artists. Younger and more innovative artists took home a lot of the hardware, and their earnest responses were serious reminders of what all the commotion is actually about.

Here are some of our favorite wins from the night: