The 67th Annual Grammy Awards commenced Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena less than two miles away from USC, hosted by comedian Trevor Noah. Every February, music’s greatest stars come together to celebrate the year’s outstanding achievements in music. This year’s edition featured several notable performances, including some by Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii and Benson Boone.  

Although the Grammys is a yearly event, it was unclear even just a few weeks ago if the show would happen because of the recent fires in Los Angeles. In a show of support for the devastated city, the Grammys encouraged those watching at home to donate by displaying a QR code on screen. 

In his opening monologue, Noah described the fires as one of “the largest natural disasters in United States history. ” He celebrated the city’s resilience and encouraged viewers to donate multiple times throughout the show. Additionally, he mentioned how several commercials throughout the telecast showcased local L.A. businesses. During the second hour of the show, Noah revealed that over seven million dollars had been raised — all from viewers at home.

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The night’s first performer was L.A.-based folk band Dawes, who performed alongside an all-star lineup of John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent. With a performance of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.,” the group set the tone for a cheerful night by celebrating the city of stars. 

Eilish sang her hit “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” alongside her brother FINNEAS. “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” was nominated for three awards: Best Pop Solo Performance, Record of the Year and Song of the Year. The siblings kept the performance simple and authentic, in line with Eilish’s true nature. Although it was not the most captivating performance, the simplicity was beautiful. At the end of the performance, Eilish made sure to show support for the city, saying, “I love you, L.A.!”  

It’s evident that the music industry rewards talent, whether from emerging artists or those with strong ties to institutions. Taylor Eigsti, who briefly attended the Thornton School of Music, took home Best Contemporary Instrumental Album, another win for the Trojan family. 

In addition, Dan Nigro, the winner of Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, collaborated closely with Olivia Rodrigo, another Trojan, on “SOUR” and “GUTS.”

While Eilish gave an uncomplicated performance, Carpenter made her Grammys debut with a vibrant set. Carpenter performed a medley of her Grammy-nominated songs “Espresso” and “Please Please Please.” The performance included tap dancing by Carpenter and an array of background dancers, which made for a very entertaining scene. Her appearance also featured a costume change, from a bedazzled suit and tie costume to a sparkly blue unitard, which matches her “Short n Sweet” album aesthetic perfectly. 

Carpenter was also in competition for the coveted Best New Artist award, and this year, the category was stacked with Benson Boone, Chappell Roan, Raye and Doechii also nominated. 

Chappell Roan ended up winning the category, two years after performing at USC’s own McCarthy Quad at FemFest in March 2023.

The “Pink Pony Club” singer used her speech to advocate for a living wage for musicians, saying, “Labels, we got you, but do you got us?”

For the first time, the ceremony incorporated a Best New Artist performance medley featuring Benson Boone, Doechii, Teddy Swim and Raye. The performance played to each of the nominee’s strengths and allowed for them to shine individually. 

Doechii performed “DENIAL IS A RIVER” and “CATFISH” alongside backup dancers who leaned into the playful, creative nature of her music. Her performance proved why she received Best Rap Album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal” earlier on in the show. 

“I put my heart and my soul in this mixtape,” said Doechii. 

Boone began his performance with an epic costume change — a common theme for the night — by ripping off his suit and tie and revealing a bedazzled baby -blue jumpsuit underneath. His performance of “Beautiful Things” was a defining moment as he flipped around the stage while he proved his vast vocal range. It made a solid case for him as a Best New Artist nominee. 

Shortly after the Best New Artist medley, the most competitive categories were unveiled: Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year. 

Kendrick Lamar, the biggest winner this year, took home both Record and Song of the Year for his rap hit “Not Like Us.” Lamar received three awards during the pre-show award ceremony, bringing his total to five at this year’s show. This came as a surprise to many, but “Not Like Us” had an immense cultural impact, and matched with his clever lyricism, this popularity secured these wins. 

The Album of The Year award is arguably the most valuable award at the show. Frontrunners included Billie Eilish for “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” “The Tortured Poet’s Department” by Taylor Swift and Beyoncé’s “COWBOY CARTER.” 

Ultimately, Beyoncé took home the award, a long-awaited career moment for her, which she said resulted from “25 years of working hard” in a later interview with Entertainment Tonight. 

Although Beyoncé has the most Grammys, according to the Recording Academy, she was yet to win Album of the Year. Beyoncé is only the fourth Black woman to win the award, and she is also the first Black woman to win in a little over 25 years.

Earlier in the evening, Beyoncé also won the Best Country Album award, becoming the first Black woman to win the category. She also won another award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for her “II Most Wanted” duet with Miley Cyrus. Sunday was a historic night for a traditionally underrepresented group at the Grammys.

Due to Beyoncé’s win, Swift and Eilish left the show with zero awards. This was a shock, as Eilish received seven nominations and was yet to leave the Grammys empty-handed in her career. “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” was a notable project for Eilish, as she explored raw emotions about topics such as body image, sexuality and heartbreak. 

Overall, this year’s Grammys maintained the entertainment factor that is highly anticipated each year while shedding light on the current state of the greater L.A. area. The Grammys were able to provide a positive space filled with celebration and hope during a dark time.