If you’re an obsessor of music and pop culture, then the 2024 Grammys is like your Super Bowl. From the major wins to grandiose performances, this year’s celebration 66th annual Grammy Award was a nonstop moment of tweets and discourse on the feed.
Many Zillennials came to show up and show out, from Coco Jones snagging an award to Victoria Monet, seeing her manifestations come to life. The night emphasized what it looks like to give artists a platform to express themselves through music, art and dance.
Throughout the night, we witness many first-time winners and, of course, major snubs to get the timeline going. Didn’t get a chance to see the awards last night? Don’t worry; GU is here to give you a roundup of some of the most talked-about moments from the 66th annual Grammy Awards.
The Grammys Accidentally Tweeted The Wrong Winner
During the Grammy pre-show ceremony the timeline kicked the night off with a bang after the official Recording Academy X account posted the incorrect winner of Best Rap Song. During the category segment, the live show correctly announced “Scientists & Engineers” by Killer Mike featuring André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane as the winner. Still, online the X account posted “Barbie World,” by Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice instantly getting stan accounts riled up.
Ice Spice Channels Y2K With Her Baby Phat Ensemble
As a first-time Grammy nominee, Ice Spice stepped out her in Y2K aesthetic with a custom Baby Phat set. The Gen Z’er paid homage to the early 2000s with a denim jacket and skirt set with faux fur trimming around the neckline and topped it off with gold heels to bring the look together.
Coco Jones Wins Best R&B Performance
From Disney Channel to the Grammy stage, Coco Jones continues to make her inner child proud after winning the Best R&B Performance category. The songstress took over Instagram Reels and TikTok with her R&B classic hit “ICU.” “I just want to continue to inspire the girls who look like me to just keep pursuing because all of this wouldn’t have happened if I gave up and I’m just grateful I did not,” she says on the red carpet.
Victoria Monét Wins Best New Artist
We’re going to call this year the year of Monét. Not only did the “On My Mama” singer win two additional awards, but she also won Best New Artist. If you’re a true OG, then you know Monét is well-known for her songwriting, but this win was solely for her talent and artistry. “I moved to L.A. in 2009, and I like to liken myself to a plant who was planted, and you can look at the music industry as soil,” She says during her speech. “You can look at it as dirty, or it can be looked at as a source of nutrients and water. And my roots have been growing underneath the ground unseen for so long. And I feel like today I’m sprouting finally above ground.”
Tyla Wins Best African Music Performance
It’s not every day your first major award is a Grammy. Tyla took home the Best African Music Performance award during the pre-ceremony for her smash hit “Water.” The songstress checked a new accomplishment off her bucket list right before her debut album, Tyla, hit the market on March 1, 2024. “I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 22 years old,” Tyla says in her acceptance speech. “Thank you to the Recording Academy for this category. It’s so important.”
SZA Wins Best R&B Song For ‘Snooze’
If you’re a hopeless romantic, then “Snooze” was probably among your top songs on Apple Music and Spotify. The SZA song became a bonafide hit from her sophomore album SOS and even scored an official remix with Justin Bieber, who also made a cameo in the official music video. The 34-year-old is a four-time Grammy winner and made history this year by becoming the most nominated artist. “I’m just really overwhelmed,” the singer says. “You don’t really understand. I came really, really far, and I can’t believe this is happening, and it feels very fake.”
About the Author: Kenyatta Victoria is the lead writer for Essence GU, working on all things pop culture, politics, entertainment and business. Throughout her time at GU, she’s garnered devoted readers and specializes in the Zillennial point of view.