AFPMiley Cyrus (right) received her Grammy from Mariah Carey, whom she praised in her acceptance speech
NOS Nieuws•vandaag, 14:43
Female artists dominated the Grammy Awards last night in Los Angeles. The awards in the four main categories – best album, best song, best new artist and best produced song (record) – all went to women.
That was not unique; In the 66-year history of the Grammys, women have walked away with the most prestigious awards seven times. But that didn’t happen automatically.
Journalist Loeke de Waal explained this morning NOS Radio 1 News shows that the Grammys were still under fire in 2018 due to the many nominations for men. When the then CEO of the music gala, Neil Portnow, was asked about this, he said that it was mainly up to the women themselves to do better.
Shortly after those statements, Portnow left as CEO. Afterwards, women dominated the Grammys in both 2020 and 2021, with Billie Eilish and Taylor Swift the big winners.
‘Finally normal’
Eilish and Swift again won two prestigious Grammys this year – for best album and best song – together with Miley Cyrus (best record) and Victoria Monét (best newcomer).
According to radio DJ Tannaz Hajeby, who works at NPO Radio 2, the many awards underline that the work of female artists is now at least valued equally as that of their male colleagues.
“It’s finally normal,” says Hajeby. In the music industry, according to Hajeby, artists such as Beyoncé – honored with a record number of 32 Grammys – have paved the way for the current generation.
“Otherwise there might never have been room for this generation to win anything. They might have had to work four times harder than men. And the great thing is that these women also mention that.”
Highlights from last night’s Grammy awards:
Women dominate at the Grammys: Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift win prizes
For example, when receiving the Grammy for album of the year (her fourth Grammy for best album, a first for an artist), Taylor Swift spoke warmly about fellow nominee Lana Del Rey.
“So many female artists wouldn’t be where they are today, or have the inspiration, without the work she’s done,” Swift said. “She is an iconic artist, a legend who is now at her best.”
Miley Cyrus had a similar tribute for Mariah Carey, from whom she received the award for ‘best record’. She explained that she feared she would have to miss part of the Grammys because she was stuck in traffic on her way to the Crypto.com Arena. “And that was fine, but I didn’t want to miss Mariah Carey.”
Extra lading
According to radio DJ Hajeby, such speeches give an extra charge to a Grammy ceremony like last night’s. “They hype each other, there is a huge mutual favor factor. And you need prizes to realize that women are recognized,” she emphasizes.
“But that doesn’t mean this isn’t special. There is still work to be done in other industries for more equality, including here in the Netherlands.”
2024-02-05 13:43:14
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