Grammys 2021: Beyoncé makes history as women dominate big prizes

Fontaines DC miss out; Taylor Swift becomes first woman to win album of the year three times

Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish took the top prizes at the Grammy Awards on Sunday, but Beyoncé was the big winner on a history-making night marked by multiple wins for women. Video: CBS/Recording Academy

Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish took the top prizes at the Grammy Awards on Sunday but Beyoncé was the big winner on a history-making night marked by multiple wins for women.

Beyoncé's four Grammys on Sunday – two of them shared with best new artist winner Megan Thee Stallion – took her total career wins to 28, surpassing the previous Grammy record for a female artist set by bluegrass singer Alison Krauss.

Swift’s surprise record Folklore, recorded during coronavirus lockdowns, was named album of the year and made Swift (31) the first woman to take home that prize three times.

In a socially-distanced ceremony of live and pre-recorded performances, the writers of I Can’t Breathe by R&B artist H.E.R. won song of the year.

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It was written in response to the Black Lives Matter protests that roiled the United States last summer following the police killing of George Floyd.

Black culture was also celebrated in Beyoncé’s single Black Parade, which was named best R&B performance.

“It has been such a difficult time,” said Beyoncé, reflecting on the cultural reckoning about racism in the US.

“I wanted to uplift, encourage, celebrate all the beautiful black queens and kings that continue to inspire me and inspire the whole world,” she added.

Megan Thee Stallion (26), known for promoting women’s empowerment, came away with two more wins for her single Savage featuring Beyoncé.

Eilish's ballad Everything I Wanted won record of the year, and the 19 year old also won for her theme song for the upcoming James Bond movie No Time to Die.

Eilish said she was embarrassed by the win, saying it should have gone to Megan. “You deserve it. Genuinely. Can we just cheer for Megan Thee Stallion,” she said.

Irish post-punk band Fontaines DC missed out on a Grammy win for best rock album, which went to The Strokes for their sixth album, The New Abnormal. The Dublin band had been nominated for their second studio album, A Hero’s Death.

Irish band Fontaines DC missed out on a Grammy win for best rock album for A Hero’s Death. Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty
Irish band Fontaines DC missed out on a Grammy win for best rock album for A Hero’s Death. Photograph: Visionhaus/Getty

The ceremony was also aimed at moving past the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the live music industry, including the cancellation of music festivals, touring and concerts.

British singer Dua Lipa won best pop vocal album for her dance-y Future Nostalgia and spoke of the value of music during hard times.

“I’m just so grateful and so honoured because happiness is something that we all deserve,” Lipa said.

Dua Lipa performs at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. Photograph: CBS/Recording Academy via AP
Dua Lipa performs at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. Photograph: CBS/Recording Academy via AP

Hosted by Trevor Noah, the ceremony was packed with pre-recorded and live performances by the likes of Lipa, Swift, Post Malone, DaBaby, Black Pumas and Mickey Guyton. Cardi B and Megan teamed up to perform their summer single WAP in one of the raunchier moments of the night.

It took place both indoors and outdoors in Downtown Los Angeles but mostly without the elaborate sets and special effects that traditionally mark the highest honours in the music business.

“We’re hoping that this is all about what 2021 can be, full of joy, new beginnings and coming together. Never forgetting what happened in 2020, but full of hope for what is to come,” Noah said.

Some of Sunday's awards were announced at small venues in cities such as Nashville, New York and Los Angeles.

"Thank you to the Grammys for putting this together and letting us, at least, kind of be together," said Miranda Lambert, winner of best country album for Wildcard.

Doja Cat performs during the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty
Doja Cat performs during the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty

K-Pop band BTS lost in the best pop duo or group performance against Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande for their single Rain on Me, but performed their hit English-language single Dynamite from South Korea at the close of the show.

The seven-member band from South Korea had been hoping to be the first K-Pop act to win a Grammy after a breakthrough year in the US for the genre. – Reuters

RECORD OF THE YEAR

  • Everything I Wanted – Billie Eilish – Winner
  • Black Parade – Beyoncé
  • Colours – Black Pumas
  • Rockstar – DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
  • Say So – Doja Cat
  • Don't Start Now – Dua Lipa
  • Circles – Post Malone
  • Savage – Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift, winner of album of the year for Folklore. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Taylor Swift, winner of album of the year for Folklore. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
  • Folklore – Taylor Swift – Winner
  • Chilombo – Jhené Aiko
  • Black Pumas (Deluxe Edition) – Black Pumas
  • Everyday Life – Coldplay
  • Djesse Vol 3 – Jacob Collier
  • Women in Music Pt III – Haim
  • Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa
  • Hollywood's Bleeding – Post Malone

SONG OF THE YEAR

Tiara Thomas, winner of the song of the year award for I Can’t Breathe. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Tiara Thomas, winner of the song of the year award for I Can’t Breathe. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
  • I Can't Breathe – H.E.R. – Winner
  • Black Parade – Beyoncé
  • The Box – Roddy Ricch
  • Cardigan – Taylor Swift
  • Circles – Post Malone
  • Don't Start Now – Dua Lipa
  • Everything I Wanted – Billie Eilish
  • If the World Was Ending – JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels

BEST NEW ARTIST

  • Megan Thee Stallion — Winner
  • Ingrid Andress
  • Phoebe Bridgers
  • Noah Cyrus
  • Chika
  • D Smoke
  • Doja Cat
  • Kaytranada

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE

Harry Styles performs at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. Photograph: CBS/Recording Academy via AP
Harry Styles performs at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. Photograph: CBS/Recording Academy via AP
  • Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles – Winner
  • Yummy – Justin Bieber
  • Say So – Doja Cat
  • Everything I Wanted – Billie Eilish
  • Don't Start Now – Dua Lipa
  • Cardigan – Taylor Swift

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

  • Rain on Me – Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande – Winner
  • Un Dia (One Day)– J Balvin, Dua Lipa, Bad Bunny and Tainy
  • Intentions – Justin Bieber featuring Quavo
  • Dynamite – BTS
  • Exile – Taylor Swift featuring Bon Iver

BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM

  • American Standard – James Taylor – Winner
  • Blue Umbrella – Burt Bacharach and Daniel Tashian
  • True Love: A Celebration of Cole Porter – Harry Connick jnr
  • Unfollow the Rules – Rufus Wainwright
  • Judy – Renée Zellweger

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

  • Future Nostalgia – Dua Lipa – Winner
  • Changes – Justin Bieber
  • Chromatica – Lady Gaga
  • Fine Line – Harry Styles
  • Folklore – Taylor Swift

BEST DANCE RECORDING

  • 10% – Kaytranada featuring Kali Uchis – Winner
  • On My Mind – Diplo and Sidepiece
  • My High – Disclosure, Aminé and Slowthai
  • The Difference – Flume featuring Toro y Moi
  • Both of Us – Jayda G

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM

  • Bubba – Kaytranada – Winner
  • Kick I – Arca
  • Energy – Disclosure
  • Planet's Mad – Baauer
  • Good Faith – Madeon

BEST CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

  • Live at the Royal Albert Hall – Snarky Puppy – Winner
  • Axiom – Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah
  • Chronology of a Dream: Live at The Village Vanguard – Jon Batiste
  • Take the Stairs – Black Violin
  • Americana – Grégoire Maret, Romain Collin and Bill Frisell

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE

  • Shameika – Fiona Apple – Winner
  • The Steps – HAIM
  • Stay High – Brittany Howard
  • Not – Big Thief
  • Kyoto – Phoebe Bridgers
  • Daylight – Grace Potter

BEST METAL PERFORMANCE

  • Bum-Rush – Body Count – Winner
  • Underneath – Code Orange
  • The In-Between – In This Moment
  • Bloodmoney – Poppy
  • Executioner's Tax (Swing of the Axe) – Power Trip

BEST ROCK SONG

  • Stay High – Brittany Howard – Winner
  • Kyoto – Phoebe Bridgers
  • Lost in Yesterday – Tame Impala
  • Not – Big Thief
  • Shameika – Fiona Apple

BEST ROCK ALBUM

  • The New Abnormal – The Strokes – Winner
  • A Hero's Death – Fontaines DC
  • Kiwanuka – Michael Kiwanuka
  • Daylight – Grace Potter
  • Sound & Fury – Sturgill Simpson

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

  • Fetch the Bolt Cutters – Fiona Apple – Winner
  • Hyperspace – Beck
  • Punisher – Phoebe Bridgers
  • Jaime – Brittany Howard
  • The Slow Rush – Tame Impala

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE

  • Black Parade – Beyoncé – Winner
  • Lightning & Thunder – Jhené Aiko featuring John Legend
  • All I Need – Jacob Collier featuring Mahalia and Ty Dolla $ign
  • Goat Head – Brittany Howard
  • See Me – Emily King

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE

  • Anything for You – Ledisi – Winner
  • Sit On Down – The Baylor Project featuring Jean Baylor and Marcus Baylor
  • Wonder What She Thinks of Me – Chloe x Halle
  • Let Me Go – Mykal Kilgore
  • Distance – Yebba

BEST R&B SONG

  • Better Than I Imagined – Robert Glasper featuring H.E.R. and Meshell Ndegeocello – Winner
  • Black Parade – Beyoncé
  • Collide – Tiana Major9 and EARTHGANG
  • Do It – Chloe x Halle
  • Slow Down – Skip Marley and H.E.R.

BEST PROGRESSIVE R&B ALBUM

  • It Is What It Is – Thundercat – Winner
  • Chilombo – Jhené Aiko
  • Ungodly Hour – Chloe x Halle
  • Free Nationals – Free Nationals
  • F**k Yo Feelings – Robert Glasper

BEST R&B ALBUM

  • Bigger Love – John Legend – Winner
  • Happy 2 Be Here – Ant Clemons
  • Take Time – Giveon
  • To Feel Love/D – Luke James
  • All Rise – Gregory Porter

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE

Megan Thee Stallion, winner of best rap performance and best rap song for Savage and best new artist. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Megan Thee Stallion, winner of best rap performance and best rap song for Savage and best new artist. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
  • Savage – Megan thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé – Winner
  • Deep Reverence – Big Sean featuring Nipsey Hussle
  • Bop – DaBaby
  • Whats Poppin – Jack Harlow
  • The Bigger Picture – Lil Baby
  • Dior – Pop Smoke

BEST MELODIC RAP PERFORMANCE

  • Lockdown – Anderson Paak – Winner
  • Rockstar – DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
  • Laugh Now Cry Later – Drake featuring Lil Durk
  • The Box – Roddy Ricch
  • Highest in the Room – Travis Scott

BEST RAP SONG

  • Savage – Megan thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé – Winner
  • The Bigger Picture – Lil Baby
  • The Box – Roddy Ricch
  • Laugh Now Cry Later – Drake featuring Lil Durk
  • Rockstar – DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch
Lil Baby performs at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty
Lil Baby performs at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty

BEST RAP ALBUM

  • King's Disease – Nas – Winner
  • Black Habits – D Smoke
  • Alfredo – Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
  • A Written Testimony – Jay Electronica
  • The Allegory – Royce da 5'9"

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE

  • When My Amy Prays – Vince Gill – Winner
  • Stick That in Your Country Song – Eric Church
  • Who You Thought I Was – Brandy Clark
  • Bluebird – Miranda Lambert
  • Black Like Me – Mickey Guyton

BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

  • 10,000 Hours – Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber – Winner
  • All Night – Brothers Osborne
  • Ocean – Lady A
  • Sugar Coat – Little Big Town
  • Some People Do – Old Dominion

BEST COUNTRY SONG

  • Crowded Table – The Highwomen – Winner
  • Bluebird – Miranda Lambert
  • The Bones – Maren Morris
  • More Hearts Than Mine – Ingrid Andress
  • Some People Do – Old Dominion

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

  • Wildcard – Miranda Lambert – Winner
  • Nightfall – Little Big Town
  • Never Will – Ashley McBryde
  • Lady Like – Ingrid Andress
  • Your Life Is a Record – Brandy Clark

BEST NEW AGE ALBUM

  • More Guitar Stories – Jim "Kimo" West – Winner
  • Songs from the Bardo – Laurie Anderson, Tenzin Choegyal and Jesse Paris Smith
  • Periphery – Priya Darshini
  • Form//Less – Superposition
  • Meditations – Cory Wong and Jon Batiste

BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO

  • All Blues – Chick Corea, soloist – Winner
  • Guinnevere – Christian Scott Atunde Adjuah, soloist
  • Pachamama – Regina Carter, soloist
  • Tomorrow is the Question – Julian Lage, soloist
  • Celia – Gerald Clayton, soloist
  • Moe Honk – Joshua Redman, soloist

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM

  • Secrets are the Best Stories – Kurt Elling featuring Danilo Pérez – Winner
  • ONA – Thana Alexa
  • Modern Ancestors – Carmen Lundy
  • Holy Room: Live at Alte Oper – Somi With Frankfurt Radio Big Band
  • What's the Hurry – Kenny Washington

BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

  • Trilogy 2 – Chick Corea, Christian McBride & Brian Blade – Winner
  • On the Tender Spot of Every Calloused Moment – Ambrose Akinmusire
  • Waiting Game – Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science
  • Happening: Live at the Village Vanguard – Gerald Clayton
  • RoundAgain – Redman Mehldau McBride Blade

BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM

  • Data Lords – Maria Schneider Orchestra – Winner
  • Dialogues on Race – Gregg August
  • Monk'estra Plays John Beasley – John Beasley
  • The Intangible Between – Orrin Evans and The Captain Black Big Band
  • Songs You Like a Lot – John Hollenbeck with Theo Bleckmann, Kate McGarry, Gary Versace and The Frankfurt Radio Big Band

BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM

  • Four Questions – Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – Winner
  • Tradiciones – Afro-Peruvian Jazz Orchestra
  • City of Dreams – Chico Pinheiro
  • Viento y Tiempo: Live at Blue Note Tokyo – Gonzalo Rubalcaba and Aymée Nuviola
  • Trane's Delight – Poncho Sanchez

BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE/SONG

  • Movin' On – Jonathan McReynolds & Mali Music – Winner
  • Wonderful is Your Name – Melvin Crispell III
  • Release (Live) – Ricky Dillard featuring Tiff Joy
  • Come Together – Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins Presents: The Good News
  • Won't Let Go – Travis Greene

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE/SONG

  • There Was Jesus – Zach Williams and Dolly Parton – Winner
  • The Blessing (Live) – Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes and Elevation Worship
  • Sunday Morning – Lecrae featuring Kirk Franklin
  • Holy Water – We the Kingdom
  • Famous For (I Believe) – Tauren Wells featuring Jenn Johnson

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM

  • Gospel According to PJ – PJ Morton – Winner
  • 2econd Wind: ReadY – Anthony Brown and group therAPy
  • My Tribute – Myron Butler
  • Choirmaster – Ricky Dillard
  • Kierra – Kierra Sheard

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM

  • Jesus is King – Kanye West – Winner
  • Run to The Father – Cody Carnes
  • All of My Best Friends – Hillsong Young & Free
  • Holy Water – We the Kingdom
  • Citizen of Heaven – Tauren Wells

BEST ROOTS GOSPEL ALBUM

  • Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album) – Fisk Jubilee Singers – Winner
  • Beautiful Day – Mark Bishop
  • 20/20 – The Crabb Family
  • What Christmas Really Means – The Erwins
  • Something Beautiful – Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

BEST LATIN POP ALBUM OR URBAN ALBUM

Bad Bunny, winner of the best latin pop or urban album for YHLQMDLG. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty
Bad Bunny, winner of the best latin pop or urban album for YHLQMDLG. Photograph: Kevin Winter/Getty
  • YHLQMDLG – Bad Bunny – Winner
  • Por Primera Vez – Camilo
  • Mesa Para Dos – Kany García
  • Pausa – Ricky Martin
  • 3:33 – Debi Nova

BEST LATIN ROCK OR ALTERNATIVE ALBUM

  • La Conquista del Espacio – Fito Paez – Winner
  • Aura – Bajofondo
  • MONSTRUO – Cami
  • Sobrevolando – Cultura Profética
  • Miss Colombia – Lido Pimienta

BEST REGIONAL MEXICAN MUSIC ALBUM (INCLUDING TEJANO)

  • Un Canto por México, Vol 1 – Natalia Lafourcade – Winner
  • Hecho en México – Alejandro Fernández
  • La Serenata – Lupita Infante
  • Bailando Sones y Huampangos con Mariachi Sol De Mexico De Jose Hernandez – Mariachi Sol De Mexico De Jose Hernandez
  • Ayayay! – Christian Nodal

BEST TROPICAL LATIN ALBUM

  • 40" – Grupo Niche – Winner
  • Mi Tumbao – José Alberto "El Ruiseñor"
  • Infinito – Edwin Bonilla
  • Sigo Cantando al Amor (Deluxe) – Jorge Celedon and Sergio Luis
  • Memorias de Navidad – Víctor Manuelle

BEST AMERICAN ROOTS PERFORMANCE

  • I Remember Everything – John Prine – Winner
  • Colours – Black Pumas
  • Deep In Love – Bonny Light Horseman
  • Short and Sweet – Brittany Howard
  • I'll Be Gone – Norah Jones and Mavis Staples

BEST AMERICAN ROOTS SONG

  • I Remember Everything – John Prine – Winner
  • Cabin – The Secret Sisters
  • Ceiling to the Floor – Sierra Hull
  • Hometown – Sarah Jarosz
  • Man Without a Soul – Lucinda Williams

BEST AMERICANA ALBUM

  • World on the Ground – Sarah Jarosz – Winner
  • Old Flowers – Courtney Marie Andrews
  • Terms of Surrender – Hiss Golden Messenger
  • El Dorado – Marcus King
  • Good Souls Better Angels – Lucinda Williams

BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM

  • Home – Billy Strings – Winner
  • Man on Fire – Danny Barnes
  • To Live in Two Worlds, Vol 1 – Thomm Jutz
  • North Carolina Songbook – Steep Canyon Rangers
  • The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Vol 1 – Various Artists

BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM

  • Rawer than Raw – Bobby Rush – Winner
  • All My Dues are Paid – Frank Bey
  • You Make Me Feel – Don Bryant
  • That's What I Heard – Robert Cray Band
  • Cypress Grove – Jimmy "Duck" Holmes

BEST CONTEMPORARY BLUES ALBUM

  • Have You Lost Your Mind Yet? – Fantastic Negrito – Winner
  • Live at the Paramount – Ruthie Foster Big Band
  • The Juice – G Love
  • Blackbirds – Bettye LaVette
  • Up and Rolling – North Mississippi Allstars

BEST FOLK ALBUM

  • All the Good Times – Gillian Welch and David Rawlings – Winner
  • Bonny Light Horseman – Bonny Light Horseman
  • Thanks for the Dance – Leonard Cohen
  • Song for Our Daughter – Laura Marling
  • Saturn Return – The Secret Sisters

BEST REGIONAL ROOTS MUSIC ALBUM

  • Atmosphere – New Orleans Nightcrawlers – Winner
  • My Relatives: 'Nikso' Kowaiks – Black Lodge Singers
  • Cameron Dupuy and The Cajun Troubadours – Cameron Dupuy And The Cajun Troubadours
  • Lovely Sunrise – Na Wai Eha
  • A Tribute to Al Berard – Sweet Cecilia

BEST REGGAE ALBUM

  • Got to Be Tough – Toots & The Maytals – Winner
  • Upside Down 2020 – Buju Banton
  • Higher Place – Skip Marley
  • It All Comes Black to Love – Maxi Priest
  • One World – The Wailers

BEST GLOBAL MUSIC ALBUM

  • Twice as Tall – Burna Boy – Winner
  • Fu Chronicles – Antibalas
  • Agora – Bebel Gilberto
  • Love Letters – Anoushka Shankar
  • Amadjar – Tinariwen

BEST CHILDREN’S ALBUM

  • All the Ladies – Joanie Leeds – Winner
  • Be a Pain: An Album for Young (and Old) Leaders – Alastair Moock And Friends
  • I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas
  • Songs for Singin' – The Okee Dokee Brothers
  • Wild Life – Justin Roberts

BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM (Includes poetry, audio books and storytelling)

  • Blowout: Corrupted Democracy, Rogue State Russia and the Richest, Most Destructive Industry on Earth – Rachel Maddow – Winner
  • Acid for the Children: A Memoir – Flea
  • Alex Trebek: The Answer Is . . . – Ken Jennings
  • Catch and Kill – Ronan Farrow
  • Charlotte's Web (EB White) – Meryl Streep and Full Cast

BEST COMEDY ALBUM

  • Black Mitzvah – Tiffany Haddish – Winner
  • I Love Everything – Patton Oswalt
  • The Pale Tourist – Jim Gaffigan
  • Paper Tiger – Bill Burr
  • 23 Hours to Kill – Jerry Seinfeld

BEST MUSICAL THEATRE ALBUM

  • Jagged Little Pill – Winner
  • Amélie
  • American Utopia on Broadway
  • Little Shop of Horrors
  • The Prince of Egypt
  • Soft Power

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA

  • Jojo Rabbit – Various artists – Winner
  • A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood – Various artists
  • Bill & Ted Face the Music – Various artists
  • Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga – Various artists
  • Frozen II – Various artists

BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA

  • Joker – Hildur Guðnadóttir, composer – Winner
  • Ad Astra – Max Richter, composer
  • Becoming – Kamasi Washington, composer
  • 1917 – Thomas Newman, composer
  • Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – John Williams, composer

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA

Billie Eilish, winner of record of the year for Everything I Wanted and best song written for visual media for No Time to Die. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Billie Eilish, winner of record of the year for Everything I Wanted and best song written for visual media for No Time to Die. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
  • No Time to Die (from No Time to Die) – Billie Eilish – Winner
  • Beautiful Ghosts (from Cats) – Taylor Swift
  • Carried Me with You (from Onward) – Brandi Carlile
  • Into the Unknown (from Frozen II) – Idina Menzel featuring AURORA
  • Stand Up (from Harriet) – Cynthia Erivo

BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION

  • Sputnik – Maria Schneider – Winner
  • Baby Jack – Arturo O'Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
  • Be Water II – Christian Sands
  • Plumfield – Alexandre Desplat
  • Strata – Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly Of Shadows featuring Anna Webber and Eric Miller

BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTAL OR A CAPPELLA

  • Donna Lee – John Beasley – Winner
  • Bathroom Dance – Hildur Guðnadóttir
  • Honeymooners – Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly Of Shadows
  • Lift Every Voice and Sing – Jarrett Johnson featuring Alvin Chea
  • Uranus: The Magician – Jeremy Levy Jazz Orchestra

BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTS AND VOCALS

Jacob Collier, winner of the best arrangement, instruments and vocals award for He Won’t Hold You. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
Jacob Collier, winner of the best arrangement, instruments and vocals award for He Won’t Hold You. Photograph: Kevin Mazur/Getty
  • He Won't Hold You – Jacob Collier featuring Rapsody – Winner
  • Asas Fechadas – Maria Mendes featuring John Beasley and Orkest Metropole
  • Desert Song – Säje
  • From This Place – Pat Metheny featuring Meshell Ndegeocello
  • Slow Burn – Becca Stevens featuring Jacob Collier, Mark Lettieri, Justin Stanton, Jordan Perlson, Nic Hard, Keita Ogawa, Marcelo Woloski and Nate Werth

BEST RECORDING PACKAGE

  • Vols 11 & 12 – Doug Cunningham and Jason Noto, art directors (Desert Sessions) – Winner
  • Everyday Life– Pilar Zeta, art director (Coldplay)
  • Funeral – Kyle Goen, art director (Lil Wayne)
  • Healer – Julian Gross and Hannah Hooper, art directors (Grouplove)
  • On Circles – Jordan Butcher, art director (Caspian)

BEST BOXED OR SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE

  • Ode to Joy – Lawrence Azerrad and Jeff Tweedy, art directors (Wilco) – Winner
  • Flaming Pie (Collector's Edition) – Linn Wie Andersen, Simon Earith, Paul McCartney and James Musgrave, art directors (Paul McCartney)
  • Giants Stadium 1987, 1989, 1991 – Lisa Glines and Doran Tyson, art directors (Grateful Dead)
  • Mode – Jeff Schulz, art director (Depeche Mode)
  • The Story of Ghostly International – Michael Cina and Molly Smith, art directors (Various Artists)

BEST ALBUM NOTES

  • Dead Man's Pop – Bob Mehr, album notes writer (The Replacements) Winner
  • At The Minstrel Show: Minstrel Routines From The Studio, 1894-1926 – Tim Brooks, album notes writer (Various Artists)
  • The Bakersfield Sound: Country Music Capital Of The West, 1940-1974 – Scott B Bomar, album notes writer (Various Artists)
  • The Missing Link: How Gus Haenschen Got Us From Joplin To Jazz And Shaped The Music Business – Colin Hancock, album notes writer (Various Artists)
  • Out Of A Clear Blue Sky – David Sager, album notes writer (Nat Brusiloff)

BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM

  • It's Such A Good Feeling: The Best Of Mister Rogers – Mister Rogers – Winner
  • Celebrated, 1895-1896 – Unique Quartette
  • Hittin' The Ramp: The Early Years (1936 - 1943) – Nat King Cole
  • 1999 Super Deluxe Edition – Prince
  • Souvenir – Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark
  • Throw Down Your Heart: The Complete Africa Sessions – Béla Fleck

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, NON-CLASSICAL

  • Hyperspace – Drew Brown, Andrew Coleman, Shawn Everett, Serban Ghenea, David Greenbaum, Jaycen Joshua, Beck Hansen and Mike Larson, engineers; Randy Merrill, mastering engineer (Beck) – Winner
  • Black Hole Rainbow – Shawn Everett and Ivan Wayman, engineers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Devon Gilfillian)
  • Expectations – Gary Paczosa and Mike Robinson, engineers; Paul Blakemore, mastering engineer (Katie Pruitt)
  • Jaime – Shawn Everett, engineer; Shawn Everett, mastering engineer (Brittany Howard)
  • 25 Trips – Shani Gandhi and Gary Paczosa, engineers; Adam Grover, mastering engineer (Sierra Hull)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL

  • Andrew Watt — Winner
  • Jack Antonoff
  • Dan Auerbach
  • Dave Cobb
  • Flying Lotus

BEST REMIXED RECORDING

  • Roses (Imanbek Remix) – Imanbek Zeikenov, remixer (SAINt JHN) – Winner
  • Do You Ever (RAC Mix) – RAC, remixer (Phil Good)
  • Imaginary Friends (Morgan Page Remix) – Morgan Page, remixer (Deadmau5)
  • Praying for You (Louie Vega Main Remix) – Louie Vega, remixer (Jasper Street Co)
  • Young & Alive (Bazzi vs. Haywyre Remix) – Haywyre, remixer (Bazzi)

BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, CLASSICAL

  • Shostakovich: Symphony No 13, 'Babi Yar' – David Frost and Charlie Post, engineers; Silas Brown, mastering engineer (Riccardo Muti and Chicago Symphony Orchestra) – Winner
  • Danielpour: The Passion of Yeshua – Bernd Gottinger, engineer (JoAnn Falletta, James K Bass, Adam Luebke, UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus)
  • Gershwin: Porgy and Bess – David Frost and John Kerswell, engineers; Silas Brown, mastering engineer (David Robertson, Eric Owens, Angel Blue, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra & Chorus)
  • Hynes: Fields – Kyle Pyke, engineer; Jesse Lewis and Kyle Pyke, mastering engineers (Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion)
  • Ives: Complete Symphonies – Alexander Lipay and Dmitriy Lipay, engineers; Alexander Lipay and Dmitriy Lipay, mastering engineers (Gustavo Dudamel & Los Angeles Philharmonic)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, CLASSICAL

  • David Frost – Winner
  • Blanton Alspaugh
  • Jesse Lewis
  • Dmitry Lipay
  • Elaine Martone

BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE

  • Ives: Complete Symphonies – Gustavo Dudamel, conductor (Los Angeles Philharmonic) – Winner
  • Aspects of America - Pulitzer Edition – Carlos Kalmar, conductor (Oregon Symphony)
  • Concurrence – Daníel Bjarnason, conductor (Iceland Symphony Orchestra)
  • Copland: Symphony No 3 – Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor (San Francisco Symphony)
  • Lutoslawski: Symphonies No 2 & 3 – Hannu Lintu, conductor (Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra)

BEST OPERA RECORDING

  • Gershwin: Porgy and Bess – David Robertson, conductor; Angel Blue & Eric Owens; David Frost, producer (The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra; The Metropolitan Opera Chorus) – Winner
  • Dello Joio: The Trial at Rouen – Gil Rose, conductor; Heather Buck & Stephen Powell; Gil Rose, producer (Boston Modern Orchestra Project; Odyssey Opera Chorus)
  • Floyd, C: Prince of Players – William Boggs, conductor; Keith Phares & Kate Royal; Blanton Alspaugh, producer (Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra; Florentine Opera Chorus)
  • Handel: Agrippina – Maxim Emelyanychev, conductor; Joyce DiDonato; Daniel Zalay, producer (Il Pomo D'Oro)
  • Zemlinsky: Der Zwerg – Donald Runnicles, conductor; David Butt Philip & Elena Tsallagova; Peter Ghirardini & Erwin Stürzer, producers (Orchestra Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin; Chorus Of The Deutsche Oper Berlin)

BEST CHORAL PERFORMANCE

  • Danielpour: The Passion of Yeshua – JoAnn Falletta, conductor; James K Bass & Adam Luebke, chorus masters (James K. Bass, J'Nai Bridges, Timothy Fallon, Kenneth Overton, Hila Plitmann & Matthew Worth; Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra; Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus & UCLA Chamber Singers) – Winner
  • Carthage – Donald Nally, conductor (The Crossing)
  • Kastalski: Requiem – Leonard Slatkin, conductor; Charles Bruffy, Steven Fox & Benedict Sheehan, chorus masters (Joseph Charles Beutel & Anna Dennis; Orchestra Of St. Luke's; Cathedral Choral Society, The Clarion Choir, Kansas City Chorale & The Saint Tikhon Choir)
  • Moravec: Sanctuary Road – Kent Tritle, conductor (Joshua Blue, Raehann Bryce-Davis, Dashon Burton, Malcolm J. Merriweather & Laquita Mitchell; Oratorio Society Of New York Orchestra; Oratorio Society Of New York Chorus)
  • Once Upon a Time – Matthew Guard, conductor (Sarah Walker; Skylark Vocal Ensemble)

BEST CHAMBER MUSIC/SMALL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

  • Contemporary Voices – Pacifica Quartet – Winner
  • Healing Modes – Brooklyn Rider
  • Hearne, T,: Place – Ted Hearne, Steven Bradshaw, Sophia Byrd, Josephine Lee, Isaiah Robinson, Sol Ruiz, Ayanna Woods & Place Orchestra
  • Hynes: Fields – Devonté Hynes & Third Coast Percussion
  • The Schumann Quartets – Dover Quartet

BEST CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL SOLO

  • Theofanidis: Concerto for Viola and Chamber Orchestra – Richard O'Neill; David Alan Miller, conductor (Albany Symphony) – Winner
  • Adés: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra – Kirill Gerstein; Thomas Adès, conductor (Boston Symphony Orchestra)
  • Beethoven: Complete Piano Sonatas – Igor Levit
  • Bohemian Tales – Augustin Hadelich; Jakub Hruša, conductor (Charles Owen; Symphonieorchester Des Bayerischen Rundfunks)
  • Destination Rachmaninov: Arrival – Daniil Trifonov; Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor (The Philadelphia Orchestra)

BEST CLASSICAL SOLO VOCAL ALBUM

  • Smyth: The Prison – Sarah Brailey & Dashon Burton; James Blachly, conductor (Experiential Chorus; Experiential Orchestra) – Winner
  • American Composers at Play: William Bolcom, Ricky Ian Gordon, Lori Laitman, John Musto – Stephen Powell (Attacca Quartet, William Bolcom, Ricky Ian Gordon, Lori Laitman, John Musto, Charles Neidich & Jason Vieaux)
  • Clairières: Songs by Lili & Nadia Boulanger – Nicholas Phan; Myra Huang, accompanist
  • Farinelli – Cecilia Bartoli; Giovanni Antonini, conductor (Il Giardino Armonico)
  • A Lad's Love – Brian Giebler; Steven McGhee, accompanist (Katie Hyun, Michael Katz, Jessica Meyer, Reginald Mobley & Ben Russell)

BEST CLASSICAL COMPENDIUM

  • Thomas, MT: From the Diary of Anne Frank & Meditations on Rilke – Isabel Leonard; Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor; Jack Vad, producer – Winner
  • Adès Conducts Adès – Mark Stone & Christianne Stotijn; Thomas Adès, conductor; Nick Squire, producer
  • Saariaho: Graal Théâtre; Circle Map, Neiges, Vers Toi Qui Es Si Loin – Clément Mao-Takacs, conductor; Hans Kipfer, producer
  • Serebrier: Symphonic Bach Variations; Laments and Hallelujahs; Flute Concerto – José Serebrier, conductor; Jens Braun, producer
  • Woolf, LP: Fire and Blood – Matt Haimovitz; Julian Wachner, conductor; Blanton Alspaugh, producer

BEST CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL COMPOSITION

  • Rouse: Symphony No 5 – Christopher Rouse, composer (Giancarlo Guerrero & Nashville Symphony) – Winner
  • Adès: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra – Thomas Adès, composer (Kirill Gerstein, Thomas Adès & Boston Symphony Orchestra)
  • Danielpour: The Passion of Yeshua – Richard Danielpour, composer (JoAnn Falletta, James K Bass, Adam Luebke, UCLA Chamber Singers, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra & Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus)
  • Floyd, C: Prince of Players – Carlisle Floyd, composer (William Boggs, Kate Royal, Keith Phares, Florentine Opera Chorus & Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra)
  • Hearne, T: Place – Ted Hearne, composer (Ted Hearne, Steven Bradshaw, Sophia Byrd, Josephine Lee, Isaiah Robinson, Sol Ruiz, Ayanna Woods & Place Orchestra)

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

  • Brown Skin Girl – Beyoncé, Saint Jhn & Wizkid featuring Blue Ivy Carter– Winner
  • Life Is Good – Future featuring Drake
  • Lockdown – Anderson Paak
  • Adore You – Harry Styles
  • Goliath – Woodkid

BEST MUSIC FILM

  • Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice – Linda Ronstadt – Winner
  • Beastie Boys Story – Beastie Boys
  • Black Is King – Beyoncé
  • We Are Freestyle Love Supreme – Freestyle Love Supreme
  • That Little Ol' Band From Texas – ZZ Top