The 2021 Grammy Awards
How COVID-19 precautions resulted in the best show to date
BY MACY HARDER
I’ll admit it, I like award shows. I know that the commodification of art is one of capitalism’s many pitfalls, but I find them
to be entertaining nonetheless. That’s not to say that award shows shouldn’t be critiqued; there’s a concerning level of underrepresentation among nominees and a questionable sense of what makes a “good” film or album (usually, this means being created by white men).
That being said, I always tune into the Grammys in hopes of seeing my favorite artists, songs, and albums of the year being recognized. The show is usually filled with various fashion hits and misses, long-winded acceptance speeches, and, of course, performances from some of the biggest names in music.
With this comes my annual criticism of the Grammys: the performances are usually underwhelming, to say the least.
In past years, the live sets have been characterized by cameras far off from the stage, terrible acoustics, and awkward
cuts to a disengaged audience. All of these factors combined to set even the most talented, critically acclaimed artists up for a disappointing performance. But of course, these performances took place under conditions that seem foreign in the wake of COVID-19: at a large venue packed with a live audience.
Despite predictions of another disastrous attempt at a COVID-era award show, I was pleasantly surprised by this year’s Grammys. In fact, it was the best one I’ve seen yet, and it could set a precedent that will change the show for the foreseeable future. This year’s awards were held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, a much smaller venue than the Grammys’ typical home, The Staples Center. This change, combined with a limited, socially distant audience, created the ideal environment for intimate and truly outstanding live performances.
The show opened with four knockout performances on a small stage backed by warm lighting. Harry Styles led the pack with a groovy rendition of “Watermelon Sugar,” incorporating a funky bassline and some brass and woodwind instruments. It was my favorite version of the pop hit so far, setting the bar for the night of performances ahead.
Billie Eilish followed Styles, along with HAIM and Black Pumas. All four performances shared elements of close-up camera shots, pristine sound quality, and live instrumentals that gave them a much more personal feel than previous years, and this remained true for the entirety of the show’s lineup. In short, the Grammys were off to a spectacular start.
DaBaby and Roddy Ricch kicked off the second round of performances with a gospel-esque version of “Rockstar.” DaBaby later joined Dua Lipa for half of her elaborate two-song (and three-outfit) set consisting of “Levitating” and “Don’t Start Now,” both of which she knocked out of the park. Next on the lineup was one of my favorite performances of the night. Bruno Mars and Anderson. Paak made their debut as the newly-formed Silk Sonic, performing their single, “Leave the Door Open.”
Their simple, 70s-inspired performance highlighted their smooth vocals and undeniable charm, stealing our hearts and stirring anticipation for Silk Sonic’s upcoming album. Later came the night’s most significant conversation starters: Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B. Megan took the stage first with a spirited 1920s-themed performance of “Body” and “Savage,” complemented by flapper outfits and even
a tap number. She was followed by Cardi B with “Up” before the two joined for a sexually empowered performance of “WAP.” The artists faced criticism for the performance’s explicit references, and it was undoubtedly a hot topic in the days following the show.
The most memorable performance was, without a doubt, Lil Baby’s “The Bigger Picture.” It took place outdoors, and the rapper made a powerful statement about police brutality that echoed the song’s message. Lil Baby’s words were illustrated through choreographed re-enactments of protest and police violence and even a spoken-word piece by activist Tamika Mallory. In her poem, she called on the White House directly; “President Biden, we demand justice, equity, policy, and everything else that freedom encompasses,” Mallory said. It was arguably the most important (and well- executed) performance The Grammys has ever seen.
This was undeniably the best Grammy Awards to date. COVID-19 precautions ultimately led to a more intimate and captivating show that will hopefully set a precedent. It was less of a spectacle and more of an opportunity for artists to showcase their talent, which is what “music’s biggest night” should really be about.