Grammys 2021: Women Sweep Top Awards

1. Beyoncé

Beyoncé became the most-awarded woman in the history of the awards. Queen Bey officially broke the record for most Grammy wins by a female artist when she took home her 28th Grammy for Best R&B Performance for her song "Black Parade."

“This is so overwhelming,” Beyoncé, who had a standing ovation said in her emotional speech. “I’ve been working my whole life, since nine years old. I can’t believe this happened. This is such a magical night, thank you so much.”

The hitmaker smashed bluegrass singer Alison Krauss’s previous record (27 Grammys) and she stands equal with Qunicy Jones, while classical conductor Sir Georg Solti is the only one with more (31).

In total, the reigning songstress, who didn’t perform but made a surprise appearance, had nine nominations on the night and picked up four wins. She also nabbed Best Rap Song with Megan Thee Stallion for “Savage Remix” and Best Music Video for “Brown Skin Girl.” Another reason to celebrate was her daughter Blue Ivy Carter wining the best music video alongside her. The nine-year-old became the second youngest act to win a Grammy in the show’s 63-year history.

2. Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift had a record-making night too. She was honoured with the Album of the Year award, making her the first woman to win three times. The only other musicians to win three times are Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra and Paul Simon. Swift won the top prize with “Folklore,” the folky, alternative album she released as a surprise last year. As her eighth stuio album, “Folklore” was written and produced in quarantine. The 31-year-old songbird previously earned Album of the Year with “Fearless” (2010) and “1989” (2016).

During her acceptance speech, Swift thanked her collaborators who joined her onstage, including producers Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner. As well as giving a nod to boyfriend Joe Alwyn and Ryan Reynolds’ family, she thanked her fans, saying, "You guys met us in this imaginary world that we created and we can't tell you how honoured we are forever by this."

Additionally, Swift, who was nominated in five other categories, received her fifth Song of the Year nomination, for “Cardigan.” This is more than any other female songwriter in Grammy history.

Her big night saw the country superstar return to the Grammys stage after a five-year hiatus. She stunned with her magical medley of songs from “Folklore” and “ “Evermore.” First she sang “Cardigan” on the roof of a gorgeous cabin, surrounded by trees and a nighttime background. She then joined Dessner and Antonoff inside the cabin, where they performed “August,” while they went back outside to finish things off with “Willow.”

3. Megan Thee Stallion

Megan Thee Stallion also made history and became the first female rapper to win Best Rap Song. The musician from Houston picked up the prize for her breakout hit “Savage Remix” with Beyoncé, who delivers a guest verse. The “Body” and “House” singer also took home Best New Artist, making her the first female rapper to win the award since Lauryn Hill in 1999. She’s also the fifth rap-based act to win the coveted award.

"I don't want to cry," the surprised 26-year-old artist said while accepting the award from Lizzo. And during her speech, she celebrated her fellow nominees Ingrid Andress, Phoebe Bridgers, Chika, Noah Cyrus, D Smoke, Doja Cat and Kaytranada, calling them all "amazing.”

Megan Thee Stallion, who racked up a total of four Grammy nominations, also made headlines by joining forces with Cardi B to sing “WAP” live for the first time ever. Addiitonally, Billie Eilish, who picked up her second consecutive Record of the Year prize, told the audience Megan Thee Stallion deserved the award.