Boycotts and delinquent awakenings are almost as synonymous with the Grammys as the golden awards themselves.
Will Smith (circa 1989) either protested the lack of airtime given to the show’s rap category or refused to submit work (always) after his “After Hours” album was snubbed. Protesting or not, the ceremony fostered a lot of discontent.
But amidst the altercation, there were countless spotlight moments – some controversial, some funny, and some just plain weird – worth revisiting.
With the 67th Annual Grammy Awards arriving on February 2nd, we’re looking back at some of the show’s most memorable moments. They may not be all shocking, but they are impressive.
Adele beats Beyoncé and apologizes in her speech (2017)
As Adele accepted the night’s honor among the arms of five Grammy winners at the 59th Annual Awards, Adele said that Beyoncé’s album award, which she called “the artist of my life,” I was scolded that it should have been “lemonade”.
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Adele’s victory over “25” was not unexpected, and Beyoncé accepted the loss with a blissful smile, truly touching the audience as Adele declared her adoration for “Lemonade,” which was “so monumental.”
But the respectful gesture was still a surprise, and it was unusual to hear one major artist say to another, “We (exp) adore you.” is our life.”
More: Grammy 2025 snub: Who wasn’t nominated?
Macklemore Bests Kendrick Lamar – And Apology (2014)
It didn’t happen at the Grammys, but then Macklemore’s lightweight pop-rap with Ryan Lewis didn’t deserve a win for best rap album for Kendrick Lamar’s searing “Good Kid, Heist.” “Maad City,” the rapper texted. you should have. It’s weird and sucks that I took you away. ” Macklemore then posted a message on his Instagram.
Macklemore received backlash from some artists (Drake told Rolling Stone that it “felt cheap”) and from online communities who made his feelings public, but some praised his earnestness. I did.
In 2021, Macklemore told Talib Kweli on “The People’s Party with Talib Kweli” that the text “obviously shouldn’t have been on the internet” was part of the trend of artists humbly postponing their victories. It was the first one.
Jennifer Hudson praises Whitney Houston for singing (2012)
The shock and sadness of Whitney Houston’s death on the eve of the 54th Annual Grammy Awards was in no way eased as the show’s curtains parted in the spirit of “the show must go on.”
With less than 36 hours to pivot, producers scrambled and also relied on artist flexibility. The somberness of the moment was captured by host LL Cool J, who opened the night with a prayer for Houston.
But it was Jennifer Hudson’s emotional rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”
50 Cent Interrupted Evanescence Best New Artist Win (2004)
Five years ago, when Kanye West infamously interrupted Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards, 50 Cent provoked little, if inappropriate, reactions to the loss.
The rapper was hoping to score the best new artist considering his debut, “Get Rich or Die Tryin’.” However, Alt-Metal Rockers’ Evanescenc enjoyed a breakout year and won instead.
As singer Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody accepted their trophies, 50 Cent pretended he had won and walked furiously across the stage, clearly interfering with Lee’s train of thought.
In 2020, the still-standard 50 Cent brought up the snub again while receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. “(expletive) Can you spot Evanescence? I haven’t seen Evanescence since that night.”
Lee recently joked to the Daily Beast that the rapper “hates my guts…It was like Zoolander when he thought he won.”
Elton John and Eminem Spotlight Unity with Duet (2001)
Eminem frequently used homophobic slurs in his music at the time, drawing criticism from organizations such as GLAAD. So when openly gay Elton John was announced on stage as a surprise guest during Eminem’s performance of “Stan,” it was designed as a display of support and solidarity.
The Grammy-ish crowd cheered as John lit up behind the keyboard, singing the Dido-handled refrain on the recorded version of the song.
John later told “The Graham Norton Show” that he thought the accusations against Eminem were homophobic. And I came out and supported the fact that he’s not. ”
J. Lo breaks the Internet by revealing dress (2000)
Without the green Versace dress with strategically placed double-sided tape, Google Images might not exist today as it might.
Jennifer Lopez’s Yoza dress worn to the 42nd Annual Awards was designed by Google engineers so that people craved the actual visual (instead of the then-standard blue link) when searching for photos. This realization sparked a search frenzy.
The ageless Lopez wore an updated version of a dress with a Wikipedia page at the Spring 2020 Milan Fashion Show.
Bob Dylan receives an unexpected visit from the Soy Bomb (1998)
Leave it to the unflappable Dylan not to miss a note during a performance of “Lovesick” when a shirtless man with the phrase “Soy Bomb” tattooed on his chest suddenly appears on stage.
A confused Dylan yelled to the guitarist, “Who is this guy?”, but New York performance artist Michael Portnoy continued to play, although he was removed by security.
Portnoy had been paid by the Recording Academy to be a background extra during performances, but wanted to “assert himself on national television,” according to an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. .
He chose the phrase “soy bomb” because soybeans represent dense vegetative life and he wanted the art to “represent dense, transformative, explosive life.”
Billy Joel Revenges Sinatra Snub (1994)
Everyone knows that you do not interrupt the chairman of the board. Everyone except the Grammy producers, obviously.
Immediately choked up, Sinatra began an acceptance speech interspersed with humorous anecdotes and pauses, after accepting the Living Legend award from a respectful cigarette-smoking Bono.
He was abruptly cut off for intruding into a commercial – a terrible thing to do to someone who accepts a lifetime achievement accolade – and Billy Joel had something to say about it.
While playing “River of Dreams” shortly after Sinatra’s debacle, Joel stops playing, looks at his watch, and says, “Precious advertising time, precious advertising time.” With a grin, Joel sings Dollar, dollar, dollar before restarting.
Metallica loses to Jethro Tull in the hard rock/metal category (1989)
Deploying the kind of mindless sexuality that has invaded ceremonies for decades (Mariah Carey, who lost all six categories for “Daydream” and its hits; knocking Eminem for Album of the Year in 2001), The Grammys’ first recognition of heavy metal music was baffling to the point of laughability.
The 31st annual award goes to Jethro Tull’s “The Crest of Kneve” rather than Metallica’s landmark “…And Justice for All” for Best Hard Rock/Metal Performance Vocal or Instrumental Awarded mental.
The following year, the Recording Academy divided Best Hard Rock and Best Metal Performance into two categories. Metallica received the best metal victory with “1”.
“I Am a Woman” Helen Reddy Makes an Anti-Feminist Roar (1973)
Author of one of the most powerful feminist anthems, “I Am Woman,” Lady already drew the ire of those who considered her “female Lib Crap” (her husband and manager at the time, Jeff Wald) In her acceptance speech, she said, “I want to thank God because she makes everything possible.”
According to Wald, Reddy’s Grammy comments at the ceremony in Nashville drew more than 7,000 angry people who said, “If you think God is a woman, then God and the Virgin Mary must have been lesbians.” Brought a letter.
Reddy’s win for Best Female Pop, Rock and Folk Vocal Performance was a first for an Australian songwriter.