Grammys 2022 Were Bittersweet: With the Will Smith’s Oscars slap still ringing in the world’s ears, it makes sense that the controversy was mentioned at the Grammys on Sunday. “Remain in your seats and keep your hands to yourself. Alright?” said LeVar Burton at the very start.

Then comedian Nate Bargazte wore a helmet and said, “They said comedians have to wear these now at award shows during their joke parts. It doesn’t even cover your face, I think it just focuses where you would hit me.” Host Trevor Noah wasn’t to be outdone, saying “We’re going to be keeping people’s names out of our mouths.” Sometimes you just have to laugh.

The Grammys certainly share a red carpet pomposity with the Oscars. It’s for the “elite,” and the rest of the world can watch the televised event with our noses pressed against the screen like Oliver Twist begging for crumbs. We can wonder at the gift bags worth hundreds of dollars that are given out, and the grotesque luxury on display. Honestly, in a world that hasn’t gotten a pandemic fully under control, it all seems insanely crass.

That said, great musicians won awards and that can be celebrated. The Foo Fighters pretty much swept the rock categories, barely a week after tragically losing drummer Taylor Hawkins. Awards probably feel empty to the band members right now, but it feels fitting that Hawkins’ work could be celebrated. They took Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Rock Album. Dream Theater took Best Metal Performance while the great St. Vincent took Best Alternative Music Album.

Other winners included Silk Sonic for Record of the Year, Jon Batiste for Album of the Year, Olivia Rodrigo for Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album, Doja Cat & SZA for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, Rufus Du Sol for Best Dance/Electronic Recording, Black Coffee for Best Dance/Electronic Album, H.E.R. for Best Traditional R&B Performance, Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar for Best Rap Performance, Tyler, the Creator for Best Rap Album, Bad Bunny for Best Música Urbana Album, and Los Lobos for Best Americana Album.

Nobody seems quite sure what to make of Louis CK winning Best Comedy Album.

Grammys 2022 Were Bittersweet: The full list or winners and nominees is here.

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