The women-dominated Grammys—from Tracy Chapman to Taylor Swift—start to right the Recording Academy’s past wrongs

Good morning, Broadsheet readers! A new U.K. study finds Gen Z males are more critical of feminism than older men, Fulton County DA Fani Willis was subpoenaed by the House Judiciary Committee, and women dominated the major awards at the 2024 Grammys, with Taylor Swift once again making history. Have a meaningful Monday.

- Showstoppers. Six years ago, the Recording Academy's then-president Neil Portnow responded to #GrammysSoMale criticism by saying women needed to "step up." Of course, women have always made valuable contributions to the music industry. At 66th Grammys awards on Sunday night, the Recording Academy seemed to enter a new era and recognized them for it—in spectacular fashion.

Women dominated the evening, which is only fitting, since women “dominated music this year,” as host Trevor Noah noted early on. The likes of SZA, Miley Cyrus, Olivia Rodrigo, boygenius, Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Billie Eilish, and more commanded the charts, the live entertainment circuit, and the pop culture conversation at large in 2023. On Sunday, women swept the top categories, Fantasia Barrino performed an electric tribute to Tina Turner, Celine Dion made a surprise appearance, and Taylor Swift announced her newest album. In fact, hours into the main Grammys telecast, only women had won awards.

Among the highlights of the night: Tracy Chapman taking the stage to sing her eternal hit “Fast Car” with country singer Luke Combs, whose cover of the song contributed to Chapman winning song of the year at the Country Music Awards, the first Black woman ever to do so.

Then there was Joni Mitchell, giving her first Grammys performance ever at 80 years old, an emotional rendition of "Both Sides Now," accompanied by Brandi Carlile and a host of talented musicians. Mitchell took home her 10th Grammy for Best Folk Album.

And the night wouldn’t be complete without Swift, a Grammys darling, making history once again, this time winning Album of the Year for the fourth time—a record for any musician—for her 10th studio album Midnights.

Some other notable winners: Victoria Monét for Best New Artist and Best R&B Album; boygenius for Best Alternative Album, Best Rock Song, and Best Rock Performance; Billie Eilish for song of the year; Miley Cyrus for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance; Lainey Wilson for Best Country Album; Tyla for Best African Music Performance; and SZA for Best R&B Song and Best Pop Duo Performance, with Phoebe Bridgers. Bridgers, a member of boygenius, came out with the most awards, notching four trophies throughout the night.

Still, at least one recipient took the Grammys to task for past female snubs. Jay-Z called out the Recording Academy for overlooking his wife, Beyoncé, who has never won Album of the Year despite her many other Grammys and industry-changing career.

Overall the night was a testament to the power of the women, past and present, and felt like one step towards righting some of the music industry's past wrongs.

Alicia Adamczyk
alicia.adamczyk@fortune.com
@AliciaAdamczyk

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