Bad Bunny opens Grammys while Beyoncé chases record

By Jonathan Landrum Jr. (ap Entertainment Writer)
Updated February 6 2023 - 2:14pm, first published 12:57pm

Grammys host Trevor Noah described Bad Bunny as a 'global force' as the Puerto Rican rapper opened this year's music awards event, but it's Beyonce who's likely to steal the show.

Bad Bunny is currently the most streamed and listened to artist in the world.

By the time the televised show started on CBS, Beyoncé had already won two Grammys, bringing her a step closer to becoming the most decorated artist in the show's history.

Beyoncé won best dance-electronic music recording category for Break My Soul and best traditional R&B performance for Plastic Off the Sofa during the pre-telecast ceremony.

Beyoncé, who now has 30 awards, only needs two more wins to eclipse the record held by the late Hungarian-British conductor Georg Solti, who has 31 Grammys.

She entered Sunday's event as the leading nominee with categories including album, song and record of the year.

Harry Styles won the main telecast's first award for best pop vocal album for "Harry's House," which included his massive hit "As It Was." The singer said recording the song was one of the "greatest experiences of my life. It's been my greatest joy."

Viola Davis is now an EGOT - a term for those who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony - after she won for best audio book, narration and storytelling recording. The actor gave an emotional speech and emphatically said "I just EGOT" after she marched on stage to collect her award.

Trevor Noah returned for a third time to host the telecast live from downtown Los Angeles' Crypto.com Arena. The show will include performances by Mary J. Blige, Sam Smith, Lizzo as well as special musical tributes to the late musicians Takeoff, Loretta Lynn and Christine McVie.

But with 91 Grammy categories, most of the awards were given out during the Recording Academy's livestreamed Premiere Ceremony.

There could be many other firsts: If Bad Bunny wins album of the year for "Un Verano Sin Ti," it would be the first time a Spanish-language album has taken home the top honour. Taylor Swift, whose latest album "Midnights" wasn't eligible for this year's Grammys, could win her first song of the year trophy for "All Too Well." An Adele win for song of the year for her track "Easy on Me" would make her the most decorated artist in the category with three wins, the others coming for her megahits "Hello" and "Rolling in the Deep."

IN OTHER NEWS:

Ozzy Osbourne won two Grammys, cementing the metal god's late-career rejuvenation.

"Degradation Rules" by Ozzy Osbourne featuring Tony Iommi won the best metal performance and his album "Patient Number 9" won best rock album.

Kim Petras, left, and Sam Smith, centre, arrive at the 65th annual Grammy Awards. Picture by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP
Kim Petras, left, and Sam Smith, centre, arrive at the 65th annual Grammy Awards. Picture by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Earlier this year, Osbourne announced the cancellation of his 2023 tour dates in the UK and continental Europe and said his health would likely prevent him from touring again.

This year's show marks a return to Los Angeles after the pandemic first delayed, then forced the Grammys to move to Las Vegas last year. Noah hosted that ceremony as well, which saw Jon Batiste take home album of the year.

Australian Associated Press