US supergroup Boygenius lead the way at 2024 Grammys
The trio picked up best rock song, best rock performance and best alternative music album.
US supergroup Boygenius have landed three Grammy awards during the pre-telecast ceremony.
The trio – comprising stars Phoebe Bridgers, Julien Baker and Lucy Dacus – were sporting matching white suits as they picked up best rock song and best rock performance for their hit Not Strong Enough, and best alternative music album for their debut The Record.
US indie musician Bridgers exclaimed “what the hell” after collecting their third award in quick succession at the 66th annual ceremony at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles.
“This is so incredible, we’re just screaming backstage – it’s just been a constant scream,” she said.
“I owe these boys everything, I love you guys so much, you’re the best.”
After scoring best rock song, Baker added: “All I ever wanted to do was be in a band. I feel like music is the language I used to find my family.”
Among the early winners was US star Billie Eilish and her songwriting brother Finneas O’Connell, who appeared onstage to accept the best song written for visual media for their hit track What Was I Made For? from the Barbie album.
She said she is “just in awe” and “grateful every second of my life” for the recognition she has received over the years, adding “I am shocked”.
The 22-year-old also thanked Barbie director Greta Gerwig and producer-turned-star Margot Robbie for allowing her to make the song, which “saved me a little bit”.
O’Connell also thanked their father who worked as a construction worker at Mattel Corporation “to keep food on the table” for most of their childhood.
Eilish added: “Mum, you are my idol, inspiration and I would not be anything without you.”
Meanwhile Australian singer-songwriter Kylie Minogue was honoured with the inaugural best pop dance recording for hit Padam Padam, which went viral last summer, and marks her second Grammy award.
The 55-year-old was not present in person to collect the gong, but the song’s British producer Peter Rycroft, known professionally as Lostboy, appeared on stage and in the winners’ room after the win.
He said: “This is such a unique process on this song, it started as an idea with a friend who I wrote it with originally and we built up a fairly rough demo and it got into the hands of Kylie.
“She is such a powerhouse, she recorded her own vocals in her hotel room and sent me the project – she is very hands on and very collaborative.”
The Grammy pre-telecast ceremony also kicked off with a win for SZA and Bridgers.
The US musicians won the Grammy for best pop duo for track Ghost In The Machine, while British star Fred Again was awarded best dance/electronic music album for Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022).
The best music video Grammy was awarded to a project created for The Beatles song I’m Only Sleeping, which featured 1,300 oil paintings by British filmmaker and animator Em Cooper.
Cooper thanked the Fab Four as she accepted the prize at the premiere ceremony.
While a documentary on the late David Bowie, titled Moonage Daydream, has taken home the best music film prize.
Filmmaker Brett Morgen hailed the Heroes singer as the “single greatest artist who has walked the face of this Earth” as he accepted the gong.
Later in the winners’ room, Morgen said: “Most of what I am right now in my career… has come from David Bowie.
“David’s appreciation for life, the idea that every day, every moment is an opportunity for growth and to never waste a moment is something that has been deeply inspiring.”
US rapper Killer Mike also stormed the rap category at the 2024 Grammy awards, taking home two major awards for the genre.
His sixth studio album, Michael, picked up best rap album – while his track Scientists And Engineers featuring Andre 3000, Future And Eryn Allen Kane won best rap song.
On stage he said: “This is for all the people who think you’re too old to rap…. we keep hip hop alive. Never ever stop doing what you do.”
He later added: “You cannot tell me dreams do not come true.”
The 2024 Grammy Awards ceremony will air live on CBS and Paramount+.
