2023 was another interesting year for the modern Grammy Awards. As they continue to move away from the more formal, predictable shows of previous decades, the show also continues to focus more and more on performances and less on the actual awards themselves, much like MTV's VMAs before them, handing out the vast majority of the 91 gramophone statues prior to the TV broadcast. Former Daily Show host Trevor Noah did a fine job as host, and no major flubs or wardrobe malfunctions were present on Sunday night's telecast, but the lack of truly engaging moments was also notable.
The Grammys, like many awards shows and various other social institutions, have had some explaining to do in recent years about everything from nominees to winners to performers to presenters to public comments from the president of the organization (a position that has seen a recent change in occupancy) with regard to issues of diversity and sensitivity to nearly all minority categories of people. This year's show did a better job of working in adjustments in those areas more seamlessly, but older viewers have had a field day savaging it from top to bottom (also unsurprisingly).
Notable performances this year included Brandi Carlile's up-tempo rendition of "Broken Horses," Mary J. Blige's well-staged and choreographed "Good Morning Gorgeous," and nice jam between Steve Lacy and Thundercat on the former's "Bad Habit," with Thundercat adding a second electric bass rather than replacing Lacy's bassist. Stevie Wonder performed a mini-set in tribute to MusiCares Persons of the Year and Motown legends Barry Gordy and Smokey Robinson. Wonder jammed on classics including The Temptations' "The Way You Do the Things You Do," with WanMor; The Miracles' "Tears of a Clown," with Smokey Robinson himself; and his own "Higher Ground" as a duet with Chris Stapleton who handled half the vocals and added some excellent guitar work. The In Memoriam segment this year featured focused tributes to Loretta Lynn, Takoff of Migos, and Christine McVie and included shorter performances by Kacey Musgraves, Quavo, and the trio of Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt, and Mick Fleetwood.
Most notable of all, The Roots' drummer and bandleader Questlove arranged a ridiculous run through a celebration of 50 years of hip hop which featured (sometimes for only two to four lines of a song): Grandmaster Flash and (most of) the Furious Five, Run-DMC, LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt-N-Pepa, Rakim, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Scarface, Ice-T, Queen Latifah, Method Man, Big Boi, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, Nelly, Too Short, Swizz Beats, The Lox, Lil Baby, GloRilla, and Lil Uzi Vert all in the same segment. It's as if the Grammys suddenly sent out ALL of the invites they hadn't offered to hip hop artists to perform for decades just this year, at the same time. The full-length versions of the songs these artists briefly quoted could have been a Grammy Salute to Hip Hop special of its own rather than being squeezed into the actual award show.
Having said that, a quick run-down of notable winners from the extended world of rock feature an entirely different crop of players, singers, and artists that would have made for an even more engaging and more diverse broadcast had more of them been part of the televised ceremony.
Jack Antonoff
*Producer of the Year, Non-Classical
Brandi Carlile
*Best Rock Performance-"Broken Horses"
*Best Rock Song-"Broken Horses"
*Best Americana Album-In These Silent Days
Dave Chappelle
*Best Comedy Album-The Closer
Stewart Copeland & Ricky Kej
*Best Immersive Audio Album-Divine Tides
Dr. Dre
*Global Impact Award
Berry Gordy
*MusiCares Person of the Year
The Grateful Dead
*Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package-In and Out of the Garden
Steve Lacy
*Best Progressive R&B Album-Gemini Rights
Kendrick Lamar
*Best Rap Performance-"The Heart (part 5)"
*Best Rap Song-"The Heart (part 5)"
*Best Rap Album-Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder
*Best Traditional Blues Album-Get on Board
Bobby McFerrin
*Lifetime Achievement Award
Christine McVie (w/Vince Mendoza)
*Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals-"Songbird (orchestral version)"
Willie Nelson
*Best Country Solo Performance-"Live Forever"
*Best Country Album-A Beautiful Time
Aaron Neville with The Dirty Dozen Brass Band
*Best American Roots Performance-"Stompin' Ground"
Nirvana
*Lifetime Achievement Award
Ozzy Osbourne
*Best Metal Performance-"Degradation Rules"
*Best Rock Album-Patient Number 9
Ma Rainey
*Lifetime Achievement Award
Bonnie Raitt
*Song of the Year-"Just Like That"
*Best Americana Performance-"Made Up Mind"
*Best American Roots Song-"Just Like That"
Smokey Robinson
*MusiCares Person of the Year
Nile Rodgers
*Lifetime Achievement Award
Slick Rick
*Lifetime Achievement Award
The Supremes
*Lifetime Achievement Award
Wet Leg
*Best Alternative Music Performance-"Chaise Lounge"
*Best Alternative Music Album-Wet Leg
Wilco
*Best Album Notes-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (20th anniv. super deluxe)
*Best Historical Album-Yankee Hotel Foxtrot (20th anniv. super deluxe)
Ann Wilson & Nancy Wilson
*Lifetime Achievement Award
Edgar Winter
*Best Contemporary Blues Album-Brother Johnny
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