Honestly, the 66th Annual Grammy Awards felt like a fever dream. If you were watching for the fashion or the viral memes, you got plenty, but the actual history made on that stage at the Crypto.com Arena was something else entirely. It wasn't just a "good night" for women in music; it was a total takeover.
People keep asking who won the Grammy 2024 because the list is honestly a lot to digest. We saw Taylor Swift break a record that had stood for decades. We saw Miley Cyrus finally—and I mean finally—get her flowers. Literally. And then there was the whole Killer Mike situation, which felt like a scene out of a movie.
Taylor Swift’s History-Making Fourth Win
Let’s start with the big one. Taylor Swift won Album of the Year for Midnights.
This is huge. Like, "surpassing Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, and Paul Simon" huge. Before this, those three legends were tied with Taylor at three wins each. Now? She’s the only artist in history to win the night’s top prize four times.
What’s wild is how she handled it. While everyone was waiting to see if she’d announce Reputation (Taylor’s Version), she pulled a fast one and announced a brand-new album, The Tortured Poets Department, during her acceptance speech for Best Pop Vocal Album. The room basically stopped breathing for a second.
The "Flowers" Era: Miley Cyrus Finally Wins
It is actually kind of hard to believe that before 2024, Miley Cyrus didn't have a single Grammy. Not one.
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She changed that in a big way. She took home Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for "Flowers." If you saw her performance during the show, you know she was feeling herself. She even shouted out, "I just won my first Grammy!" in the middle of the song because, honestly, why wouldn't you?
Her win felt like a victory for everyone who has been following her since the Bangerz era. It was a long time coming.
The Big Four and Notable Winners
The "Big Four" categories usually define the night. Here is how they shook out:
- Album of the Year: Taylor Swift - Midnights
- Record of the Year: Miley Cyrus - "Flowers"
- Song of the Year: Billie Eilish & Finneas O'Connell - "What Was I Made For?" (from Barbie)
- Best New Artist: Victoria Monét
Victoria Monét’s win was particularly emotional. She’s been in the industry for 15 years, writing hits for everyone from Ariana Grande to Chloe x Halle. Seeing her get recognized as a "new artist" felt a bit ironic to insiders, but she handled it with so much grace, comparing her career to a plant that had been growing roots underground for years before finally sprouting.
Billie Eilish and the Barbie Powerhouse
Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas won Song of the Year for "What Was I Made For?" from the Barbie soundtrack. It’s a songwriters' award, which makes sense given how much that track resonated. They beat out some heavy hitters like SZA’s "Kill Bill" and Olivia Rodrigo’s "Vampire."
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The Killer Mike Sweep and the Handcuffs
You can’t talk about who won the Grammy 2024 without mentioning the rap categories. Killer Mike absolutely swept the floor. He won:
- Best Rap Album for MICHAEL
- Best Rap Performance for "Scientists & Engineers"
- Best Rap Song for "Scientists & Engineers"
But the headline wasn't just the music. Minutes after his sweep, video surfaced of him being led out of the arena in handcuffs by the LAPD. It turned out to be a "misdemeanor battery" charge following a scuffle with a security guard. He was eventually released, but it was definitely the most "did that really just happen?" moment of the night.
Other Key Moments and Winners
SZA came into the night as the most-nominated artist and didn't leave empty-handed. She won Best Progressive R&B Album for SOS and Best R&B Song for "Snooze." Her speech for Best R&B Song was a mess in the best way possible—she ran from the dressing room, out of breath, and gave a genuinely heart-wrenching thank you.
Lainey Wilson continued her absolute dominance of the country scene by winning Best Country Album for Bell Bottom Country. If you haven't listened to her yet, you're basically living under a rock at this point.
And for the lovers of the classics? Joni Mitchell won Best Folk Album for Joni Mitchell at Newport [Live]. Seeing her perform "Both Sides, Now" on that stage was enough to make a grown man cry. Seriously.
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Quick Breakdown of Genre Winners
- Best Rock Album: Paramore - This Is Why (History here too—first female-fronted band to win this!)
- Best Alternative Music Album: boygenius - the record
- Best Música Urbana Album: Karol G - Mañana Será Bonito
- Best African Music Performance: Tyla - "Water" (The first ever win for this new category!)
Why the 2024 Grammys Actually Mattered
For years, the Recording Academy has been criticized for being "out of touch" or "stale." But the 2024 winners list felt... current.
It reflected what people were actually listening to. Whether it was the Barbie phenomenon or Taylor Swift’s era-defining run, the awards finally seemed to align with the cultural zeitgeist. We also saw a significant shift toward recognizing the technical work of women; for example, boygenius and SZA swept through several technical and performance categories that used to be male-dominated.
What to Do Next
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the music that defined the year, here is your homework:
- Listen to JAGUAR II by Victoria Monét. If you only know her for "On My Mama," you're missing out on some of the best-engineered R&B of the decade.
- Watch the In Memoriam segment. The tributes to Tina Turner (by Fantasia Barrino) and Sinead O'Connor (by Annie Lennox) were arguably the best performances of the night.
- Check out Killer Mike’s MICHAEL. Regardless of the drama, the album is a masterpiece of storytelling and deserved that sweep.
- Look up the full credits for "What Was I Made For?" Understanding how Billie and Finneas craft a song is a masterclass in modern production.
The 2024 Grammys weren't just about a trophy; they were a massive shift in the industry hierarchy. Between Taylor’s record and the rise of independent-feeling artists like boygenius, the landscape of "who wins" is changing.