The Grammy Awards kicked off this Sunday evening, February 4, for a ceremony that celebrates the omnipresence of women at the top of the American musical landscape and offers a chance for Taylor Swift to cement her status as queen of pop, with a possible fourth prize for album of the year.

“Can we savor for a second the fact that women dominated music this year? », said South African comedian Trevor Noah as he launched the 66th ceremony of this equivalent of the music Oscars. “Seven of the nominees for album of the year are women,” he pointed out to applause.

Rewarded at the start of the evening with the prize for best pop album with Midnights, Taylor Swift took the opportunity to carry out a major marketing coup, announcing the release of a new album on April 19, entitled The Tortured Poets Department.

If the 34-year-old singer wins album of the year, she would enter the Grammy Hall of Fame, surpassing legends Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder, who have won the award three times.

The queen of pop has just been elected personality of the year 2023 by Time magazine. And his “Eras Tour” was a phenomenal success. She generated more than a billion dollars in revenue over sixty dates last year, an amount never seen before in the history of music.

SZA, the most named artist

But to win the supreme prize, the American will have to overcome tough competition. Singer SZA is the most nominated artist: she competes in nine categories thanks to her eclectic album SOS, and won best R song

Olivia Rodrigo and Janelle Monae are also in the running for album of the year, as are Lana Del Rey and Miley Cyrus. The latter won the gramophone for best pop solo performance at the start of the evening for her hit Flowers, of which she delivered a fiery rendition on stage.

Also in the race for the top prize, the all-female trio boygenius, won three trophies in the rock categories, during the pre-ceremony where most of the more than ninety Grammys are awarded.

Jazzman Jon Batiste is the only man racing in the major categories. A remarkable development for a ceremony that has long been criticized for its lack of diversity.

The boss of the Recording Academy, which represents professionals in the American music industry, Harvey Mason Jr, said he was “optimistic” about the fact that the strong presence of women is not limited to the 2024 edition.

The Grammys jury has included 2,500 new women and now includes 40% people of color, he assured Agence France-Presse on the sidelines of a gala organized before the official ceremony on Sunday.

“We want to make sure we’re up to the task. So there is work to be done. There always is. We need to have more women, more people of color, more diversity,” he insisted.

Tracy Chapman applauded, Killer Mike arrested, Billie Eilish rewarded

The first moments of the evening were marked by the standing ovation reserved for Tracy Chapman, who performed her hit Fast Car in a duet with Luke Combs, during a very rare appearance on stage by the American legend. The country singer covered this song she released in 1988, which earned her a nomination this year.

Behind the scenes of the ceremony were also marked by the arrest of rapper Killer Mike. He was handcuffed by the police in the corridors of the Crypto Arena, moments after being rewarded with three gramophones, including best rap album for Michael.

Asked by AFP about the reason for this arrest, the Los Angeles police did not immediately respond.

The evening’s headliners Olivia Rodrigo and Billie Eilish also delivered moving live performances. The 22-year-old Californian performed her melancholic ballad What Was I Made For?, composed for the soundtrack to the film Barbie. A title which earned him the song of the year award shortly after.

Greta Gerwig’s film is one of the evening’s notable guests, with eleven nominations for its soundtrack. He won two trophies during the pre-ceremony held in the afternoon.

The Grammy Awards also honored Joni Mitchell, a great figure of the Woodstock generation. At 80, the Canadian performed for the first time on the ceremony stage and won the prize for best folk album.

The 66th Grammy Awards ceremony continues, with rapper Travis Scott expected on stage.