Taylor Swift wins album of the year at the Grammy Awards for the fourth time, setting a new record

Maria Sherman
Associated Press

Los Angeles  — Taylor Swift won album of the year at the Grammy Awards for “Midnights,” breaking a record for most wins in the category with four.

She began her speech by thanking her producer and friend Jack Antonoff and added, “I would love to tell you this is the happiest moment of my life,” she told the crowd, but said she feels this happy when she creates music and plays shows.

Earlier in the night, Taylor Swift used her 13th Grammy win on Sunday to announced her new album, “Tortured Poets Department,” will arrive April 19.

Taylor Swift accepts the award for best pop vocal album for "Midnights" during the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles.

The news arrived after U2 frontman Bono announced the award for best pop vocal album, which went to Taylor Swift for “Midnights.”

“I know that the way that the Recording Academy voted is a direct reflection of the passion of the fans,” she said in her speech. “So I want to say thank you to the fans by telling you a secret that I’ve been keeping from you for the last two years which is that my brand new album comes out April 19. It’s called ‘The Tortured Poets Department.’ I'm gonna go and post the cover right now backstage.”

One of the night’s biggest awards, record of the year – which recognizes a song’s recording, unlike song of the year, which recognizes its songwriters – went to Miley Cyrus for “Flowers,” her second-ever Grammy and second of the night.

“This award is amazing. But I really hope that it doesn’t change anything because my life was beautiful yesterday,” she said in her speech.

Victoria Monét won best new artist, beating out Albion, Michigan, duo The War and Treaty, Gracie Abrams, Fred Again.., Noah Kahan, Ice Spice, Jelly Roll and Coco Jones. “Thank you to the champagne-servers tonight," Monét started her acceptance speech. “Thanks to my mom, a single mom raising this really bad girl." Then she started to cry, telling the room that this award was “15 years in the making.”

Miley Cyrus performs "Flowers" during the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Billie Eilish won song of the year for writing the “Barbie” hit, “What Was I Made For.”

“Thank you to Greta Gerwig for making the best movie of the year,” Eilish said during her acceptance speech.

It was just one of several standout moments from Sunday's show, broadcast live from Cypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles.

 Karol G made Grammy history Sunday by becoming the first female performer to win best música urbana album. She took home the honor for her blockbuster “Mañana Será Bonito” record, which was presented to her by Christina Aguilera and Maluma.

“This is my first time at the Grammys,” she told the audience in English. “And this is my first time holding my own Grammy.”

Performances were many. Olivia Rodrigo brought her bloodsucking ballad “vampire” – or in this case, bloodletting, as red liquid dripped from the walls behind her.

A long and touching In Memoriam segment celebrated many of the musical greats lost in the year. Stevie Wonder performed “For Once in My Life” and “The Best Is Yet To Come” in honor of Tony Bennett; Annie Lennox delivered “Nothing Compares 2 U” for Sinéad O’Connor. “Artists for ceasefire, peace in the world,” Lennox said at the end of the song, her fist extended in the air.

Jon Batiste did a medley of “Ain’t No Sunshine,” “Lean On Me,” and finally “Optimistic” with Ann Nesby for the late great music exec Clarence Avant. Oprah introduced a fiery Tina Turner tribute of “Proud Mary” by Fantasia Barrino and Adam Blackstone.

SZA also took the stage – performing a medley of her larger-than-life hits “Snooze” and “Kill Bill," joined by dancers wielding katanas. Later, she'd take home the trophy for best R&B song — for “Snooze,” handed to her by Lizzo. SZA ran to the stage and gave a charming, out of breath speech because she was “changing, and then I took a shot,” before starting to tear up and saying, “Hi Taylor... I'm not an attractive crier. Have a good evening.”

Mariah Carey, left, presents the award for best pop solo performance to Miley Cyrus for "Flowers" during the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Mariah Carey presented the night's first award, for best pop solo performance, to Miley Cyrus for “Flowers." It was also the singer's first ever Grammy.

Cyrus said she almost missed the start of the show because of driving rain that is pounding Los Angeles and said she was glad she didn't miss her chance to be onstage with Carey. Cyrus has been nominated eight times previously.

Tracy Chapman, left, and Luke Combs perform "Fast Car" during the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles.

Afterward, Luke Combs’ delivered a heartfelt rendition of “Fast Car” with Tracy Chapman – his cover of the Chapman classic has dominated country radio and won him song of the year at the 2023 CMAs. In 1989, Chapman won best pop vocal performance, female for the song.

During the pre-Grammy show, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit beat out The War and Treaty, a duo who got their start in Albion, Michigan, for Best American Roots song.

Dua Lipa opened the show with a high-octane medley: first, a tease of her forthcoming single, “Training Season,” then, her most recent single, “Houdini," and finally, her disco-pop “Barbie” hit “Dance the Night."

Billie Eilish and Finneas brought their “Barbie” ballad to the Grammys stage with live string accompaniment, the second of two songs from the blockbuster film in one hour. They were followed by Cyrus, who performed “Flowers” for the first time live on television – moments after receiving her first ever Grammy.

“Why are you acting like you don't know this song?” she teased the crowd — John Legend and wife Chrissy Teigen were among those in the audience who got up to dance — and later cheered mid-song, “I just won my first Grammy!”

Four-time Grammy host — and two time nominee — Trevor Noah greeted an excited crowd, starting things off with a kiss on the cheek from Meryl Streep. “The Grammys are gonna win as Oscar,” he joked about the moment.

Best country album went to Lainey Wilson for “Bell Bottom Country,” — her very first Grammy — as presented by Kacey Musgraves. “I’m a fifth-generation farmer’s daughter,” she told the crowd, adding that she’s a “songwriting farmer,” and that’s where the musical magic came from.

Jay-Z was awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award and used his speech to talk about the hip-hop greats that came before him – and heavily suggesting at the Grammys history of placing rap on the backburner – or at the very least, not in the televised version of the show. (This year, there were no rap categories on screen, but two pop, one Latin, one country and one R&B.)

“We want you all to get it right,” he said. “At least get it close to right,” before switching focus to Beyoncé. “Most Grammys, never won album fo the year. How does that work?”

Bridgers took an early lead at the Grammys, quickly winning four trophies ahead of the main telecast, with her and her boygenius bandmates bringing an infectious energy to the Premiere Ceremony.

Songwriter Justin Tranter gave her the first award Sunday, best pop duo/group performance, which went to SZA and Bridgers for “Ghost in the Machine."

She wasn't on stage for that but skipped her way up with her band boygenius — made up of her, Lucy Dacus and Julian Baker — clad in matching white suits, when they won their first Grammy as a group for best rock performance for “Not Strong Enough.”

Newcomer Coco Jones won best R&B performance for “ICU” in a stacked competition where she was up against SZA’s “Kill Bill” and Victoria Monét’s “How Does It Make You Feel.” SZA’s second win of the night came in the form of the best progressive R&B album for “S.O.S.”

Jack Antonoff took home producer of the year, non-classical for a third year in a row, tying Babyface as the only other producer to do so consecutively. “You need the door kicked open for you,” he said in his acceptance speech. “Taylor Swift kicked that (expletive) door open for me," referencing their work together.

The first of three new categories in 2024, best pop dance recording, was given out shortly afterward and went to Kylie Minogue for “Padam Padam" — her first win in 18 years.

About 80 Grammys were handed out pre-broadcast. Regional Mexican star Peso Pluma won his first Grammy for his first and only nomination, for best música Mexicana album for his “Genesis.”

Best African music performance, a new category which aims to highlight regional musical traditions and recognizing “recordings that utilize unique local expressions from across the African continent,” went to South African singer Tyla for her ubiquitous hit, “Water.”

“I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 21 years old,” she said in her acceptance speech. “Last year God decided to change my whole life.”

Killer Mike won three awards in quick succession Sunday night, but somehow ended up in police custody before the main Grammys ceremony began. Police spokesperson Officer Mike Lopez said Mike being detained stemmed from an altercation inside the arena around 4 p.m.

The rapper won his first first Grammy in 21 years, for best best rap performance went to Killer Mike Featuring André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane for “Scientists & Engineers.” Soon afterward, they won for “best rap song.” Killer Mike also took home best rap album for “Michael,” cheering, “It is a sweep! It is a sweep!”

A list of top winners at the 66th annual Grammy Awards

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

“Midnights,” Taylor Swift

RECORD OF THE YEAR

“Flowers,” Miley Cyrus

BEST NEW ARTIST

Victoria Monét

SONG OF THE YEAR (SONGWRITER’S AWARD)

“What Was I Made For?” Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

“Midnights,” Taylor Swift

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE

“Flowers,” Miley Cyrus

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

“Bell Bottom Country,” Lainey Wilson

BEST R&B SONG

“Snooze,” SZA

BEST MUSICA URBANA ALBUM

“Mañana Será Bonito,” Karol G

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

“Ghost in the Machine,” SZA featuring Phoebe Bridgers

BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM

“The Record,” Boygenius

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL

Theron Thomas

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL

Jack Antonoff

BEST R&B ALBUM

“Jaguar II,” Victoria Monét

BEST PROGRESSIVE R&B ALBUM

“SOS,” SZA

BEST AUDIO BOOK, NARRATION AND STORYTELLING RECORDING

“The Light We Carry: Overcoming In Uncertain Times,” Michelle Obama

BEST REGGAE ALBUM

“Colors of Royal,” Julian Marley and Antaeus

BEST LATIN ROCK OR ALTERNATIVE ALBUM (tie)

“Vida Cotidiana,” Juanes and “De Todas Las Flores,” Natalia Lafourcade

BEST LATIN POP ALBUM

“X Mi (Vol 1)," Gaby Moreno

BEST RAP ALBUM

“Michael,” Killer Mike

BEST RAP SONG

“Scientists & Engineers,” Killer Mike ft. André 3000, Future and Eryn Allen Kane

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE

“White Horse,” Chris Stapleton

BEST COUNTRY SONG

“White Horse,” Chris Stapleton

BEST FOLK ALBUM

"Joni Mitchell at Newport (Live)," Joni Mitchell

BEST POP DANCE RECORDING

“Padam Padam,” Kylie Minogue

BEST ROCK ALBUM

“This Is Why,” Paramore

BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE

“Not Strong Enough,” Boygenius

BEST ROCK SONG

“Not Strong Enough,” Boygenius

BEST AMERICANA ALBUM

“Weathervanes,” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit

BEST METAL PERFORMANCE

“72 Seasons,” Metallica

BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM

“The Winds of Change,” Billy Childs

BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM

“How Love Begins,” Nicole Zuraitis

BEST COMEDY ALBUM

“What’s in a Name?,” Dave Chappelle

BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA

“Barbie The Album,” various artists

BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA

“What Was I Made For?,” Billie Eilish

BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA

“Oppenheimer,” Ludwig Göransson

BEST MUSIC VIDEO

“I'm Only Sleeping," the Beatles

BEST MUSIC FILM

“Moonage Daydream”

BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM

“Some Like It Hot”

BEST GOSPEL ALBUM

“All Things New: Live in Orlando,” Tye Tribbett

BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM

“Church Clothes 4,” Lecrae

BEST AFRICAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE

“Water,” Tyla