The 68th annual Grammy Awards, one of the most highly anticipated award shows of the year, showcased a large array of musical artists, both new and returning. As usual, the results and award winners became a heavily debated topic over social media, while simultaneously a flurry of opinions emerged from those who disagreed with the results and those who were well-satisfied. However, it’s reasonable to argue that the Grammys had a lot more positive outcomes this year, including well-deserved awards and powerful speeches.
For Best New Artist, Olivia Dean took the title amongst seven other nominees. Though the category consisted of many talented new artists with great potential, Dean’s win speaks for itself. Her latest album, “The Art of Loving,” skyrocketed up the charts after its release, featuring popular hits like “Man I Need” and “So Easy (To Fall In Love).” The album didn’t become popular without reason however, as it showcased her immense talent as both a singer and a songwriter. Additionally, her performance of “Man I Need” outshined many of the other performances for the award, most noticeably those of Addison Rae and Katseye, two of which the general public deemed as unfortunate flops. Dean’s performance showcased her raw and powerful voice, as well as the fun, upbeat energy of her music. It’s hard to think of anyone more deserving than her to win Best New Artist.
Album of the Year is one of the biggest categories of the show, so when Bad Bunny won for “DebÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” people had a lot to say, either stating that the award was well-deserved or that there are others who should’ve won. Personally, I haven’t listened to much of Bad Bunny’s new album, so I can’t say much on that note. However, what I found most inspiring from his success was the speech he gave for accepting another award for best música urbana album. He took the opportunity to speak up against the recent actions of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out,” Bad Bunny said. “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens, we are humans, and we are Americans.” During times of widespread fear and despair, it’s crucial that those with fame use their platform for positive change. There are many celebrities that choose to stay quiet about the state of the nation, which is why I admire Bad Bunny’s decision to speak out. I think his speech will not only inspire other celebrities to protest, but also ignite the fire for change in our government.
