Grammys 2024: Taylor Swift makes history as first artist to win Album of the Year four times

Swift, 34, took home the gong for her album Midnights, while confirming she was releasing new music this year
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Taylor Swift said her “mind was blown” as she made Grammy history by becoming the first person to win album of the year award four times.

The 66th Grammy Awards took place on Sunday night at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

US megastar Swift, 34, secured the top gong of the night with her tenth studio album Midnights. She previously won for Fearless in 2009, then again six years later for 1989, and most recently for Folklore in 2020.

As Swift, who next week will perform her sold-out Eras Tour live in Japan, took to the stage, she said: “Oh god, no. I don’t know man.”

She added: “I would love to tell you that this is the best moment in my life, but I feel this happy when I finish a song or when I crack the code to a bridge that I love or when I’m shotlisting a music video, or when I’m rehearsing with my dancers or my band or getting ready to go to Tokyo to play a show.

“For me, the award is the work. All I want to do is keep being able to do this. I love it so much. It makes me so happy.

“It makes me unbelievably blown away that it makes some people happy who voted for this award too. All I want to do is keep doing this. So thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to do what I love so much – mind blown”.

Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift on the red carpet
Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Swift also praised her friend and long-term collaborator Jack Antonoff as a “once in a generation” producer.

The star, who was up against Miley Cyrus, Lana Del Rey, Janelle Monae, Jon Batiste, Phoebe Bridgers and boygenius, SZA and Olivia Rodrigo for the honour - also praised Del Rey as a “legacy artist” and a “legend in her prime right now” in her acceptance speech. 

Canadian singing legend Celine Dion - who is battling major health issues - made a surprise appearance at the biggest night in music to present Swift with the award. Dion earnt a standing ovation at the awards as she presented album of the year, 27 years after Diana Ross and Sting presented the prize to her.

The 55-year-old was helped on stage amid her battle with rare neurological condition Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS).

“Thank you all, I love you right back. When I say that I’m happy to be here, I really mean it from my heart."

Earlier in the night Swift announced she was releasing new music this year - confirming her studio album The Tortured Poets Department will be released on April 19.

Meanwhile, Billie Eilish appeared stunned as she took home song of the year for her Barbie ballad What Was I Made For? at the Grammy Awards.

The 22-year-old singer saw off tough competition from music titans – Swift, SZA, Cyrus, Lana Del Rey, Batiste, Dua Lipa and Rodrigo – to claim the top prize.

In her speech, Eilish thanked the director of the Barbie blockbuster Greta Gerwig for “making the best movie of the year” and her brother and fellow collaborator Finneas O’Connell.

Grammy Awards - 2024

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Meanwhile, Cyrus won her second Grammy award for hit song Flowers, which took home record of the year..

Victoria Monet won best new artist at the Grammy awards - meaning all four of the top prizes were won by female artists. 

Elsewhere, Kylie Minogue has said her best pop dance recording Grammy win meant more to her this time as it represents “longevity”. The 55-year-old picked up her second Grammy for viral hit Padam Padam.

The host of the ceremony was comedian Trevor Noah, who referenced the TikTok dispute with Universal Music Group in his opening dialogue. 

Celine Dion presents the award for album of the year during the 66th annual Grammy Awards (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
AP

The record label said it will withdraw its millions of songs from TikTok after failing to come to an agreement in contract renewal discussions over payments to artists, AI and online safety.

“You know TikTok shame on you, for ripping off all of these artists, how dare you do that, that’s Spotify’s job,” Noah joked.

Other moments of the night included US rapper Jay-Z using his winner’s speech to address the fact his wife Beyonce has never won the top prize at the Grammy’s.

The 54-year-old, whose real name is Shawn Carter, took to the stage with his daughter Blue Ivy to collect the Dr Dre global impact award celebrating his achievements in music.

Referencing his wife making history at last year’s ceremony winning a record 32 awards, he said: "She has more Grammy’s than everyone and never won album of the year.

“Think about that."

Finneas, left, and Billie Eilish accept the award for song of the year for “What Was I Made For?” during the 66th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
AP

Elsewhere US rapper Killer Mike was arrested and booked for “misdemeanor battery” after an alleged physical altercation backstage.

It comes after the 48-year-old won best rap album for his sixth studio album, Michael, while his track Scientists And Engineers featuring Andre 3000, Future And Eryn Allen Kane won best rap song and best rap performance.

Musical highlights of the night included a medley-style performance by British star Lipa.

Tracy Chapman stunned the audience with a rendition of her hit song Fast Car, with SZA, the most nominated artist of the night, delivered a theatrical performance of her hit song Kill Bill. She won three awards - best R&B song for Snooze, best progressive R&B album for SOS and the best pop duo prize with Phoebe Bridgers for their track Ghost In The Machine. Eilish performed her Grammy-winning track What Was I Made For? dressed as the 1965 Barbie Poodle Parade doll.

And Irish rock band U2 made history as their performance from the Sphere in Las Vegas was broadcast into the Grammy Awards.

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