5th February, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Renowned American popstar Taylor Swift set another record on Sunday, winning the Grammy award for album of the year for an unprecedented fourth time.
The 34-year-old won album of the year for “Midnights,” eclipsing music legends Frank Sinatra, Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder, who each claimed the prize three times.
Swift also announced from the Grammys stage that she would release a new album in April.
Swift said she was thrilled by the honor and gushed about the fulfillment she feels from writing and singing songs. “It makes me so happy,” she said. “All I want to do is keep doing this.”
Earlier, Swift claimed the prize for best pop vocal performance and used the moment to announce that she will release “The Tortured Poets Department” on April 19.
“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,” Swift said as she disclosed the new album, which was made available for pre-sales during the Grammys telecast.
Swift, who is about to jet to Tokyo to resume the world’s highest-grossing concert tour, was among the women who swept the major Grammy awards on Sunday.
Billie Eilish claimed song of the year for “What Was I Made For?,” a ballad written for the “Barbie” movie soundtrack.
“As a woman, it feels a lot of the time like you’re not being seen,” Eilish told reporters backstage. “I feel that this makes me feel very seen. Sometimes it feels really good to have somebody tell you ‘good job.’”
Miley Cyrus, winner of her first two Grammys on Sunday, landed the record of the year honor for her empowerment anthem “Flowers.”
“This award is amazing,” Cyrus said, “but I really hope that it doesn’t change anything because my life was beautiful yesterday.”
Best new artist went to R&B and pop singer Victoria Monet, who thanked her mom, “a single mom raising this really bad girl.”
Winners were chosen by the musicians, producers, engineers and others who make up the Recording Academy. The group has worked to diversify its membership in recent years by inviting more women and people of color to its ranks.
SZA, who went into the night as the most-nominated artist, won three trophies including best R&B song for “Snooze.”
“I came really, really far,” she said. “I can’t believe this is happening, and it feels very fake.”
Indie rock band boygenius, a band formed by musicians Phoebe Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, also claimed three awards.
Following is a list of the winners in the categories at the televised ceremony: