Tonight’s 62nd Annual Grammy Awards included wins for out LGBTQ artists including Lil Nas X, Brandi Carlile, Lady Gaga, DJ Tracy Young, and more. The awards were hosted by Alicia Keys, from Los Angeles’ Staples Center.
DJ Tracy Young picked up the Grammy in Best Remixed Recording for her track “I Rise (Tracy Young’s Pride Intro Radio Remix),” a remix of the Madonna track “I Rise.” Young is both the first woman and the first lesbian to win this category, which was introduced in 1998. Tyler, The Creator, who has previously spoken about his relationships with men and women, took home the Grammy in Best Rap Album for Igor.
Brandi Carlile, one of the songwriters of Tanya Tucker’s “Bring My Flowers Now,” picked up the Grammy in Best Country Song for the track. She and Tucker also performed the song during the show. Attacca Quartet, a group which includes non-binary cellist Andrew Yee, won the Grammy in Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance for the album Orange.
Lil Nas X won the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for “Old Town Road” with Billy Ray Cyrus. He also took home the Grammy for Best Music Video for “Old Town Road (Official Movie).” Lil Nas X performed the song with Billy Ray Cyrus, BTS, Diplo, Mason Ramsey – all artists who had been featured on “Old Town Road” remixes last year – and Nas. Lil Nas X is also nominated for the GLAAD Media Awards in Outstanding Music Artist.
Lady Gaga picked up two Grammys; one in Best Song Written for Visual Media for her track “I’ll Never Love Again” from A Star is Born and Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for the A Star is Born soundtrack. Singer and GLAAD Vanguard Award honoree Demi Lovato made her return to the Grammy stage for a performance of her song “Anyone.” Out artist and GLAAD Media Awards nominee Brittany Howard also joined Alicia Keys for her performance, and out singer and actor Ben Platt introduced Ariana Grande’s performance before returning later in the evening to sing in a tribute to musical education in schools to “I Sing the Body Electric” from Fame.
Congrats to tonight’s winners!