As it happened: The 2023 Grammy Awards

By Tori B. Powell, Matt Meyer, Maureen Chowdhury and Mike Hayes, CNN

Updated 1:37 AM ET, Mon February 6, 2023
34 Posts
Sort byDropdown arrow
11:12 p.m. ET, February 5, 2023

Beyoncé makes history with win for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album

Beyonce accepts the award for best dance/electronic music album for "Renaissance."
Beyonce accepts the award for best dance/electronic music album for "Renaissance." (Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Beyoncé won the award for Best Dance/Electronic Music Album for her project, "Renaissance."

She now has the most wins in Grammy Award history with 32.

She received a standing ovation from the likes of her husband, Jay-Z, Lizzo and many others in the arena.

While accepting her award, she thanked God, her family and the queer community.

"Renaissance" pulled inspiration from Black queer icons who pioneered house music: from trans icon Ts Madison and fashion pioneer Telfar Clemens, to late queen of the downtown drag scene, Moi Renee, and Beyoncé’s own uncle.

"I'm trying not to be too emotional," the singer said in her acceptance speech. "I'm trying to just receive this night."

CNN's Scottie Andrew contributed reporting.

10:12 p.m. ET, February 5, 2023

Cardi B stuns in silver dress while presenting award

From CNN's Stephy Chung

Cardi B presents the award for Best Rap Album.
Cardi B presents the award for Best Rap Album. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Rapper Cardi B won fashion accolades on music’s biggest night.

While presenting the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, she wore a figure-hugging dress with silver accents that produced a sequined effect, as well as a complementary headdress.

Cardi B in a blue Gaurav Gupta gown.
Cardi B in a blue Gaurav Gupta gown. (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Earlier in the night, the rapper wowed the red carpet in a sculptural electric blue gown by Indian designer Gaurav Gupta, who recently made his Haute Couture Week debut in Paris.

Back at the 2019 Grammy Awards, she stunned in a clam shell-inspired vintage Mugler dress.

More of CNN Style's red carpet coverage here.

10:13 p.m. ET, February 5, 2023

Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt and Mick Fleetwood honor Christine McVie

From CNN's Chloe Melas

Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt and Mick Fleetwood.
Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt and Mick Fleetwood. (Francis Specker/CBS)

The "in memoriam" portion of this year's Grammys was incredibly special, because they had various performers take to the stage to honor the talents we lost last year.

One of those poignant moments came from Sheryl Crow, who teamed up with two of her longtime idols, Mick Fleetwood and Bonnie Raitt, to honor the late Christine McVie, who famously was part of the band Fleetwood Mac. She died in November.

Crow spoke to CNN earlier this week about why it was such a "full circle" moment for her because she had been part of inducting the group into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

"Fleetwood Mac in general were monumentally important to me as a young girl growing up, trying to figure out what kind of artist I wanted to be," she said. "It's hard to see (Christine) go. The honor is for me, really, to get to honor her."
9:51 p.m. ET, February 5, 2023

Migos rapper Quavo performed a tribute to Takeoff, three months after his killing

From CNN's Lisa Respers France

Quavo performs onstage.
Quavo performs onstage. (JC Olivera/WireImage/Getty Images)

Three months after the murder of Takeoff, the rap artist's uncle and fellow Migos member Quavo performed a tribute to him during the Grammys "in memoriam" segment.

The gospel music group Maverick City Music joined Quavo to perform the tribute song, “Without You."

The song was released in January in honor of Takeoff who was shot and killed in Houston, Texas in November at age 28. The lyrics speak to Quavo’s grief for his loved one and collaborator.

“Tears rollin’ down my eyes/ Can’t tell you how many times I cried/ Days ain’t the same without you/ I don’t know if I’m the same without you,” Quavo ped.ps.e pair pair had been together when Takeoff was killed outside a private party.

Along with their longtime friend Offset, the two had been members of the platinum selling rap trio Migos. They released their final studio album, “Culture III,” in 2021.

DQuavo'sntribute ammys perfo,rmance photos of othe we've lost, lost including Irene Cara, PnB Rock and StetWen "Twitch," Boss appeared on the wall behind them.

11:05 p.m. ET, February 5, 2023

Photos: Behind the scenes at the Grammy Awards

From CNN Digital's Photo Team

It's a big party in Los Angeles tonight, with some of the biggest musical artists in the world in attendance.

Check out these shots of the stars mingling backstage and in the audience, and view more of the top photos from the Grammys here.

Adele, Beyonce and Lizzo
Adele, Beyonce and Lizzo (Francis Specker/CBS)

Bonnie Raitt and Taylor Swift 
Bonnie Raitt and Taylor Swift  (Francis Specker/CBS)

Simone Smith, Mary J. Blige and LL Cool J
Simone Smith, Mary J. Blige and LL Cool J (Francis Specker/CBS)

Viola Davis 
Viola Davis  (Stewart Cook/CBS)

Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck and Adrien Brody
Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck and Adrien Brody (Francis Specker/CBS)

Shania Twain and Mick Fleetwood
Shania Twain and Mick Fleetwood (Stewart Cook/CBS)

Nelly and Swizz Beatz
Nelly and Swizz Beatz (Francis Specker/CBS)

Cardi B and Offset 
Cardi B and Offset  (Stewart Cook/CBS)

Flavor Flav 
Flavor Flav  (Francis Specker/CBS)

9:44 p.m. ET, February 5, 2023

Beyoncé and Jay-Z — they're just like us

From CNN's Chloe Melas

Beyoncé made a stir when she finally arrived at Crypto.com Arena for the Grammys telecast, but the first shot of Bey at her table with her husband also gave viewers at home something to relate to.

Host Trevor Noah made the announcement that Bey was in the house while standing right next to her table. When cameras panned over to Beyoncé's husband, rap legend Jay-Z, he seemed totally unfazed by the big moment. Instead, he was nibbling on what appeared to be some crackers.

The best part was that he held them in his hand — and when he thought Noah was done speaking, he began to eat again.

A man's gotta eat!

Beyoncé wasn't present to accept the Grammy award that tied her with Georg Solti's 31-win record. Noah had earlier said that Los Angeles traffic was to blame for her absence in the historic moment.

9:39 p.m. ET, February 5, 2023

Kendrick Lamar wins award for Best Rap Album

Kendrick Lamar accepts the Best Rap Album award for “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers."
Kendrick Lamar accepts the Best Rap Album award for “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers." (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)

Kendrick Lamar took home the award for Best Rap Album for his project "Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers."

He said the album was one of his "toughest records to make."

While accepting his award, he thanked his family for giving him "the courage and the vulnerability to share these stories and share my truth with this album."

He also thanked his fans and "the culture" for his win.

9:25 p.m. ET, February 5, 2023

Beyoncé has arrived at the Grammys

Beyonce appears in the audience.
Beyonce appears in the audience. (Chris Pizzello/AP)

Beyoncé has finally arrived to the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, after being delayed by traffic, according to host Trevor Noah.

Queen Bey was shown sitting at her table with rapper Jay-Z, the other half of one of music's most prodigious power couples.

Earlier in the show, Noah had said: "Beyoncé is on her way. But, you know, the upside of hosting the Grammys in LA ... is that everyone can be here. The downside of hosting the Grammys in LA is the traffic."

9:21 p.m. ET, February 5, 2023

Bad Bunny wins award for Best Música Urbana Album

Bad Bunny has won the award for Best Música Urbana Album for his work, "Un Verano Sin Ti."

He said he made the album with "love and passion" and dedicated his award to Puerto Rico, where he is from.

"I dedicate this award to Puerto Rico, the birthplace and capital of reggaeton throughout the world," the superstar artist said in Spanish while accepting the award. "I want to dedicate it to all the legends and especially, also, to the new ones that keep the movement alive and fresh. Thanks to all the new talent, let’s keep taking this genre to another level."

"When you do things with love and passion, everything is easier," he added.