Brutally honest reviews of every Grammys 2021 performance, including 'WAP' and âDynamiteâ
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It was a fine night to be a BeyonceÌ fan.
Despite leading this year's nominations with nine and winning four, the superstar sadly did not perform at Sunday's Grammy Awards. BeyonceÌ has wowed at past Grammys with showstopping performances, most recently in 2017, when she did a regal, levitating "Lemonade" medley while pregnant with twins Sir and Rumi, now 3.
But there was still plenty to love at the 2021 Grammys, where Megan Thee Stallion and Taylor Swift took top prizes and artists performed on safely distant stages in Los Angeles and elsewhere.
Here are the best and worst musical moments from the show:
Grammys 2021: BeyonceÌ makes history with most wins, Billie Eilish wins second record of the year
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20. Doja Cat, âSay Soâ
In a futuristic getup reminiscent of âRuPaulâs Drag Raceâ favorite Gottmik, Doja channeled a robot for her irresistible âSay So.â But after so many live performances of her breakthrough hit this past year, even Doja looked tired during the dance-heavy staging.
19. Miranda Lambert, âBluebirdâ
Although we love the song and her album âWildcard,â Miranda sadly lacked enthusiasm and stage presence, especially coming right after Mickey Guyton.
18. Cardi B, âUpâ / âWAPâ
The TV performance debut of last yearâs culture-rocking âWAPâ was colorful, cheeky and totally chaotic. Cardi and Megan at times got lost in the massive set pieces â which included a giant bed and stiletto heel, which doubled as a stripper pole â and we wish we could unhear the awkward banter between host Trevor Noah and Cardi before cutting to commercial.
More:Trevor Noah has fun with Billie Eilish, Harry Styles at COVID-influenced outdoor Grammys
17. Bad Bunny feat. Jhay Cortez, âDaÌkitiâ
Wandering inside a giant light-up eye, the artistsâ low-key performance sounded fantastic but lacked the spectacle and spirit of other performers.
16. Roddy Ricch, âHeartlessâ / âThe Boxâ
Roddy closed out the show with a heartfelt take on his new single âHeartless,â before performing hit âThe Boxâ in front of a stunning backdrop of ancient ruins. Unfortunately for him, BTS is an impossible act to follow, and his more restrained performance wasn't the best way to end the night.
15. Post Malone, âHollywoodâs Bleedingâ
Malone had Twitter saying âcult vibesâ with his dark performance, surrounded by candle-bearing dancers in robes as he passionately sang about the pitfalls of fame. It was brooding, but a tad forgettable.
14. Maren Morris and John Mayer, âThe Bonesâ
Morris is one of the best country vocalists in music today, and her performance of âThe Bones,â with an assist from John Mayer on guitar, did not disappoint.
13. Taylor Swift, âCardiganâ / âAugustâ / âWillowâ
Swift went full woodland fairy for her mystical, moss-covered medley of three âFolkloreâ and âEvermoreâ tracks. While we enjoyed her ebullient âAugustâ and witchy âWillow,â the high point was when she sat and sang the achingly emotional back half of âCardiganâ from the roof of a cabin.
Taylor Swift makes Grammys history with 'Folklore' win, becoming first woman in three-peat club
12. Lil Baby, âThe Bigger Pictureâ
Lil Baby had the most timely performance of the night, taking to the streets for a sprawling and incendiary showing as he came face to face with dancers in police uniforms and riot gear, recreating protest scenes as he rapped about George Floyd.
11. Billie Eilish, âEverything I Wantedâ
In a subdued but gorgeous rendition of her record-of-the-year-winning âEverything I Wanted,â Eilish redid the songâs music video as she performed on top of a partially submerged, fog-covered car.
10. DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch, âRockstarâ
Points for trying something different. DaBaby turned his No. 1 hit on its head by bringing in a "Judge Judy"-esque gospel choir and violinist for a dramatic performance.
9. Dua Lipa, âLevitatingâ / âDonât Start Nowâ
Dua Lipa never disappoints. The British pop star turned heads with sparkly costumes, athletic choreography and an eye-popping disco aesthetic in her medley of hits âLevitatingâ and âDonât Start Now.â
8. Silk Sonic, âLeave the Door Openâ
This shouldâve come with a stroke warning. Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, the duo behind Silk Sonic, sounded pitch-perfect in this sizzling retro throwback, but the vintage filters and colossal screen of flashing lights distracted from their showmanship. Although it was easily redeemed with Brunoâs electrifying, spot-on take on Little Richardâs âLong Tall Sallyâ during the In Memoriam segment, paying tribute to the late rock ânâ roll icon.
7. Brittany Howard and Chris Martin, âYouâll Never Walk Aloneâ
Brandi Carlile and Lionel Richie paid reverent homage to John Prine and Kenny Rogers, respectively, with In Memoriam performances. The segment culminated in a hauntingly powerful cover of Rodgers & Hammersteinâs âYouâll Never Walk Aloneâ by Alabama Shakes singer Brittany Howard, who commanded the stage with help from Coldplayâs Chris Martin on piano.
6. Mickey Guyton, âBlack Like Meâ
Guyton looked incredible and sounded better performing this stirring, gospel-tinged song about racial inequality and Black pride.
5. Megan Thee Stallion, âBodyâ / âSavageâ
Megan transformed the Grammys stage into a swank, old-timey nightclub with tuxedo-clad dancers, a diamond-studded leotard and ⊠tap dancers? It was an unexpected and twerktastic coronation for the newly crowned best new artist winner.
4. Haim, âThe Stepsâ
An early highlight of the night, the Haim sisters brought piercing guitar and warm â70s-style rock to the Grammys stage with this plucky "Women in Music: Part III" cut.
3. Harry Styles, âWatermelon Sugarâ
After a shaky start, Styles let loose for a sultry performance of his feel-good No. 1 hit âWatermelon Sugar," donning a green feather boa and open leather jacket. It was a consummate reminder of his undeniable star power and well-deserved Grammy win for best pop solo performance later in the show.
2. Black Pumas, âColorsâ
A soulful, captivating number from psych-rock newcomers Black Pumas, led by thrilling vocals from singer Eric Burton. We doubt any artist gained more new fans than they did tonight â and for very good reason.
1. BTS, âDynamiteâ
The adrenaline rush we needed after a night full of exhaustingly endless performances. Shining through with âa little funk and soul,â as the âDynamiteâ chorus proclaims, BTS had undeniable charisma and swoon-worthy vocals as they danced against the majestic Seoul skyline.