by Caroline Polen

It had only been weeks since the LA wildfires started in Pacific Palisades, but the Grammys still held their award ceremony in the Crypto.com Arena in downtown Los Angeles. It was one of the first major LA events to happen since the devastating wildfires. The award ceremony had many tributes and fundraising opportunities, and they kept it less extravagant this year after many of the normal Grammy-week parties were cancelled. 

Beyoncé took home two Grammys on Sunday, including Best Country Album and Album of the Year. Her wins in these categories turned out to be very controversial. 

“I was mad after Beyoncé won album of the year,” sophomore Ashelyn Barrios said. “Nobody I’ve talked to has listened to her album, and the people that have say it’s a waste of time.”

However, for others, they don’t understand the frustration.

“Honestly, I don’t listen to country, and I like Beyoncé, so I don’t understand why people are so mad,” junior Gabe Woods said. “I hate people that can’t get over losing. It’s not that deep. Beyoncé was better than all the other ones.”

Among all the awards that are given out throughout the night at the Grammys, certain ones stick out to students at BHS.

“Best New Artist stood out because of how competitive it was,” Barrios said. “I was rooting for Sabrina Carpenter because her performances are always good.”

The nominees for Best New Artist included Benson Boone, Sabrina Carpenter, Doechii, Khruangbin, Raye, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, and category winner Chappell Roan.

“An award that stood out to me was Song and Record of the Year,” Woods said. “I honestly just don’t think Kendrick deserved it over people like Taylor Swift and Charli XCX.”

“I was mainly rooting for Taylor Swift and Charli XCX,” Woods said.

The nominees for Song of the Year were “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” by Shaboozey, “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish, “Die With a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone, “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, “Please Please Please” by Sabrina Carpenter, “Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyoncé, and category winner “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar.

The Nominees for Record of the Year were “Now and Then” by The Beatles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyoncé, “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, “360” by Charli XCX, “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish, “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan, “Fortnight” by Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone, and category winner “Not Like Us” by Kendrick Lamar. 

Doechii won Best Rap Album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” Sabrina Carpenter won Best Pop Vocal Album for her album “Short n’ Sweet,” in Best Latin Pop Album Shakira won with her album “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,” and in Best Pop Duo/Group performance, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars won with “Die with a Smile.”