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In a moment of triumph for Australian music, Tame Impala emerged as the country’s sole victor at the 68th annual Grammy Awards held on Monday morning in Los Angeles. The acclaimed psychedelic band, spearheaded by the talented Kevin Parker from Perth, secured the coveted Best Dance/Electronic Recording award with their track “End of Summer.”
This marks back-to-back wins for Parker, who also celebrated success in the previous year with the same accolade. That victory was for his collaboration with the renowned French electronic duo Justice on the track “Neverender.”
Meanwhile, other Australian acts faced stiffer competition. Melbourne’s energetic punk band Amyl and the Sniffers were in the running for Best Rock Performance but ultimately saw the win go to Yungblud. Similarly, Sydney’s electronic trio Rüfüs Du Sol was nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album; however, the honor was claimed by FKA Twigs.
Elsewhere at the Grammys, the prestigious Song of the Year award was bestowed upon Billie Eilish and her brother, Finneas, for their compelling song “Wildflower.” During her acceptance speech, Eilish took the opportunity to address pressing social issues, particularly the controversial immigration policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.
“I feel incredibly grateful, yet compelled to speak out,” Eilish remarked. “No one is illegal on stolen land. We must continue to fight, to voice our concerns, and to protest.” Her words resonated with many, highlighting the intersection of art and activism on music’s biggest night.
“As grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything, but that no one is illegal on stolen land,” Eilish said. “I feel like we need to keep fighting and keep speaking up and keep protesting.”
Meanwhile, British singer Olivia Dean, who recently topped Australia’s triple j Hottest 100 countdown with her hit Man I Need, won the Grammy for Best New Artist.
“I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” Dean said while accepting the award. “I’m a product of bravery, and I think those people deserve to be celebrated.”
Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, who is also up for Record of the Year, used his acceptance speech after winning Best Música Urbana Album to criticise the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
“We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans,” the rapper said.
The Grammys are being hosted this year by comedian Trevor Noah, featuring performances by Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter and more.
Who is up for the top awards?
There are 95 different categories at this year’s awards show.
Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga each won awards as music’s biggest night got underway in Los Angeles with dozens of prizes handed out before the televised marquee event.
Lamar jumped out to an early lead with three trophies in the rap categories, while Lady Gaga won for best dance pop recording and Bad Bunny snapped up a gramophone for best global music performance.
All three are angling to make history by taking home the gala’s most coveted award, Album of the Year, for the first time.
Record of the Year nominees:
- DtMF — Bad Bunny
- Manchild — Sabrina Carpenter
- Anxiety — Doechii
- WILDFLOWER — Billie Eilish
- Abracadabra — Lady Gaga
- luther — Kendrick Lamar with SZA
- The Subway — Chappell Roan
- APT. ROSÉ — Bruno Mars
Album of the Year nominees:
- DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS — Bad Bunny
- SWAG — Justin Bieber
- Man’s Best Friend — Sabrina Carpenter
- Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse, Pusha T & Malice
- MAYHEM — Lady Gaga
- GNX — Kendrick Lamar
- MUTT — Leon Thomas
- CHROMAKOPIA — Tyler, The Creator
Lamar has the most nominations this year, up for nine categories, while Lady Gaga has the second-highest number with seven.
— With additional reporting from Agence France-Presse
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