The most unforgettable Grammy moments as 2021 nominees are announced (2024)

The Grammys are the biggest night of the music calendar - but how much do you remember from Grammys past? From Lady Gaga arriving in an egg to Kristen Wiig's surprise performance as Sia, here are 30 of the most stand out Grammy moments ever.

When Jennifer Lopez wore THAT green Versace dress: Back in 2000 when J-Lo was dating P.Diddy, she sent the fashion world crazy when she wore this plunging dress by Versace. Not only that, the dress inspired the function Google Image Search as it was all anyone was looking up on the internet for weeks afterwards.

The time Katy Perry brought her grandmother along: Who did Katy Perry bring as her date to the 2011 Grammys? Her 90-year-old grandma, Ann Hudson, that's who! Perry told Ryan Seacrest: 'If I don't go home with any Grammys, I still go home with my Grammy.' Sadly, she didn't win that year, despite being nominated four times.

Lady Gaga arrives in a giant egg: The pop star has never been one to shy away from making an entrance, but Gaga seriously upstaged everyone when she arrived in an egg carried by four people at the 2011 Grammys. She even stayed in there until she performed 'Born This Way' later that night.

When Beck won Album of the Year over Beyonce: This was a surprise even to Beck, who said afterwards he thought Beyonce was going to win. It also sparked a race row at the 2015 Grammys, which was again repeated when Adele beat Beyonce in the same category in 2017.

When Kayne rushed the stage over Beyonce's 2015 snub: It wasn't quite a 'Taylor Swift at the MTV VMAs moment' as West decided against heading on stage at the last minute, although he was seen getting up from his seat. He later said at an after party: 'If they want real artists to keep coming back, they need to stop playing with us...Beck needs to respect artistry, he should have given his award to Beyonce.'

Taylor Swift throws shade at Kanye: After all the shade he's thrown at her, it was only right Taylor got to throw some back, which she did during her Album of the Year acceptance speech at the 2016 Grammys. She said: ' There will be people along the way that will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame'.

The time Beyonce and Jay-Z turned up the heat with this steamy duet: When the music power couple opened the 2014 Grammys with their hit Drunk In Love it certainly got tongues wagging. It was the first time they had performed the song together in public - but was also slammed by some for being too racy.

When Jennifer Hudson's tribute to Whitney Houston made everyone cry (including Hudson!): The news that Whitney had been found dead in her hotel room hours before the 2013 Grammys sent shockwaves through the music industry. But somehow Jennifer Hudson managed to pull off a stunning last minute tribute performance - and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

Adele starts her George Michael tribute again: Proving just what a perfectionist she is, Adele asked to start again when she wasn't happy with the way her 2017 tribute song for George Michael started. 'I can't mess this up for him,' she said, fighting back tears. 'I'm sorry for swearing. Can we start again?' She got it right second time round and it was a stellar performance.

When Amy Winehouse lost out on Best Album for Back to Black: The late Amy Winehouse still managed to scoop five Grammys in 2008 - but it was a shock to everyone when she lost out on Album of the Year to jazz musician Herbie Hanco*ck, who won with his Joni Mitchell album of covers.

When Milli Vanilli had their Grammy taken back: Back in 1990, Milli Vanilli won the Best New Artist - but in a Grammy first, the award was taken back after it was revealed neither of them sang any of the vocals on their hit album All or Nothing. Scandalous!

When Frank Sinatra was cut off: No one expected Frank Sinatra would be cut off mid-way through his acceptance speech for his 1994 Legend Award - but that's exactly what happened. Broadcasters clearly deemed Frank had gone on too long and pulled the plug before switching to a commercial break.

James Corden hands out consolation puppies: When Cordon presented the Grammys in 2018 he had a consolation prize for those who lost out on Best Comedy Album (won by Dave Chapelle that year). He gave all the losers puppies to make them feel better, but later revealed they were not to keep and had safely been returned at the end of the night.

When Jack White helped Loretta Lynn win her first Grammy in 33 years: The veteran singer launched a comeback by joining forces with White Stripes singer Jack. They scooped the country collaboration prize for their track Portland Oregon at the 2005 Grammys.

Lady Gaga's tribute to David Bowie: The 2016 Grammys performance was supposed to be a tribute to the late, great David Bowie - but the medley by Lady Gaga divided critics, with many branding it 'too hectic' and comparing it to a 'karaoke tribute'. Ouch.

When Stevie Wonder used the Grammys to spread disability awareness: The music legend used the 2016 Grammys to call for more accessibility for people with disabilities. After charming the audience by saying not everyone can read braille like he can, he added: 'I just want to say, before I say the winner, that we need to make everything accessible to every single person with a disability.' Wonder went blind as a baby after being born prematurely.

When Annie Lennox turned up in drag and manage to fool everyone: Way back in 1984 at the height of Lennox's Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) fame, which she performed at the Grammys that year, she decided to turn up in drag. 'People were unaware it was me, so it was almost like being a fly on the wall for a while,' she said.

The time M.I.A performed at the Grammys three days before giving birth: Just hours after performing at the 2009 Grammys M.I.A went into labour and gave birth to a baby boy three days later. At the time she said she had been up for going to a Grammys after party but decided to go home instead. 'Lucky I did! Coz my early stage labor kicked in around 2am', she wrote on her MySpace account at the time.

When Bob Dylan got 'Soy Bomb' ed: Michael Portnoy was hired to be a backing dancer for Dylan at the Grammys in 1998, but ended up stealing the show when he ripped off his shirt to reveal the words 'Soy Bomb' on his torso. Portnoy later explained a 'Soy Bomb' 'represents dense nutritional life. 'Bomb is a destructive force, so Soy Bomb is what I think art should be; dense, transformational, explosive life.' The Grammys decided not to press charges, but Portnoy was not paid his $200 (£153) fee.

When folk rockers Jethro Tull beat Metallica for the first Heavy Metal Grammy: The audience went quiet when Alice Cooper announced the winner of the Grammy's first Heavy Metal Award back in 1989. Everyone was expecting Metallica to win, but when Cooper announced the winner, there was silence. Cooper said afterwards: 'Everyone thought I was doing a joke...I said 'No, I'm not kidding. Jethro Hull.'

When Elton John and Eminem performed together: Eminem had been widely criticized for his anti-gay lyrics, so it was a surprise when Sir Elton John joined him on stage at the 2001 Grammys to perform the rapper's hit 'Stan'. John recognized the lyrics were written from the perspective of Eminem's alter-ego Slim Shady and throwing his support behind him was a huge public statement at the time. The unlikely duo have since formed a strong friendship.

The time Stevie Wonder joined Pharrell, Nile Rogers and Daft Punk on stage: The music stars turned the Grammys into a five-minute dance party in 2014 with a special mash up performance of 'Get Lucky', 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger', 'Le Freak' and Wonder's 'Another Star'. Yoko Ono, Katy Perry, Beyonce, Steven Tyler, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr were all spotted dancing in the audience. Watch it back on YouTube now!

When Justin Timberlake apologized for his Super Bowl performance: Who can forget the 'wardrobe malfunction' when Janet Jackson performed 'Rock Your Body' with Timberlake at the 2004 Super Bowl. A week later Timberlake apologized as he accepted the Grammy for best male pop vocal performance for his song Cry Me a River, saying: 'What occurred was unintentional, completely regrettable, and I apologize if you guys were offended.'

When Pink showed off her circus skills: She's often does acrobatics as part of her stadium shows, but her 2014 Grammy performance of 'Try' was one of the most impressive performances of her career. Who cares if she didn't win a Grammy, she sang live while hanging over the audience on a rope without a harness. That's some serious skills.

When Kendrick Lamar teamed up with Imagine Dragons for the mash-up performance: In the year Queen Latifah performed a mass wedding, these lot still managed to make headlines with this stunning performance which saw them explode powder bombs on stage. How much fun does that look!

The time Kanye posed as Jesus: Kayne didn't just liken himself to Jesus, he dressed up as him for his 2005 Grammys performance of Jesus Walks. He did win the Best Rap Song of The Year and it was a stunning performance, so love him or hate him, Kanye can wear what he wants.

When Twenty One Pilots accept a Grammy in their underwear: To receive their Grammy for Best Pop/Duo Performance for 'Stressed Out' in 2017, the band walked onstage in their underwear. Apparently this was something the pair had said they would do when they won their first Grammy. Host James Corden followed suit later in the show, introducing Ed Sheeran in his boxers, telling the audience: 'I always told myself that if I ever hosted the Grammys, I would also do it in my underwear.

When Queen Latifah officiated a mass wedding: In a TV first, Queen Latifah married 33 gay and straight couples at the 2014 Grammys. The rapper revealed she was secretly sworn in three weeks before the awards ceremony. 'I had to get sworn in as a commissioner for the state of California, so I’m not an ordained minister, but I’m a commissioner. So you can call me to commish – Queen Commish!

When Kristen Wiig became Sia for the night: In a bizarre yet brilliant Grammys moment, actress Kristen Wiig made a cameo in Sia's 'Chandelier' performance in 2015. Sia is well known for not showing her face in public, so the addition of Wiig in the same wig and flesh-colored leotard was a great surprise.

When Chris Brown attacked Rihanna: Just hours before they were set to perform at the 2009 Grammys, Brown turned himself in for beating then-girlfriend Rihanna. Neither attended the ceremony and Brown was arrested. He was later sentenced to six months community labour, one year of domestic violence counseling and put on probation for five years.

The most unforgettable Grammy moments as 2021 nominees are announced (2024)
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