10 Takeaways from the Grammy Awards and the Future of Music in 2023

The Grammys, “Music’s Biggest Night,” honored many of music’s biggest names. Beyoncé, Adele, Harry Styles, Lizzo, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny all took home Grammy’s along with many others.

Here are the takeaways from my perspective as a label services owner and some thoughts on where we might be headed.

The Grammy’s “Big Four” Awards.??

Women are rising. 3 out of 4 of the “Big Four” Awards at the Grammys were won by women!?

See my Instagram post celebrating Women at the Grammys 2023 here.

1. Album of the Year

WINNER: Harry Styles “Harry’s House

I was so happy to see the talented Harry Styles win Album of the Year. Harry is always innovative in his production and a stellar songwriter. I was touched by his humble award speech.?

“I think on nights like tonight it’s important for us to remember there is no such thing as ‘best’ in music. I don’t think any of us sit in the studio making decisions on what is going to get us one of these,” Styles said, referring to the award in his hands.??

Fans and press reacted to his speech slamming him for his “white privilege” by misunderstanding what he meant. Harry in his speech was referring to his humble beginnings in northern England not connected to anyone in the entertainment business.?

Takeaway: There is no “best” in music.?

2. Best New Artist?

WINNER: Samara Joy?

Samara Joy is a wonderful young jazz singer. Her win as Best New Artist follows a tradition of the Grammys celebrating pop-friendly jazz throwbacks like Norah Jones. As a young woman in music, it is thrilling to see her following her dream and bringing awareness of jazz to a bigger audience. A native of the Bronx, NY, Samara was a surprising but wonderful new win at the Grammys. I’m a new fan!?

Takeaway: Doing music outside of the mainstream can win one of the “Big Four” Grammy awards.?

3. Record of the Year

WINNER: Lizzo?– “About Damn Time”??

The irresistible “About Damn Time” was one of 2022’s biggest and best pop songs, and the star’s win for record of the year provided one of the night’s most celebrated moments. At her awards speech, she shouted out about Prince, who was a major influence, and Beyoncé. Lizzo?talked often about the doors she’s had to smash down as a plus-sized Black woman who sings of self-love and affirmation. Winning one of the biggest Grammys of them all felt like a welcome affirmation of her commitment to changing the world with her body-positive music.?

Takeaway: Stay true to yourself as an artist. It works and wins Grammys!?

4. Song of the Year

WINNER: Bonnie Raitt: “Just Like That”?

Everyone, including Raitt herself, was surprised to see Bonnie Raitt win song of the year this year. Not because she’s not a great songwriter, but because the Grammy is usually selected (unfortunately) by artists from the younger side of the industry.?

But Bonnie is not new to winning a Grammy. She now has 13, including Album of the Year in 1990. Long known as having a great ear for songs, Bonnie’s albums are always accompanied by other, often newish, songwriters’ songs alongside her own. It was perfectly fitting for her to win “Song of the Year” as one of the industry’s song mavens.?

Takeaway: Soft-hearted true-to-you songs can win over “pop hits”.?

Grammy Awards winnings past the “Big Four”.

5. Best Pop Vocal Performance

WINNER: Adele: “Easy On Me”

What a great vocal and melody on this song. Adele captures our hearts again with her gorgeous raw vocals.?

Takeaway: Great vocal arrangements matter!?

6. Best Dance/Electronica Music Album

WINNER: Beyoncé: “Rennaissance”?

RENAISSANCE was a towering highlight of the year and an epic artistic accomplishment for Queen Bey. She made history at the 2023 Grammys, with four wins giving her the title of winning most Grammys of ever with 32 total Grammys to her name. However—interesting to note that she’s never won album or record of the year—the biggest Grammys of all. That’s neot to take away from Beyoncé as an artist, performer and songwriter. It’s clear her music moves us all.

Takeaway: You can make amazing records and still not win in the “Big Four”. And it’s not worth sweating over. It’s a music awards show, not the indicator of “the best”. As Harry said, “there is no best in music”.?

7. Best Rap Album

WINNER: Kendrick Lamar “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers?

Excerpt from Pitchfork:?Kendrick Lamar’s new album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers is 4 years from his last record or 2018 and features a string of notable collaborators, such as Portishead’s Beth Gibbons, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Thundercat, Baby Keem, Sampha, and others. The album features the voice of Eckhart Tolle; the spiritual teacher and author narrates multiple songs. Lamar’s partner Whitney Alford is credited as a narrator on several songs, including “We Cry Together,” which also features a Florence and the Machine sample.?

Takeaways: Collaborations from other musicians and authors can contribute and elevate the creative. Making great albums takes time (this one is 4 years from his 2018 album “DAMN.”

8. Best Urbana Musica Album

WINNER: Bad Bunny “Un Verano Sin Ti”??

Bad Bunny made history at this year’s Grammys with Un Verano Sin Ti, as the first Spanish-language LP to be nominated for Album of the Year. He also opened the Awards with a vibrant ode to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, putting Caribbean culture centerstage of Music’s biggest night.

For the full list of winners and nominees click here:?https://www.vogue.com/article/2023-grammy-awards-winners-list

1. In Memorandum?

The Memorandum was particularly personal this year as so many of us lost people close to us. Kacey Musgraves paid tribute to Loretta Lynn by performing “Coal Miner’s Daughter”—an epic loss in the industry. Fleetwood Mac’s Christine McVie received a tribute performance by Sheryl Crow, Bonnie Raitt and Mick Fleetwood (although with an awkward sound malfunction). Still—Christine’s music will live on in us forever—as will all of those we express our condolences to in memorandum.?

Takeaway: Your music will live on long after you.?

2. Where are artists headed for 2023?

I wanted to take a moment to speak to where I think music is “creatively” headed—from the artist’s perspective.

For those of you who might not be familiar with my work:

In 2019 I founded CCVM Label without Walls. A female owned + operated music label services company out of New York (Manhattan). I am passionate about empowering artists in music—especially female artists. CCVM Label without Walls—a new music label services company with a highly creative environment for artists to be heard, respected, and nurtured—to write and record their records with a high-level creative team that lead with their hearts — while owning their own content. Our songwriters have written with Kelly Clarkson, FINNEAS, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Kelsea Ballerini, Tori Kelly, Rita Ora, JoJo, Jason Mraz, Adam Lambert, Aloe Blacc, and many more. The label services is ONLY for serious artists who have music out in the marketplace, ready to invest, who are looking to reinvent themselves + go all the way.

So here are my thoughts—I think we are headed back to “the music”. This year’s awards spanned a larger genre and age of artists than usual, and we saw more innovation in sound and message. I see glimpses and signs of more to come. More innovation and less artistic “rules”.?More genre blending.?

When the music business is filled with “music” and not run solely by profits—music gets good. It gives artists more permission to step outside the box. It was always music first for artists—but when the machine oversteps by dictating formula— that’s always when art goes soft, void of inspiration.?

Never forget, art is rebellion. See my post on?The Bones of An Artist?for more information on how music and art is about liberation and renaissance.

Takeaway: A first for Spanish music to open the Grammys!?

Ready to take your artistry and music to the next level? Start here with my?6 WEEK ARTIST DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM,?Step Up to the Spotlight. Step Up is a high-value online program designed to help music artists of all levels looking to elevate their craft, confidence, mindset, and industry know-how. Shave years off of your climb, avoid all the common music career pitfalls, gain momentum, and become the artist of your life.