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The 3 Best Moments From the 2023 Grammys

The 3 Best Moments From the 2023 Grammys

Published Mon, February 6, 2023 at 10:17 AM EST

The 65th Grammy Awards took place last night (Feb. 5), and it was full of a lot of moments that'll be talked about for a while.

There was Chris Brown goofily asking who Robert Glasper is after he lost Best R&B Album to the prolific, multiple Grammy Award-winning pianist/producer's Black Radio III. Then there was Beyoncé, who made Grammy history last night by becoming the artist with the most wins in history, but then turned around and bafflingly lost Album of the Year to former One Direction frontman, Harry Styles.

Beyond the slights, it was good to see Stevie Wonder with country music favorite Chris Stapleton, and the always cheerful bassist/singer Thundercat hit the stage with The Internet's breakout success, Steve Lacy.

And of course, there was the moment that everyone really tuned in for, the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop tribute. The star-studded diverse medley of rap classics didn't disappoint (unless you were in one of the markets that inexplicably cut to a short commercial before Big Boi and Busta Rhymes hit the stage). Questlove, who was the musical director of the set, even managed to represent a wide swath of artists and producers, though they didn't physically hit the stage. The names of everyone from MC Shy D, The Alchemist, and Little Brother, to Tanya Morgan, and many, many more were illuminated in the background, shining for all to see.

All that said, here are three of the best moments from the 2023 Grammys.

Queen Latifah's Commanding Performance of "U.N.I.T.Y."

Once the performers were announced, we all knew the tribute to Hip-Hop would be something to behold — and it definitely was. It's not easy to pull off a stacked Hip-Hop medley that touches on all aspects of the genre -- from alternative rap (De La Soul), to pop rap (Nelly, Missy, etc.), to intellectual street rap (Jadakiss, Scarface, etc.) and everything in between (Method Man, Big Boi, etc.) but Questlove, who was the musical director of the set, mostly managed it.

While the set was entertaining from the jump, in no small part because Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 did actually hit the stage together (the historic reunion was previously up in the air), the energy was turned up another notch with Queen Latifah hit the stage to deliver "U.N.I.T.Y." Latifah is a bonafide movie and television star, but last night she reminded everyone that she's not just the Equalizer, she's a rap trailblazer, with skills and presence that place her in the upper echelon of rap's hierarchy.

LL COOL J's Diamond-Encrusted Boombox

Before he opened the set, LL made a disclaimer, saying he knew everyone wasn't going to be represented on stage but that this tribute was only part one of more to come. And then, he proceeded to rip it, as per usual. He even brought his diamond-encrusted boombox. LL not only helped shape Hip-Hop as we know it today, catapulting it into the stratosphere with his massive successes, but he's just a next-level performer, who sets a standard on stage. He showcased exactly why he's always a must-see live with his rousing rendition of "Radio," setting the tone for the rest of the dynamic tribute.

Jay-Z Rapping His "God Did" Verse Right After Beyoncé Didn't Win Album of the Year

So, in a major yikes moment, Beyoncé failed to win Album of the Year. Again. After the fiasco that ensued after Lemonade lost in 2017, critics and fans alike thought her nearly flawless celebration of the diversity of Blackness, Renaissance, would finally snag the award. Right after her head-scratching loss, Jay had to hit the stage. Whether you think Jay's verse from DJ Khaled's album of the same name was overrated or not isn't really the point. After all the hype about Jay actually making an appearance at the Grammys, so much so that he closed the show, it felt a little... awkward? Some fans even wondered if he'd slip in a freestyle about his wife losing. Of course, Jay kept it completely professional and delivered his five-minute rap flawlessly, Last Supper-style, making for one of the most entertaining moments of a night that was pretty full of them.

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