Culture

Grammys 2022: The night’s queerest moments from Doja Cat to Lil Nas X

By Zoya Raza-Sheikh

4th April 2022

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards took place in Las Vegas last night and it was a big win for LGBTQ+ artists and icons.

Yesterday (3 April) one of music’s most prestigious awards nights took place. Heavily regarded as a coveted awards ceremony, the event was packed with big names and even bigger moments. 

This year’s Grammys took off with a hit with an incredible line-up of LGBTQ+ performers and presenters promised before the show got started. 

Nominations for the Awards were revealed earlier this year with queer talent holding a high stake in this year’s show. 

LGBTQ+ breakout talent Lil Nas X, who scooped up two Grammys in 2020, was nominated for six awards including the big contender’s Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year. 

The star’s chart-topping song Industry Baby featuring Jack Harlow was nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance – a first-time nomination for both in the category. 

Lil Nas X’s viral music video for Montero (Call Me By Your Name), which became an overnight internet sensation was listed in the Best Music Video category against huge names AC/DC, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber and Olivia Rodrigo.

Elsewhere, LGBTQ+ artists were credited and recognised for their cultural impact across the nominations. 

Doja Cat has had an incredible year and was nominated across multiple categories for her album Planet Her. 

The American singer and rapper landed nominations in the heavyweight categories such as Record of the Year and Album of the Year as well as Song of the Year.

Doja Cat was also credited in her fellow artist nominations for her contributions such as Lil Nas X’s debut and her collaboration with SZA for Kiss Me More. 

So, whether you stayed up all night watching the results roll in or checked out right after the flamboyant red carpet fits, we’ve got your much-needed fix of the top five queerest moments from the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. 

Lil Nas X was iconic on and off the stage

Lauded for his brilliant debut album Montero, 22-year-old rapper Montero Lamar Hill aka Lil Nas X was a must-see at this year’s Grammys. 

The rapper hit the red carpet in a standout Balmain all-white pearl two-piece suit with detailed matching platform boots. 

While Lil Nas X’s carpet moment was one to remember, the singer’s highlight moment was his incredible on-stage medley of Dead Right Now, Montero (Call Me by Your Name), and Industry Baby. 

Arguably one of the best performances of the night, Lil Nas X proved his talent with a three-track performance alongside striking outfit changes. 

It was an effortlessly tailored Lil Nas X-style performance from beginning to end, and we’re not just talking about his killer jewelled crop top either! 

In a surprising turn of events, the Old Town Road artist didn’t take home a win from this year’s ceremony, but his unforgettable on-stage domination serves as a reminder that young LGBTQ+ talent isn’t going anywhere.

Doja Cat remains the most relatable celebrity

Doja Cat is known for plenty of things – her online shitposting, her meme-able charisma, and, of course, her incredible music.

Last night, conversations about whether Amala Dlamini (aka Doja Cat) would be officially quitting the music industry continued and her impact on the music industry could not be questioned.

An unstoppable talent, Doja Cat has become a leading name on and off the internet with her fine-tuned output and record-breaking songs.

In Vegas, the star was recognised for her talent for Kiss Me More, a collaboration with SZA, which scooped up a win in the Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. 

With a well-deserved win and a total of eight Grammy nominations to her name, Doja didn’t just win the Grammys last night, but her red carpet look was iconic. 

In a round-up of best moments, the star also won us over with her heart-warming support for Lil Nas X while he was on stage and for her tearful acceptance speech as she accepted her Grammy. 

 

You can watch Doja Cat’s acceptance speech for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance here or below.

RuPaul’s Drag Race queens came to serve on the red carpet 

A handful of RuPaul’s Drag Race queens made an incredible appearance at the Grammys last night.

Legends Trinity K Bonet, Derrick Barry, Naomi Smalls, Alexis Mateo, Kameron Michaels, Jaida Essence Hall and Coco and Kahanna Montrese all hit the red carpet at the music awards in Las Vegas.

Trinity K Bonet had a stunning moment as she recreated Ariana Grande’s previous iconic look. Fellow red carpet queen Kameron Michaels’ also honoured Lady Gaga’s homage to David Bowie in 2016. 

The queens made their mark on the carpet, but they were also found glamming up coverage backstage on TikTok.

Brandi Carlile gave a performance to remember 

Nominated for several awards at the mega music night, Carlile delivered a knockout performance at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards. 

The singer-songwriter wore an incredible mirrored suit and pulled off a stellar version of her song Right on Time. 

Joni Mitchell made a rare appearance to introduce Carlile who was nominated for several awards last night, including her song Right on Time and her A Beautiful Noise collaboration with Alicia Keys. 

Fans and viewers praised the openly out artist for her performance and stand-out look. 

LGBTQ+ talent stood loud and proud at the Grammys 

The 64th Annual Grammy Awards were a night to remember with LGBTQ+ artists and talent proudly taking up space at the awards. 

This year we had the queer community showing up across performances, presenters and attendees. Here are a few mini-round up moments that deserve singular recognition. 

Tyler the Creator took home a huge win in the Best Rap Album category. The artist beat the likes of Kanye West, J Cole, and Nas with his highly acclaimed record Call Me If You Get Lost.  Tyler was also nominated for Best Melodic Rap Performance.

British Gen Z icon Arlo Parks took to the stage during the Grammys Premiere ceremony to hand out awards. 

The fast-emerging artist was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album and the Best New Artist category. 

While most of the night went smoothly for the singer-songwriter, the artist was awkwardly misgendered with male pronouns by host LeVar Burton. 

We hope, next year, the Grammys can do a better job of filling in hosts and its contributors on getting the basics such as pronouns rights. 

Country singer TJ Osborne gave a powerful speech after accepting his award for the song Younger Me in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category.

“I never thought that I’d be able to do this professionally because of my sexuality,” the 37-year-old said in a tearful speech at the Grammys.

Osborne came out as gay last year and made history as the first openly gay artist signed to a major country music label.

He added: “I certainly never thought I would be here on this stage accepting a Grammy after having done something I felt like was going to be life-changing, potentially in a very negative way.”

Elsewhere, the alternative category at the awards was packed with brilliant LGBTQ+ talents. Halsey, The Japanese Breakfast, Arlo Parks and St. Vincent was nominated. The award went to St. Vincent for her record Daddy’s Home. 

Lady Gaga took to the stage to pay tribute to Tony Bennett was an applause ready performance. Billie Eilish’s reaction to Mother Monster went viral on social media and for good reason! 

In other LGBTQ+ moments, Ben Platt performed and the American biographical drama The United States vs. Billie Holiday won a Grammy for Best compilation soundtrack for visual media.

 

You can read the full list of nominees and winners from the 64th Annual Grammy Awards here or below.

Album of the year

Jon Batiste – We Are – WINNER
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga – Love for Sale
Justin Bieber – Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)
Doja Cat – Planet Her (Deluxe)
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
HER – Back of My Mind
Lil Nas X – Montero
Olivia Rodrigo – Sour
Taylor Swift – Evermore
Kanye West – Donda

Record of the year

ABBA – I Still Have Faith in You
Jon Batiste – Freedom
Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga – I Get a Kick Out of You
Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Cesar and Giveon – Peaches
Brandi Carlile – Right on Time
Doja Cat featuring SZA – Kiss Me More
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open – WINNER

Best pop/duo group performance

Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga – I Get a Kick Out of You
Justin Bieber and Benny Blanco – Lonely
BTS – Butter
Coldplay – Higher Power
Doja Cat featuring SZA – Kiss Me More – WINNER

Best pop vocal album

Justin Bieber – Justice (Triple Chucks Deluxe)
Doja Cat – Planet Her (Deluxe)
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Ariana Grande – Positions
Olivia Rodrigo – Sour – WINNER

Best R&B album

Snoh Aalegra – Temporary Highs in the Violet Skies
Jon Batiste – We Are
Leon Bridges – Gold-Diggers Sound
HER – Back of My Mind
Jazmine Sullivan – Heaux Tales – WINNER

Best rap performance

Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar – Family Ties – WINNER
Cardi B – Up
J. Cole featuring 21 Savage and Morray – ​​My Life
Megan Thee Stallion – Thot Shit

Best new artist

Arooj Aftab
Jimmie Allen
Baby Keem
Finneas
Glass Animals
Japanese Breakfast
The Kid Laroi
Arlo Parks
Olivia Rodrigo – WINNER
Saweetie

Song of the year

Ed Sheeran – Bad Habits
Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile – A Beautiful Noise
Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License
HER – Fight for You
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Doja Cat featuring SZA – Kiss Me More
Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open – WINNER
Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me by Your Name)
Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Cesar and Giveon – Peaches
Brandi Carlile – Right on Time

Best country album

Brothers Osborne – Skeletons
Mickey Guyton – Remember Her Name
Miranda Lambert, Jon Randall and Jack Ingram – The Marfa Tapes
Sturgill Simpson – The Ballad of Dood & Juanita
Chris Stapleton – Starting Over – WINNER

Best pop solo performance

Justin Bieber – Anyone
Brandi Carlile – Right on Time
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever
Ariana Grande – Positions
Olivia Rodrigo – Drivers License – WINNER

Best dance/electronic recording

Afrojack and David Guetta – Hero
Ólafur Arnalds Featuring Bonobo – Loom
James Blake – Before
Bonobo and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs – Heartbreak
Caribou – You Can Do It
Rüfüs Du Sol – Alive – WINNER
Tiësto – The Business

Best dance/electronic album

Black Coffee – Subconsciously – WINNER
Illenium – Fallen Embers
Major Lazer – Music Is the Weapon (Reloaded)
Marshmello – Shockwave
Sylvan Esso – Free Love
Ten City – Judgement

Best country duo/group performance

Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood – If I Didn’t Love You
Brothers Osborne – Younger Me – WINNER
Dan + Shay – Glad You Exist
Ryan Hurd and Maren Morris – Chasing After You
Elle King and Miranda Lambert – Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home)

Best rock performance

AC/DC – Shot in the Dark
Black Pumas – Know You Better (Live From Capitol Studio A)
Chris Cornell – Nothing Compares 2 U
Deftones – Ohms
Foo Fighters – Making a Fire – WINNER

Best metal performance

Deftones – Genesis
Dream Theater – The Alien – WINNER
Gojira – Amazonia
Mastodon – Pushing the Tides
Rob Zombie – The Triumph of King Freak (A Crypt of Preservation and Superstition)

Best rock song

Weezer – All My Favorite Songs
Kings of Leon – The Bandit
Mammoth WVH – Distance
Paul McCartney – Find My Way
Foo Fighters – Waiting on a War – WINNER

Best rock album

AC/DC – Power Up
Black Pumas – Capitol Cuts – Live From Studio A
Chris Cornell – No One Sings Like You Anymore Vol. 1
Foo Fighters – Medicine at Midnight – WINNER
Paul McCartney – McCartney III

Best alternative music album

Fleet Foxes – Shore
Halsey – If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power
Japanese Breakfast – Jubilee
Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams
St Vincent – Daddy’s Home – WINNER

Best R&B performance

Snoh Aalegra – Lost You
Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Cesar and Giveon – Peaches
HER – Damage
Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open – WINNER (TIE)
Jazmine Sullivan – Pick Up Your Feelings – WINNER (TIE)

Best traditional R&B performance

Jon Batiste – I Need You
BJ the Chicago Kid, PJ Morton and Kenyon Dixon featuring Charlie Bereal – Bring It on Home to Me
Leon Bridges and Robert Glasper – Born Again
HER – Fight for You – WINNER
Lucky Daye featuring Yebba – How Much Can a Heart Take

Best R&B song

HER – Damage
SZA – Good Days
Giveon – Heartbreak Anniversary
Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open – WINNER
Jazmine Sullivan – Pick Up Your Feelings

Best rap album

J Cole – The Off-Season
Nas – King’s Disease II
Tyler, the Creator – Call Me If You Get Lost – WINNER
Kanye West – Donda

Best rap song

DMX featuring Jay-Z and Nas – Bath Salts
Saweetie featuring Doja Cat – Best Friend
Baby Keem featuring Kendrick Lamar – Family Ties
Kanye West featuring Jay-Z – Jail – WINNER
J Cole featuring 21 Savage & Morray – ​​My Life

Best melodic rap performance

J Cole featuring Lil Baby – Pride Is the Devil
Doja Cat – Need to Know
Lil Nas X featuring Jack Harlow – Industry Baby
Tyler, the Creator featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Ty Dolla $ign – WusYaName
Kanye West featuring the Weeknd and Lil Baby – Hurricane – WINNER

Best country song

Maren Morris – Better Than We Found It
Kacey Musgraves – Camera Roll
Chris Stapleton – Cold – WINNER
Thomas Rhett – Country Again
Walker Hayes – Fancy Like
Mickey Guyton – Remember Her Name

Best country solo performance

Luke Combs – Forever After All
Mickey Guyton – Remember Her Name
Jason Isbell – All I Do Is Drive
Kacey Musgraves – Camera Roll
Chris Stapleton – You Should Probably Leave – WINNER

Best Latin pop album

Pablo Alborán – Vértigo
Paula Arenas – Mis Amores
Ricardo Arjona – Hecho a la Antigua
Camilo – Mis Manos
Alex Cuba – Mendó – WINNER
Selena Gomez – Revelación

Best música urbana album

Rauw Alejandro – Afrodisíaco
Bad Bunny – El Último Tour del Mundo – WINNER
J Balvin – Jose
Karol G – KG0516
Kali Uchis – Sin Miedo (Del Amor y Otros Demonios)

Best Latin rock or alternative album

Bomba Estéreo – Deja
Diamante Eléctrico – Mira Lo Que Me Hiciste Hacer (Deluxe Edition)
Juanes – Origen – WINNER
Nathy Peluso – Calambre
C. Tangana – El Madrileño
Zoé – Sonidos de Karmática Resonancia

Best tropical Latin album

Rubén Blades y Roberto Delgado & Orquesta – Salswing! – WINNER
El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico – En Cuarantena
Aymée Nuviola – Sin Salsa No Hay Paraíso
Gilberto Santa Rosa – Colegas
Tony Succar – Live in Peru

Best American roots performance

Jon Batiste – Cry – WINNER
Billy Strings – Love and Regret
The Blind Boys of Alabama and Béla Fleck – I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free
Brandy Clark Featuring Brandi Carlile – Same Devil
Allison Russell – Nightflyer

Best American roots song

Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi – Avalon
Valerie June featuring Carla Thomas – Call Me a Fool
Jon Batiste – Cry – WINNER
Yola – Diamond Studded Shoes
Allison Russell – Nightflyer
Linda Chorney featuring Becca Byram, EJ Ouellette and Trevor Sewell – Bored

Best Americana album

Jackson Browne – Downhill From Everywhere
John Hiatt with The Jerry Douglas Band – Leftover Feelings
Los Lobos – Native Sons – WINNER
Allison Russell – Outside Child
Yola – Stand for Myself

Best contemporary blues album

The Black Keys featuring Eric Deaton and Kenny Brown – Delta Kream
Joe Bonamassa – Royal Tea
Shemekia Copeland – Uncivil War
Steve Cropper – Fire It Up
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram – 662 – WINNER

Best traditional blues album

Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite – 100 Years of Blues
Blues Traveler – Traveler’s Blues
Cedric Burnside – I Be Trying – WINNER
Guy Davis – Be Ready When I Call You
Kim Wilson – Take Me Back

Best bluegrass album

Billy Strings – Renewal
Béla Fleck – My Bluegrass Heart – WINNER
The Infamous Stringdusters – A Tribute to Bill Monroe
Sturgill Simpson – Cuttin’ Grass – Vol. 1 (Butcher Shoppe Sessions)
Rhonda Vincent – Music Is What I See

Best folk album

Mary Chapin Carpenter – One Night Lonely (Live)
Tyler Childers – Long Violent History
Madison Cunningham – Wednesday (Extended Edition)
Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi – They’re Calling Me Home – WINNER
Sarah Jarosz – Blue Heron Suite

Best reggae album

Etana – Pamoja
Gramps Morgan – Positive Vibration
Sean Paul – Live N Livin
Jesse Royal – Royal
Soja – Beauty in the Silence – WINNER
Spice – 10

Best jazz vocal album

The Baylor Project – Generations
Kurt Elling and Charlie Hunter – SuperBlue
Nnenna Freelon – Time Traveler
Gretchen Parlato – Flor
Esperanza Spalding – Songwrights Apothecary Lab – WINNER

Best jazz instrumental album

Jon Batiste – Jazz Selections: Music From and Inspired by Soul
Terence Blanchard Featuring The E Collective and the Turtle Island Quartet – Absence
Ron Carter, Jack DeJohnette and Gonzalo Rubalcaba – Skyline – WINNER
Chick Corea, John Patitucci and Dave Weckl – Akoustic Band Live
Pat Metheny – Side-Eye NYC (V1.IV)

Best Latin jazz album

Eliane Elias With Chick Corea and Chucho Valdés – Mirror Mirror – WINNER
Carlos Henriquez – The South Bronx Story
Arturo O’Farrill and The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra – Virtual Birdland
Dafnis Prieto Sextet – Transparency
Miguel Zenón and Luis Perdomo – El Arte del Bolero

Best new age album

Will Ackerman, Jeff Oster and Tom Eaton – Brothers
Stewart Copeland and Ricky Kej – Divine Tides – WINNER
Wouter Kellerman and David Arkenstone – Pangaea
Opium Moon – Night + Day
Laura Sullivan – Pieces of Forever

Best global music album

Rocky Dawuni – Voice of Bunbon Vol. 1.
Daniel Ho & Friends – East West Players Presents: Daniel Ho & Friends Live in Concert
Angélique Kidjo – Mother Nature – WINNER
Femi Kuti, Made Kuti – Legacy +
Wizkid – Made in Lagos: Deluxe Edition

Best global music performance

Arooj Aftab – Mohabbat – WINNER
Angélique Kidjo and Burna Boy – Do Yourself
Femi Kuti – Pà Pá Pà
Yo-Yo Ma and Angélique Kidjo – Blewu
Wizkid featuring Tems – Essence

Best regional Mexican music album

Aida Cuevas – Antología de la Musica Ranchera, Vol. 2
Vicente Fernández – A Mis 80’s – WINNER
Mon Laferte – Seis
Natalia Lafourcade – Un Canto por México, Vol. II
Christian Nodal – Ayayay! (Súper Deluxe)

Best gospel album

Jekalyn Carr – Changing Your Story
Tasha Cobbs Leonard – Royalty: Live at the Ryman
Maverick City Music – Jubilee: Juneteenth Edition
Jonathan McReynolds and Mali Music – Jonny X Mali: Live in LA
CeCe Winans – Believe for It – WINNER

Best roots gospel album

Harry Connick, Jr – Alone With My Faith
Gaither Vocal Band – That’s Gospel, Brother
Ernie Haase and Signature Sound – Keeping On
The Isaacs – Songs for the Times
Carrie Underwood – My Savior – WINNER

Best gospel performance/song

Dante Bowe featuring Steffany Gretzinger and Chandler Moore – Voice of God
Dante Bowe – Joyful
Anthony Brown, Group Therapy – Help
CeCe Winans – Never Lost – WINNER
Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music – Wait on You

Best Contemporary Christian album

Natalie Grant – No Stranger
Israel & New Breed – Feels Like Home Vol. 2
Kari Jobe – The Blessing (Live)
Tauren Wells – Citizen of Heaven (Live)
Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music – Old Church Basement – WINNER

Best contemporary Christian music performance/song

Kirk Franklin and Lil Baby – We Win
HER and Tauren Wells – Hold Us Together (Hope Mix)
Chandler Moore and KJ Scriven – Man of Your Word
CeCe Winans – Believe for It – WINNER
Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music featuring Chandler Moore and Naomi Raine – Jireh

Producer of the year, non-classical

Jack Antonoff – WINNER
Rogét Chahayed
Mike Elizondo
Hit-Boy
Ricky Reed

Best comedy album

Lavell Crawford – The Comedy Vaccine
Chelsea Handler – Evolution
Louis CK – Sincerely Louis CK – WINNER
Lewis Black – Thanks for Risking Your Life
Nate Bargatze – The Greatest Average American
Kevin Hart – Zero F***s Given

Best spoken word album

LeVar Burton – Aftermath
Don Cheadle – Carry On: Reflections for a New Generation From John Lewis – WINNER
J. Ivy – Catching Dreams: Live at Fort Knox Chicago
Dave Chappelle and Amir Sulaiman – 8:46
Barack Obama – A Promised Land

Best music film

Bo Burnham – Inside
David Byrne – David Byrne’s American Utopia
Billie Eilish – Happier Than Ever (A Love Letter to Los Angeles)
Jimi Hendrix – Music, Money, Madness…Jimi Hendrix in Maui
Various Artists – Summer of Soul – WINNER

Best song written for visual media

Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez Featuring Kathryn Hahn, Eric Bradley, Greg Whipple, Jasper Randall and Gerald White – Agatha All Along
Bo Burnham – All Eyes on Me – WINNER
P!nk – All I Know So Far
HER – Fight for You
Jennifer Hudson – Here I Am
Leslie Odom, Jr. – Speak Now

Best compilation soundtrack for visual media

Various Artists – Cruella
Various Artists – Dear Evan Hansen
Various Artists – In the Heights
Various Artists – One Night in Miami…
Jennifer Hudson – Respect
Various Artists – Schmigadoon! Episode 1
Andra Day – The United States vs. Billie Holiday – WINNER

Best score soundtrack for visual media

Kris Bowers – Bridgerton
Hans Zimmer – Dune
Ludwig Göransson – The Mandalorian: Season 2 – Vol. 2 (Chapters 13-16)
Carlos Rafael Rivera – The Queen’s Gambit – WINNER (TIE)
Jon Batiste, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross – Soul – WINNER (TIE)