Grammy night, was a history-making night for 18-year-old Los Angeles native, Billie Eilish, as she carted home all top four categories she was nominated in the 62nd Grammys.
She took home Best New Artist, Song of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Record of the Year (“Bad Guy”), and Album of the Year (“When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?)” at the award ceremony hosted by Alicia Keys on Sunday 26th January 2020.
Billie Eilish beat off competition from rapper Lil Nas X and Lizzo to win five of the six categories she was nominated for. But her elder brother Finneas was named non-classical producer of the year.
The 18-year-old with her wins became the first woman and only the second artist to win Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Album of the Year during the same year, matching the record set by Christopher Cross at the 23rd Grammy Awards in 1981.
Billie Eilish whose triumph at the Grammys came on an emotional evening with the shocking news of the death of NBA Legend, and eight others in a helicopter crash on Sunday, while giving her award speech after her clean sweep, had this to say about her wins:
“”Wow! So many other songs deserve this,” Eilish said as she collected the best song award for her hit single Bad Guy.
“I genuinely want to say I am so grateful and I am so honoured to be here. I grew up watching all of you,” she said.
The Grammy Awards took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the home of Bryant’s team the Los Angeles Lakers.
Alicia Keys paid tribute to Kobe after her performance, Keys, who was hosting the show, walked solemnly to the stage and asked the audience to remember Bryant’s family.
“I would like everybody to take a moment and hold them inside of you and share our strength and our support,” she said.
“We are literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built,”
“We never imagined in a million years we’d have to start the show like this.”
The night also saw Demi Lovato returning for an emotional performance and a tribute to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, who won a posthumous Grammy.
And there were many other momentous performances, both good and bad — ranging from Tyler, the Creator literally bringing the fire onstage to a Jonas brother who sang with food in his teeth. But the death of Kobe overshadowed the award ceremony of last night.