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Beyoncé, “If I Were A Boy” & “You Oughta Know” (2010)
This performance still lives in our minds rent free. Beyoncé started off marching with an army of backup dancers in black military outfits to perform “If I Were A Boy.” In an unexpected but on-brand twist, she added verses from Alanis Morissette’s 1995 hit “You Oughta Know.”
Best Fan Comment: “Was that the night she won 6 Grammys at once and set the record for most wins in one night by a female artist? Yes, that was.”
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Kesha, “Praying” (2018)
Kesha fought back tears while singing “Praying” — a song written during her legal battles with producer Dr. Luke. Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Julia Michaels, Bebe Rexha, and Andra Day joined Kesha for the heart-wrenching performance. “Time’s up for pay inequality, time’s up for discrimination, time’s up for harassment of any kind, time’s up for abuse of power,” Janelle Monae said to introduce the performance.
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Lizzo, “Cuz I Love You” & “Truth Hurts” (2020)
Lizzo opened up the 2020 Grammys with “Cuz I Love You” in front of an all-female orchestra before pausing for an instrumental break featuring several ballerinas. After an outfit change, she rapped her way through “Truth Hurts.” Lizzo dedicated the performance to Kobe Bryant, who died that same day.
Best Fan Comment: “Lizzo: has enough stamina to slay on stage singing, dancing and playing flute / Me: out of breath and taking a break midway up a flight of stairs.”
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Taylor Swift, “We Are Never Getting Back Together” (2013)
Taylor Swift can’t get to the phone right now. She’s busy opening (and slaying) at the Grammys. Swift’s performance took an Alice In Wonderland theme with the singer dressed as The Mad Hatter. Swift has 11 Grammy wins and 42 nominations, and Evermore is nominated for Album of the Year in 2022, one year after its sister album Folklore won the award in 2021.
Best Fan Comment: “THE BRITISH ACCENT OMG HARRY IS QUAKING”
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Jennifer Hudson, “I Will Always Love You” (2012)
The 2012 Grammys involved a series of performances dedicated to singer Whitney Houston, who died the day before on Feb. 11. Jennifer Hudson opened the tributes with a delicate and beautiful rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”
Best Fan Comment: “Hudson sincerely nailed this oldie but a goodie! A truly bittersweet honor for her to sing in memory of Whitney. Two equally beautiful voices that are not meant to be compared.”
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Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now” & “Levitating” (2021)
Dua Lipa started off in a puffy barbie-pink coat and stripped down to a pink lingerie set. Lipa channeled her inner Sharpay Evans for a lively performance featuring spunky backup dancers who Lipa joined for several dance segments.
Best Fan Comment: “If you told 2017 me that dua lipa would have this much stage presence in 2021 i would’ve laughed in your face, but this was INCREDIBLE! congrats on the pop vocal album win, it was very deserved <3”
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Cardi B, “WAP” (2021)
Cardi B wore a metallic robot-like pink suit as she rapped “Up” before Megan Thee Stallion, decked in a purple metallic bodysuit, joined for “WAP.” Cardi B performed on a large purple bed with her legs spread wide for the confident and sexy performance.
Best Fan Comment: “This is the most censored song I’ve ever heard on a Grammy, yet the most uncensored video I’ve ever seen for a Grammy.”
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Beyonce, “Love Drought” & “Sandcastles” (2017)
Fans often call Beyoncé a goddess, and she fully leaned into that title in 2017. She wore a gold bejeweled headdress and gown to give her baby bump its TV debut. She ended the performance with poetry by Warsan Shire: “If we’re gonna heal, let it be glorious. 1,000 girls raise their arms. Do you remember being born?”
Best Fan Comment: “She sang like 3 minutes of that 9 minutes. And had everyone in AWE. This is why we say she’s the QUEEN and why we say she’s the greatest living entertainer.”