Beyoncé Becomes First Black Woman To Win Dance/Electronic Album Grammy

Beyoncé made historical past on the sixty fifth Grammy Awards by concurrently changing into the primary Black girl to win for Best Dance/Electronic Album for her 2022 hit album “Renaissance” and changing into the artist with essentially the most Grammy Award wins ever.

After host Trevor Noah introduced the historic information, the viewers gave Beyoncé a standing ovation.

“I’m trying not to be too emotional, I’m trying to just receive this night,” she stated, preventing again tears in her acceptance speech. “I want to thank God for protecting me, I’d like to thank my Uncle Johnny who’s not here but he’s here in spirit.”

She additionally thanked her dad and mom, kids and husband, Jay-Z. Finally, she thanked the Grammys however not earlier than giving the queer neighborhood their flowers “for your love and inventing this genre.”

The world celebrity, who dominated the evening with 9 nominations, received over Bonobo, Diplo, Odesza and Rüfüs Du Sol. She is the third Black individual to win this award, behind Black Coffee’s “Subconsciously” in 2021 and Kaytranada’s “Bubba” in 2020.

Beyoncé’s win comes after a little bit of controversy. The Recording Academy’s dance committee didn’t initially think about “Renaissance” a dance album, regardless of Beyoncé submitting it particularly for the class, based on The Hollywood Reporter. A supply informed THR that the committee thought “Renaissance” was higher suited to the Best Pop Vocal Album class.

“Break My Soul,” the lead single from “Renaissance,” was capable of compete within the Dance/Electronic Recording class with out contest, which it ended up profitable. “Break My Soul” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 when it dropped this summer season.

The academy’s National Screening Committee, composed of music business consultants, had the final say, nevertheless, and concluded that the critically acclaimed album ought to contend within the dance classes.

Beyoncé’s win is necessary for a number of causes. Being the primary is, after all, substantial. And now the academy has formally acknowledged an album that pays homage Black musicians who constructed and popularized dance and home music.

Though the style gained recognition within the Seventies, the academy didn’t set up the Dance/Electronic class till 2004. Black dance artists have largely been shut out of not solely the Grammys, however many conversations about dance exterior of the neighborhood.

In a style the place Black queer individuals and ladies that closely influenced, molded and redefined the style — together with Donna Summer, Honey Dijon, Robin S. and Grace Jones (all of whose works impressed or had been featured on “Renaissance”), Beyoncé’s win appears like a victory for extra than simply her.