Did ‘Golden’ Win a Grammy? A Historic Night for K-Pop!
The 66th Grammy Awards witnessed a groundbreaking moment: “Golden,” the viral hit from the Netflix movie KPop Demon Hunters, became the first-ever K-Pop song to win a Grammy Award! Performed by the fictional band Huntr/x, the song snagged the coveted Best Song for Visual Media award during the ceremony in Los Angeles. It’s also in the running for Song of the Year, marking a potential double win for the Korean pop sensation.
A Night of Firsts and Notable Wins
The night wasn’t just about K-Pop. Several other artists took home early awards, including British stars Yungblud (Best Rock Performance for his rendition of Black Sabbath’s “Changes”), The Cure (Best Alternative Album for Songs of a Lost World and Best Alternative Recording for “Alone”), and FKA Twigs (Best Dance/Electronic Album for Eusexua). In a heartwarming moment, the Dalai Lama won Best Audiobook, and eight-year-old Aura V became the youngest Grammy recipient ever, winning Best Children’s Album.
Kendrick Lamar’s Strong Start & Potential Album of the Year Win
Before the main ceremony, Kendrick Lamar demonstrated his continued dominance, securing three awards, including Best Rap Song for “TV Off.” This success positions him as a strong contender for Album of the Year. Last year, Lamar swept the ceremony, winning five prizes, including Song and Record of the Year for “Not Like Us.” He faces stiff competition this year from Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber, and Puerto Rican star Bad Bunny, whose critically acclaimed album Debí Tirar Más Fotos is favored to become the first Spanish-language record to win Album of the Year.
The ‘Golden’ Phenomenon & K-Pop’s Growing Influence
KPop Demon Hunters, released last June, became Netflix’s most-watched movie of all time, amassing over 480 million views. The soundtrack, brimming with catchy tunes, was the first to top the Billboard charts since Disney’s Encanto in 2022. This Grammy win underscores the increasing recognition of K-Pop’s significant cultural and commercial impact on the global music scene. The Recording Academy recently welcomed a group of K-Pop artists, producers, and songwriters into its voting body, including Seventeen’s Woozi, Enhypen’s Jungwon, and Le Sserafim’s Huh Yunjin, further solidifying the genre’s presence within the industry. You can learn more about the growing influence of K-Pop here.
Other Highlights from the Premiere Ceremony
The premiere ceremony, streamed live on YouTube, awarded 86 of the night’s 95 prizes. Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande won Best Pop Duo or Group Performance for their Wicked duet, “Defying Gravity.” Kehlani addressed political unrest while accepting Best R&B Performance for “Folded,” and Joni Mitchell delivered a memorable acceptance speech after winning Best Historical Recording. The Southern horror film Sinners also took home awards for Best Soundtrack and Best Score.
A Night of Emotional Moments and Powerful Messages
The ceremony was filled with emotional moments, from Yungblud’s tribute to Ozzy Osbourne to The Cure’s first-ever Grammy wins. FKA Twigs encouraged artists to persevere, and Kehlani used her platform to speak out against injustice. These moments highlighted the power of music to connect, inspire, and provoke change.
Stay tuned for updates on the main ceremony, kicking off at 5:30pm Los Angeles time / 01:30am on Monday in the UK!
