Grammy Awards 2014: Top 5 Moments (2024)

The 56th Annual Grammy Awards were full of epic moments. Daft Punk, Pharrell, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and Lorde were big winners of the night. Here are the top 5 moments from "music's biggest night:"

1. Music's 'First Couple': Beyoncé & Jay Z + Blue Ivy's Special Gift

Grammy Awards 2014: Top 5 Moments (1)

Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Beyoncé and Jay Z opened the show with a steamy performance of their hit record "Drunk in Love." This was Queen Bey's first performance of the record since releasing her top-secret album in December. The 17-time Grammy winner stunned in a leotard and short wavy hair. Beyoncé, 32, lit the Grammy stage with her "surfboard" dance moves.

Katy Perry tweeted the song lyric after the couple's performance.

#surfboard

- Katy Perry (@katyperry) January 27, 2014

Jay Z won Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for his duet with pal Justin Timberlake for "Holy Grail." When the rap mogul, 44, went to accept the award he gave the usual thanks to God and Beyoncé but also said he would be using his new trophy in a different way for his daughter Blue Ivy.

"I want to tell Blue that, 'Look, Daddy got a gold sippy cup for you.'"

2. Lorde: 17-year-old is One of Youngest to Win Big Category Award

Lorde proves she really is "royal," taking home 2 Grammys. She also becomes one of the youngest winners of the "Song of the Year" category at just 17. The teenage singer has made a big splash onto the pop music scene since the release of her debut album "Pure Heroine" last year.

When the nominations for the Grammys were first announced, Lorde was noticeably absent from the Best New Artist category, which many said she was sure to win. Despite being overlooked in the category she prevailed as one of the night's biggest new Grammy artists, also winning Best Pop Solo Performance.

READ MORE: Grammy Awards 2014: Winners List

During her acceptance speech, Lorde spoke on the rise of her hit "Royals."

"I just want to say, we made this song originally just to give away for free and to be here now in this room with so many legends and people who we all admire is a complete honor, so thank you for that."

And you know… We're on each other's team. #LORDE #CLEANINGUP #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/jRwHkPYfPE

- Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 27, 2014

3. Kendrick Lamar & Imagine Dragons' Epic Performance

Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons offered up a mash-up, bringing Rock and Hip-Hop together with Lamar's song "m.A.A.d City" and Imagine Dragon's "Radioactive." The duo set the Staples Center on fire … Not literally, but almost. Strobe lights and smoke filled the stage, setting the scene for the electrifying performance. Taylor Swift was among those seen waving their hands in the audience to the set.

Imagine Dragons won Best Rock Performance and tweeted this photo, thanking their supporters.

Best Rock Performance Grammy. What a crazy night. Could not be more grateful to all of you who brought us here. pic.twitter.com/PP6DMTrv28

- Imagine Dragons (@Imaginedragons) January 27, 2014

4. Pharrell + Daft Punk Prove They Are More Than "Lucky" + Pharrell's Hat

French Electronic music duo Daft Punk won Album of the Year for "Random Access Memories." The album featured collaborations and production by hip-hop crooner Pharrell. Everyone in the audience was dancing during Daft Punk and Pharrell's performance of "Get Lucky." Pharrell, a recent Oscar nominee, also won Best Producer. These gentlemen are showing they are more than "Getting Lucky" - they're winning!

Also please check out Pharrell's epic hat that had everyone, including Ryan Seacrest, talking on Twitter.

. @Pharrell's hat just photobombed our pic pic.twitter.com/87Vj6rr9gB

- Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) January 27, 2014

Even fast-food restaurant Arby's got in on the fun.

Hey @Pharrell, can we have our hat back? #GRAMMYs

- Arby's (@Arbys) January 27, 2014

5. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Dominate Rap Categories + Bring Madonna, Queen Latifah to the Stage

Rap duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, winners of best new artist, won four awards for their album "The Heist." The group did face some controversy for their rap wins as the AP noted the group has dominated more on the Top 40 pop charts versus the Rap charts. In an interesting move, Macklemore posted a screenshot of a text message he sent to his competitor Kendrick Lamar, noting that Lamar should have won over the duo.

My text to Kendrick after the show. He deserved best rap album… I'm honored and completely blown… http://t.co/TOnjGU6aGi

— Macklemore (@macklemore) January 27, 2014

The group, known for including social messages in their music, used their platform to make a statement on marriage equality.

One of the most interesting moments came when Madonna joined the performance in a white tuxedo singing "Open Your Heart to Me," her first public performance since her Instagram photo controversy.

READ MORE: Gay and Straight Couples Married Live During 2014 Grammy Awards

Bonus: Taylor Swift's Hair Flip

Taylor Swift got really into her performance of "All Too Well" while playing the piano. She flipped and swung her hair and of course it went viral.

Grammy Awards 2014: Top 5 Moments (2024)

FAQs

What was the best Song of the Year at the Grammys 2014? ›

Lorde's "Royals" received awards for Best Pop Solo Performance and Song of the Year. Carole King was honored as MusiCares Person of the Year on January 24, two days prior to the awards ceremony.

Who are top 5 GRAMMY winners? ›

Most Grammys won
RankArtistAwards
1Beyoncé32
2Sir Georg Solti31
3Quincy Jones28
4Alison Krauss27
16 more rows

What was the best rap song at the Grammys 2014? ›

Recipients
YearRecipient(s)Work
2014Ben Haggerty Ryan Lewis"Thrift Shop"
2015Kendrick Duckworth Columbus Smith Ronald Isley"i"
2016Kendrick Duckworth Kawan Prather Mark Spears Pharrell Williams"Alright"
2017Aubrey Graham Paul Jefferies"Hotline Bling"
17 more rows

What was the most successful song of 2014? ›

According to Official Charts, "Happy" by Pharrell Williams was the best selling song of 2014 with 6.45 million copies sold in the United States. "Happy" was also the Billboard number one song of 2014.

What is the number one song of 2014? ›

Pharrell Williams' "Happy" was the longest-running number-one of the year, leading the chart for ten weeks; it subsequently topped the Billboard Year-End Hot 100.

Who won the 7 time Grammys? ›

Seven-Time Grammy Award Winner Alanis Morissette Headlines Illinois State Fair Grandstand August 13th.

Who has 16 Grammys? ›

The bluegrass singer is well ahead of other notable female winners such as Aretha Franklin (18) and more recent pop icons including Adele (16), Alicia Keys (15), and Lady Gaga (15). Even country singer Dolly Parton has “only” won 10 Grammys despite being a country music legend and pop cultural phenomenon.

Who was the youngest GRAMMY winner? ›

LeAnn Rimes

This “Blue” belter earned her Grammy street cred as the youngest individual winner ever. At the tender age of 14 years old (plus a 182 days), LeAnn Rimes accepted her first two trophies in 1997.

Who performed at the 2014 Grammys? ›

Country legend Willie Nelson takes the stage. He was joined by Kris Kristofferson, Blake Shelton and Merle Haggard. Former Beatle Paul McCartney performs his song "Queenie Eye" with Ringo Starr, not pictured. Country singer Kacey Musgraves lights up the stage with her hit song "Follow Your Arrow."

How many people watched the Grammys 2014? ›

Ceremonies
EditionDateViewers (in millions)
56thJanuary 26, 201428.51
57thFebruary 8, 201525.30
58thFebruary 15, 201624.95
59thFebruary 12, 201726.05
62 more rows

Who was in the bathroom during Grammys? ›

Doja nearly missed the chance to accept her first Grammy when she was in the bathroom at the 2022 Grammys, leaving SZA to start their speech for “Miss Me More.”

What was the Song of the Year in 2014 GRAMMYs? ›

Song of the year: "Royals" by Lorde. The song also won best pop solo performance. Best new artist: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. The duo also won best rap album for "The Heist" and best rap song and best rap performance for "Thrift Shop."

Who was the best rapper in 2014? ›

On May 18, at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, Eminem won the awards for Top Rap Artist and the Top Rap Album for his eighth studio album The Marshall Mathers LP 2.

Who won Hip Hop Album of the Year 2014? ›

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis won their first three career GRAMMYs for 2014, including Best Rap Album for The Heist and Best New Artist.

What was number 1 2014 hits? ›

#ARTISTTITLE
1Pharrell WilliamsHappy [Pop Edit]
2Katy Perry Featuring Juicy JDark Horse
3John LegendAll Of Me
4Iggy Azalea Featuring Charli XCXFancy
51 more rows

What was the GRAMMY record in 2014? ›

Record of the year: "Get Lucky" by Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers. The song also won best pop duo/group performance.

Who won a GRAMMY at 14 years old? ›

Country-pop sensation LeAnn Rimes made history in 1997 when she, at just 14 years old, became the youngest person ever to win a GRAMMY, taking home Best New Artist and Best Female Country Vocal Performance (for her rendition of "Blue," a cover of Bill Mack's 1958 track).

Who won Best New Artist 2014 Grammys? ›

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Win Best New Artist In 2014 | GRAMMY.com. By clicking Subscribe, you agree to the Recording Academy's Terms and Privacy Policy.

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