The 2023 Grammy Awards rebounded on Sunday night, coming back from a yearslong rating slump.
Early figures from Nielsen reportedly reveal that 12.4 million viewers tuned in to the CBS broadcast. The final ratings, including out-of-home viewing, will be available on Tuesday.
Early ratings for 2022’s show only reported 8.93 million viewers, which was ultimately adjusted to 9.59 million viewers when out-of-home viewing was included.
Prior to the pandemic, in 2019, the Recording Academy’s awards show saw nearly 20 million viewers. However, in 2021, the Grammys had its least-watched show ever, with only 8.8 million viewers.
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Sunday’s ceremony featured performances from Harry Styles and Luke Combs, as well as a tribute to 50 years of hip hop, which featured LL Cool J, Big Boi, Busta Rhymes, Spliff Star, De La Soul, DJ Drama, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Missy Elliott, Future, Glorilla, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Mele Mel, Scorpio, Ice-T, Lil Baby, Lil Wayne, the Lox, Method Man, Nelly, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Rahiem, Rakim, Run-D.M.C., Salt-N-Pepa, DJ Spinderella, Scarface, Swizz Beatz, and Too $hort.
One performance drew massive backlash after singers Sam Smith and Kim Petras performed the song “Unholy” in front of a fiery backdrop. Petras was featured in a large cage while dancers with long black hair circled Smith. Smith also donned a hat complete with devil horns during the performance.
Outraged viewers called the act “demonic” and a “tribute to Satan.”
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First lady Jill Biden later presented one of the most prestigious awards of the night, for song of the year, to singer Bonnie Raitt for her record “Just Like That.” Styles ultimately took home the award for album of the year.
Comedian Dave Chappelle won the award for best comedy album for his work on his controversial Netflix special The Closer. The release of the special prompted hundreds of employees to walk out of the Netflix office because of Chappelle’s “transphobia.”
