The Most Shocking — and Most Moving — Grammys Moments of the 2000s

From upsets to confusing performance art pieces, the music awards show is never without buzz

Lady Gaga performs onstage during the 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 13, 2011. ; Alicia Keys performs onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards on February 10, 2019.
Lady Gaga; Alicia Keys. Photo:

Kevin Winter/Getty (2)

The Grammy Awards is to hardcore music buffs as the Super Bowl is to football fiends.

Music's biggest night has been an integral part of pop culture since its debut in 1959, annually delivering a supply of noteworthy moments. Whether it's shattering records, snubbing would-be shoe-ins or doling out out-of-the-blue wins — alongside controversial performances or downright iconic ones — there's always a guarantee of some stirred drama or straight-up chaos when A-list music celebs all gather in one space.

From Adele dedicating her album of the year award to Beyoncé to Pink defying gravity in an airborne act, here are the Grammys' most jaw-dropping moments throughout the 2000s.

01 of 28

2023: Beyoncé Made Grammys History

Beyoncé 2023 Grammys History Making Win

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Despite never winning album of the year in her decades-long career, Queen Bey became the most-awarded Grammy artist of all time at an impressive 32 wins, surpassing the record previously held by Hungarian-British conductor Georg Solti at 31.

Winning the best dance/electronic music album award for Renaissance, Beyoncé began her acceptance speech with, "Thank you so much. I'm trying not to be too emotional. I'm trying to just receive this night. I want to thank God for protecting me. Thank you, God."

On the same night, the GOAT also won best R&B song for "Cuff It," best traditional R&B performance for "Plastic Off the Sofa" and best dance/electronic recording for "Break My Soul." Bow down!

02 of 28

2023: Hip-Hop Greats Reunited for 50th Anniversary

Flavor Flav and Chuck D of Public Enemy perform onstage during the 65th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 05, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
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The 2023 Grammys saluted hip-hop's 50th anniversary in grandiose fashion.

The celebration kicked off with seven-time Grammy winner Dr. Dre receiving the inaugural Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. Reflecting on the genre during his acceptance speech, the rapper and producer said, "Where would I be without [hip-hop]? Hip-hop became a lifeline for me as a teenager growing up in Compton."

Shortly following his impactful words, dozens of the genre's pioneers joined forces — including Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa, LL Cool J, Big Boi and more — for an almost 10-minute number.

03 of 28

2022: Doja Cat Almost Missed Her Win

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 03: (L-R) SZA and Doja Cat accept the award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Kiss Me More" onstage during the 64th Annual GRAMMY Awards at MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 03, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Doja Cat and SZA took home the award for best pop duo/group performance for their 2021 chart-topper "Kiss Me More."

Upon accepting the award, a solo SZA made her way up the stage on crutches — which she later explained was due to a tumble out of bed. Following the "Kill Bill" singer, a flustered Doja Cat hurriedly appeared from the bathroom to join her.

"I've never taken such a fast piss in my whole life," the "Paint the Town Red" rapper joked. "Damn, this is a big deal."

04 of 28

2021: A COVID-Safe Show

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Held partially outside, with limited attendees, a closed red carpet and mostly performances (some even remote), the 2021 Grammys were an unprecedented one in an unprecedented year. Yet a lot still felt the same: Beyoncé won big, Taylor Swift performed and Harry Styles was as stylish as ever.

05 of 28

2020: A Tribute to Kobe Bryant

Alicia Keys and Boyz II Men
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The 2020 Grammy Awards began just hours after news broke that Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among those killed in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles. Host Alicia Keys brought out Boyz II Men to help her pay tribute to the basketball star, a moment all the more poignant since the awards ceremony was held at Bryant's home arena, L.A.'s Staples Center.

Before launching into "It's So Hard to Say Goodbye," Keys asked people to take a moment and "hold [those who died] inside of you."

"Share our strength and our support with their families," Keys continued. "We never imagined in a million years we'd have to start the show like this, never never never never never never, so we wanted to do something that could describe a tiny bit how we all feel right now."

06 of 28

2020: The Return of Demi Lovato

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Demi Lovato performed for the first time in more than a year and a half, and when she did, she didn't leave a dry eye in the house or a person in their seat.

Lovato performed "Anyone," a song that was written before she overdosed at home in Hollywood Hills in July 2018. Lovato began singing the first few lyrics of the emotional song before becoming so overwhelmed with emotion that she started over.

When Lovato tried again, she proved she was back and better than ever, flexing those incredible vocal chops and earning a standing ovation.

07 of 28

2019: Cardi B Became the First Woman to Win Best Rap Album

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The "Bodak Yellow" rapper was visibly shocked when she was called onstage, and had a hilariously hard time beginning her acceptance speech.

"Babe, I can't breathe. Oh my goodness, woah child. I'm sorry," Cardi B said with husband Offset beside her as she attempted to speak. "I'm sorry, I just woah — the nerves are so bad. Maybe I need to start smoking weed."

08 of 28

2019: Alicia Keys Dazzled the Audience by Playing Two Pianos Simultaneously

61st Annual GRAMMY Awards - Inside
Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Keys took a break from her hosting duties to wow the crowd with an epic dual-piano performance.

"I always wanted to play two pianos," she said nonchalantly, as she straddled a piano bench between the two instruments and launched into a medley of wide-ranging hits.

09 of 28

2018: Kesha Delivered an Emotional Performance of "Praying"

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Joined onstage by a chorus dressed in all-white and fellow stars Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Andra Day, Bebe Rexha and Julia Michaels, the Rainbow singer moved audience members to tears as she belted her emotional single. As if the massive display of girl power on stage wasn't moving enough, the stars ended the song with a group hug as the crowd gave a standing ovation.

10 of 28

2018: Brothers Osborne, Marren Morris and Eric Church Paid Tribute to Victims of the Las Vegas Shooting

60th Annual GRAMMY Awards - Show
Kevin Winter/Getty

The country music stars covered Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" in poignant remembrance of the victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting.

"On Oct. 1, all of country music was reminded, in the most tragic way, the connection we share with our fans and the healing power music will always provide," said Church before the song.

"A few months earlier and a continent away, the same was true in Manchester, England," Morris added. "The painful truth is that this year, in just those two events, 81 music lovers, just like us, went out to enjoy a night of music and never came back home, with many more injured and still healing."

"So tonight, to honor those who were lost, Eric, Brothers Osborne and I — who were all there in Las Vegas that tragic weekend — wanted to come together and honor the memory of the beautiful music-loving souls so cruelly taken from us," she continued.

11 of 28

2017: Adele Won Album of the Year, Dedicated Her Award to Beyoncé

The 59th GRAMMY Awards - Roaming Show

Following her record of the year win, Adele broke down in tears when she walked to the Grammys stage to receive the night's final and biggest prize for her album, 25.

"I'm very humbled and I'm very grateful and gracious, but my artist of my life is Beyoncé and this album to me, the Lemonade album, was just so monumental," she said, acknowledging the singer, who was mere steps away from her.

"It was so monumental and so well thought-out and so beautiful and soul-baring," Adele continued. "We all got to see another side to you that you don't always let us see and we appreciate that. All us artists here adore you. You are our light!"

12 of 28

2016: Sofia Vergara Danced with Pitbull

Sofia Vergara Grammy Awards

You can't make this stuff up. To close out the 2016 Grammys, Sofia Vergara hit the stage during Pitbull's performance of "Taxi," initially dressed as a bedazzled taxi. They proceeded to dance for the remainder of the song.

13 of 28

2016: Taylor Swift Seemingly Acknowledged Kanye West's Controversial "Famous" Lyrics

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Swift took home album of the year for 1989, and she used her acceptance speech to respond to Kanye West's lyrics that claim he made her famous.

"As the first woman to win album of the year at the Grammys twice," the "Bad Blood" singer said, "I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame."

14 of 28

2015: Beck Beat Out Beyoncé for Best Album

2015: BECK BEAT OUT BEYONCé FOR BEST ALBUM
Kevin Winter/WireImage

The rocker's Morning Phase was named album of the year, beating out Pharrell Williams, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and, most shockingly, Beyoncé, whose surprise album Beyoncé lit the world on fire. Clearly joking, Kanye stormed the stage and pretended to consider interrupting Beck … but then returned to his seat.

"Come back!" Beck said, playing along.

15 of 28

2014: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Won, Kendrick Lamar Snubbed

2014: MACKLEMORE WON, KENDRICK LAMAR SNUBBED
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Macklemore & Ryan Lewis swept the whole awards show, winning for best rap song ("Thrift Shop"), best rap performance ("Thrift Shop") and best rap album (The Heist). Many felt that Kendrick Lamar's Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City should have won best rap album.

Macklemore eventually acknowledged that Lamar "was robbed" … and even posted an Instagram photo of the apologetic text message he sent to Lamar.

"He deserved best rap album," he commented on the post.

16 of 28

2014: Beyoncé Killed It, Per Usual

BEYONCé'S 'DRUNK' WITH POWER
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All hailed Queen Bey in 2014, when she opened the Grammys with a Flashdance-esque performance of "Drunk in Love." Jay-Z joined her on stage, Grammy censors buzzed, the crowd gave a standing ovation and #surfboart started trending.

17 of 28

2014: A Moving Mass Wedding with a Famous Officiant

THEY ALL DO
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Anyone who snoops around friends of friends' wedding photos on Facebook was in heaven when Queen Latifah married 33 couples during Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's "Same Love" performance in 2014. Madonna joined them on stage, as well as collaborators Mary Lambert and Trombone Shorty. And 13 million followers cheered when Katy Perry caught the #samelove bouquet.

18 of 28

2012: Jennifer Hudson Did Whitney Houston Proud

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No explanation needed: The only way to honor Whitney Houston, whose death just days before the 2012 Grammy Awards still had the music world in shock, was with a stunning, emotional tribute from Jennifer Hudson of "I Will Always Love You."

19 of 28

2012: Nicki Minaj Sang, Was Exorcised

NICKI LEVITATES
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Is it a sin to love Nicki Minaj? Apparently so. The "Roman Holiday" performer's onstage exorcism in 2012 had everyone saying a few extra Hail Marys.

20 of 28

2012: Adele Went A Cappella

ADELE STRIKES A 'CORD'
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For just a moment in 2012, viewers were too mesmerized by Adele's a cappella opening of "Rolling in the Deep" to Tweet or text. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief that she came out of throat surgery better than ever, and quickly resumed their keyboard tapping.

21 of 28

2011: Lady Gaga Hatched from an Egg

2011: LADY GAGA HATCHED FROM AN EGG
Kevin Winter/Getty

For her unforgettable performance of "Born This Way," Lady Gaga was all about the theatrics … and committed to a very grand entrance in which she emerged from a giant egg, wearing a yolk-colored latex bra and yellow skirt. Unexpected? Yes. Epic? Also yes.

22 of 28

2010: Pink Went to New Heights

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Singing with both feet on the ground is so early-2000s. "I thought I was going to fall on my nude butt," Pink said of her 2010 Grammys performance, in which she sang "Glitter in the Air" while suspended from silk drapes. It became her go-to move both on tour and in awards show performances.

23 of 28

2009: M.I.A. Performed in the Best Pregnancy Outfit Ever

2009: M.I.A. PERFORMED IN THE BEST PREGNANCY OUTFIT EVER
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There is no question that M.I.A.'s nine-months-pregnant performance of "Swagger Like Us" at the 2009 Grammys was one of the most rock 'n' roll performances of all time.

24 of 28

2008: Amy Winehouse Won All

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The year 2008 was that of Amy Winehouse, whose breakthrough album Back to Black swept the Grammys with five trophies. Even more emotional than her wins was her shout-out to her troubled husband, Blake Fielder: "To my Blake, my Blake incarcerated."

25 of 28

2008: Herbie Hancock Beat Out Kanye West and Amy Winehouse

2008: HERBIE HANCOCK BEAT OUT KANYE WEST AND AMY WINEHOUSE
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While everyone saw the competition for best album as exclusively between Kanye West's Graduation and Amy Winehouse's Back to Black, jazz legend Herbie Hancock ended up winning for his full-length tribute to Joni Mitchell.

26 of 28

2002: Girl Power Prevailed

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Before there was "Bang Bang" by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj, there was Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya and Lil' Kim's amazing remake of "Lady Marmalade," which they performed live together in 2002. The track was off the Moulin Rouge! soundtrack.

27 of 28

2001: Eminem and Elton John Performed Together

2001: EMINEM AND ELTON JOHN PERFORMED TOGETHER
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In response to countless accusations of homophobia, Eminem performed "Stan" alongside Elton John at the 43rd Grammy Awards. "If I didn't make a statement with Elton John tonight, I don't know what else to do," he told MTV after the performance.

28 of 28

2000: Jennifer Lopez Wore ... the Dress

2000: JENNIFER LOPEZ WORE THE DRESS
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Before there was the Dress, there was … the Dress That Jennifer Lopez Wore to the 2000 Grammys.

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