The Grammy’s occurred this past Sunday inciting all of the conversation that comes with it every year. 

The discourse normally starts with the nominees, which seem to never satisfy people’s hopes. We love to get mad at the Grammy’s, we know they’re probably paid for, but that’s the fun of it.

Beyoncé came into the award show with the most nominations — nine — stemming from her 2022 record Renaissance. Beyonce ended up being shut out from the major categories, but did leave with wins in the Best Dance/Electronic Recording, Best Traditional R&B Performance, Best R&B Song, and Best Dance/Electronic Music Album categories.

Kendrick Lamar had eight nominations going into the ceremony, Adele and Brandi Carlisle trailed with each having seven, and Jay-Z had five despite not releasing an album.

Harry Styles took the Album of the Year category with his 2022 record Harry’s House, beating out both Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar.

Rising jazz artist Samara Joy won in the Best New Artist category backed by her 2022 album Linger Awhile. Joy gained notoriety following the release of her 2021 self-titled record. Notably on Sunday, she beat out riding rap star Latto, and the Anderson .Paak-endorsed jazz duo Domi & JD Beck. Both acts released critically acclaimed albums in the last year.

Record of the Year was taken by Lizzo with her song “About Damn Time” off of the 2022 album Special. Beyoncé (“Break My Soul”), Kendrick Lamar (“The Heart Part 5”), and Harry Styles (“As It Was”) were all in the running for the category .

Song of the Year was won by veteran talent Bonnie Raitt with “Just Like That,” beating out Beyoncé and Harry Styles, among other artists.

Kendrick Lamar rightfully beat out Jack Harlow and DJ Khalid for Best Rap Album with Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, delivering a heartfelt speech about the incredibly personal album.

Country legend Willie Nelson won Country Album of the Year with A Beautiful Time.

The last two notable categories, Producer of the Year and Best Comedy Album were won by pop-production extraordinaire Jack Antonoff and Dave Chappelle, respectively.

The Grammy’s, in general, are predictable year to year. We’re surprised when the Grammy’s get it right and don’t bat an eye when they play it safe.

The awards shows was by and large as industry as it gets. But it’s still worth noting that giving albums such as Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers and Pusha T’s nominated album It’s Almost Dry attention on a stage as massive as the Grammy’s made this year’s show more respectable than expected. It was reason enough to hope that the awards show does more in the future to diversify its winners and nominees, and works further to expose independent talent in the music world.