Women Lead the Way at the 2024 Grammys

Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish and Victoria Monet Photo Credit: The Hollywood Reporter

February 06, 2024
Sherri Lynch, School of Leadership Studies

The 2024 Grammys was a historic moment for women in music. As expressed by Billboard, "The night was defined by the performances of women across genres and generations, and it was a true celebration of their talent and contributions to the music industry." In every way, women dominated the night. The "Big Four" categories were won by four different women artists (only the second time to ever happen). Karol G became the first woman to win the Best Música Urbana Album award while the most awards went to another woman: Phoebe Bridgers who grabbed three trophies. Taylor Swift became the only artist to ever win Album of the Year four times. Annie Lennox paid tribute to Sinéad O’Connor as Tracy Chapman reimagined a personal favorite of mine, her signature song “Fast Car” as a duet with Luke Combs. In other words, women were centered throughout the night, and it was a galvanizing moment for women as leaders that can teach us some things.

This moment is particularly significant for those who study how to promote women in leadership roles. It is a reminder that women can achieve great things and make a significant impact in their respective fields. The music industry's top honors showed that women can and do achieve success commercially, even on their own terms. This is an important reminder for women who are looking to make their mark in the world. It is also a reminder that all genders can and should celebrate each other. Seeing artist of all genders celebrate each other and watching the men in the room cheering right alongside the female winners was awe inspiring and hopeful for gender equity lovers like me.

To me, the 2024 Grammys was a historic moment for women in music. It was a celebration of the force of women and a testament to their talent and contributions to the music industry. For those who study and teach women how to align with highly effective leadership principles, it was a galvanizing moment demonstrating that women can achieve great things and make a significant impact in their respective fields. I hope we all take inspiration from the women who performed at the Grammys and use it to fuel our own ambitions. I hope we use this to work toward creating a more equitable and inclusive world. We should strive to be leaders who sing our own tunes and make our own music. As we saw last night, the world is ready.

And as a proud Swiftie myself, I have a bunch of lyrics floating around in my brain today. But perhaps none more than:

"But I keep cruising - Can't stop, won't stop moving - It's like I got this music in my mind - Saying it's gonna be alright!"

Reference

Billboard. (2024, February 5). 2024 Grammys: Great Award Show But Rap Questions Linger. https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-grammy-recap-analysis-women-hip-hop-1235598827/?n=@