No records will literally be broken, shattered or otherwise obliterated at tonight’s Grammys. After all, the whole ceremony is about honoring the format. But some figurative record-breaking could occur. USA Today has a handy guide. Here are some key milestones to look out for:
If Lady Gaga wins her seven nominated categories …
She would break Adele and Beyoncé’s record for the most Grammys won in one year by a female artist.
If Kendrick Lamar wins at least four Grammys …
He will break Jay-Z’s record as the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history.
If Bad Bunny wins record or song of the year for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS” …
It would become the first Spanish song to win the categories and only the second foreign-language song to win since 1959’s Italian staple “Nel blu, dipinto di blu (Volare).”
If Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter or Lady Gaga win record, song and album of the year …
They would join eight other artists who accomplished the sweep: Paul Simon (1971); Carole King (1972); Christopher Cross (1981); Eric Clapton (1993); The Chicks (2007); Adele (2012 and 2017 — the only artist to do it twice); Bruno Mars (2018) and Billie Eilish (2020).
If Bruno Mars wins record of the year for “APT” …
He would become the first artist to win in the category four times.
If Rosé wins record or song of the year for “APT” …
She will be the first K-pop act to win in either category.
If Jack Antonoff wins record of the year …
He will join Christopher Cross, Billie Eilish and Adele as the only artists to win all four major Grammy categories.
If Katseye wins best new artist …
The global girl group would be the first all-female collective to win.
If Chris Stapleton wins best country song for “Song to Sing” …
He would stand alone with the most wins in the category, with a total of four.
If Haim wins in best rock album …
The sibling trio of Este, Danielle and Alana Haim, nominated for “I Quit,” would be the first all-female band to win the category.
If Stephen Sondheim wins best musical theater album for “Gypsy” …
The late Broadway icon will break his tie with Thomas Z. Shepard and become the sole record-holder for most wins in the category, with seven.