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| Posted on Wednesday, February 08 @ 00:00:09 PST |
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Encanto Sweeps The 2023 GRAMMYs: Disneys Animated Smash Wins 3 Categories
We Dont Talk About Bruno and the film soundtrack took home three golden gramophones at the 65th GRAMMY Awards.
It seems people do talk about Bruno.
The viral hit song from Encanto won the golden gramophone for
Best Song Written For Visual Media at the 2023 GRAMMYs, officially making the animated Disney film sweep the three visual media categories. Encanto also took home awards for Best Compilation Soundtrack and Best Score Soundtrack.
Released in November 2021, Encanto — a colorful, earnest and humorous exploration of family and self-acceptance, set in the hills of Colombia — is now the first film to sweep the visual media categories since the creation of the compilation soundtrack category in 1999.
Penned by
Lin-Manuel Miranda, the ensemble song We Dont Talk About Bruno beat out works from Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Angélique Kidjo, and Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell. In 2022, the relatable tale of family drama rocketed up the Billboard Hot 100 to become the No. 1 song in the U.S. (the second time a Disney track has done so; Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” hit the top of the charts in 1993).
Read more:
Watch The 2022 Nominees For Best Song Written For Visual Media Nominees At The 2023 GRAMMY Awards
But Bruno is far from the only hit from the magical world of Encanto — the soundtrack produced seven Hot 100 singles, including the Top 10 hit about anxiety, Surface Pressure. Academy voters recognized the album as whole with the Best Compilation Soundtrack award, which was accepted by Producer Mike Elizondo and Disneys Vice President of Music Tom MacDougall. Fellow contenders in the category were Top Gun: Maverick, Stranger Things West Side Story and Elvis.
Encantos first win of the night, for Best Score Soundtrack, may have been the most moving and apropos of the films groundbreaking nature. With her gramophone in hand, Mexican-American composer
Germaine Franco said she believed herself to be the first woman of color to win the GRAMMY Award. Franco also thanked all the musicians who spent all their time making that beautiful music for the world to be a better place, noting that many of the musicians playing on the Premiere Ceremony stage also performed on the soundtrack.
Read more:
The Soundtrack Hit Makes A Comeback: How Encanto, Top Gun & ‘Black Panther’ Went From Chart-Toppers To GRAMMY Nominations
Encantos success at the 2023 GRAMMYs exemplifies how soundtracks and their singles are, once again, becoming a key tool in the success of films.
And, finally, Bruno can be spoken of openly.
Head to
live.GRAMMY.com all year long to watch all the GRAMMY performances, acceptance speeches, the GRAMMY Live From The Red Carpet livestream special, the full Premiere Ceremony livestream, and even more exclusive, never-before-seen content from the 2023 GRAMMYs. 2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Winners & Nominees List
Photo: Leon Bennett / Stringer / Getty Images
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Gather At GRAMMY House: 5 Moments From The First-Ever Social Pop-Up
The three-day immersive experience on the Hollywood Walk of Fame brought live performances, visual exhibits and sheer fun for music industry professionals and influencers.
The Recording Academy and CBS presented the first-ever
GRAMMY House: Where The Stars Align on the Hollywood Walk of Fame from Feb. 1-3 in celebration of the https://www.grammy.com/news/2023-grammy-nominations-complete-winners-nominees-list. For three days, the GRAMMY House hosted a full schedule of programming, performances, DJs and multimedia art installations, with a special tribute to this year’s 50th anniversary of hip-hop.
At the invitation-only experience interacted with a lovingly curated treasure trove of hip-hop history, including photographs, seminal books on the art and culture, and platinum award.
The hallway leading to the performance area was plastered with popular lyrics and catchphrases, while the main stage was styled like a subway station, with graffiti naming some of hip-hop’s pioneers. Platinum plaques and photos demonstrated the culture’s business and artistic achievements.
GRAMMY House also offered a variety of social media-ready photo ops and black and white portrait taking. Guests could also shop a merch pop-up featuring an exclusive, limited-edition
GRAMMY capsule collection designed by Brast Studio CEO Mark Braster, the lead merch designer for Rolling Loud 2023 who has worked with SZA, the Los Angeles Lakers, H&M, Neiman Marcus, Jack Harlow and more.
If you weren’t there, we’re afraid that you kinda missed out on some big fun! But we’re definitely not here to rub it in at all, we’re here to share the jewels of the fully immersive, three-day pop-up experience. Here are the key moments from the first-ever GRAMMY House.
Universe of Hip-Hop
A large Universe of Hip-Hop space created by Anthemic Agency and FLOOD Magazine featured a multigenerational photo exhibit and art installations, including a towering collage of turntables, speakers, samplers and other essential early tools that helped to create the beats and rhymes that captivate the world.
The visual experience was curated by Cey Adams, the founding creative director of Def Jam and legendary imagemaker behind iconic logos for the label and
Mary J. Blige. The designer of a new book from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Adams is currently touring a retrospective exhibition featuring 40 years of his work.
Adams called on photographer friends Janette Beckman, Danny Clinch, Brian B+ Cross, Greg Noire, Michael Lavine and Gunner Stahl to share standout shots from their acclaimed work, and the exhibit included some of the most recognizable images from the culture, from the 1970s to the present. In so doing, he highlighted the vital role of these photographers in the visual artist development of hip-hop.
That Danny Clinch image of Tupac was iconic, Adams offers as an example. That’s the image you see in your sleep when you think of Tupac! When you think of Salt-N-Pepa, you think of them in those 8-Ball jackets, and that’s one of Janette Beckman’s photos.
#GRAMMYsNextGen Power Brunch
On Wednesday, the GRAMMY House hosted the inaugural POWER BRUNCH for the new, astonishingly accomplished
class of 35 official #GRAMMYsNextGen Ambassadors and Advisors.
These executives, producers, songwriters and engineers work in diverse parts of the industry, and have mobilized to help the Recording Academy spark the brains and hearts of young artists and future music business boundary-breakers.
At GRAMMY House, the group celebrated their new roles and learned more about Recording Academy membership from Kelley Purcell, Vice President of Membership & Industry Relations.
Seize The Opportunity
For anyone entering the industry, a chance to showcase your talent could be the bridge between you and a prosperous career. During the Celestial Sessions Emerging Artist Showcase, Guest host and social comedy star Desi Banks pulled three aspiring singers onto the stage to be a part of the GRAMMY Week magic.
The inspiring performances embodied some of the most critical lessons in making it in this industry: Bring your passion everywhere you go, dont be afraid to fail, stay open to opportunities, and take them. With just 10 seconds of pure courage, you could make a moment that changes your career path forever. — Rachael MacQuarrie, GRAMMY U Representative
The Starmaker Studio
Thursday’s STARMAKER STUDIO brought leading platinum producers together to share stories and advice to the next generation.
Moderated by Murda Beatz, panel members
Jocelyn Jozzy Donald, London On Da Track, Jeff Gitty, Larrance “Rance1500” Dopson, ATL Jacob, Tommy Brown, and Ojivolta consistently dropped knowledge aimed at aspiring beatmakers and creators in hip-hop and beyond.
Culture beats strategy every time, Jozzy, who has three GRAMMY-nominations this year for her work on albums by Mary J. Blige and
Beyoncé, advised. While business acumen is vital, her advice puts natural talent at the forefront, right where it belongs.
After a great Q&A session with the audience, Murda Beatz bid the crowd farewell, with a piece of advice to stay and mingle. Your [future] Platinum collaborator may be in this room!
The Lit Closing Party
The packed second annual #GRAMMYsNextGen Party and Red Carpet closed out the GRAMMY House week in style. Leading young artists, tastemakers and the next generation of music executives wearing their most fashionable fits, mingling and enjoying light bites and delicious themed cocktails: One Eye Open Like CBS, Thug Passion and Grammy Gold. Special invited guests included actors, artists and influencers such as Jaden Smith, DaniLeigh, Lil Mosey, Jaden “jxdn” Hossler, London on da Track, JELEEL!, Bktherula, Earthgang, Sebastian Bails, Asher Angel, Mod Sun, Zhavia, Yung Trench, Loren Gray, Surf Mesa, Em Beihold, Vedo, King Mala, Jogie, McKayla Chandler, Blu de Tiger, Max Drazen, Lilliana Ketchman, Aidan Bissett, Trevor Daniel, Cub Sport, Nija Charles, Sierra Capri, Ava Kolker, McKenzi Brooke, La’Ron Hines, and Diarra.
The inaugural GRAMMY House set a high bar for networking, celebrating music and music culture — and just sheer fun. Up and coming artists, producers, creatives and executives have a new and exclusive place to aspire to gather. If those labels describe you, don’t worry about the FOMO that might be present right now, the event producers advise — please take this as motivation to participate in future GRAMMY House events!
Head to
live.GRAMMY.com all year long to watch all the GRAMMY performances, acceptance speeches, the GRAMMY Live From The Red Carpet livestream special, the full Premiere Ceremony livestream, and even more exclusive, never-before-seen content from the 2023 GRAMMYs. What Happened At Recording Academys 2023 Producers & Engineers Wing GRAMMY Week Event: Musical Titans, Transfixing Sound & Undeniable Atmosphere
Photo: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
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Inside The 2023 Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Gala: A Star-Studded Celebration Of Friendship, Excellence & The Songs That Connect Us All
Returning to the swank Beverly Hilton after a two year break, the invitation-only event featured an A-list roster of guests, performances from GRAMMY-nominated artists, and heartfelt tributes.
A cultural icon and a crown jewel of the music industry’s most important weekend, Clive Davis and the Recording Academy’s Pre-GRAMMY Gala is known for a guest list full of household names and stellar performances remembered. Its also a night when the most successful people in the music industry come together not as competitors, but in celebration. Or as
Davis put it, We come here to break bread.
Returning to the swank Beverly Hilton after a two year break, the fête was sponsored by Hilton, IBM, JBL and Mastercard. An eclectic mix of personalities — a hallmark of the Gala — graced the red carpet as onlookers gathered outside the hotel, hoping for a glimpse of industry excellence.
It’s crazy,
Måneskin bassist Victoria De Angelis tells GRAMMY.com; the Italian rock band was nominated for Best New Artist. It has just been super fun. We’re meeting so many artists we love, De Angelis noted, pointing out fellow party guest, Metallica rocker Lars Ulrich.
Meanwhile
Frankie Valli, who was nominated for Best New Artist in 1962 as part of his legendary vocal group the Four Seasons, had a similar sentiment. It’s a lot of fun getting to see Clive and all of the people I’ve known over the years, Valli told GRAMMY.
com, noting he’s known Davis for at least a half century. It’s just a great evening out.
The performance portion of the night began with Maneksin taking the stage first, ripping out their singles I Wanna Be Your Slave and Beggin’ — the latter the band’s star-making cover of the 1967 original by the Four Seasons.
We’re old school guys,
Alice Cooper tells GRAMMY.com. We’re coming here to see what the new artists are doing.
Providing a link between the songs of yesteryear and today’s hottest talents, Davis then surprised the audience when Valli took the stage to perform his own, Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You. It was a moment the audience relished, with the night’s guests, from
Joni Mitchell to Janelle Monáe, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Sharon Stone and Machine Gun Kelly singing along to its earworm chorus of I love you baby!
Offset, Cardi B, Judy GreenWald, LyorCohen and Janelle Monae | Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Aside from the industry veterans (including performer
Elvis Costello), those from the new class making their grand debuts on stage at this year’s Pre-GRAMMY Gala include Myles Frost, the TONY-winning star of MJ The Musical, as well the hip-hop star Latto.
Nominated for Best New Artist and one of 2022’s breakout stars, she had attendees on their feet with her rousing hits Sunshine and Big Energy. Lil Baby, meanwhile, participated in a salute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop curated by Swiss Beatz, performing his songs Forever and, appropriately, California Breeze. Lauren Daigle, who recently signed to Atlantic Records, also delivered a memorable first performance at the party of her own with a cover of Dusty Springfields Son of a Preacher Man.
Craig Kallman, Clive Davis, Julie Greenwald, and CEO of The Recording Academy Harvey Mason jr. | Lester Cohen/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
Currently celebrating its 75th anniversary, Daigle’s appearance and song choice was meant to bridge the gap between the Atlantic’s storied history with its newest artist, and coincides with this year’s
Icon Award recipients: Atlantic Music Group Chairman and CEO Julie Greenwald and Atlantic Records Chairman and CEO Craig Kallman.
The people who inspired me every day are my artists, said Greenwald during her acceptance speech. I have loved every journey we have gone on together. Being able to play some small part in bringing your music, art and creative vision to the world has been the greatest gift and I’m so appreciative of every marketing plan I was allowed to dream up, every video treatment I pitched, photoshoot we collaborated on and all of the campaigns we launched.
It was a sentiment Atlantic star
Cardi B reciprocated. When I was in the middle of making my first album, I was very scared, she recalled during a heartfelt speech. I was pregnant and afraid to tell anyone, in case I had to decide between my family or my career because I knew that happens to other artists on other labels. But with Craig and Julie, the exact opposite happened. You told me I could do both, and I will never, ever forget that. For real. Deadass.
Lizzo | Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
Meanwhile,
Lizzo delivered her own tribute in song with a performance of her song Break Up Twice from her GRAMMY-nominated album Special. Another tribute came in the form of Sheryl Crow honoring the late Christine McVie with a heart-wrenching rendition of her signature Songbird as well as the Fleetwood Mac classic Say You Love Me.
Paying homage to the late
Whitney Houston also served as a theme for the night, where her family and collaborators remembered the star’s legacy. In tribute, Jennifer Hudson offered an anthemic rendition of the icon’s The Greatest Love of All, armed with her powerhouse vocals and a passion for the artist herself.
Honoring Whitney tonight makes me feel very, very blessed, Houston’s close collaborator, friend and songwriter
Narada Micheal Walden tells GRAMMY.
com. God is in charge and her spirit is still with us, especially being in this very hotel she passed away years ago.
For Narada, the emotion is still fresh. She gave so much, Not just as a great singer, her heartpower and love was so pure. The energy we wanted to put in the music, we really wanted it to live forever. We thought about it and prayed about it, and here we are still living it.
Jennifer Hudson | Lester Cohen/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
Houston’s legacy was also the theme of Kevin Costner’s opening speech; the two co-starring in The Bodyguard. Maybe this isnt the room for it but I dont want to miss the moment and this is from the heart, Costner said as a hush fell over the room. Neither one of us, in the end, could protect your beloved Whitney. But your fingerprints on her life are clean, my friend, he said, referring to Davis. You were a miracle in her life.
It was not only Davis’ impact on Houston’s life, but the industry itself that was a topic of conversation all night. Getting ready to celebrate his 91st birthday, the legend was still a master of ceremonies with the night’s starry guestlist and performers showing their respect.
Lil Wayne | Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
I’d like to thank Mr.
Davis for having me,
Lil Wayne humbly said as he delivered some of his biggest hits, from A Milli to Lollipop.
Clive Davis’s parties are just always off the chain, the artist Damon Elliott tells GRAMMY.com He’s like a dad to me.
Paul Schaffer recalled his own memories with Clive to GRAMMY.com. My very first time meeting him was in the 70s, he says. I used to play on the Barry Manilow records and Barry was signed to Arista [Records]. I’ll never forget when Ron Dante, his producer, brought me in to play Clive a song. Now, Schaffer adds that he’s been attending the Pre-GRAMMY Gala for 11 years with his daughter, Victoria. It’s very significant to be here. It’s the hottest party.
Head to
live.GRAMMY.com all year long to watch all the GRAMMY performances, acceptance speeches, the GRAMMY Live From The Red Carpet livestream special, the full Premiere Ceremony livestream, and even more exclusive, never-before-seen content from the 2023 GRAMMYs. 2023 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Complete Winners & Nominees List
Photo: PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images
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Heres What Happened At The Recording Academys 2023 Special Merit Awards Ceremony Honoring Heart, Nirvana, Nile Rodgers, The Supremes & More
In addition to seven music legends receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, the GRAMMY Week event honored recipients of the Music Educator Award, Trustees Awards and Technical GRAMMY Awards.
Amid the madness of GRAMMY Week, there was an air of tranquility surrounding the Wilshire Ebell Theatre on the afternoon of Feb. 4. The sunlit streets were nearly empty, the red carpet was discreetly hidden from public view. Inside the theater, music royalty, entertainment journalists and GRAMMY nominees congregated for one of the weeks most emotionally charged events: the
Special Merit Awards Ceremony.
Music teacher Pamela Dawson beamed as Recording Academy CEO
Harvey Mason jr. handed her the 2023 GRAMMY Music Educator Award. Mama Dawson, as she is known among her students at DeSoto High School in Texas, is loved by all for her relentless positivity and encouragement. I thank you God for giving me the gift of music, she said. My mother believed in me even when I didnt. My heritage is a big loving heart that I can give to others.
In the Technical GRAMMY Award department, the Academy recognized the efforts of the Audio Engineering Society and Dr. Andy Hildebrand — inventor of the Auto-Tune software program.
The Trustees Awards honorees were
Henry Diltz, who photographed iconic album covers of the 60s and 70s; the late Ellis Marsalis, jazz pianist and educator; and the late Jim Stewart, founder of the mythical Stax Records.
Dad had an open-door policy that helped create a utopian reality, said Stewarts daughter Lori, addressing the labels unusual-for-the-time policy of working with talented artists regardless of their racial or ethnic background. More than a business, Stax was a family.
Then, it was time to salute the recipients of the
Lifetime Achievement Award, and the gallery of selected artists painted a wondrous picture of popular music — from classic rock and grunge to soul, hip-hop, funk, jazz, and blues.
In his typical unconventional fashion, 10-time GRAMMY winner
Bobby McFerrin accepted his award doing what he does best: singing. I want to have some fun today, began the Dont Worry Be Happy hitmaker in his inimitable falsetto. Backed briefly on vocals by his three adult children, McFerrin smiled and improvised, surprised and delighted, crediting his late father — the first Black singer to be offered a contract at the Metropolitan Opera — as a major inspiration. Have fun, he concluded. Play. Dont think. Be good to yourself.
Equally moving — but in a more
grungy, Seattle kind of way — was seeing the surviving members of 90s pioneers Nirvana. Kurt Cobain is never far away, said the bands bassist and founding member Krist Novoselic.
Just turn on the radio. He also thanked young people from all over the world for the many fan letters he continues to receive, as drummer Dave Grohl and guitarist Pat Smear stood by his side, nodding approvingly.
Legendary blues singer Ma Rainey (1886-1939) received a long-overdue induction to the Lifetime Achievement gallery. On hand to collect the award were her great nephew, Frank Nix, and great great niece Cassandra Behler. Ma was an amazing performer and businesswoman, said Behler. I cant imagine the sacrifices she made for her career and lifestyle.
Prolific beyond any reasonable expectation, guitarist and producer
Nile Rodgers was visibly moved — almost lost for words. Im sorry to be so emotional, he told the crowd, which responded with an even bigger round of applause. This journey was a series of steps.
The founder of disco-funk collective CHIC, Rodgers is
known for his unmistakable guitar sound — adding waves of funk to every single genre it touches — and sensitive production work. When he thanked the musicians that he worked with, the list was regal, including David Bowie, Diana Ross, Bryan Ferry, and Beyoncé — the latter of whom he would go on to win Best R&B Song with at the 2023 GRAMMYs (and accept on her behalf!).
Do you like my coat?, asked English-American rapper and producer Slick Rick The Ruler, showing off an elegant, light purple coat over his suit and matching tie. Macys womens section. Slicks speech was as witty as his rapping. He mentioned listening to
Dionne Warwicks Walk On By as a kid, then outlined his love for the music of the Beatles, the Supremes, Jamaican dancehall and hip-hop — and his fateful move to the U.S. in 1976.
Fittingly, the Supremes were also honorees this year. During their induction, Florence Ballards daughter Lisa Chapman explained that she couldnt share any personal anecdotes because her mother died when she was only 3 years old. I thank [the late]
Mary Wilson, because she never left my Moms side, she said. Theyre probably sipping on the finest champagne right now, added Wilsons daughter Turkessa Babich. They are always with us.
The last artists to be honored were two immensely talented sisters, Ann & Nancy Wilson of
Heart. The sibling duo changed the nature of the game for women in hard rock, and guitarist Nancy Wilson spoke of her beginnings in music. I left college in 1974 to join the band, she recalled. Our dream was to be the Beatles. Not to be their girlfriends, or marry one of them, but to be them — and we did it.
Wilson was effusive in praising her sister, powerhouse singer
Ann. We survived the sheer insanity of a rock n roll circus. We were two military brats, two badasses, and we stood up. We rocked our butts off, and we did all of it together.
Wilsons last words — bringing the event to its conclusion — were dedicated to the fans: You were always the reason for us to catch dreams in our butterfly nets.
Lizzo, Beyoncé, Bad Bunny and More Celebrate 2023 GRAMMYs Wins on Social Media
Photo: Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
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Taylor Swifts Essential Music Videos, From You Belong With Me To Anti-Hero
In honor of Taylor Swifts history-making Best Music Video win at the 2023 GRAMMYs for All Too Well: The Short Film, revisit some of the superstars most iconic videos to date.
At the 2023 GRAMMYs,
Taylor Swift won Best Music Video for her short film set to the 10-minute version of All Too Well.
Its a golden gramophone the singer has won once before, nearly a decade ago for the star-studded visual to 1989 single Bad Blood. But this win was different. As Swift collected the 12th GRAMMY of her storied career, this victory came from a video she had single-handedly directed; it also marked the
first time an artist won the category for a video they directed solo.
Delivering iconic visuals is nothing new for the superstar, either. After all, shes been doing it from her earliest days as a teenage wunderkind known for penning diaristic country-pop hits like Tim McGraw, Our Song, Love Story, and You Belong with Me. But over the years, Swifts precision in executing her singular, cinematic vision has only gotten more creative, more exact and more ambitious — and now, those talents are GRAMMY-winning.
To celebrate
Swifts big GRAMMY win for All Too Well: The Short Film, GRAMMY.com has distilled her extensive filmography down to the 11 most essential and unforgettable music videos in the Swiftian canon — from Teardrops on My Guitar to her latest No. 1 smash Anti-Hero.
Check out GRAMMY.coms picks for the most iconic Taylor Swift music videos below.
Teardrops on My Guitar (Taylor Swift)
Although it was only her second single, the video for 2006s Teardrops on My Guitar contains many of the hallmarks for what would become Swifts signature visual aesthetic throughout her early career. Unrequited love interest in the form of One Tree Hills Tyler Hilton? Check. An iridescent gown fit for a fairytale? Check. A narrative arc that establishes our girl as the underdog, who you cant help rooting for to get her happy ending? Check and check.
You Belong With Me (Fearless)
Is there any video more quintessential from Swifts country era than the one for You Belong With Me? Not only did the Fearless visual give Swifties their queen in her now-iconic Junior Jewels T-shirt, but it established the goofy side of Swifts personality — as yet unseen in her filmography — as well as her willingness to embody characters in her videos, like the brunette mean-girl of a cheerleader and an ultra-relatable band geek who are competing for the heart of the hunky boy next door.
Mine (Speak Now)
Mine was the lead single for Swifts third album — not to be confused with fellow Speak Now single Ours, which led off the 2010 LPs deluxe repackaging. And though shed dabbled in the past on videos for Im Only Me When Im With You and The Best Day, the song marked the pop stars first true directorial effort helped along by co-director Roman White. And she was clearly taking notes that would inspire her future work during the process — just watch the scene where she and her rakish, blonde fiancé get into a screaming match in their kitchen and tell any Swiftie it doesnt look familiar…
Everything Has Changed feat. Ed Sheeran (Red)
This 2012 collaboration with
Ed Sheeran upped the ante in Swifts videography by handing off the bulk of the storytelling to other people entirely — in this case, a pair of elementary schoolers portraying younger versions of Tay and the Thinking Out Loud crooner.
The close friends and frequent collaborators only appear in the final moments of the video, but the kids and their adorable story would pick up nearly a decade later in the visual for the pairs 2022 duet remix of Sheerans The Joker and The Queen.
Blank Space (1989)
What does Swift do when the media paints her as a serial dater — verging on maneater — whos constantly burning her way through a revolving door of famous men? Write a smash hit about it, of course. With help from Joseph Kahn, Swift turns tabloid fodder into cinematic gold by casting herself as the unhinged nightmare dressed like a daydream, always ready to make the bad guys good for a weekend and add their names to her little black book. Too bad the poor fools wont find out until its too late that their names are in red, underlined…
Look What You Made Me Do (reputation)
#TaylorSwiftIsOverParty? As if. With the release of the Look What You Made Me Do video, Swift officially entered her reputation era and shifted her skewed public perception off its tilted axis and back in her favor. Yes, there were snakes serving tea, bathtubs filled with diamonds, and a Taylor or two for every era that had come before. But the true feat of the glossy, karma-fueled visual was reminding the superstars fans, doubters and haters alike that her ability to come back from the proverbial dead with a smash single in hand will always be stronger than anything thrown at her.
The Man (Lover)
For her solo directorial debut, Swift wanted to make both a statement and a splash. So she chose to skewer the sexism and toxic masculinity shes endured throughout her career as The Man, cleverly dressing in drag as a rich, cocky manspreader by the name of — you guessed it — Tyler Swift. As has become custom over the years, the music video was filled with Easter eggs and cameos from famous faces like TikTok star Loren Gray, Dwayne Johnson and even her own father. The video eventually made history as well, when Swift became the first solo female to ever take home the prize for Best Director at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2020.
cardigan (folklore)
Filmed at the height of the pandemic, Swift proved with the video for cardigan that she is always capable of creating magic, even in the most challenging of circumstances. Taking cues from the fantasy and period films she had devoured during the early days of quarantine, the visual took a more fantastical turn than many of the past videos in the stars filmography. As the sole star of the show, a nightgown-clad Swift is transported to magical worlds by her trusty piano — a perfect parallel to the fictional worlds she dreamed up on folklore.
willow (evermore)
When evermore arrived by surprise just five months after its older sister, Swift announced that she was venturing deeper into the metaphorical woods. And with that, the music video for willow picks up right where cardigan left off. The clip doubles down on the fantasy of folklore by setting the singer on a journey filled with witchcraft, scenes straight out of a storybook, and an onscreen reunion with Taeok Lee, who last appeared as a backup dancer on the Red Tour in 2013.
All Too Well: The Short Film (Red (Taylors Version))
There was really only one way to do the mystical 10-minute version of All Too Well justice after Swift dug it out from the vault for Red (Taylors Version) — a short film, directed by Swift herself. Enlisting actors Dylan OBrien and Sadie Sink as the doomed lovers at the center of the autumnal tale, Swift wrote the treatment, took charge on set, and manifested her creative vision with her most fully-realized project to date. The sweeping, 15-minute mini-movie soon inspired Swift to write and direct her first feature film, and helped the singer win the 2023 GRAMMY for Best Music Video.
Anti-Hero (Midnights)
Its me, hi, Im the problem, its me. With that witty inner dialogue, Swift introduced Swifties to the most hilariously self-destructive version of herself.
But even self-loathing looks like a blast through the superstars point of view, whether shes outrunning ghosts dressed in whimsical 70s-style bedsheets or commiserating with her gigantic monster of a doppelgänger who just wants to be part of the gang.
The Taylor Swift Essentials: 13 Songs That Display Her Storytelling Prowess And Genre-Bouncing Genius
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