They don't call the Grammy Awards "music's biggest night" for nothing. For over 60 years, the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences has recognised the biggest artists and achievements in music with the coveted golden gramophone. In addition to awarding hardworking individuals [1] in the music industry for their accomplishments, the Grammys celebrates the evening with a long bill of A-list performers that seek to shine and surprise. Out-of-this-world live performances are as inherent to the ceremony as the music itself, and the Grammys stage has seen more than its fair share of legendary moments over the years. As we kick off a new decade sure to be filled with even more amazing music, we're taking a look back at some of the best performances from the Grammy Awards of the past 20 years.
Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and Patti LaBelle Perform at the Grammys in 2002
"Lady Marmalade" is best recognised in its chart-topping form with Christina Aguilera [2], Pink, Lil' Kim, and Mýa performing, but the song was first originated in 1974 by Patti LaBelle. So when LaBelle stormed the stage at the 2002 Grammys during their performance of the Moulin Rouge! hit, her powerful vocals put all of the younger girls to shame.
No Doubt Performs at the 2003 Grammys
No Doubt was at the top of their game in 2003, so it was only natural for the group to make an appearance on the Grammys stage that year. Gwen Stefani [3] breathed life into their performance of "Underneath It All" and "Hella Good," showing the audience that she was poised to launch a massive solo career and never look back.
Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony Perform at the Grammys in 2005
In 2005, Jennifer Lopez [4] and Marc Anthony [5] had just been married, so their "Escapémonos" duet at the Grammys was a moving look into their love for each other at the time.
Amy Winehouse Performs at the Grammys in 2008
There are certain voices that only come once in a lifetime, and Amy Winehouse [6] was without a doubt one of those voices. The British crooner couldn't hide her shock [7] when she won record of the year (and four other Grammys) in 2008, making her performance of "You Know I'm No Good" and "Rehab" via satellite that much more fulfiling to watch.
Christina Aguilera Performs at the Grammys in 2010
Christina Aguilera [8] has consistently proved her chops [9] over the two decades, and her cover of James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" at the 2010 Grammys was another prime example of her vocal versatility.
Pink Performs at the Grammys in 2010
Pink's aerial skills have been well documented throughout her career, and her performance of "Glitter in the Air" at the 2010 Grammys was just one instance of the rockstar shocking everyone with her ability to hold a note while hanging upside down.
Lady Gaga Performs at the Grammys in 2011
Lady Gaga [10] has never been subtle, and her domination of the 2011 Grammys is a perfect example of that: she arrived on the red carpet in a giant egg [11] and "hatched" onstage for her performance of her self-love anthem "Born This Way." The song builds into an epic climax that featured an organ solo, solidifying Gaga's status as Mother Monster to this day.
Jennifer Hudson Pays Tribute to Whitney Houston at the Grammys in 2012
When Whitney Houston shockingly died just days before the 2012 Grammys, organisers were worried about putting together a tribute to the vocal powerhouse in such a short period of time. Jennifer Hudson [12] delivered as she held back tears during a touching rendition of "I Will Always Love You" that was as beautiful as it was heartbreaking.
Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder, Nile Rodgers, & Nathan East at the Grammys in 2014
In 2014, Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" was the hottest song out, which meant an iconic performance at the Grammys was practically necessary. Legendary musicians like Stevie Wonder and Nile Rodgers joined Pharrell for the performance of the funky hit, making it a memorable moment regardless of one's age or musical preference.
Beyoncé Performs at the Grammys in 2017
At the 2017 Grammys, Queen Bey had to remind everyone just why she's the queen. The giant production behind her performance of "Love Drought" and "Sandcastles" — made even more breathtaking to watch knowing she was pregnant with twins Rumi and Sir — is considered one of the most ambitious and technologically demanding performances in Grammys history.
Janelle Monáe Performs at the 2019 Grammys
Triple-threat singer, dancer, and actress Janelle Monáe finally making it to the Grammys stage last year was over a decade in the making. Her performance of "Make Me Feel" — which she had a little help in creating from the legendary Prince — rocked the whole room, finally waking many people up to the big talent that comes in Monáe's small package.
Cardi B Performs at the Grammys in 2019
Cardi B made history [13] at the Grammys in 2019 when she became the first female rapper to win the coveted best rap album award. Her performance of "Money" at the show proved that the award was well deserved: it combined classical piano with her trademark swagger, only made more fun to watch by her leopard-print bodysuit and matching peacock-like feathers.