Jon Batiste Wins Album of the Year for We Are at 2022 Grammys

He picked up the win over Kanye West, Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and more for the accolade

Jon Batiste

Jon Batiste (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Tonight at the 2022 Grammy Awards, Jon Batiste won Album of the Year for his latest LP We Are. Batiste beat out Kanye West (now legally known as Ye), Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Lil Nas X, and Doja Cat for the accolade. Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, H.E.R., and Justin Bieber were also in the running for the award. 

Batiste, who looked stunned upon hearing his name called by Lenny Kravitz, gave a speech thanking his fellow nominees and speaking about how inspiring he’s found all of their music. “I truly believe this to my core—there is no best musician, best artist, best dancer, best actor,” he said. “The creative arts are subjective and they reach people at a point in their lives when they need it most. It’s like a song or an album is made, and it almost has a radar to find the person when they need it the most.”

Earlier in the evening, Batiste took home four Grammys: Best Music Video (for “Freedom”), Best American Roots Performance (for “Cry”), and Best American Roots Song (for “Cry”), as well as Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (for Soul, which he wrote alongside Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross). Earlier in the night, he delivered a bright and colorful performance of “Freedom.”

Batiste is the most-nominated artist during this year’s Grammys, snagging nods in 11 categories. Aside from Album of the Year, he is up for Record of the Year (“Freedom”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“I Need You”), Best R&B Album (We Are), Best Improvised Jazz Solo (“Bigger Than Us”), Best Jazz Instrumental Album (Jazz Selections: Music From and Inspired by Soul), Best American Roots Performance (“Cry”), Best American Roots Song  (“Cry”), Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Soul, alongside Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross), Best Contemporary Classical Composition (“Batiste: Movement 11’”), and Best Music Video (“Freedom”).

Follow along with all of Pitchfork’s Grammys coverage.

Twitter content

This content can also be viewed on the site it originates from.

You May Also Like

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Slowly Getting Back to Normal Life

John Legend and Chrissy Teigen are returning to the daily grind, slowly…

Billie Eilish Gets Permanent Restraining Order Against Obsessed Fan

Billie Eilish is getting long-term court-ordered protection against an obsessed fan she…

Dua Lipa’s Studio 2054 Livestream: Here’s What Happened

Dua Lipa hosted a star-studded livestream event tonight (November 27) called Studio…

Taylor Swift Concert Ticket Demand Culminates in Ticketmaster Canceling Public On-Sale Date

News Taylor Swift Concert Ticket Demand Culminates in Ticketmaster Canceling Public On-Sale…