Noah kicked off the ceremony with an opening monologue that touched on some of music’s biggest stars, including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Rihanna, while also making references to the new administration in Washington.

Trevor Noah took a jab at the Grammy voting process, which involves 13,000 members of the Recording Academy, jokingly suggesting that “20 million illegal immigrants” were part of the vote.

Later in the night, he made another politically charged remark, stating, “There’s been a few changes in Washington. So I’m gonna enjoy tonight because this may be the last time I get to host anything in this country.”

His comments came just days after a controversial immigration policy under Trump’s leadership resulted in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, leading to the arrest of 1,179 individuals across major U.S. cities.

Several other artistes used their speeches to show support for marginalised communities and speak out against the divide in the country.

Trump had promised the American public that “it will all be worth the price that must be paid” to bring the “Golden Age.”

While accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, Alicia Keys took the opportunity to address another controversial policy from the Trump administration—the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) departments.

In her speech said, “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift. And the more voices, the more powerful the sound. When destructive forces try to burn us down, we rise from the ashes like a phoenix.” She added,

“This is not the time to shut down the diversity of voices we’ve seen on this stage: talented, hard-working people from different backgrounds, with different points of view. And it changes the game.”

Chapell Roan, who won Best New Artist during the star-studded night sent a message to the trans communities during her red carpet interview with GLAAD.

She said, “It’s brutal right now. Trans people have always existed and they will forever exist, and they will never, no matter what happens, take trans joy away. That has to be protected more than anything because I would not be here without trans girls.”

In a direct message to transgender Americans, the singer said, “Just know that pop music is thinking about you and cares about you, and I’m doing my best to really stand up for you in every way I can,” as reported by Daily Mail.

Lady Gaga also expressed her support for her transgender fans on the stage. She said, “I just want to say tonight that trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love.”

“I think it’s also important to acknowledge something. I’m hosting the Grammys,” Noah concurrently announced on his podcast “What Now? With Trevor Noah.” “I’m excited about that, yeah, it’s a lot of fun. I enjoy the Grammys because I get to watch the show in person and then experience and comment on it in person while it is happening.”

Nominees for the 2024 Grammys are led by SZA, who received nine nods for her blockbuster album “SOS” and appears in three of the big four categories (with the exception of best new artist, of course). Behind her, Victoria Monét, mixing engineer Serban Ghenea, and Phoebe Bridgers tie for seven nominations, with the latter receiving nods as both a solo artist and as part of her group Boygenius.

I’m so excited! #GRAMMYs baby!??Tune in Sunday, February 4th at 8pm! On @CBS! ? pic.twitter.com/41C6EE2qK2

— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) December 14, 2023

Eight musicians tied for six nominations: producer Jack Antonoff, Jon Batiste, Boygenius, Brandy Clark, Miley Cyrus, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift. Overall, the top three general-field categories were largely dominated by women, as only three went to a recording from a male artist out of the 24 nominations.

Of the potential big moments at the 2024 Grammys, Swift could potentially net the most album of the year wins if “Midnights” sweeps the category and secures her a fourth victory. “Barbie: The Soundtrack” could also clean up with its 12 nominations, including four out of the five slots in the songs written for visual media category.

The 66th annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 4, 2024. The show is set to be broadcast from Crypto.com Arena and will air on CBS and Paramount+.

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The South African comic was due to appear on the 947 radio station in Johannesburg for a morning chat.

But bad traffic, a confused taxi driver and angry locals left the former Daily Show host late for his interview.

“There’s a bicycle fighting with a taxi driver,” he yelled frantically down a crackly phone line to the show’s hosts.

“That’s not in your traffic report,” the flustered star added, before announcing that he was “gonna get in with some guy,” eliciting screams of concern from the presenting team.

The 39-year-old, who quit the Daily Show in 2022 after an acclaimed seven-year run at the helm, finally burst into the studio shortly after.

“Can I just say, whoever is in this traffic, I feel you. We are together,” he laughed while explaining the ordeal.

“The driver I’m with doesn’t know where we’re going,” he recalled. “So I jump out of the car, said I’m gonna run. While I’m running people are in the street – listening to your show – [are] hooting and shouting ‘Trevor it’s the other way! You’re going the wrong way, Trevor!’

“Then one guy decides to stop. He doesn’t just point, he stops the car. He says ‘Trevor, get in.’

“Then he took me to the wrong building!” Noah roared in exasperation.

He was finally spotted by a staff member, who took him to the studio, where Noah was greeted to cheers and applause.

Noah was born in Johannesburg and made his name in the South African comedy circuit, before being named as late-night legend Jon Stewart’s replacement as host of the Daily Show in 2015.

He left in 2022, saying he was “filled with gratitude for the journey” but that there was “another part of my life that I want to carry on exploring”.

The programme has yet to appoint a new host, instead running with a rotating presenter, with stars including Sarah Silverman and Al Franken sitting in the chair.

Last month Noah returned to South Africa, where he has started a run of 12 stand-up specials across the country.

He has also inked a high-profile deal with streaming giant Spotify to host a weekly podcast slated to premiere later this year.

Spotify said the as-yet-unnamed series will combine Noah’s “signature humour and razor-sharp wit with his global perspective to deliver a unique take on the hottest and most captivating topics of the moment.”

“Despite the fact that I am extremely disappointed that the GRAMMYs have refused to have me sing or be nominated for Best Pop Album, I am thrilled to be hosting this auspicious event,” Noah said in a statement. “I think as a one-time GRAMMY nominee, I am the best person to provide a shoulder to all the amazing artistes who do not win on the night because I too know the pain of not winning the award! (This is a metaphorical shoulder, I’m not trying to catch Corona). See you at the 63rd GRAMMYs!”

“With a knack for keeping viewers engaged and entertained, Trevor is the perfect choice to lead us through what’s sure to be an incredible evening full of music, unforgettable moments, unity and inspiration,” Harvey Mason jr., Chair & Interim President/CEO of the Recording Academy, said.

“He is a dynamic host, comedian and personality, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the GRAMMY stage as host of Music’s Biggest Night for the first time,” he said.

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“Trevor’s comedy talents, engaging energy and unique perspective make him the perfect host for the GRAMMYs,” said CBS Entertainment Group President and Chief Executive Officer George Cheeks. “At the same time, it’s very exciting to have one of our biggest ViacomCBS stars center stage for one of CBS’ marquee events. With Trevor hosting and “The Late Late Show’s” Ben Winston producing, it’s yet another example of our combined company’s power in music, entertainment and the biggest live events.”

The announcement comes hours before today’s 2021 GRAMMYs nominations livestream on GRAMMY.com starting at 9 a.m. PT /noon ET.

The 63rd GRAMMY Awards will be broadcast on Sunday, January 31, 2021, on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT and the GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony will be streamed live on GRAMMY.com at 3:00 p.m. ET / 12:00 p.m. PT.