I'll be the first to confess I didn't watch the Grammy Awards live. It's been ages since I've tuned into any award show as it airs. However, as with most big events these days, I caught the highlights on social media afterward. And yes, despite my mixed feelings, Twitter remains my go-to for almost real-time updates because it is still the only one offering a chronological feed.

I've looped Tracy Chapman's performance with Luke Combs 5 to 10 times. She's just as incredible as ever. I was aware of Combs's cover of her song—I listened to it once. Country music is not my jam, but I respect that he kept the song's original gender and narrative intact—major props for that.

It was wonderful to hear that Chapman, who's been elusive about live performances, opting for rare TV appearances, shared the stage with Combs at the Crypto.com Arena for the Grammy Awards. I wouldn't be surprised if that alone spiked the show's ratings. The respect and admiration Combs displays during the performance was palpable.

It's worth a watch if you missed it.

Taylor Swift: The Inescapable Icon

Moving on to Taylor Swift, what can I say? She becomes the first performer to capture Album of the Year for the 4^th time. She’s an icon and a cultural powerhouse.

I can't recall anyone who's captured the cultural zeitgeist as she has since the peak of Michael Jackson.

Growing up, MTV and Much Music were my music dealers. I'd sit through countless videos I didn't enjoy hoping to catch the occasional hip-hop gem. Despite its scattergun approach, the music television era exposed us to a broad spectrum of genres and artists.

Now, platforms like YouTube and Spotify are all about personal taste. My 90s hip-hop playlist is my sanctuary, free from unwanted musical intrusions. Yet, stepping out of that comfort zone to discover new music requires a deliberate effort—a task most of us are too lazy to undertake.

This is where Swift's omnipresence becomes all the more remarkable. In an era where everyone's musical tastes can be incredibly siloed, Swift's influence and presence are ubiquitous. While her songs about breakups aren't my usual go-to, I can't help but know some of her biggest hits.

As a Kansas City Chiefs fan, this NFL season has unexpectedly turned me into a Swiftie—not so much for her music, but for the person behind the pop persona. Her strategic response to being shortchanged by her record label, re-recording her old albums to ensure she benefits directly, is nothing short of a power move.

Her straightforward approach to encouraging voter registration and advocating for women's rights has somehow made her a target for far-right conspiracy theorists. It's fascinating to see a pop star's call to civic engagement cause such a stir among the lunatic fringes.

Swift's ability to stay relevant, provoke dialogue, and mobilize her fanbase speaks volumes about her impact beyond the music charts.