Harry Styles has beaten Beyoncé, Adele, Kendrick Lamar, and more to clinch the coveted Album of the Year win at the 2023 GRAMMYs.
On what was a record-breaking night for the US Recording Academy and in the music world as a whole, Cheshire‘s finest Harry Styles claimed the somewhat shocking win for Album of the Year – which is largely-considered to be the biggest award of the night – at the 65th GRAMMY Awards, and he fought off some tough competition for the trophy.
Beyoncé, Adele, Kendrick Lamar, and Lizzo were just some of the heavy-hitting names that the local lad beat out to take home to beat the title.
The former One Direction member won for his 2022 smash-hit third solo album Harry’s House.
The 29-year-old called making the album the “greatest experience” of his life.
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“I’ve been so, so inspired by every artist in this category with me at a lot of different times in my life,” Styles gushed as he accepted the award on stage alongside the album’s producers, “I think, like on nights like tonight, it’s obviously so important for us to remember that there is no such thing as best in music.”
Styles added: “This doesn’t happen to people like me very often and this is so, so nice.”
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The coveted Album of the Year title isn’t the only award Styles took home from last night’s ceremony, as the the celebrated singer and actor also won Best Pop Vocal Album too.
Styles was just one of several Brits who won big last night.
Singing superstar Adele took home the Best Pop Solo Performance trophy to add to her ever-growing GRAMMYs collection, while previous multi-award winner Sam Smith took home the Best Pop Duo Performance for the song Unholy, alongside Kim Petras – who became the first transgender woman to win the award.
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Isle of Wight indie rock duo Wet Leg took home both Best Alternative Album for their self-titled album and Best Alternative Music Performance for the smash-hit single Chaise Longue after their breakout year in 2022.
Ozzy Osbourne also clinched the win for Best Rock Album.
Harry Styles wins Album of the Year at the 2023 GRAMMYs / Credit: GRAMMYs (via Twitter)
Aside from Brits, Beyoncé became the most decorated GRAMMY award winner of all time after claiming multiple trophies, Kendrick Lamar also took home several, Taylor Swift won Best Music Video, and Lizzo, Steve Lacy, and Willie Nelson all won big, while jazz singer Samara Joy saw off competition to be crowned Best New Artist.
One of the most surprising wins of the night, though, came as for 73-year-old blues singer Bonnie Raitt beat the likes of Adele, Beyonce, Styles, Lizzo, and Taylor Swift to win the award for Song of the Year for her single Just Like That.
What is going to be included in the UK’s under-16s social media ban?
Emily Sergeant
In case you missed the landmark announcement yesterday, it has been confirmed that social media is to be banned for under-16s in the UK.
That’s right – in what is said to be a bid to ‘give kids their childhood back’ and set ‘a new normal’ for future generations by kickstarting a cultural shift, the Government has announced that social media platforms will be banned from offering their services to under-16s – meaning less time for scrolling and more time for play.
The Government says it plans to use the same model for a social media ban as Australia, which was introduced back in 2024.
But what exactly does that mean? And what social media platforms are set to be included within the upcoming ban and which ones aren’t?
We are giving children their childhoods back.
Social media platforms will be blocked from offering services to under 16s.
We’re setting a new normal for future generations and empowering parents who just want to do their best for their kids. pic.twitter.com/ez0fLZiwcG
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) June 15, 2026
Well, according to the Government and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, the UK’s ban would capture user-to-user platforms, whose purpose is to enable social interaction, allow users to post their own material, alongside algorithms.
The ban will, therefore, include popular social media platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X.
But crucially, at this time, it is not intended for messaging services like WhatsApp to be included.
The Government says it is also planning to go even further than any other country, as on top of a blanket ban on social media, world-leading blocks on harmful functions – such as livestreaming and stranger communication with children – will also be blocked for under-16s, and will apply to a wider range of online services, including on gaming sites.
The Government has announced a social media ban for under 16s / Credit: Julian Christ (via Unsplash)
Restrictions on these functionalities will also be on by default for 16- and 17-year-olds to prevent what ministers are calling a ‘cliff-edge’ at 16.
And to go even further, the Government says it will be ‘looking in more detail’ at the potential to introduce overnight curfews and breaks in infinite scrolling for those under 18 – with more information to be provided on this next month.
“This is a decisive first step which marks a clear choice to put children’s wellbeing first and give them a healthy life online,” the Government said in a statement. “We stand ready to take further measures in the future.”
Speaking on the upcoming ban and further restrictions, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Parents want to keep their kids safe and happy, but the online world has made that harder than ever.
“I’ve heard first hand from families crying out for change and we will do right by them.
“That’s why we’re going further than any country in the world by banning social media for under-16s and putting wider protections in place to give kids their childhood back.
“This is a line in the sand. Tech giants had their chance and failed, but we’re stepping in to protect children, back parents and set a new normal for future generations.”
Featured Image – Robin Worrall (via Unsplash)
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Olivia Rodrigo says ‘very inspiring’ Manchester is one of her favourite places in the UK
Emily Sergeant
Olivia Rodrigo has named some of her favourite places in the UK… and it’s good news for Manchester.
If you weren’t aware, the global pop superstar has a bit of an affinity for the UK, having spent a lot of time over here in recent years – particularly in London – and developing a love for some of our nation’s finest delicacies in the process, like M&S fan-favourite sweet treats Percy Pigs and Colin the Caterpillar, as well as Jaffa Cakes, Cadbury, sausage rolls, and plenty more.
And it’s fair to say that she’s once again proven herself to be a somewhat of an honorary Brit during the recent promotional tour for her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love – which released to the world last Friday (12 June).
In a recent interview with Hits Radio UK, Olivia was asked where some of her favourite places in the UK are, other than London… and it was good news for our city.
I mean, not that ‘good’… she’s still not chosen to bring her upcoming ‘The Unraveled Tour’ over to us this next time around in 2027, opting to just stay in London for more than a dozen nights instead, but it seems she’s keen to show Manchester some love regardless.
When asked if she has a favourite area of the UK, Olivia said: “I spent some time in Manchester which was really nice. Very inspiring, so many great bands from there. I spent some time in Wales too, which was fun. I’ve been around but I need to go and see more things.”
She then went on to add: “I really want to go to Leeds this year. I think that’ll be fun. Just like as a spectator, I think that’ll be cool.”
It’s not the first time Olivia has publicly spoken about Manchester either, as in another recent interview with Dazed Magazine, she claimed she’s the ‘best version of [herself]’ in the UK.
“Maybe it’s because it rains so much that all you want to do is be inside with the guitar and write. I spent some time in Manchester a few years ago and it was so rainy I was like, ‘No wonder so many great bands come out of Manchester’,” she concluded.
Emily Sergeant -
6th February 2023 
