19 Most Memorable Grammy Red Carpet Looks [Update]

From Michael Jackson to Rihanna, Blue Ivy, Tyler The Creator and more, these stars take us back to the most-talked-about Grammy fashions

Photo: Getty Images CBS Photo Archive / Contributor

The Grammy Awards red carpet is one of the most scrutinized parts of the night. Some stars push the envelope of creativity while others look simply elegant and timeless! Here are some of the best red carpet Black looks we can’t get out of our heads. Which one is your favorite?

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Grace Jones 1983

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella / Contributor

Model, singer, and actress Grace Jones had a way of making the strangest pieces look expensive and exclusive! This helmet with a purple ponytail attached and a colorful ensemble was something that only Grace Jones could get away with. The umbrella hat, worn on the same night was a statement, to say the least!

Michael Jackson 1984

Photo: Getty Images Ron Galella / Contributor

The King of Pop wore his iconic sparkly jacket and singular white glove combo at the 1984 Grammy Awards. This was the night that he won 8 awards including Album of the Year for Thriller.

Mary J. Blige 1996

Photo: Getty Images Steve Granitz / Contributor

Mary J. Blige looked cute, comfy, and unbothered at the 1996 Grammy Awards in this leopard print unitard and humongous black shades. Go Mary!

Jada Pinkett Smith 1998

Photo: Getty Images Steve Azzara / Contributor

Jada Pinkett Smith was pregnant with her son, Jaden Smith, at the 1998 Grammy Awards. She wore this mesh, slightly see-through gown, and black arm cover-up, showing off her cute baby bump!

Blue Ivy 2017

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur / Contributor

Blue Ivy was paying homage to the late Prince in this adorable pink Gucci pantsuit and white ruffle top. A style icon even as a child!

Gnarly Davidson 2017

Photo: Getty Images Dan MacMedan / Contributor

Gnarly Davidson, also known as Ceelo Green, arrived on the red carpet in the most shocking way, painted as a golden superhero—or maybe a villain. We still aren’t sure!

Solange Knowles 2017

Photo: Getty Images Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor

Singer Solange Knowles looked like a trophy in this golden pleated Gucci gown at the 2017 Grammy Awards. Her natural hair was put up in this fun updo to show off her mismatched earrings as well. Love it!

Rihanna 2017

Photo: Getty Images CBS Photo Archive / Contributor

Rihanna arrived tardy yet striking in this Armani orange crop top and black volumized skirt on the 2017 Grammy Award red carpet.

Andra Day 2018

Photo: Getty Images Presley Ann / Contributor

Singer and actress Andra Day was giving us retro chic in this purple and red blazer dress and red platforms for the Grammy Awards in 2018. The beehive updo and purple eyeshadow were the perfect details to wrap up the look.

Tyler the Creator 2018

Photo: Getty Images Dimitrios Kambouris / Staff

Music artist Tyler the Creator broke fashion rules by mixing up fashion brands (Louis Vuitton, Converse, GOLF, and Supreme) on the 2018 Grammy carpet, but he looked cool doing it! He also showed off a leopard print-dyed hairstyle.

SZA 2018

Photo: Getty Images Dan MacMedan / Contributor

SZA attended her first Grammy Awards ceremony in 2018 and this was the perfect dress for the moment! This white Versace gown with tulle sleeves and thigh-high slits was hands-down one of the best looks of the night. She also had a white rose in hand for the Time’s Up movement.

Ella Mai 2019

Photo: Getty Images Steve Granitz / Contributor

Singer Ella Mai won her first Grammy award at the 2019 show and debuted a blunt-cut bob on the same night. Her deep blue strapless gown is timeless and elegant. Bravo Ella!

Billy Porter 2020

Photo: Getty Images David Crotty / Contributor

Billy Porter is the definition of drama and creativity and the red carpet is always a show for him! This turquoise jumpsuit and jacket set, silver fringed boots, and motorized tassel hat made him the star of the carpet!

Megan Thee Stallion 2021

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Mazur / Contributor

Megan Thee Stallion won her first Grammy at the 2021 Grammy Awards and wore the perfect shade of orange for her beautiful brown skin. The cut or the dress showing off her long legs was perfect for the IT girl of rap. Also, we need to see more updos from Megan!

Beyoncé 2021

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter / Staff

Beyoncé made a surprise appearance at the 2021 Grammy Awards and looked stunning! The brushed-out blonde hair, form-fitting leather mini dress, matching leather gloves, and chunky earrings were styled perfectly, per usual.

Giveon 2022

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman / Staff

Giveon is necessarily considered the most stylish musician, so I’m glad that we got some jewelry and a sparkly jacket this time around! Let’s keep it up Giveon, we need more and more creativity from the men!

Trevor Noah 2022

Photo: Getty Images Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor

Trevor Noah can never get caught slipping when it comes to a suit! For his hosting gig at the Grammy Awards in 2022, he wore this tailored-to-perfection pink suit jacket.

Lil Nas X 2022

Photo: Getty Images Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor

This look will go down in Grammy Awards red carpet history as one of the best looks of all time. Rapper Lil Nas X wore this white Balmain set with matching chunky boots. I want this outfit in my size!

Doja Cat 2022

Photo: Getty Images Johnny Nunez / Contributor

We can always depend on music artist and rising fashion icon, Doja Cat, to stir up conversation on the red carpet. This Versace off-the-shoulder gown in baby blue was made to perfection paired with this platinum blonde bang and bob hairdo to die for!

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Steve Harvey's Gorgeous $15 Million Once Owned by Tyler Perry

Steve Harvey’s Gorgeous $15 Million Once Owned by Tyler Perry

With a 70,000 gallon infinity pool to a home theater and wine cellar, Steve Harvey's mansion is one of the most expensive properties in Atlanta, Ga ...
Trigger Warning... A Full Recap of All the Shocking Testimony From Diddy's Federal Trial

Trigger Warning… A Full Recap of All the Shocking Testimony From Diddy’s Federal Trial

From federal raids to gruesome details of Cassie's alleged abuse, witnesses at Diddy's trial paint a scary picture ...

The Best Black TV Shows, Movies on Hulu to Stream

The Best Black TV Shows, Movies on Hulu to Stream

We rounded up a handful of the newest and best Black TV shows and movies currently streaming right now ...
Joy Reid: Fascism is Coming, Whether You Voted For it or Not

Joy Reid: Fascism is Coming, Whether You Voted For it or Not

EXCLUSIVE: The host of "The Joy Reid Show" gave us some real talk about the Trump agenda ...
Trump's Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Buying a car or a phone? Here’s what to know about tariffs in 2025, according to Marketplace's Kimberly Adams ...
Why Halle Berry's Latest Post Is Sparking Hilarious Britney Spears Comparisons

Why Halle Berry’s Latest Post Is Sparking Hilarious Britney Spears Comparisons

The Oscar-winning star has never shied away from baring it all on social media, and her latest post certainly has people talking! ...
When A White Woman Was Told She Could Not Be Harriet Tubman In a Play, She Took Matters Into Her Own Hands

When A White Woman Was Told She Could Not Be Harriet Tubman In a Play, She Took Matters Into Her Own Hands

The longtime actress simply wanted to portray influential historical figures, but things unfortunately went South. Let's get into it! ...
Diddy's Daughters' Tearful Exit From Trial Ignites Black America's Outcry

Diddy’s Daughters’ Tearful Exit From Trial Ignites Black America’s Outcry

Video of Diddy's daughters circulated the internet, and just as folks continue to share their thoughts on the trial, the girls were also subjected to the public's court of opinions ...
3 Ways to Think Like a Businessman, According to Executive Walter Davis

3 Ways to Think Like a Businessman, According to Executive Walter Davis

From carpentry to consulting, Davis says real business thinking starts with self-awareness and strategy ...
A White Waitress at a St. Louis Restaurant Calls a Black Woman Customer the B-Word on Video, and It Only Gets Worse From There...

A White Waitress at a St. Louis Restaurant Calls a Black Woman Customer the B-Word on Video, and It Only Gets Worse From There…

After a viral TikTok paints one St. Louis restaurant in a bad light, the owner came back with a... questionable... response ...
How Black Americans Are Raising a Generation of Kids Who Don't Understand Blackness

How Black Americans Are Raising a Generation of Kids Who Don’t Understand Blackness

We have failed one generation of Black kids, and we must ensure we don't drop the ball on another ...
NBA Star Dillon Brooks Is Getting <i>Another</i> Restraining Order Against His White Baby Mama, Here's the Tea

NBA Star Dillon Brooks Is Getting Another Restraining Order Against His White Baby Mama, Here’s the Tea

This new order appears to be a continuation of the one he received back in November 2024 ...
Mama Duke Just Dropped Another Banger and Fans Say It's  As Good As Her 'America's Got Talent' Hit

Mama Duke Just Dropped Another Banger and Fans Say It’s As Good As Her ‘America’s Got Talent’ Hit

Fans Say Mama Duke's Newest Track "Car Chronicles" Is The Summer Banger We Need ...
Dwight Howard Breaks Down on Instagram Over This Heartbreaking Loss

Dwight Howard Breaks Down on Instagram Over This Heartbreaking Loss

He announced how he lost what he considered "my peace" and "my protector" in a heartfelt Instagram post ...
Black Internet Furious After Usher Gets Wrapped Up in Trump's Online Mess

Black Internet Furious After Usher Gets Wrapped Up in Trump’s Online Mess

The official White House Twitter page is known for cutting up, but Black folks online say this time, it's gone too far ...
How the Prosecution Tied Up Its Case in Diddy Trial's Closing Arguments

How the Prosecution Tied Up Its Case in Diddy Trial’s Closing Arguments

"Up until today, the defendant was able to get away with these crimes because of his money, his power, his influence," the attorney added. "That stops now." ...
Anna Wintour Exits Vogue While A Black Editor Awaits The Call

Anna Wintour Exits Vogue While A Black Editor Awaits The Call

Black Editors Are Rising — Will Vogue Catch Up? ...
Porsha Williams, Ex-Husband Simon Guobadia Get <i>Super</i> Messy With Each Other in New Interviews

Porsha Williams, Ex-Husband Simon Guobadia Get Super Messy With Each Other in New Interviews

The former couple is now breaking their silence after their divorce and they're not mincing words! ...
Supermodel Anok Yai Looked Stunning and Different at Paris Fashion Week

Supermodel Anok Yai Looked Stunning and Different at Paris Fashion Week

All eyes were on the gorgeous supermodel at the Louis Vuitton SS26 menswear runway show ...
Jasmine Crockett Says What We've All Been Thinking About Melania Trump's U.S. Citizenship

Jasmine Crockett Says What We’ve All Been Thinking About Melania Trump’s U.S. Citizenship

If you let Rep. Crockett tell it, the Trump administration has a "lack of integrity" when it comes to favoritism-- as evident by Melania Trump's visa history ...