#Fiona Apple Wins Best Rock Performance at 2021 Grammys

Fiona Apple has won the award for Best Rock Performance at the 2021 Grammy Awards tonight (March 14). “Shameika” won over music by Big Thief (“Not”), Phoebe Bridgers (“Kyoto”), HAIM (“The Steps”), Brittany Howard (“Stay High”), and Grace Potter (“Daylight”).

Earlier today, Apple explained in a video that she would not attend the Grammys and urged fans to sign a petition regarding courtroom transparency in PG County. “I don’t wanna be on national television,” she said. “I’m just not made for that stuff anymore. I wanna stay sober and I can’t do that sober. It doesn’t feel safe to me to be in that exposure/scrutiny/comparison to people.” Apple previously criticized the Grammys for nominating Dr. Luke and said she wanted to smash the Grammy onstage and share the pieces.

After “Shameika” was released on Fetch the Bolt Cutters last year, Apple’s former third-grade teacher connected her with the real Shameika Stepney. Apple and Stepney then released a collaborative track titled “Shameika Said” in November. “Shameika” was also nominated for Best Rock Song (won by Brittany Howard), with Fetch the Bolt Cutters winning Best Alternative Music Album.

Read Pitchfork’s feature “Meet Shameika Stepney, Inspiration to Fiona Apple on Fetch the Bolt Cutters.” Follow all of Pitchfork’s coverage of the 2021 Grammys.