Less than four years ago, when Billie Eilish was preparing for her first-ever performance at the Hi-Hat on York in Highland Park for about 50 people, few could have predicted that the then-15-year-old would go on to sweep the four major categories at the Grammy Awards. On Sunday, the 18-year-old accomplished that feat, in the process becoming only the second artist ever to do so.

Her wins come at the expense of the celebratory work that propelled singer-rapper Lizzo to the top of the charts. Like Eilish, Lizzo earned nods in all four major categories, but the “Truth Hurts” singer-rapper was denied at every turn.

Eilish got the trophies for work from her Darkroom/Interscope debut album, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” Produced and co-written by her 22-year-old brother, Finneas O’Connell, Eilish’s era-defining album tallied billions of streams, many for her No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 single, “Bad Guy,” which earlier in the evening won for song and record of the year.


In 1981, Christopher Cross won Grammys for album, song, record and best new artist. Until tonight, he was the only artist ever to sweep the big four categories.