All died within the past year. But he was shut out of Grammy’s Big Four.
Advertisement
Uptown Funk, which won Record of the Year, is Ronson’s single with singer Bruno Mars, who is of Puerto Rican-Filipino descent.
Besides his five Grammys, Lamar had one of the night’s most intense, riveting performances.
Aptly, in a segment reminiscent of Beyonce’s recent pro-black power Super Bowl performance, Lamar put on a fiery live performance that addressed race issues with his hands bound in chains amid a mock-prison set-up.
– Best rap song: Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright”.
Actor Don Cheadle noted that Lamar’s disc “daringly incorporated jazz, funk, soul and pure poetry into a hip-hop masterpiece”.
The highest, most honorable award for the Grammys went to Taylor Swift. But his disappearance from CBS’ broadcast after the first hour is sure to renew debate over Grammy voters’ attitudes toward rap.
Mars introduced Adele, who sang “All I Ask”, which they wrote together for her new album “25”. To Pimp a Butterfly would’ve been just the third hip-hop album in Grammy history, and first since Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below in 2004, to win Album of the Year.
“I want to say to all the young women out there – there are going to be people along the way who will try to undercut your success or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame”, Swift said.
Instead, we got treated to yet another installment in the Taylor Swift “OMG, I won!” chronicles, one that she shrewdly accompanied with a quasi-feminist acceptance speech that may or may not have been a Kanye West diss. She has won Album of the Year for 1989.
The tributes to the deceased stars took several forms.
Stevie Wonder and Pentatonix took to stage to honour the late Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire with a performance on “That’s the Way of the World”. The Eagles played for their fallen comrade Glenn Frey, and then there was Gaga, for Bowie. The visuals overwhelmed the music, though, and Gaga may have been better served not trying to pack too many hits in.
Recording Academy CEO said Lauryn Hill, who was supposed to surprise the audience by performing with the Weeknd, said Hill showed up for dress rehearsal but didn’t make it in time for the show.
Alabama Shakes won three awards and plenty of respect.
Canadian crooner The Weeknd won two Grammys out of his seven nominations, including urban contemporary album for “Beauty Behind the Madness”, while Chris Stapleton also scored two awards, including best country album for “Traveller”.
“She was invited by (the Weeknd)”, Portnow said backstage. “I know it sounds cliche, but it’s true”.
The 28-year-old rapper appeared in handcuffs during a memorable performance at the ceremony, which devoted a considerable time to a number of performances and tributes.
– Song of the year (songwriter’s award): “Thinking Out Loud”, Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge.
British rock band Muse also won best rock album for Drones, and Tony Bennett collected his 18th Grammy for best traditional pop vocal album. “Don’t forget your parents”.
Offstage, Rihanna made news by cancelling her scheduled performance at the last minute due to illness.
Advertisement
It also marked a first for Justin Bieber: He won best dance recording for “Where Are U Now”, collaboration with Skrillex and Diplo.
