Avi Kaplan, from left, Kirstin Maldonado, Scott Hoying, Mitch Grassi and Kevin Olusola, of Pentatonix, pose in the press room with the award for best arrangement, instrumental or a cappella for “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy ” at the 58th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016, in Los Angeles. Swift also won best pop vocal album for “1989”.
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The nominations for 58th annual Grammy Awards, though, were pitched as something of a showdown between pop and hip-hop.
The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar also took the stage and did what they do best-make people groove. It was a true Grammy moment, one that was deftly executed, daring and culturally significant.
LL Cool J, the host of the show, took care of the obvious joke at the top of the broadcast, introducing “Hello” singer Adele from the audience and then suggesting Lionel Richie – who also sang a song called “Hello” – tell Adele, well, you know. Joining Lamar in the winner’s circle were D’Angelo with two wins (Best R&B Song and Best R&B Album) and Jason Isbell with another two (Best American Roots Song and Best Americana Album).
Now a two-time victor of Album of the Year (and 10 Grammys overall), Taylor Swift had a few important things to say when she accepted her esteemed award.
The troupe performed the show’s opening number, “Alexander Hamilton”, with its muttered demand, “Just you wait”.
Apart from the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, which won one Grammy, Seattle artists got skunked Monday.
Stapleton, who has written for dozens of country acts, won best country album for “Traveller”. Grammy producers severely shortchanged his co-writer on “Thinking Out Loud”, Amy Wadge, by cutting away before she could even speak. “That’s insane, we’re going to take these home and represent 256”, said lead singer Brittany Howard, referring to the telephone area code for the state of Alabama.
The comments come on the heels of the release of ‘Ye’s newest album The Life of Pablo, specifically the song “Famous” in which Mr. West raps about having sex with Taylor Swift.
Lady Gaga performed an emotional medley of Bowie’s hits in tribute to her hero, who died earlier this year.
The Weeknd continues to impress on big stages and delivered another stirring performance of “In the Night”, backed by a piano and a cellist.
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We haven’t seen Katy Perry to this Grammys? They are all excellent musicians who let the guitars do the singing for once. He also gave a stellar performance, one that will likely have a lot of people talking, just as he intended. I love you. Now get ready for the show. Still it was a disappointment for her fans considering her many stellar live performances.
