It was a long-awaited win for Beyonce – already essentially the most awarded Grammys artist of all time, she now lastly has the trophy for finest album, too.
Probably the most profitable music stars of the final three a long time, regardless of her years on the prime – and former nods for I Am… Sasha Fierce, the self-titled Beyonce, Lemonade, and Renaissance – Grammys recognition for her albums had beforehand eluded her.
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Beyonce makes historical past. Once more
This 12 months, she lastly takes dwelling the gong for the chart-topping nation report Cowboy Carter, taking her tally to 35 in complete. It was a very long time coming.
However on a really busy Grammys night, which raised funds for wildfire aid efforts in Los Angeles, there have been loads of different highlights and surprises, too.
Listed here are the opposite key moments and bits that obtained everybody speaking.
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Kanye’s spouse shocks at Grammys
Fascinating… outfits
First up, the pink carpet. The Grammys (and music awards basically) are at all times extra enjoyable, extra out-there than the movie and TV ceremonies, and this 12 months was no exception.
Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Cardi B, Sabrina Carpenter, Miley Cyrus, Raye, Chappell Roan and Gracie Abrams all stepped up.
Among the many show-stopping attire, there have been some extra uncommon seems to be – Will Smith’s son Jaden sporting a black fortress on his head, for example.
After which there was Kanye West’s spouse Bianca Censori, who arrived in a fur coat and took it off to disclose, nicely, just about nothing in any respect.
In the event you’re conscious of the couple, you will know this is not notably uncommon. However if you’re not successful any awards – West misplaced out on one of the best rap track prize, which went to Kendrick Lamar – you have to make headlines in some way, proper?
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Taylor Swift holds area for Cynthia Erivo
As her Eras tour dominated the whole lot, Taylor Swift was the large winner of final 12 months’s Grammys. This 12 months, she went dwelling empty-handed – however was very happy to cheer on her fellow artists, and even share her seat.
In a video clip shared on social media, the star could possibly be seen calling to Depraved star Cynthia Erivo when the actress and singer seemingly had bother discovering her desk.
Swift scooched over to offer Erivo area. Talking of which, the pair even briefly recreated the “holding space” finger-holding from Erivo’s viral Depraved interview alongside her co-star Ariana Grande final 12 months.
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Kendrick Lamar dedicates award to LA
Kendrick Lamar and LA fires dedication
One of many night time’s different large winners was rapper Kendrick Lamar, who picked up two of the highest awards – report of the 12 months and track of the 12 months – for his “diss” monitor Not Like Us, reportedly directed at Canadian rapper Drake.
The track additionally received different prizes for finest music video, finest rap efficiency and finest rap track.
On stage, Lamar devoted the report of the 12 months award to his hometown Los Angeles following the devastating wildfires.
“This is my neck of the woods that held me down since a young pup, since I was in the studio scrapping to write the best raps and all that,” he stated.
“I can’t give enough thanks to these places that I rolled around since high school. Most importantly the people and the families out in the Palisades and Altadena. This is a true testament that we can continue to restore the city.”
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Chappell Roan rode in on an enormous pink pony for her efficiency. Pic: AP
Chappell Roan’s pink pony
Ending off the winners of the large 4 prizes was Chappell Roan, who was named finest new artist – her first Grammy award.
The star carried out her disco anthem Pink Pony Membership earlier on within the night time, sitting on an enormous pink pony earlier than becoming a member of a gaggle of dancers dressed as rodeo clowns.
Accepting her award, she known as for the music trade to offer a “liveable wage and healthcare for artists”, revealing to the group she had at all times informed herself she would demand that labels and the trade defend artists extra if she ever received a Grammy.
She recalled feeling “betrayed” and “dehumanised” when she struggled to search out work and afford healthcare in the course of the pandemic, after getting dropped by her first label as a younger artist when she had given “everything” to them.
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The Weeknd made his return to the Grammys. Pic: Reuters
The Weeknd returns
In 2020, The Weeknd accused the Grammys of being “corrupt” after being snubbed for awards regardless of a stellar 12 months.
5 years later, he made a comeback and took to the stage for an sudden efficiency.
Harvey Mason Jr, the chief government of the Recording Academy, which organises the awards, acknowledged the star’s earlier criticism in a speech as host Trevor Noah teased a giant shock.
Mason stated the Academy had modernised and diversified lately. “With that in mind, on a truly special night, what better way to bring us together than this next artist – someone who has seen the work the Academy has put in.”
The Weeknd arrived on an elevated black stage with pink lighting, and was joined by rapper Playboy Carti for a efficiency of Cry For Me from his new album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.
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Sean Ono Lennon, left, accepted the award for finest rock efficiency on behalf of The Beatles. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Step again in time
There have been Grammy wins for each the Beatles and the Rolling Stones following their respective music comebacks.
The Beatles picked up the award for finest rock efficiency for the track Now And Then, which was written and sung by John Lennon and later completed by Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr utilizing overdubs and guitar tracks by George Harrison.
They had been up in opposition to The Black Keys, Inexperienced Day, Idles, Pearl Jam and St Vincent.
In the meantime, the Rolling Stones landed the prize for finest rock album for Hackney Diamonds, their first album of unique music in 18 years, seeing off competitors from The Black Crowes, Fontaines DC, Inexperienced Day, Idles, Pearl Jam and Jack White.
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Will Smith led the tribute to Quincy Jones. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Will Smith leads Quincy Jones tribute
Finest identified for his work with artists together with Frank Sinatra and Michael Jackson, legendary music producer Quincy Jones was additionally the manager producer of The Contemporary Prince Of Bel-Air, the present on which Will Smith rose to fame.
Smith – showing at a televised awards ceremony for the primary time since he infamously slapped Chris Rock on the Oscars in 2022 – informed the viewers how Jones “gave me a shot” with the comedy collection and joked how “y’all saw the early episode, so y’all know I couldn’t really act”.
He stated Jones had taught him “to take care” of the individuals working round him, “and I’ve done everything I can through my career to try to live up to Quincy’s demand”.
Jones received 28 Grammys all through his profession.
Smith is making a musical comeback and final week introduced his first album in 20 years.
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Charli XCX gave a memorable efficiency. Pic: AP/Chris Pizzello
Charli XCX is so Julia
In fact, the Grammys needed to acknowledge the phenomenon of Brat, and British star Charli XCX was among the many early winners – selecting up finest dance/digital album and finest recording bundle for her viral sixth report, and finest dance pop recording for the one Von Dutch.
These had been her first ever Grammy wins.
The star additionally carried out on the present and was joined by actress Julia Fox and collaborator The Dare on stage.
Rising from a blacked-out 4×4 in a protracted black fur coat and blue underwear, she carried out Von Dutch earlier than transferring on to Guess – cheered on by Billie Eilish, who collaborated on a remix of the track.
Emulating the music video for Guess, underwear rained down on the stage in a efficiency so racy “it might not make the edit”, Charli joked. “All unworn undergarments will be donated to survivors of domestic violence,” the group was informed in a message that flashed on display screen.
On the finish of her efficiency, Charli pulled Fox to the entrance after wishing her a cheerful birthday.
Fox, an actress and mannequin who turned 35 on Saturday, is referenced in 360, one other hit track from Brat.
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Doechii wins finest rap album
‘You might be precisely who you should be’
Rising star Doechii turned solely the third lady in Grammys historical past to take dwelling the award for finest rap album, following within the footsteps of Lauryn Hill and Cardi B.
The star, who picked up the award for her third mixtape Alligator Bites By no means Heal, gave an impassioned speech as she collected her prize.
“I know there’s some black girl, so many black women, watching me right now,” she informed the viewers. “And I wanna tell you, you can do it. Anything is possible.
“Do not permit anyone to mission any stereotypes on you, inform you which you can’t be right here, that you just’re too darkish or that you just’re not sensible sufficient or that you just’re too dramatic otherwise you’re too loud. You might be precisely who you should be.”
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Girl Gaga and Bruno Mars performing California Dreamin’. Pic: Reuters
Pop and politics
In addition to the LA fires, artists additionally used the stage to spotlight a number of different political and social points.
Jennifer Lopez offered the prize for finest Latin pop album to Shakira, for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. Shakira hugged her two sons as she went to gather her award, dedicating it to “all my immigrant brothers and sisters in this country – you’re loved, you’re worth it, and I will always fight with you”.
Girl Gaga and Bruno Mars received finest pop duo/group efficiency for Die With A Smile, paying their respects to 1 one other’s profession achievements of their acceptance speech.
Gaga additionally spoke out for trans rights, saying: “Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love.”
They earlier carried out Nineteen Sixties basic California Dreamin’ in tribute to LA.
Alicia Keys was awarded the Dr Dre International Influence Award by rapper and singer Queen Latifah. Taking one in every of her kids on stage to just accept her award, she paid tribute to a bunch of feminine artists who she stated had “opened the doors” earlier than her.
In a nod to politics, she went on to say DEI (variety, fairness and inclusion) was “not a threat, but a gift”, and added: “When destructive forces try to burn us down, we burn like a phoenix.”
Within the US, the Trump administration is at present calling for the rollback of DEI packages.
