Los Angeles:
Pop star Taylor Swift won album of the year trophy at the tributes-heavy 58th Grammy Awards while Kendrick Lamar, who set the stage on fire with a politically-charged performance, swept in the rap categories.
The other two big trophies—song of the year and record of the year—were won by Ed Sheeran and “Uptown Funk”.
Lamar, who led with 11 nominations, was shut out in major categories other than the best rap album for “To Pimp a Butterfly”. His other wins were for rap performance, rap song, rap/sung collaboration and music video, which he shared with Swift.
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.
“This for hip-hop. This for Snoop Dogg,” he said in his acceptance speech. “This for ‘Illmatic’, this for Nas. We will live forever, believe that,” Lamar added while dedicating the past hip-hop artists who did not win. The show began with an energetic performance by Swift, 26, on her “Out of the Woods” number.
She used her album of the year acceptance speech to throw some shade on Kanye West, though indirectly for his controversial “Famous” lyrics where he claims that he made Swift popular.
“As the first woman to win album of the year at the Grammys twice, 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,” she said in her acceptance speech.
“But if you focus on the work, someday when you get when you’re going, you’ll know it is you and the people who love you who put you there,” said the pop star, who also won the best pop vocal album.
Sheeran, 24, looked surprised as his song ‘Thinking Out Loud’ was announced as the winner in Song of the Year. He also took home the Best Pop Solo Performance honour.
The British artist thanked his parents “who have flown in for the past four years to come to the Grammys, and every single time I lose, they go, ‘Maybe next year’.”
Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk” was also named the Best Pop Duo/ Group besides its Record of the Year honour. Meghan Trainor, 22, was named as the New Artist and she reacted with joyful tears.
“I have to thank L A Reid for looking at me like an artist instead of just a songwriter. I’m a mess. I have to go cry,” the “All About That Bass” singer said.
The Weeknd, who was nominated for seven awards, won R&B performance for “Earned It (Fifty Shades of Grey)” and urban contemporary album for “Beauty Behind the Madness.”
Alabama Shakes won for Alternative Music Album, Best Rock Song while the group’s “Don’t Wanna Fight” won Best Rock performance. Chris Stapleton collected trophies for Country Solo Performance and Best Country Album.
Lionel Richie, the MusiCares person of the year, received a tribute from Trainor, Luke Bryan, John Legend, Demi Lovato and Tyrese, performing a medley of his songs.
Lady Gaga paid homage to David Bowie with a stunning medley of Bowie’s greatest hits like “Space Oddity,” “Changes,” “Ziggy Stardust,” “Suffragette City,” “Rebel Rebel,” “Fashion,” “Fame,” “Let’s Dance” and “Heroes.”
Eagles Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B Schmit and Bernie Leadon paid tribute to Glenn Frey with a performance of “Take It Easy.” Jackson Browne, the song’s co-writer, joined them on stage. Both Bowie and Frey passed away in January.
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.” White died on February 4.
Earth, Wind & Fire will receive one of Grammy’s Lifetime Achievement Awards at a separate ceremony later this year.
The cast of the Broadway hit “Hamilton” performed the musical’s opening number live from New York. They won Grammy for best musical theater album.
