By Maria ShermanAP Music Author
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Beyoncé gained album of the 12 months for “Cowboy Carter” on the Feb. 2 Grammys, delivering her — finally — the present’s elusive prime award.
The celebrity, who’s each essentially the most awarded and nominated artist in Grammys historical past, has been up for the class 4 instances earlier than and lots of really feel she has been snubbed by its prime honors.
In profitable album of the 12 months with “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé has develop into the primary Black lady to win the highest prize within the twenty first century. The final was Lauryn Hill with “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” 26 years in the past. Earlier than her was Natalie Cole and Whitney Houston. Which means Beyoncé is simply the fourth Black lady to win album of the 12 months on the Grammys.
Members of the Los Angeles Fireplace Division offered Beyoncé with the trophy, certainly one of a number of instances the present mirrored the current wildfires that burned 1000’s of properties.
“It’s been many, a few years,” Beyoncé stated in her speech. “I wish to dedicate this to Ms. Martell,” she stated, referencing Linda Martell, the performer who grew to become the primary Black lady to play the Grand Ole Opry.
“We lastly noticed it occur, everybody,” host Trevor Noah stated, nodding to the lengthy overdue achievement for certainly one of music’s transcendent artists.
Kendrick Lamar gained tune and report of the 12 months for his diss observe “Not Like Us,” taking dwelling two of the night time’s most prestigious awards.
“We’re gonna dedicate this one to town,” Lamar stated earlier than shouting out Los Angeles space neighborhoods.
It’s the second hip-hop single to ever win within the class. The primary was Infantile Gambino’s “This Is America.”
The Weeknd mends fences, Chappell Roan challenges music trade
The Weeknd has mended his fractious relationship with the Grammy Awards with a shock efficiency of his new single, “Cry For Me” and “Timeless” with Playboi Carti.
His resolution is a direct reflection of the adjustments the Recording Academy has made to diversify its voting physique, CEO Harvey Mason jr. stated in his introduction. The Weeknd has been brazenly essential of the Grammys group, relationship again to 2020 when he wrote on Twitter: “The Grammys stay corrupt.”
It was simply certainly one of many nice surprises Sunday night time. Chappell Roan was named finest new artist.
She learn a speech from a pocket book, talking on to main labels and the music trade, instructing them to “supply a residing wage and healthcare, particularly to growing artists.” She described getting signed as a minor, getting dropped and coming into the workforce throughout COVID-19 with no work expertise and no well being care. She requested them to deal with artists like “precious staff.”
“Labels, we obtained you,” she concluded her speech. “However do you bought us?”
Beyoncé and Chappell Roan give Grammys a rustic theme
In one of many largest moments of the night to date, Taylor Swift offered the award for finest nation album to Beyoncé. She grew to become the primary Black lady to ever win within the class.
“Style is a chilly phrase to maintain us in our place as artists,” she stated in her speech. “I’m nonetheless in shock. Thanks a lot for this honor.”
Beyoncé entered the night time because the main nominee.
Los Angeles on the thoughts
In incorporating the wildfires all through the present, the Grammys put the highlight on town’s resiliency.
Noah’s opening speech was devoted to these affected by the fires, promising a present that not solely celebrates them, however one which additionally celebrates “town that introduced us a lot of that music.” The Grammys have additionally allotted advert time for use by native companies affected by the fires.
Because the present neared its finish, Noah introduced that viewers had contributed $7 million to reduction efforts that night time to date.
On a stage set as much as seem like the mountains of Los Angeles, the LA born-and-raised Billie Eilish and her brother/collaborator Finneas carried out her hit “Birds of a Feather.” It was certainly one of quite a few methods the present seeks to salute town. “We love you LA,” she informed the group on the finish of the set.
The present kicked off with a robust opening efficiency of Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” by Dawes — whose members have been immediately affected by the Eaton hearth — backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, Sheryl Crow, Brittany Howard and St. Vincent.
Star studded performances and victories
The primary televised award went to Doechii for finest rap album for “Alligator Bites By no means Heal.”
The tears have been rapid. “This class was launched in 1989. Two ladies have gained, Lauryn Hill —” she stated, correcting herself. “Three ladies have gained. Lauryn Hill, Cardi B and Doechii.”
Will Smith launched a tribute to the late, nice, legendary producer Quincy Jones. “In his 91 years, Q touched numerous lives, however I’ve to say he modified mine eternally,” he stated. “You in all probability wouldn’t even know who Will Smith was with out Quincy Jones.”
Jones died in November at age 91. Kicked off by Cynthia Erivo, accompanied by Herbie Hancock on piano, the “Depraved” star sang Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” Then got here Lainey Wilson and Jacob Collier with “Let the Good Occasions Roll,” adopted by Stevie Marvel and Hancock busting out “Bluesette” and “We Are The World.” For the latter, they have been joined by pupil singers from two colleges that have been misplaced within the LA-area fires.
Then, Janelle Monae with an impressed rendition of “Don’t Cease ‘Til You Get Sufficient,” channeling Michael Jackson in a glittery tuxedo and an easy moonwalk.
The Beatles’ “Now and Then,” which used AI know-how, took dwelling finest rock efficiency. Sean Lennon accepted the award on behalf of his father John Lennon. “So far as I’m involved, it’s the most effective band of all time,” he stated of the Beatles.
First time winners have been considerable. They included Carpenter, Roan, Doechii, Charli xcx, songwriter Amy Allen, Música Mexicana star Carin León, French steel band Gojira and nation folks artist Sierra Ferrell.
The Pink Scorching Chili Peppers’ Anthony Kiedis and Chad Smith led the group in a brief singalong of their hit “Beneath the Bridge,” reminding the group to “assist their buddies and neighbors as they rebuild their lives,” stated Kiedis. Then they offered the most effective pop vocal album award to Carpenter for “Quick n’ Candy.”
“I actually wasn’t anticipating this,” she stated. “That is, woo, my first Grammy so I’m going to cry.” (She’s now gained two, however the earlier award was handed out at a pre-telecast ceremony that many artists don’t attend.) She additionally carried out.
Winners use speeches to elevate marginalized communities in tense political local weather
Shakira gained Latin pop album for “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” and gave a robust, brief speech. “I wish to dedicate this award to all my immigrant brothers and sisters on this nation,” she stated.
Woman Gaga and Bruno Mars teamed up for a canopy of “California Dreamin’.” Later, SZA offered them with the award for finest pop duo/group efficiency for “Die With A Smile.”
“Trans persons are not invisible. … The queer neighborhood deserves to be lifted up,” Gaga stated in her speech.
Alicia Keys was awarded the Dr. Dre International Influence Award “DEI will not be a risk, it’s a present,” she stated in her speech, referencing range, fairness and inclusion applications which have been scrapped not too long ago by the U.S. authorities and a number of other main firms.
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