Luis Montgomery
Staff Writer
The Grammy’s returned to Los Angeles, Calif. this year after being held in New York City last year and was broadcasted live from the Staples Center Sunday, Feb. 10, on CBS.
Music’s biggest night has been hosted by U.K. night talk show host, James Corden for the past two years; however, he did not make a comeback to the centerstage this time.
It was announced that multitalented singer and recording artist, Alicia Keys, would host this year’s awards celebration.
Despite it being her first time hosting the ceremony, Keys is no stranger to the Grammy’s stage.
Having won 15 awards over the course of her career, Keys, is a familiar face in the Grammy community.
The wife of legendary music producer, Swizz Beats, and the mother of two shared her excitement in an interview with E! News.
“I know what it feels like to be on that stage, and I’m going to bring that vibe and energy,” said Keys.
The show kicked off with a performance by Camila Cabello, former member of Fifth Harmony, featuring Ricky Martin and J Balvin with a mash-up of “Havana” and “Mi Gente,” providing a Latin, broadway theme.
Thereafter, Keys officially welcomed everyone to the show and proceeded with her introduction for the evening.
In her opening, Alicia Keys brought out Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Jada Pinkett Smith.
The stars shared stories of how music led them to success, and the former first lady could hardly get a word in without the crowd erupting.
“From the Motown Records I wore out on the Southside to the “Who Run The World” song that fueled me over the past decade, music has always helped me tell my story,” she went on.
“Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves. Our dignity and sorrows, our hopes and joys, it allows us to hear one another.”
At a ceremony dominated by female performers and presenters, more electrifying events followed.
Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” won four Grammys, including record and song of the year. This was by far his most successful music effort following his first hit “Redbone.”
In her first solo Grammy performance, Cardi B performed her latest single “Money,” complete with dancers and an electrifying grand piano opening.
Cardi B was nominated in five categories, including album of the year for her debut “Invasion of Privacy” and won Best Rap Album— becoming first solo woman to do so.
“The nerves are so bad. Maybe I need to start smoking weed,” Cardi said through the tears. “I just want to say thank you to everybody that was involved.”
Childish Gambino and Cardi B were not the only artists who walked away with prestigious awards, Drake and Lady GaGa were among the awarded.
Drake walked away with Best Rap Song for his record, “Gods’s Plan.”
With a Golden Globe awarded already, Lady GaGa was bound to win at least one of her 5 Grammy nominations.
She won Best Pop Duo/Group, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Song written for visual media.
Perhaps another major Grammy moment would be the Motown Records tribute. A performance by Jennifer Lopez, Smokey Robinson, and Ne-Yo, celebrating 60 years of music.
When announced about who was performing, Jennifer Lopez received major back-lash from music lovers.
Many commenting saying the icon was incapable to handle music that soulful and of that caliber.
In an interview with Newsweek, Smokey Robinson had this to say to the Naysayers, “I don’t think anyone who is intelligent is upset, Motown was music for everybody. Everybody,” he said. “Who’s stupid enough to protest Jennifer Lopez doing anything for Motown?”
The Grammy’s are known to bring major music moments, and this year was no exemption. This year’s show encountered many changes from previous years— expanding nominee spots, diversity in nominees, and respecting the influence of Hip-Hop.
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