The 61st Annual Grammy Awards took place in Los Angeles on February 10th, and some of the biggest names in the business took home hardware from music’s biggest night. Grammys this year were difficult to predict due to many changes the Recording Academy has been making. In one of its first major initiatives since being created in May 2018, the Recording Academy’s Task Force on Diversity & Inclusion has announced that it has invited 900 women, people of color and young artists under the age of 39 to become voting members. Also, with the “Big Four” categories (Album, Record, and Song of the Year as well as Best New Artist) expanded from the usual five nominees to eight this year, the 61st Annual Grammy Awards were more difficult to predict than ever.
surfing sound waves team once again got to watch the ceremony live at the Staples Center and witnessed epic moments firsthand.
Alicia Keys took us to “Club Keys” as host of the Grammys
A 15-time Grammy winner and outstanding performer took on the role of host and was a true highlight of the night, keeping the show flowing with the positive energy and “realness” that she exudes. Keys was the first female host of the show in 14 years (the last woman to host was Queen Latifah in 2005). She also performed a medley of her favorite songs while playing two pianos at once (as a homage to pioneering pianist, Hazel Scott) and showed up during other performances.
Michelle Obama had the audience in tears as she joined Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Jada Pinkett and Alicia Keys
Michelle Obama’s appearance was the biggest surprise of the night. The stars shared stories of how music led them to success, and the former first lady was drowned out by thunderous applause from the ecstatic crowd that would have gone way longer if Michelle hadn’t said, “We’ve got a show to do!”
Drake said artists don’t need awards to measure success
Drake snagged the best rap song accolade, but he also took a slight dig at the ceremony by saying artists shouldn’t measure success by the awards they win. “I want to take this opportunity while I’m up here to talk to all the kids watching, aspiring to do music. All my peers that make music from their heart, that do things pure and tell the truth, I wanna let you know, we play in an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport. It’s not the NBA where at the end of the year, you’re holding a trophy because you made the right decisions or won games.” “This is a business where sometimes it’s up to a bunch of people that might not understand what a mixed-race kid from Canada has to say or a fly Spanish girl from New York, or a brother from Houston,” he continued. “The point is, you’ve already won if you have people who are singing your songs word for word. If you are a hero in your hometown, if there’s people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain, in the snow, spending their hard-earned money to buy tickets to come to your shows, you don’t need this right here,” he said of his Grammy trophy. “I promise you, you already won.”
Brandi Carlile brought the house down
Carlile performing “The Joke” was our favorite performance of the night. (Prior to that she won the awards for best Americana album for “By The Way, I Forgive You,” best American roots performance for “The Joke,” and best American roots song for “The Joke”). She stunned the audience with an explosive rendition of the song and brought the room to a standing ovation.
St. Vincent and Dua Lipa teamed up for the iconic performance
One of the most jaw-dropping performances involved two artists performing their singles “Masseduction” and “One Kiss.” St. Vincent and Dua Lipa are two of modern music’s most exciting singer-songwriters, and both of them had a big night, with St. Vincent winning Best Rock Song for “Masseduction” and Dua Lipa taking home Best New Artist. Tonight’s performance was a mashup we never knew we needed.
photo by Dave Reece
Childish Gambino has made history with “This is America.”
Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) has made history by becoming the first artist to win Song of the Year and Record of the Year with a rap song for “This is America.” Glover didn’t attend the ceremony and opted not to perform at the show, which delivered a bigger message Sunday night.
Janelle Monáe made us feel
Janelle Monáe is truly one of the most powerful and innovative performers. She stole the show with the Dirty Computer highlight “Make Me Feel” and transitioned into snippets of “Django Jane” and “PYNK.” She concluded with a shout out to fans (“I love you, dirty computers”) before dropping the mic.
Kacey Musgrave won album of the year.
Kacey Musgraves had one of the biggest nights of any artist, taking home four Grammys that included album of the year for “Golden Hour.”
Overall, Grammys this year offered a big share of satisfying and buzzworthy moments and we couldn’t be happier for the artists that we have featured here on SSW who received their nominations and awards. See you all at the Grammys 2020.
recap by Irina Liakh
Images by Getty Images for The Recording Academy
