WOMEN REIGN AT GLITZY GRAMMYS
ABOLD streak of feminism ran through the Grammys gala on Sunday, as women artistes dominated in the competition and on the concert stage, while rappers Cardi B and Childish Gambino delivered a historymaking night for hip-hop.
Gambino, the musical alter ego of actor Donald Glover, posted four big wins for his provocative hit This Is America, but did not attend the ceremony.
In any event, the night belonged to the ladies.
One year after they were largely snubbed in major categories, and the head of the Recording Academy sparked outrage for telling them to “step up”, they made their presence felt — and heard.
Country star Kacey Musgraves, one of the genre’s most critically praised artistes who infuses her classic twang with psychedelia, nabbed four prizes, including an upset win for top Album of the Year honours for Golden Hour.
“I think that women have a really necessary perspective to art, to music, and it’s really nice to see that getting a chance to be included,” she said after the show.
“It takes women having the balls to put out art that might not always be liked by everyone, but it also takes people... to reach out and give those things a chance to be heard.”
English synth-pop star Dua Lipa bested a crowded field of female talent to take home the Grammy for Best New Artist.
“I guess we stepped up,” she said.
Rap’s woman of the moment Cardi B certainly put her art out there — she made history as the first solo woman to win a Grammy for Best Rap Album for her debut Invasion of Privacy.
The trembling star, fresh off a rousing performance of her hit Money, delivered an emotional speech alongside her husband, Offset of the rap trio Migos, about making the album in the early days of her pregnancy.
Gambino’s win marked the first time a rap track won either Song of the Year, which honours best songwriting, or the Record of the Year award for best overall song.
Musgraves’ third studio album beat out a crowded field of heavyweights for top honours including rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake, both of whom ended the night with just one win each.
Host Alicia Keys got the show off to a rousing start when she introduced a few of her friends, including former first lady Michelle Obama.
Obama delighted the audience when she came on stage alongside Keys, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and actress Jada PinkettSmith to deliver a strong message about diversity and female empowerment.
Brandi Carlile, this year’s most nominated woman, won her first three Grammys ever, in the Americana and American Roots categories.
Pop diva Lady Gaga won an award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her heartpounding hit Shallow from the blockbuster film A Star Is Born.
The song also won in the visual media group, and Lady Gaga scored a third trophy for best pop solo performance for Joanne.
The night struck a positive note that some change may be afoot at the Recording Academy, which has faced intense backlash over its apparent struggle to embrace diversity.
Rising pop star Camila Cabello opened the show with Ricky Martin, J Balvin and rapper Young Thug for a rousing bilingual performance.
Pop futurist Janelle Monae wowed the crowd with an edgy performance backed by an entourage of female dancers, dropping the line of the night: “Let the vagina have a monologue.”
Lady Gaga delivered a stunning rendition of Shallow in a decidedly Gaga-esque bejewelled catsuit and sky-high disco boots.
Songstress Keys, a 15-time Grammy winner, was the first woman to host American music’s biggest night in 14 years.
She performed a medley of classics on two pianos, while country legend Dolly Parton took the stage with Miley Cyrus, Katy Perry and others after being honoured for her musical and philanthropic contributions.
Disco legend Diana Ross performed a birthday tribute to herself before Jennifer Lopez wowed with an exuberant ode to Motown that included inflections of salsa.
Keys ended the feel-good show with: “Let’s keep listening and loving each other.”