Bieber, Ed win first Grammys, Lamar leads early winners

LOS ANGELES: Rapper Kendrick Lamar lead the early winners at Monday’s Grammy awards with four accolades including one shared with Taylor Swift, while Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran celebrated their first Grammy wins.

Lamar, who has a leading 11 Grammy nominations this year, won best rap song and best rap performance for his anthemic “Alright” and best rap/sung collaboration for “These Walls”, but was not on hand to accept the early awards given out before the live telecast.

He also shared the best music video win for Taylor Swift’s “Bad Blood”, which he collaborated on. Swift also won best pop vocal album for “1989”.

British singer Sheeran won his first Grammy for best pop solo performance for “Thinking Out Loud”. The single is also nominated for song and record of the year.

“I thought I knew what I was going to say, but I don’t,” the singer said on stage.

Bieber won best dance recording for his collaboration with DJs Skrillex and Diplo for “Where Are U Now”.

“Beliebers.. We did it! I love you. Now get ready for the show. Not done yet,” the Canadian singer, who is performing the song at the live show, tweeted to his fans after his win.

The Grammy Awards,

Ed Sheeran, winner for Song of the Year

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Brittany Howard of Alabama Shakes accepts the award for Best Alternative Music Album for “Sound & Color” at the 58th Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony in Los Angeles, California Monday. — Reuters photos

Ed Sheeran accepts the award for Song of theYear for“Thinking Out Loud”with songwriter Amy Wadge.

Skrillrex (L) and Diplo accept the award for Best Dance/Electronic Album for “Skrillex and Diplo Present Jack U”.