Women reign at Grammys gala; rap sees historic wins
ABOLD streak of feminism ran through the Gra mmys ga la on Sunday, as women artists dominated in the competition and on the concert stage – while rappers Cardi B and Childish Gambino delivered a histor y-making 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 star-studded ceremony in Los Angeles.
I n a ny e vent, t he n ig ht belonged to t he ladies.
One yea r a f ter t hey were largely snubbed in major categories, and t he head of t he Recording Academy sparked out rage for tel l i ng t hem to “step up”, t hey made t hei r presence felt – and heard.
Count r y sta r Kacey Musg r aves, one of t he gen re’s most critica lly praised artists who infuses her classic twang w it h ps ychedel ia, nabbed four prizes including an upset win for top Album of the Year honors for Golden Hour.
“I think that women have a rea lly necessar y perspective to art, to music and it’s rea lly n ic e to see t hat get t i ng a chance to be included,” Musg raves told jour na l ists a f ter the show.
“It takes women having the balls to put out art that might not always be liked by ever yone, but it also takes people on the other side of that to reach out and give t hose t hings 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.
A nd rap’s woma n of t he moment Cardi B certainly put her art out there – she made histor y as t he f irst 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 emot iona l speech a longside her husband Offset of the rap trio Migos a bout ma k i ng t he 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.
Musg raves’ t h i rd st ud io album beat out a crowded field of heav y weights for top honours including rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake – both of whom ended the night with just one win each.
Gambino and Lamar skipped t he ceremony, but Dra ke showed up – and the Toronto rapper vented his frustration over a common complaint in recent years, that black hiphop artists are not always given their due.
“We play i n a n opi n ionbased spor t, not a fact ua lbased sport,” Drake said as he accepted his lone award for Best Rap Song for his inescapable God’s Plan.
“This is a business where sometimes it is up to a bunch of people t hat mig ht not understand what a mixed race kid from Canada has to say.”
Women on top
Host Alicia Keys got the show at the Staples Center off to a rousing start when she introduced a few of her friends – including former f i rst lady Michelle Obama.
Obama delighted the audience when she came on stage a longside Keys, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and actress Jada Pi nket t-Smit h to del iver 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 Gaga – sporting an o f f - t h e - s h o u l d e r s i l v e r number with a bold ruff le and t high-high slit – meanwhile won a n award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her heart-pounding hit Shallow from the blockbuster film A Star Is Born.
The song a lso won in t he visual media group, and Gaga scored a t hird trophy for best pop solo per for ma nce Joanne.
“I’m so proud to be a part of a movie that addresses menta l healt h issues,” said a tearf u l Gaga, who t ha n ked her co-star and duet partner Bradley Cooper.
“A lot of a r t ist s dea l wit h that. And we got to ta ke care of each ot her.”
Vagina monologues
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The night struck a positive note that some change may be afoot at the Recording Academy, which has faced intense back lash over its apparent struggle to embrace diversity.
R i si ng pop st a r Ca mi la Cabello opened the show with Rick y Martin, J Ba lv in a nd rapper Young Thug for a rousing bilingual performance.
Pop futurist Janelle Monae wowed t he crowd w it h a n edg y performance backed by an entourage of female dancers, dropping t he line of t he night: “Let the vagina have a monologue.”
And Lady Gaga delivered a stunning rendition of her hit Shallow – in a decidedly Gagaesque bejeweled catsuit and sk y-high disco boots.
Songstress Keys, a 15-time Grammy winner, was the first woman to host music’s biggest night in 14 years.
She performed a rollicking medley of classics on two pianos, while country legend Dolly Parton took t he stage wit h Miley Cyrus, Katy Perr y and others after being honored 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 Motow n t hat i ncluded inf lections of salsa.
Keys ended t he feel-good show wit h a l i ne to match: “Let’s keep listening and loving each ot her.”