Big winners at the Grammy Awards
Beyoncé wows with glitzy performance and early wins, while David Bowie posthumously earns four
In glittery gown, gilded crown and gold choker, a pregnant Beyoncé took the Grammy stage Sunday in a lengthy performance of two songs from her critically acclaimed album Lemonade.
She was introduced by her mother and former stylist, Tina Knowles: “Ladies and gentlemen, with my mother’s pride, my daughter, Beyoncé.”
Beyoncé sang on top of a long table, even leaning back on a chair while singing Love Drought. She later sang Sandcastles while sitting down, hitting high notes.
She earned a loud applause from the audience at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, including daughter Blue Ivy and husband Jay Z. Earlier, Beyoncé won best music video for Formation and later added a best urban contemporary album trophy for Lemonade.
David Bowie, who died last year from cancer, won all four awards he was nominated for. He won three in the pre-telecast, and took home best rock song for Blackstar during the live show.
Blackstar, his final album released days after he died, also won best alternative music album, rock performance, and engineered album, non-classical (Bowie is listed as one of the engineers on Blackstar). In the latter category, he beat out Prince, who also died last year.
Adele kicked off the Grammys with a live rendition of her comeback anthem, Hello, which helped her win two early Grammys.
Adele’s Hello won best pop solo performance and 25 won pop vocal album in the pre-telecast ceremony.
She also chimed in during a tribute to the late George Michael, although she required a second take because, in the British singer’s words, she didn’t want to mess up his song.
Chance the Rapper won the first award in the live telecast for best new artist. He also won best rap performance during the pre-show awards.
“Glory be to God. I claimed this victory in the name of the Lord. I want to thank God for my mother and my father who supported me since I was young,” Chance the Rapper said onstage.
James Corden, hosting the Grammys for the first time, rapped some of his monologue at the top of the show, name-dropping Prince, Rihanna and Drake.
Twenty One Pilots won best pop duo/group performance for the hit Stressed Out. They removed their pants when accepting the award in homage to their earlier days when they watched the Grammys at home in their boxers.
In the pre-telecast, Beyoncé’s younger sister, Solange, won her first Grammy for best R&B performance (it was her first-ever nomination).
Toronto’s Drake, who isn’t attending the live show, won best rap song and rap/sung performance for the smash hit, Hotline Bling. Bernie Herms, a London, Ont.born and Edmonton-raised songwriter, won for best contemporary Christian music performance or song for Thy Will by Hillary Scott and the Scott Family.
Scott, who is a singer in Lady Antebellum, also won best contemporary Christian music album for Love Remains, which features Herms’s song.
Vancouver electronic duo Bob Moses won the Grammy for best remixed recording for Tearing Me Up (RAC Remix) by Andre Allen Anjos.
The spirit of Leonard Cohen’s music was felt during a performance by folksinger Judy Collins, who began with a memory of Cohen, a longtime friend and collaborator, and the first time he brought her the lyrics to Suzanne. She then launched into a solo piano performance of the Montreal poet’s famed song.
Justin Timberlake’s Can’t Stop the Feeling! — which is nominated for an Oscar — won best song written for visual media. His No. 1 hit is from the Trolls soundtrack.
Best new artist nominees The Chainsmokers won best dance recording for the pop hit Don’t Let Me Down, while album of the year nominee Sturgill Simpson won best country album for A Sailor’s Guide to Earth. And Joey + Rory won best roots gospel album for Hymns.
Some actors won Grammys, too: Don Cheadle picked up best compilation soundtrack for visual media for Miles Ahead, where he is credited as a compilation producer, and Carol Burnett won the best spoken-word album Grammy.
The Color Purple won best musical theatre album, giving Jennifer Hudson her second Grammy and earning Tony winner Cynthia Erivo and Orange is the New Black actress Danielle Brooks their first Grammys.