Gambino, Musgraves Lead 61st Grammy Awards
• The 61st Annual Grammy Awards returned to Los Angeles tonight. Charmingly hosted by 15-time Grammy winner Alicia Keys, the evening was a star-studded musical love affair that included heartfelt tributes to Dolly Parton, Diana Ross, Donny Hathaway, Aretha Franklin and Motown Records.
But first, the headlines — Childish Gambino won four Grammys, including two of the “Big Four” General Field categories: “Song Of The Year” and “Record of The Year,” as well as Best Music Video” and “Best Rap/Sung Performance for “This Is America;” Kacey Musgraves also won four Grammys, including “Album of The Year” and “Best Country Album” for Golden Hour. She also took home Grammys for “Best Country Solo Performance” for “Butterflies,” and “Best Country Song” for “Space Cowboy.” Dua Lipa was named Best New Artist.
“Shallow,” as brought to life by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born won Grammys for “Best Song Written For Visual Media” and “Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.” During the broadcast, Gaga performed “Shallow,” accompanied by collaborator Mark Ronson. Gaga was also awarded the “Best Pop Solo Performance” Grammy for “Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’).” The multi-talented Ronson won an additional Grammy for “Best Dance Recording” winner for “Electricity” from Silk City and Best New Artist winner Dua Lipa, featuring Diplo and Ronson. Earlier in the day Gaga was informed that she, co-star/director Bradley Cooper and musical consultant Lukas Nelson won a BAFTA (British Academy Film & Television Arts) award for “Best Original Music” for A Star Is Born.
Brandy Carlile was nominated for six Grammys — during the pre-broadcast ceremony, she won three — “Best Americana Album” for By The Way, I Forgive You and “Best American Roots Performance” and “Best American Roots Song” for “The Joke,” which she performed on the show.
Ariana Grande, who, like fellow nominee Kendrick Lamar did not attend the Grammys, scored her first-ever Grammy in absentia — “Best Pop Vocal Album” for Sweetener. Lamar was also an at-home winner — he and Anderson .Paak tied for “Best Rap Performance” honors — Lamar for “King’s Dead” and .Paak for “Bubblin.” Later in the show, Drake made a surprise appearance from backstage to accept his Grammy for “Best Rap Song” for “God’s Plan.”
Other Random Grammy Notes:
> Camilla Cabelo opened the show with an ambitious, sprawling version of her smash “Havana,” joined by Ricky Martin, J Balvin, Young Thug and Arturo Sandoval. Host Alicia Keys then brought out special guests Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez, Jada Pinkett-Smith and former First Lady Michelle Obama.
> The amazing Cardi B owned the stage for her performance of her new single, “Money,” accompanied by several dozen equally glittery dancers. Later, she took home the “Best Rap Album” Grammy, while The Carters, a.k.a. Beyoncé and JAY-Z added another Grammy to their already crowded mantle — Everything Is Love was named “Best Urban Contemporary Album.
> In the Alt/Rock department,Beck‘s album Colorswon Grammys for “Best Alternative Music Album” and “Best Engineered Album, Non-Classical;” Greta Van Fleetwent home with “Best Rock Album” honors for From The Fires; Chris Cornell was honored posthumously with the Grammy for “Best Rock Performance” for “When Bad Does Good.”
> Dave Chappelle was a repeat winner from last year, as he won the Grammy for “Best Comedy Album” for Equanimity & The Bird Revelation, while “Weird Al” Yankovic won the Grammy for “Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package” for Squeeze Box: The Complete Works Of “Weird Al” Yankovic, and 94-year-old former President Jimmy Carter also won a Grammy — his second — for “Best Spoken Word Album” for his biography, Faith — A Journey For All.
> Best presenter pairing of the night: two previous Best New Artist winners — Alessia Cara (2018) and Bob Newhart (1961) presented the 2019 “Best New Artist” Grammy to Dua Lipa.
> Winners in 60+ of the 84 categories were announced during a pre-broadcast ceremony. The complete list of Grammy winners is posted at Grammy.com.
