The 57th Annual Grammy Awards: The Biggest Night In Music

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Although Sam Smith and Beck dominated the 57th annual Grammy Awards, there were many other happy and notable winners such as Beyonce and Pharrell. Both stars pulled in 3 Grammy wins each along with Rosanne Cash. Plenty of music’s top earners grabbed a smaller share of Grammy glory, including Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett , Tiesto , and Rihanna (Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, with Eminem). Beck shocked a few by nabbing the award for Album of the Year. The biggest night in music was hosted once again by Grammy Award-wining rapper and actor LL Cool J and broadcast on CBS live from the Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

Photo by MLADEN ANTONOV,ROBYN BECK/AFP/Getty Images

Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney lit up the stage with their performance of”FourFiveSeconds” Seeing this improbable and unique collaboration in person is possibly why many tuned in. Rih’ was expressive with the vocals, Kanye West’s Auto-Tuned assisted verses added flavor, and McCartney’s mere presence alone was enough to seal the deal especially with his guitar and backing vocals. Beyoncé won more than the BeyHive’s hearts with her performance of “Take My Hand, Precious Lord”. Some, especially Kanye West, felt Queen Bey was robbed of the album of the year award, but win or not Bey brought her skilled vocals to the cover of the Thomas A. Dorsey gospel classic, soaring with her highest vocal registers at various moments. Kanye West even beat Beck to the microphone and jokingly reenacted his 2009 interruption of Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards. Icon Prince also gave viewers a hint of cultural commentary going on to state “Like books and black lives, albums still matter.” Madonna wowed the crowd with her dance filled performance of her new single “Living for Love.” Kanye West performed the ode to his young daughter North West “Only One”, and Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett teamed up for a powerful performance that included a medley of his hits.

Obama spoke out against sexual violence via a video cameo appearance. His speech would hopefully be a mirror reflection of the beliefs of those in attendance in regards to the desire to end sexual violence against women. He brought awareness to the White House’s “It’s On Us” campaign. Katy Perry then followed with a great performance of her Prism ballad, “By the Grace of God.” Annie Lennox joined Hozier for a performance of “Take Me to Church”: This was clearly Sam Smith’s night. The man won four awards. He also was one to steal the show when he partnered with Mary J. Blige for a soulful performance of “Stay With Me,” which was reprised at the end of the show.

AC/DC opened the show. They proved to be an interesting choice but nonetheless brought it with their back catalog, and the musical evening closed with John Legend and Common performing their Oscar-nominated hit “Glory” from the movie “Selma.” It’s safe to say that Hip Hop fans were pleased that this year Kendrick Lamar took home a pair of awards — for best rap performance and best rap song.

Check out a list of a few of this year’s Grammy Award-winners below.

Record of the Year
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me

Song of the Year
Sam Smith – “Stay With Me

Best Alternative Rock Album
St. Vincent – St. Vincent

Best Metal Performance
Tenacious D – “The Last In Line”

Best Rap Performance
Kendrick Lamar – “I”

Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
Eminem Featuring Rihanna – “The Monster”

Best Rap Song
Kendrick Lamar – “I”
K. Duckworth & C. Smith, songwriters

Best Rap Album
Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2

Best R&B Performance
Beyoncé Featuring Jay Z – “Drunk In Love”

Best Traditional R&B Performance
“Jesus Children”
Robert Glasper Experiment Featuring Lalah Hathaway & Malcolm-Jamal Warner

Beyoncé Featuring Jay Z – “Drunk In Love”