Happy Grammys! It was a long night with big moments, memorable performances and plenty of surprises — here's everything you need to know, from Bruno Mars to Hillary Clinton. — Ray Rahman
[The Hollywood Reporter - Today In Entertainment](
January 28, 2018
Happy Grammys! It was a long night with big moments, memorable performances and plenty of surprises — here's everything you need to know, from Bruno Mars to Hillary Clinton. — Ray Rahman
The Grammy Goes to...
THE WINNERS
Bruno Mars pulls off the upset: After the Grammys snubbed Beyonce's Lemonade a year ago, the optimistic expert consensus this time was that they might finally award the year's most critically praised album — Kendrick Lamar's DAMN. — with the album of the year award. Just before the show, the album was still the big favorite on prediction website Gold Derby, and most figured a political year would see a political album win. That wasn't the case: Bruno Mars took home the big award as well as the other two most coveted prizes, record of the year (for "24K Magic") and song of the year (for "That's What I Like"). In all, he took home seven trophies. [See the full winners list.](
Kendrick Lamar still wins big: While he didn't win any of the top prizes, Lamar still took home five awards, including best rap song and best rap album. Still, he wasn't able to top any of the major non-genre categories — in fact, a rap album has still never won album of the year.
Carrie Fisher, Grammy winner: The late Star Wars actress [won]( a posthumous Grammy in the spoken-word category for the audio recording of her book The Princess Diarist. Her daughter Billie Lourd reacted to the win on Instagram, writing: ”Princess Diarist was the last profesh(ish) thing my momby and I got to do together. I wish she was here to carry me down the red carpet in some bizarre floral ensemble but instead we’ll celebrate in true Carrie style: in bed in front of the TV over cold Coca Colas and warm e cigs. I’m beyond proud.”
Glover’s first: Childish Gambino — a.k.a. Donald Glover — won his first Grammy with a best traditional R&B performance award for “Redbone.” He’s got two Emmys already. Given his age and multihyphenate ambitions, could Glover eventually make a run at an EGOT?
Speaking of EGOTS … Composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul took home the best musical theater album Grammy for Dear Evan Hansen, the Broadway hit that also landed them two Tony Awards. The duo also won an original song Oscar last year for "City of Stars" from La La Land. All they need is that Emmy now.
Chappelle beats Seinfeld: "Boy, I am honored to win an award, finally," Dave Chappelle [joked]( from the podium after accepting his best comedy album award, beating out Jerry Seinfeld, Sarah Silverman, Kevin Hart and Jim Gaffigan. But those expecting Chappelle to say something inflammatory or even just political were disappointed: "See you Monday," the comedian said with a shrug before walking off the stage.
SNUBS
SZA down: As the most-nominated female artist at the Grammys (with five), it seemed like a good bet the critically adored singer might take home at least one award. It turned out to be a bad bet — SZA went home empty-handed, losing in all categories, including best new artist (which went to Alessia Cara).
Jay-Z, 0-8: Each win for Kendrick Lamar or Bruno Mars was a loss for Jay-Z — the rapper, nominated for eight awards (including the big three), went home with zero Grammys. Every single of one of those awards went to either Lamar or Mars.
TIME'S UP
Janelle Monae kicks it off: "We come in peace but we mean business, and to those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: Time's Up," Monae [said]( while introducing a performance by Kesha. "Because, you see, it's not just going on in Hollywood, it's not just going on in Washington. It's right here, in our industry, as well."
Kesha brings it home: The singer delivered an emotional rendition of her ballad "Praying" alongside Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Julia Michaels and Andra Day. The women paid homage to the #MeToo movement as they sang accompanied by a chorus of women all dressed in white. Kesha grew visibly emotional during of the performance, stood center stage through it all, and when the powerful set ended, she was embraced onstage by the women around her. The camera then cut to a lot of teary faces in the audience. [Watch it here.](
THE CLINTON SURPRISE
"One reason why he liked to eat at McDonalds: Nobody knew he was coming and the food was safely premade," said Hillary in the middle of the Grammy ceremony. She was reading an excerpt from Michael Wolff's best-selling Trump tell-all Fire and Fury. Her surprise appearance was part of a comedic sketch that featured stars like Snoop Dogg and John Legend reading from the book. Said Cardi B, "Why am I reading this shit?" [Watch it here.](
THE PERFORMANCES
Kendrick’s opener: It would be technically incorrect to call it a showstopper since it actually started the show, but Lamar’s hyperkinetic, multifaceted performance of "XXX" — which included cameos from U2 and Dave Chappelle — brought the entire house to its feet before James Corden even said a word. [Watch it here.](
+ What Chappelle said: "I just wanted to remind the audience that the only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America, is being an honest black man in America."
Bruno Mars and Cardi B: The duo brought the early ’90s to the stage with a colorful, spirited [rendition]( of “Finesse” (whose video is also a '90s homage). In fact, it was so retro, Trevor Noah had this to say about it: “It takes me back — like, back before Trump was president!”
+ The fashion: The song was good, but it was pretty hard to not notice the outfits, too — Bruno and Cardi were bathed in the rainbow-hued clothing of Cross Colours, a brand founded in Los Angeles in 1989 with a long history in the music industry. [Read more.](
Sting and Shaggy? Yes, Sting and Shaggy: The artists have been collaborating, and they brought a song to the Grammys to prove it. Titled "Don't Make Me Wait," the song was sandwiched between renditions of Sting's "An Englishman in New York" — first without Shaggy, and then again with Shaggy (who ad-libbed that he was "a Jamaican in New York.") [Watch it all here.](
Elton and Miley: Elton John and Miley Cyrus came together to [perform his enduring hit "Tiny Dancer"]( — a nod to the upcoming "Elton John: I’m Still Standing — A Grammy Salute" tribute concert, where John and longtime writing partner Bernie Taupin are set to receive the Recording Academy President’s Merit Award.
Other notable moments: U2 [played]( on a floating stage in front of the Statue of Liberty, and country stars Maren Morris, Eric Church and more [performed]( "Tears in Heaven" in honor of the Las Vegas shooting victims.
THE RED CARPET
White roses in bloom: The campaign to bring the Time's Up and #MeToo movements to the red carpet ensured that there were plenty of white roses throughout the evening. Kelly Clarkson chose to carry a long-stemmed white rose in her hand on the carpet, and Camila Cabello wore white rosettes as a ring with her red gown resembling a rose petal. “It represents hope and peace and sympathy and resistance, and I thought those were very lovely things for every human to encompass and to also share with others," Clarkson told E!. "Have sympathy for other people maybe if you haven’t been in the same situation.” [Read more]( | [Best-dressed women]( | [Best-dressed men](
Cardi B's butterflies: "I'm feeling nervous, overwhelmed, everything," Cardi B told Giuliana Rancic on the red carpet. "Butterflies in my stomach and vagina!" And on her body: Her dress, designed by Mohammed Ashi, was designed to make her "look like a butterfly on the red carpet, like she has wings," Cardi's stylist Kollin Carter says. "Let’s just say that by the end of the carpet, she’ll be America’s angel.” [Read more.](
Lil Uzi Vert’s breakfast plans: “Waking up,” the rapper said when Rancic asked him what was next for him. “Eating some Pop Tarts.”
And then there was Joy Villa: She wore a [dress]( with an image of a fetus on it, a provocative fashion statement meant to support the pro-life movement.
AND FINALLY, we'll leave you with this instantly iconic image of Blue Ivy in the front row with her parents, whoever they are:
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January 28, 2018