Grammy Awards – Channels Television

Grammys Rename Controversial ‘Urban Contemporary’ Award Field

The organisation behind the Grammy Awards on Wednesday announced a number of changes to its category names, including changing “urban contemporary” to “progressive R&B.”

The Recording Academy’s move comes amid growing criticism in the music industry over the term “urban” that has long generalized genres including hip-hop and R&B but which many believe belittles the innovation of black music.

The renamed category “is intended to highlight albums that include the more progressive elements of R&B and may include samples and elements of hip-hop, rap, dance, and electronic music,” the academy said. “It may also incorporate production elements found in pop, euro-pop, country, rock, folk, and alternative.”

On Friday, the label Republic Records, a division of Universal, said it would stop using “urban” in its company lexicon.

While the origins of the term’s use in music jargon were not negative — a black New York radio DJ coined it in the 1970s — today it is considered an antiquated umbrella term that marginalizes the work of black music, especially as hip hop and R&B are among the globe’s most popular genres.

Past winners of the Grammys “Urban Contemporary” prize include Lizzo’s “Cuz I Love You,” Beyonce and Jay-Z’s “Everything Is Love” and Beyonce’s landmark visual album “Lemonade.”

In its rechristening announcement, the academy also said it would change Best Rap/Sung Performance to Best Melodic Rap Performance.

But the academy did not completely drop “urban:” it remains in categories including the newly titled field “Best Latin Pop or Urban Album.”

“Urbano” remains widely accepted as a transnational umbrella term that includes reggaeton, Latin hip hop, Latin trap and dancehall — all of which have exploded in popularity in recent years.

The academy told Rolling Stone that “we understand that in the current climate, sentiment might be changing. We are continuing to follow the conversation and are committed to making necessary adjustments.”

The Recording Academy also changed its controversial but prestigious “Best New Artist” award, removing the eligibility requirement that capped a specified number of releases.

And months, after the LA-based organization was roiled by scandal, triggered when its now-sacked CEO levelled accusations of sexual harassment and voting irregularities, the body has announced changes within its Nominations Review Committee.

The academy set term limits for the membership committee and vowed to better scrutinize conflicts of interest in the nomination process.

Naira Marley’s Advice, DJ Cuppy’s New Mission, Grammy Awards And More

It was yet another interesting week in the world of showbiz.

Here’s a quick rundown of some of the week’s Vibez.

Naira Marley Dishes Some Good Advice To Marlians

Controversial hip hop artiste, Naira Marley yet again stirred social media after he cautioned fans to take their future seriously.

He took to twitter where he wrote, “as a Marlian you have to enjoy your youth but don’t destroy your future”.

While some hailed the singer for his words of advice, others expressed shock because Marlians claim to have “no manners”.

Some also asked the soapy crooner to tell his fans to take a cue from him because beyond his accolades as a musician, he is a college graduate with a distinction.

Cuppy On A New Mission

Popular DJ and daughter of billionaire businessman Florence Otedola, a.k.a DJ Cuppy is on a new mission.

The singer who is always shaking up the social media space with various fascinating posts has again defied critics and taken to Instagram to announce that she’s been working on her debut EP.

According to her, it’s already more than halfway done but she has asked fans for suggestions on what to name it.

Meanwhile, the gelato crooner also took to her insta-stories where she disclosed that she’s working towards earning $1 million by the end of 2020.

Zlatan Accused Of Masterminding Attack On Vic O

Upcoming singer, Vic O accused rapper, Zlatan of assaulting him with the help of his friends.

The singer took to Instagram where he shared a video of his badly bruised face.

According to him, he was attacked in the Lekki area of Lagos by men, numbering about eight who are allegedly loyal to Zlatan.

He went further to announce that the battle line has been drawn, between Zlatan and himself. Meanwhile, Zlatan is yet to react to the allegations.

Cause Of Juice Wrld’s Death Revealed

One month after rising artiste, Juice Wrld passed away, the cause of his death has been revealed.

According to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s office, the rapper died of an accidental opioid overdose, specifically oxycodone and codeine toxicity”.

Juice Wrld is the latest in a string of famous musicians to die of an opioid overdose in recent years.

Meanwhile, his family has disclosed plans for a public tribute to be held for the late rapper in Chicago.

Davido Drops “2020 Letter To You”

On to some new music, Nigerian pop star, Davido has risen above all the drama that ushered him into the new year with the release of a freestyle track titled: ‘2020, Letter To You’.

In the new track, O.B.O advices everyone to be true to themselves.

He also says no one is perfect and so, everyone should learn to accept each other as they are and aim for higher.

‘Eyimofe’ To Premiere At Berlin International Film Festival

And to movies, Nigerian feature film ‘Eyimofe’ is set to premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival which starts in February 2020.

Written by Chuko Esiri and produced by Melissa Adeyemo, the film addresses the endless pursuit of migrants for greener pastures in Europe and the sad reality they often meet at the end.

‘Joseph’ Hits The Big Screens

Meanwhile, African-Carribean film, Joseph is also set to hit the big screens.

The movie chronicles the life of a young, successful medical doctor in the Caribbean whose curiosity about Africa sets him on a journey to an unknown world amidst warnings from friends and family.

Movie enthusiasts joined some cast and crew of the film for its premiere which took place in Lagos, Nigeria.

Diane Makes Fashion Statement

To some more exciting stuff, Mercy Johnson’s Epic Movie, the legend of Inikpi is finally out and some of our faves stepped out in style for the premiere which took place at the Film House Cinemas in Lekki.

Those in attendance included Yvonne Jegede, Paul Obazele, Ay Makun, Denrele, popular OAP, Lolo, and some of Big Brother Naija’s finest, Ceecee, Diane and Thelma.

Diane particularly wowed fans with what seemed to be a surprisingly bold fashion statement.

A photo she posted on Instagram, was accompanied with a caption that read: “be crazy enough to know you can do anything you want in life”. and fans could not hide their excitement in the comments.

Grammys: Fans Anticipate Burna’s Win

Finally, the Grammys is only few hours from now and our very own Burna Boy a.k.a African Giant, is a nominee for the ‘best world music category’, alongside heavyweights such as Angelique Kidjo.

A lot of fans are very optimistic and so far, social media has been buzzing, with #BurnaBoy as one of the top trends.

We have our fingers crossed and we’re wishing him all the best.

Five Things To Watch Out For At The Grammys

Music’s glitterati will sparkle on the red carpet at this Sunday’s Grammy awards, which honors the top hits and artists of the year.

Scandal at the Recording Academy, which puts on the show, has overwhelmed the lead-up to the glam event, but there are still plenty of musical moments to watch for.

Here is our quick guide to the event, which will take place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles:

Women Poised To Lead

Women dominated at last year’s gala and are leading the pack this year as well, with the twerking flautist Lizzo and the teenage goth-pop phenomenon Billie Eilish expected to battle for the top awards.

The Academy has long come under fire for failing to recognize women and people of color.

So in recent years, it expanded the nominee field from five to eight in the major four categories: Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best New Artist.

Both Lizzo and Eilish are nominated for all of the “big four” prizes.

Other female frontrunners vying for Grammys gold include Lana Del Rey — whose 2019 album was considered by many critics as the best of the year — and R&B prodigy H.E.R., who is up for five awards and last year won two.

Pop sensation Ariana Grande is also among the top nominees, while flamenco revivalist Rosalia, up for Best New Artist, could become a rare Spanish-language winner in the general categories.

Generational Shift

Lizzo, Eilish and Lil Nas X are the top three contenders of the night with a combined age of 69 — a figure once closer to the average age of just one veteran star that would dominate the night.

The generational shift could mark a new era for the Recording Academy, which has long favored older pop and rock mainstays.

Eilish, who first gained fame online, was just 17 when the nominations were announced, making her the youngest artist ever to be up for all four top Grammy awards.

Her songwriting partner and brother Finneas, 22, meanwhile has five chances at Grammys glory.

Fans are expecting a rager of a performance from Lizzo, who routinely slings back tequila from the bottle onstage.

Fashion watchers will also be on red alert for the boisterous star’s latest ensemble — she donned a fluffy, hot pink Marc Jacobs jacket to this year’s Met Gala, which she proudly wore as she strutted through a New York airport the morning after.

‘Old Town Road’ All-Stars

Lil Nas X, the brain behind the year’s ubiquitous earworm “Old Town Road,” will take the stage to perform a pumped-up rendition of his country-trap smash.

His Grammy co-nominee for Record of the Year, Billy Ray Cyrus — who lent the song country-world street cred when Nashville snubbed it — will join him on stage, as will the eclectic DJ Diplo and K-pop megastars BTS.

The video-sharing app TikTok propelled the young rapper to fame — his song went viral and ultimately broke the record for the longest stretch atop the Billboard hot songs chart at 19 weeks.

The genre-bending mega-hit was removed from Billboard’s country music charts early last year — which critics alleged was industry white-washing as the artist is black.

Lil Nas X is bound to impress on the red carpet; the rapper is known for his campy Western outfits complete with fringe, vests or hats in garish colors.

– Barring none –
Two artists who faced major legal troubles in 2019 — Meek Mill and 21 Savage — are up for Best Rap Album.

Mill ended his controversial legal saga in August after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge dating back more than a decade — a move that lifted the probation he dealt with for most of his adult life.

The plea deal, which saw additional charges against Mill dropped, resolved a case that had become a flashpoint in the national debate over the US criminal justice system’s treatment of black people.

21 Savage was meanwhile arrested just before last year’s Grammys gala in his hometown Atlanta, with US immigration agents saying he had been living stateside illegally since overstaying a visa that expired in 2006, when he was a minor.

The shock arrest surprised fans, who discovered the rapper — strongly associated with the southern capital of hip-hop — was in fact born in Britain.

Nipsey Hussle Tribute

Mill — along with artists including DJ Khaled, John Legend and Roddy Ricch — will perform a tribute to the late rapper Nipsey Hussle, who is posthumously up for three awards after losing out on Best Rap Album to Cardi B in 2019.

The Eritrean-American born Ermias Asghedom was shot dead last March at age 33 in broad daylight, triggering an outpouring of grief in Los Angeles and among Hussle’s superstar peers, who hailed both his musical talents and tireless community organizing.

Both Legend and Khaled are up for a Grammy with Hussle for “Higher,” a collaboration released after the rapper’s death.

Long part of the underground rap circuit, Hussle struggled to find fame but began selling his own mixtapes.

Hip-hop royalty Jay-Z once bought 100 of them — for $100 each.

Key Nominees For The 2020 Grammy Awards

Here is a list of nominees in the major categories for the 62nd annual Grammy Awards, which will be handed out January 26 in Los Angeles:

Album of the Year

Bon Iver, “i, i”

Lana Del Rey, “Norman Fucking Rockwell!”

Billie Eilish, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”

Ariana Grande, “thank u, next”

H.E.R., “I Used To Know Her”

Lil Nas X, “7”

Lizzo, “Cuz I Love You (Deluxe)”

Vampire Weekend, “Father Of The Bride”

Record of the Year, recognizing overall performance on a song –

Bon Iver, “Hey, Ma”

Billie Eilish, “Bad Guy”

Ariana Grande, “7 Rings”

H.E.R., “Hard Place”

Khalid, “Talk”

Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road”

Lizzo, “Truth Hurts”

Post Malone and Swae Lee, “Sunflower”

Song of the Year, recognizing songwriting

Lady Gaga, Natalie Hemby, Hillary Lindsey and Lori McKenna, “Always Remember Us This Way” (from “A Star Is Born”)

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, “Bad Guy”

Brandi Carlile, Phil Hanseroth, Tim Hanseroth and Tanya Tucker, “Bring My Flowers Now”

H.E.R., Ruby Amanfu, Sam Ashworth, D. Arcelious Harris and Rodney Jerkins, “Hard Place”

Taylor Swift, “Lover”

Lana Del Rey and Jack Antonoff, “Norman Fucking Rockwell!”

Lewis Capaldi, Tom Barnes, Pete Kelleher, Benjamin Kohn and Sam Roman, “Someone You Loved”

Lizzo, Steven Cheung, Eric Frederic and Jesse Saint John, “Truth Hurts”

Best New Artist

Black Pumas

Billie Eilish

Lil Nas X

Lizzo

Maggie Rogers

Rosalia

Tank And The Bangas

Yola

Best Music Video

The Chemical Brothers, “We’ve Got to Try”

Gary Clark Jr, “This Land”

FKA twigs, “Cellophane”

Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road”

Tove Lo, “Glad He’s Gone”

Best Rap Album

Dreamville, “Revenge Of The Dreamers III”

Meek Mill, “Championships”

21 Savage, “I Am > I Was”

Tyler, The Creator, “Igor”

YBN Cordae, “The Lost Boy”

Best Rock Album

Bring Me The Horizon, “Amo”

Cage The Elephant, “Social Cues”

The Cranberries, “In The End”

I Prevail, “Trauma”

Rival Sons, “Feral Roots”

Best Pop Vocal Album

Beyonce, “The Lion King: The Gift”

Billie Eilish, “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”

Ariana Grande, “thank u, next”

Ed Sheeran, “No. 6 Collaborations Project”

Taylor Swift, “Lover”

Best Alternative Music Album

Big Thief, “U.F.O.F.”

James Blake, “Assume Form”

Bon Iver, “i, i”

Vampire Weekend, “Father of the Bride”

Thom Yorke, “Anima”

Best World Music Album

Altin Gun, “Gece”

Bokante & Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley, “What Heat”

Burna Boy, “African Giant”

Nathalie Joachim with Spektral Quartet, “Fanm D’Ayiti”

Angelique Kidjo, “Celia”

AFP

Veteran Musician Andre Previn Dies At 89

The multifaceted musician whose work ranged from composing Oscar-winning film scores to playing jazz piano to conducting the world’s elite orchestras — died Thursday, his management agency said. He was 89.

The prolific German-American musician — who won four Oscars, 10 Grammys and a coveted Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement honour during his storied career — also had his moments in the glare of the paparazzi’s flashbulbs.

One of his five wives was actress Mia Farrow, who had been married to Frank Sinatra when she met the musician.

“We are deeply saddened to hear of the death this morning of our Conductor Emeritus Andre Previn,” the London Symphony Orchestra — where Previn once served as a principal conductor — said in a statement.

“He will be hugely missed by everyone at the LSO and remembered with great affection. May he always play all the right notes in the right order.”

The Recording Academy, which puts on the Grammy awards gala, praised Previn’s “ability to effortlessly combine genres.”

“Andre was an incomparable talent, and his legacy will live on through his countless compositions.”

Jazz and classical

Born Andreas Ludwig Priwin in Berlin on April 6, 1929, Previn was enrolled at the German capital’s Conservatory of Music at age six when his father realized he had perfect pitch.

The family fled Nazi Germany in 1939, moving to Los Angeles, where Previn’s great-uncle was the music director for Universal Studios.

An accomplished jazz pianist, he began working at MGM in 1946 while still in high school.

During his illustrious career in Hollywood, Previn won four Academy Awards for film composing, including for “Porgy and Bess” (1960) and “My Fair Lady” (1964).

But he left the studio in the 1960s to focus on classical music.

“At MGM, you knew you were going to be working next year, you knew you were going to get paid,” he told The Guardian in 2008. “But I was too ambitious musically to settle for it.”

“And I wanted to gamble with whatever talent I might have had.”

‘May you rest in glorious symphonies’

Previn served as music director for the Los Angeles Philharmonic as well as the Houston and Pittsburgh Symphonies, and frequently guest conducted worldwide.

“In the recent years, he occupied his brilliant mind mostly with composing and worked tirelessly on new commissions until only a few days before his passing,” his management agency, IMG Artists, said in a statement, adding that several of Previn’s new works would premiere “in the coming season.”

His collaborators included musical titans like American opera singer Renee Fleming and Chinese-American cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

“So very saddened by the loss of the great Andre Previn,” tweeted Fleming.

“The @NYTimes says his music knew no boundaries, but I would say that of his talent and humanity as well.”

His mercurial tastes for music also applied to women: Previn married five times, most famously to Farrow, with whom he had three biological children.

The musician had left his second wife Dory Previn — a lyricist and singer who wrote tracks for a number of films with Previn, including 1967’s “Valley of the Dolls — for Farrow.

Previn also adopted three children with Farrow, including a daughter Soon-Yi, who in 1997 wed film director Woody Allen.

Allen was Farrow’s longtime partner after her split with Previn — so the marriage led to a major public feud.

“See you in the Morning beloved Friend,” tweeted Farrow, who posted several photos of her and Previn together.

“May you rest in glorious symphonies.”

Nominees For 2019 Grammy Awards

Here is a list of nominees in the major categories for the Grammy Awards, which will be handed out on Sunday in Los Angeles.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar leads the nominations with eight, followed by Canada’s Drake at seven.

Folk rocker Brandi Carlile is the most-nominated female artist with six nods:

– Album of the Year –

Cardi B, “Invasion of Privacy”

Brandi Carlile, “By The Way, I Forgive You”

Drake, “Scorpion”

H.E.R., “H.E.R.”

Post Malone, “Beerbongs & Bentleys”

Janelle Monae, “Dirty Computer”

Kacey Musgraves, “Golden Hour”

Various Artists, “Black Panther: The Album, Music From and Inspired By”

– Record of the Year, recognizing overall performance on a song –

Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin, “I Like It”

Brandi Carlile, “The Joke”

Childish Gambino, “This Is America”

Drake, “God’s Plan”

Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper, “Shallow” (from “A Star Is Born”)

Kendrick Lamar & SZA, “All The Stars” (from “Black Panther”)

Post Malone featuring 21 Savage, “Rockstar”

Zedd, Maren Morris & Grey, “The Middle”

– Song of the Year, recognizing songwriting –

Kendrick Lamar and SZA, with songwriters Al Shuckburgh, Mark Spears and Anthony Tiffith, “All The Stars” (from “Black Panther”)

Ella Mai with songwriters Larrance Dopson, Joelle James and Dijon McFarlane, “Boo’d Up”

Drake with songwriters Daveon Jackson, Brock Korsan, Ron LaTour, Matthew Samuels and Noah Shebib, “God’s Plan”

Shawn Mendes with songwriters Teddy Geiger, Scott Harris and Geoffrey Warburton, “In My Blood”

Brandi Carlile with songwriters Dave Cobb, Phil Hanseroth and Tim Hanseroth, “The Joke”

Zedd and Grey, with songwriters Sarah Aarons, Jordan K. Johnson, Stefan Johnson and Marcus Lomax, “The Middle”

Lady Gaga with songwriters Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando and Andrew Wyatt, “Shallow”

Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) and Ludwig Goransson, “This Is America”

– Best New Artist –

Chloe x Halle

Luke Combs

Greta Van Fleet

H.E.R.

Dua Lipa

Margo Price

Bebe Rexha

Jorja Smith

– Best Music Video –

The Carters, “APES**T”

Childish Gambino, “This Is America”

Joyner Lucas, “I’m Not Racist”

Janelle Monae, “Pynk”

Tierra Whack, “Mumbo Jumbo”

– Best Rap Album –

Cardi B, “Invasion Of Privacy”

Mac Miller, “Swimming”

Nipsey Hussle, “Victory Lap”

Pusha T, “Daytona”

Travis Scott, “Astroworld”

– Best Rock Album –

Alice in Chains, “Rainier Fog”

Fall Out Boy, “Mania”

Ghost, “Prequelle”

Greta Van Fleet, “From the Fires”

Weezer, “Pacific Daydream”

– Best Pop Vocal Album –

Camila Cabello, “Camila”

Kelly Clarkson, “Meaning of Life”

Ariana Grande, “Sweetener”

Shawn Mendes, “Shawn Mendes”

P!nk, “Beautiful Trauma”

Taylor Swift, “Reputation”

– Best Alternative Music Album –

Arctic Monkeys, “Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino”

Beck, “Colors”

Bjork, “Utopia”

David Byrne, “American Utopia”

St. Vincent, “Masseduction”

– Best World Music Album –

Bombino, “Deran”

Fatoumata Diawara, “Fenfo”

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, “Black Times”

Soweto Gospel Choir, “Freedom”

Yiddish Glory, “The Lost Songs of World War II”

AFP

FULL LIST: Grammy Winners In Key Categories

Recording artist Bruno Mars wins of Album of the Year for ’24K Magic’ at the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018, in New York City. PHOTO: Christopher Polk / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP

Retro R&B star Bruno Mars was the surprise big winner Sunday at the Grammy Awards, with a clean sweep of the top awards including Album, Record and Song of the Year, and six overall.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar took home five Grammys on a night that featured powerful #MeToo moments, especially from Kesha, who delivered a searing performance of her song “Praying,” about her struggles with former producer Dr Luke.

Mars won all of the awards for which he was nominated.

More than 13,000 music professionals in the Recording Academy voted to determine the winners of the Grammys, which were handed out in New York at Madison Square Garden.

Here is a list of winners in key categories:

Album of the Year: Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”

Record of the Year (for overall performance of a song): Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”

Song of the Year (for songwriting): Bruno Mars along with songwriters Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy and Philip Lawrence and production team The Stereotypes, “That’s What I Like”

Best New Artist: Alessia Cara

Best Pop Vocal Album: Ed Sheeran, “Divide”

Best Pop Solo Performance: Ed Sheeran, “Shape of You”

Best Rap Album: Kendrick Lamar, “DAMN.”

Best Rap Song: Kendrick Lamar, “HUMBLE.”

Best Rap Performance: Kendrick Lamar, “HUMBLE.”

Best Rap/Sung Performance: Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna, “LOYALTY.”

Best R&B Album: Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”

Best R&B Song: Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”

Best R&B Performance: Bruno Mars, “That’s What I Like”

Best Rock Album: The War on Drugs, “A Deeper Understanding”

Best Rock Performance: Leonard Cohen, “You Want It Darker”

Best Alternative Music Album: The National, “Sleep Well Beast”

Best World Music Album: Ladysmith Black Mambazo, “Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration”

Best Dance/Electronic Album: Kraftwerk, “3-D The Catalogue”

Best Music Video: Kendrick Lamar, “HUMBLE.”

Best Country Album: Chris Stapleton, “From a Room, Volume 1”

AFP

Bruno Mars Surprises With Grammy Awards Sweep

Recording artist Bruno Mars, winner of the Record of the Year award for ’24K Magic,’ Album Of The Year award for ’24K Magic,’ Song of the Year award for ‘That’s What I Like,’ Best R&B Performance award for ‘That’s What I Like,’ and Best R&B Album album for ’24K Magic,’ poses in the press room during the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City. PHOTO: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for NARAS/AFP

Bruno Mars, who has revived retro funk and R&B for a new generation, on Sunday swept the Grammy Awards in a surprise snub for the hip-hop world, which had hoped for a major breakthrough on the music industry’s biggest night.

The industry seized on its annual gala to rally on behalf of the growing women’s movement against sexual harassment, with pop singer Kesha delivering a fierce performance about her own abuse story.

But for the awards, the feel-good Mars carried the night.

He won the top prize, Album of the Year, for “24K Magic” as well as Record of the Year, which recognizes top tune, for the title track — a tale of good times with beautiful women set to 1980s-style synths and rhythms.

The Recording Academy, the body of 13,000 music professionals, also gave him Song of the Year, which awards songwriting, for another track on the album — “That’s What I Like,” an old-school ode to making love in high style.

The 32-year-old singer, sporting a bright smile and sunglasses, recalled how he first performed as a child for tourists in his native Hawaii.

“I remember seeing it firsthand — people dancing that had never met each other from two sides of the globe, dancing with each other, toasting with each other, celebrating together,” he said.

“All I wanted to do with this album was that,” he told thousands of industry players at Madison Square Garden in New York, where the Grammys temporarily shifted after 15 years in Los Angeles.

– Anti-climax for rap –

Mars won all of the awards for which he was in the running on what was expected to be a major night for hip-hop, which for the first time dominated nominations for the major categories.

But the industry either preferred Mars or the vote for rappers split.

Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z, who had led with eight nominations, ended the night empty-handed.

Kendrick Lamar for the second time swept all rap categories but failed to win the general prizes.

His five awards included Best Rap Album for “DAMN.,” a turn to a classic hip-hop sound.

Lamar opened the televised gala with a frenetic show, spitting out his verses as he was joined by U2 frontman Bono amid a sea of kung fu dancers who later fell to the ground as if struck by bullets.

– No longer ‘pretend-winning’ in shower –

Alessia Cara, who rose from making YouTube videos in her bedroom to becoming a socially conscious pop singer, won the closely watched award of Best New Artist.

“I’ve been pretend-winning Grammys since I was a kid in my shower,” the 21-year-old from suburban Toronto told the gala.

“I just wanted to encourage everyone to support real music and real artists because everyone deserves the same shot,” Cara added.

Cara has quickly found her voice as a singer with singles such as “Here,” which describes the dread of forced emotions at a party, and “Scars to Your Beautiful,” a call for healthy body image.

– Rallying for women –

Amid rising attention to gender discrimination in the entertainment industry following revelations of sexual misconduct by Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, top stars — notably Lady Gaga — walked the red carpet wearing white roses in solidarity with abuse victims and in an appeal for equality.

Kesha — whose pleas to break a deal with her producer, whom she accused of rape, initially fell on deaf ears in the industry — brought some audience members to tears with her deeply personal song “Praying.”

Her face intense and her voice ferocious, Kesha sang the autobiographical lyrics: “After everything you’ve done / I can thank you for how strong I have become.”

A clutch of female vocalists including Cyndi Lauper offered her both symbolic and literal support, with Kesha embracing the group in a bear-hug as she finished.

Singer Janelle Monae, introducing Kesha, said that the music industry needed to address its own abuse problems.

“To those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: Time’s Up!” Monae said, using a slogan for the movement launched on New Year’s Day by hundreds of prominent women in the entertainment industry.

Rapper Logic added his own voice later on stage, telling women: “Stand tall and crush all predators under the weight of your heart that is full of the love they will never take away from you.”

The Grammys also featured a tribute to music fans killed in attacks in Las Vegas and Manchester last year with country stars Eric Church, Maren Morris and Brothers Osbourne together performing Eric Clapton’s mournful “Tears in Heaven.”

– Trump skewered –

The Grammys didn’t hold back from more light-hearted political commentary.

Noting President Donald Trump’s reported disdain for reading — and the Grammy award for spoken word — host James Corden introduced a video of famous names reciting from “Fire and Fury: Inside The Trump White House,” the sensational account of the tycoon-turned-president’s first year in office.

Musicians known for their criticism of Trump started reading from the book including John Legend, Cher and — smoking from his trademark joint — Snoop Dogg.

The video ends with Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in the bitter 2016 election.

“The Grammy’s in the bag,” quips Clinton, whose confidence during her race against Trump proved ill-advised.

AFP

List Of Nominees For Grammy Awards

Rap superstar Jay-Z led the nominations announced Tuesday for the Grammy Awards as the US-based music industry embraced hip-hop for its top honors — a move some critics have said is long overdue.

Jay-Z received eight nominations, followed by fellow rapper Kendrick Lamar at seven and retro R&B star Bruno Mars at six.

Here is a list of nominees in major categories for the Grammy Awards, with winners to be unveiled at a gala in New York on January 28:

– Album of the Year –

Childish Gambino, “‘Awaken, My Love!'”
Jay-Z, “4:44”
Kendrick Lamar, “DAMN.”
Lorde, “Melodrama”
Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”

– Record of the Year, recognizing overall performance on a song –

Childish Gambino, “Redbone”
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
Jay-Z, “The Story of O.J.”
Kendrick Lamar, “HUMBLE.”
Bruno Mars, “24K Magic”

– Song of the Year, recognizing songwriting –

Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber along with songwriters Erika Ender, Marty James Garton and Poo Bear, “Despacito”
Jay-Z along with producer No I.D., “4:44”
Julia Michaels along with songwriters Benny Blanco and Justin Tranter and production duo Stargate, “Issues”
Alessia Cara, Logic and Khalid along with producer 6ix, “1-800-273-8255”
Bruno Mars along with songwriters Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy and Philip Lawrence and production team The Stereotypes, “That’s What I Like”

– Best New Artist –

Alessia Cara
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA

– Best Rap Album –

Jay-Z, “4:44”
Kendrick Lamar, “DAMN.”
Migos, “Culture”
Rapsody, “Laila’s Wisdom”
Tyler, The Creator, “Flower Boy”

– Best Rock Album –

Mastodon, “Emperor of Sand”
Metallica, “Hardwired… To Self-Destruct”
Nothing More, “The Stories We Tell Ourselves”
Queens of the Stone Age, “Villains”
The War on Drugs, “A Deeper Understanding”

– Best Pop Vocal Album –

Coldplay, “Kaleidoscope EP”
Lana Del Rey, “Lust for Life”
Imagine Dragons, “Evolve”
Kesha, “Rainbow”
Lady Gaga, “Joanne”
Ed Sheeran, “Divide”

– Best Alternative Music Album –

Arcade Fire, “Everything Now”
Father John Misty, “Pure Comedy”
Gorillaz, “Humanz”
LCD Soundsystem, “American Dream”
The National, “Sleep Well Beast”

– Best World Music Album –

Vicente Amigo, “Memoria de los Sentidos”
Buika, “Para Mi”
Anat Cohen and Trio Brasiliero, “Rosa Dos Ventos”
Ladysmith Black Mambazo, “Shaka Zulu Revisited: 30th Anniversary Celebration”
Tinariwen, “Elwan”

– Best Dance/Electronic Album –

Bonobo, “Migration”
Kraftwerk, “3-D The Catalogue”
Mura Masa, “Mura Masa”
Odesza, “A Moment Apart”
Sylvan Esso, “What Now”

AFP

Grammy Awards 2015: Complete Winners List

The 57th Annual Grammy Awards held on Sunday February 8, 2015.

It delivered many memorable moments as series of entertaining events took the crowd.

There were standout performances and signature GRAMMY Moments to the poignant acceptance speeches.

1. RECORD OF THE YEAR
Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)
Sam Smith
Steve Fitzmaurice, Rodney Jerkins & Jimmy Napes, producers; Steve Fitzmaurice, Jimmy Napes & Steve Price, engineers/mixers; Tom Coyne, mastering engineer
Label: Capitol Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Songs LLC obo Naughty Worlds Ltd./Universal-Polygram Int. Tunes, Inc. obo Salli Isaak Songs, Ltd./Universal Polygram Int. Tunes, Inc. obo Method Paperwork

2. ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Morning Phase
Beck
Beck Hansen, producer; Tom Elmhirst, David Greenbaum, Florian Lagatta, Cole Marsden Greif-Neill, Robbie Nelson, Darrell Thorp, Cassidy Turbin & Joe Visciano, engineers/mixers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer
Label: Capitol Records

3. SONG OF THE YEAR
Stay With Me (Darkchild Version)
James Napier, William Phillips & Sam Smith, songwriters (Sam Smith)
Label: Capitol Records; Publishers: Sony/ATV Songs LLC obo Naughty Words Ltd./Universal-Polygram Int. Tunes, Inc. obo Method Paperwork

4. BEST NEW ARTIST
Sam Smith
Label: Capitol Records

5. BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
Happy (Live)
Pharrell Williams
Label: Columbia Records

6. BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
Say Something
A Great Big World With Christina Aguilera
Track from: Is There Anybody Out There?
Label: Epic Records

7. BEST TRADITIONAL POP VOCAL ALBUM
Cheek To Cheek
Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
Label: Streamline/Columbia/RPM/Interscope

8. BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
In The Lonely Hour
Sam Smith
Label: Capitol Records

9. BEST DANCE RECORDING
Rather Be
Clean Bandit Featuring Jess Glynne
Grace Chatto & Jack Patterson, producers; Wez Clarke & Jack Patterson, mixers
Track from: New Eyes
Label: Big Beat/Atlantic

10. BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM
Syro
Aphex Twin
Label: Warp Records

11. BEST CONTEMPORARY INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Bass & Mandolin
Chris Thile & Edgar Meyer
Label: Nonesuch

12. BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
Lazaretto
Jack White
Track from: Lazaretto
Label: Third Man
Records/Columbia Records

13. BEST METAL PERFORMANCE
The Last In Line
Tenacious D
Track from: Ronnie James Dio – This Is Your Life
Label: Rhino

14. BEST ROCK SONG
Ain’t It Fun
Hayley Williams & Taylor York, songwriters (Paramore)
Track from: Paramore
Label: Fueled By Ramen; Publishers: WB Music Corp./But Father, I Just Want To Sing/FBR Music And Hunterboro Music/WB Music Corp/Justin’s Polite Music

15. BEST ROCK ALBUM
Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
Label: Blue Note Records

16. BEST ALTERNATIVE MUSIC ALBUM
St. Vincent
St. Vincent
Label: Loma Vista Recordings / Republic

17. BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
Drunk In Love
Beyoncé Featuring Jay Z
Track from: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia Records

18. BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE
Jesus Children
Robert Glasper Experiment Featuring Lalah Hathaway & Malcolm-Jamal Warner
Track from: Black Radio 2
Label: Blue Note Records

19. BEST R&B SONG
Drunk In Love
Shawn Carter, Rasool Diaz, Noel Fisher, Jerome Harmon, Beyoncé Knowles, Timothy Mosely, Andre Eric Proctor & Brian Soko, songwriters (Beyoncé Featuring Jay Z)
Track from: Beyoncé
Label: Columbia Records; Publishers: EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. obo Itself and If You Need Me Don’t Leave Me/WB Music Corp./Oakland 13 Music/Carter Boys Music/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./The Order Music/VB Rising Music Publishing/ole/Jerome Harmon Publishing

20. BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
Girl
Pharrell Williams
Label: Columbia Records

21. BEST R&B ALBUM
Love, Marriage & Divorce
Toni Braxton & Babyface
Label: Def Jam Recordings

22. BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
I
Kendrick Lamar
Label: Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records

23. BEST RAP/SUNG COLLABORATION
The Monster
Eminem Featuring Rihanna
Track from: The Marshall Mathers LP2
Label: Aftermath

24. BEST RAP SONG
I
K. Duckworth & C. Smith, songwriters (Kendrick Lamar)
Label: Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records
Anaconda

25. BEST RAP ALBUM
The Marshall Mathers LP2
Eminem
Label: Aftermath

26. BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
Something In The Water
Carrie Underwood
Label: Sony Nashville

27. BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
Gentle On My Mind
The Band Perry
Track from: Glen Campbell, I’ll Be Me Soundtrack EP
Label: Big Machine Records

28. BEST COUNTRY SON
I’m Not Gonna Miss You
Glen Campbell & Julian Raymond, songwriters (Glen Campbell)
Track from: Glen Campbell, I’ll Be Me Soundtrack
Label: Big Machine Records

29. BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
Platinum
Miranda Lambert
Label: RCA Nashville

30. BEST NEW AGE ALBUM
Winds Of Samsara
Ricky Kej & Wouter Kellerman
Label: Listen 2 Africa

31. BEST IMPROVISED JAZZ SOLO
Fingerprints
Chick Corea, soloist
Track from: Trilogy (Chick Corea Trio)
Label: Concord Jazz

32. BEST JAZZ VOCAL ALBUM
Beautiful Life
Dianne Reeves
Label: Concord Records

33. BEST JAZZ INSTRUMENTAL ALBUM
Trilogy
Chick Corea Trio
Label: Concord Jazz

34. BEST LARGE JAZZ ENSEMBLE ALBUM
Life In The Bubble
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band
Label: Telarc International

35. BEST LATIN JAZZ ALBUM
The Offense Of The Drum
Arturo O’Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra
Label: Motema

36. BEST GOSPEL PERFORMANCE/SONG
No Greater Love
Smokie Norful
Smokie Norful; Aaron W. Lindsey & Smokie Norful, songwriters
Label: Tre’Myles/Motown Gospel; Publishers: Capitol CMG Paragon, Aaron Lindsey Pub. admin. by CapitolCMGPublishing.com/Meadowgreen Music Company, Norful Music Publishing

37. BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE/SONG
Messengers
Lecrae Featuring For King & Country
Lecrae Featuring For King & Country; Torrance Esmond, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson, Kenneth Chris Mackey, Lecrae Moore, Joseph Prielozny, Joel Smallbone & Luke Smallbone, songwriters
Label: Reach Records; Publishers: Fellowship Of The Unashamed Music, WB Music Corp./Method To The Madness/Shankel Songs/Warner Tamerlane/Kilns Music/Aly Plane Music/Evident Music/Before I Die Publishing/Joseph Prielozny Music/Track Or Die Music LLC

38. BEST GOSPEL ALBUM
Help
Erica Campbell
Label: EOne/My Block

39. BEST CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN MUSIC ALBUM
Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.
For King & Country
Label: Fervent/Word/Curb

40. BEST ROOTS GOSPEL ALBUM
Shine For All The People
Mike Farris
Label: Compass Records

41. BEST LATIN POP ALBUM
Tangos
Rubén Blades
Label: Sunnyside Records

42. BEST LATIN ROCK, URBAN OR ALTERNATIVE ALBUM
Multiviral
Calle 13
Label: Sony Music Latin

43. BEST REGIONAL MEXICAN MUSIC ALBUM (INCLUDING TEJANO)
Mano A Mano – Tangos A La Manera De Vicente Fernández
Vicente Fernández
Label: Sony Music Latin

44. BEST TROPICAL LATIN ALBUM
Más + Corazón Profundo
Carlos Vives
Label: Sony Music Latin

45. BEST AMERICAN ROOTS PERFORMANCE
A Feather’s Not A Bird
Rosanne Cash
Track from: The River & The Thread
Label: Blue Note Records

46. BEST AMERICAN ROOTS SONG
A Feather’s Not A Bird
Rosanne Cash
Rosanne Cash & John Leventhal, songwriters (Rosanne Cash)
Track from: The River & The Thread
Label: Blue Note Records; Publishers: Chelcait Music admin. by Measurable Music LLC, a Notable Music Co./Lev-A-Tunes

47. BEST AMERICANA ALBUM
The River & The Thread
Rosanne Cash
Label: Blue Note Records

48. BEST BLUEGRASS ALBUM
The Earls Of Leicester
The Earls Of Leicester
Label: Rounder

49. BEST BLUES ALBUM
Step Back
Johnny Winter
Label: Megaforce Records

50. BEST FOLK ALBUM
Remedy
Old Crow Medicine Show
Label: ATO Records

51. BEST REGIONAL ROOTS MUSIC ALBUM
The Legacy
Jo-El Sonnier
Label: Takau Records

52. BEST REGGAE ALBUM
Fly Rasta
Ziggy Marley
Label: Tuff Gong Worldwide

53. BEST WORLD MUSIC ALBUM
Eve
Angelique Kidjo
Label: 429 Records

54. BEST CHILDREN’S ALBUM
I Am Malala: How One Girl Stood Up For Education And Changed The World (Malala Yousafzai)
Neela Vaswani
Label: Hachette Audio

55. BEST SPOKEN WORD ALBUM (INCLUDES POETRY, AUDIO BOOKS & STORYTELLING)
Diary Of A Mad Diva
Joan Rivers
Label: Penguin Audio

56. BEST COMEDY ALBUM
Mandatory Fun
“Weird Al” Yankovic
Label: RCA Records

57. BEST MUSICAL THEATER ALBUM
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
Jessie Mueller, principal soloist; Jason Howland, Steve Sidwell & Billy Jay Stein, producers (Carole King, composer & lyricist) (Original Broadway Cast)
Label: Ghostlight/Razor & Tie

58. BEST COMPILATION SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA
Frozen
Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Tom MacDougall & Chris Montan, compilation producers
Label: Walt Disney Records

59. BEST SCORE SOUNDTRACK FOR VISUAL MEDIA
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Alexandre Desplat, composer
Label: Abkco Music & Records

60. BEST SONG WRITTEN FOR VISUAL MEDIA
Let It Go
Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez, songwriters (Idina Menzel)
Track from: Frozen
Label: Walt Disney Records; Publisher: Wonderland Music Company, Inc.

61. BEST INSTRUMENTAL COMPOSITION
The Book Thief
John Williams, composer (John Williams)
Track from: The Book Thief Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Label: Sony Classical, Fox Music; Publisher: Fox Film Music Corp.

62. BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTAL OR A CAPPELLA
Daft Punk
Ben Bram, Mitch Grassi, Scott Hoying, Avi Kaplan, Kirstin Maldonado & Kevin Olusola, arrangers (Pentatonix)
Track from: PTX, Vol. 2
Label: RCA Records

63. BEST ARRANGEMENT, INSTRUMENTS AND VOCALS
New York Tendaberry
Billy Childs, arranger (Billy Childs Featuring Renée Fleming & Yo-Yo Ma)
Track from: Map To The Treasure: Reimagining Laura Nyro
Label: Masterworks

64. BEST RECORDING PACKAGE
Lightning Bolt
Jeff Ament, Don Pendleton, Joe Spix & Jerome Turner, art directors (Pearl Jam)
Label: Republic Records

65. BEST BOXED OR SPECIAL LIMITED EDITION PACKAGE
The Rise & Fall Of Paramount Records, Volume One (1917-27)
Susan Archie, Dean Blackwood & Jack White, art directors (Various Artists)
Label: Third Man Records/ Revenant Records

66. BEST ALBUM NOTES
Offering: Live At Temple University
Ashley Kahn, album notes writer (John Coltrane)
Label: Resonance/Impulse

67. BEST HISTORICAL ALBUM
The Garden Spot Programs, 1950
Colin Escott & Cheryl Pawelski, compilation producers; Michael Graves, mastering engineer (Hank Williams)
Label: Omnivore Recordings

68. BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, NON-CLASSICAL
Morning Phase
Tom Elmhirst, David Greenbaum, Florian Lagatta, Cole Marsden Greif-Neill, Robbie Nelson, Darrell Thorp, Cassidy Turbin & Joe Visciano, engineers; Bob Ludwig, mastering engineer (Beck)
Label: Capitol Records

69. PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL
Max Martin
Bang Bang (Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj) (S)
Break Free (Ariana Grande Featuring Zedd) (S)
Dark Horse (Katy Perry Featuring Juicy J) (S)
Problem (Ariana Grande Featuring Iggy Azalea) (S)
Shake It Off (Taylor Swift) (S)
Unconditionally (Katy Perry) (S)

70. BEST REMIXED RECORDING, NON-CLASSICAL
All Of Me (Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment Remix)
Tijs Michiel Verwest, remixer (John Legend)
Label: Columbia Records

71. BEST SURROUND SOUND ALBUM
Beyoncé
Elliot Scheiner, surround mix engineer; Bob Ludwig, surround mastering engineer;Beyoncé Knowles, surround producer (Beyoncé)
Label: Columbia Records

72. BEST ENGINEERED ALBUM, CLASSICAL
Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem; Symphony No. 4; The Lark Ascending
Michael Bishop, engineer; Michael Bishop, mastering engineer (Robert Spano, Norman Mackenzie, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus)
Label: ASO Media

73. PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, CLASSICAL
Judith Sherman
Beethoven: Cello & Piano Complete (Fischer Duo)
Brahms By Heart (Chiara String Quartet)
Composing America (Lark Quartet)
Divergence (Plattform K + K Vienna)
The Good Song (Thomas Meglioranza)
Mozart & Brahms: Clarinet Quintets (Anthony McGill & Pacifica Quartet)
Snapshot (American Brass Quintet)
Two X Four (Jaime Laredo, Jennifer Koh, Vinay Parameswaran & Curtis 20/21 Ensemble)
Wagner Without Words (Ll_r Williams)

74. BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE
Adams, John: City Noir
David Robertson, conductor (St. Louis Symphony)
Label: Nonesuch

75. BEST OPERA RECORDING
Charpentier: La Descente D’Orphée Aux Enfers
Paul O’Dette & Stephen Stubbs, conductors; Aaron Sheehan; Renate Wolter-Seevers, producer (Boston Early Music Festival Chamber Ensemble; Boston Early Music Festival Vocal Ensemble)
Label: CPO

76. BEST CHORAL PERFORMANCE
The Sacred Spirit Of Russia
Craig Hella Johnson, conductor (Conspirare)
Label: Harmonia Mundi

77. BEST CHAMBER MUSIC/SMALL ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
In 27 Pieces – The Hilary Hahn Encores
Hilary Hahn & Cory Smythe
Label: Deutsche Grammophon

78. BEST CLASSICAL INSTRUMENTAL SOLO
Play
Jason Vieaux
Label: Azica Records

79. BEST CLASSICAL SOLO VOCAL ALBUM
Douce France
Anne Sofie Von Otter; Bengt Forsberg, accompanist (Carl Bagge, Margareta Bengston, Mats Bergström, Per Ekdahl, Bengan Janson, Olle Linder & Antoine Tamestit)
Label: Naïve

80. BEST CLASSICAL COMPENDIUM
Partch: Plectra & Percussion Dances
Partch; John Schneider, producer
Label: Bridge Records, Inc.

81. BEST CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL COMPOSITION
Adams, John Luther: Become Ocean
John Luther Adams, composer (Ludovic Morlot & Seattle Symphony)
Label: Cantaloupe Music

82. BEST MUSIC VIDEO
Happy
Pharrell Williams
We Are From LA, video director; Kathleen Heffernan, Solal Micenmacher, Jett Steiger, video producers
Label: Columbia Records

83. BEST MUSIC FILM
20 Feet From Stardom
Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer & Judith Hill
Morgan Neville, video director; Gil Friesen & Caitrin Rogers, video producers
Label: Anchor Bay

Sam Smith Bags Four Grammy Awards

The 57th Annual Grammy Awards delivered many memorable moments as series of entertaining events took the crowd. There were standout performances and signature GRAMMY Moments to the poignant acceptance speeches.

Sam Smith won the first four GRAMMYs in his career. Beck took home the prestigious award for Album Of The Year for Morning Phase. Other big winners include Beyoncé, Rosanne Cash and Pharrell Williams, who won three GRAMMYs each.

British soul singer, Sam Smith, bagged four Grammy Awards in the US, including the prestigious prizes for Record and Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
Smith was rewarded for being the only solo artist to sell more than a million albums in both the UK and US in 2014.

Beck also won two awards, including Best Album. Other British winners included Clean Bandit with Jess Glynne and Aphex Twin.

Madonna, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Kanye West and Sir Paul McCartney were among those who performed at the Los Angeles ceremony.

The night belonged to Sam Smith, who has occupied his place as one of pop’s biggest stars just nine months after the release of his debut album In the Lonely Hour.

Sam Smith said: “Before I made this record, I was doing everything to try to get my music heard… I tried to lose weight and I was making awful music. It was when I started to be myself that the music flowed.”

Smith’s ballad, ‘Stay With Me’ won both Song of the Year and Record of the Year – the former recognizes the songwriters, while the latter goes to the performer and producer.
Accepting the record of the year trophy, he said: “I want to thank the man who this record is about, who I fell in love with last year.

“Thank you so much for breaking my heart because you got me four Grammys,” he said.

Smith also performed the song on stage with Mary J Blige; while his other awards were Best New Artist and Best Pop Vocal Album.

“We made this record at my house for the most part, so I would like to thank my kids for letting me keep them awake a little bit longer,” he said.

Pharrell’s ‘Girl’ won Best Urban Contemporary Album, while Happy won Best Music Video and Best Pop Solo Performance. He performed that hit on the night with pianist Lang Lang and composer Hans Zimmer.

Drunk In Love, Beyonce’s collaboration with her husband Jay-Z, was named Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song. Beyonce also won Best Surround Sound Album.

The other triple winner, Rosanne Cash, picked up the best American roots performance and song awards for A Feather’s Not A Bird and Best American Album.

Among the British artists, Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne won Best Dance Recording, while Aphex Twin won Best Dance/Electronic Album for Syro, his first album in 13 years.

Ed Sheeran, who had three nominations, went home empty-handed, but did join ELO’s Jeff Lynne on stage to perform at the ceremony.

Other performers on the night included Sir Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna, who teamed up to play their joint composition Four-Five Seconds.

Madonna was joined by half-naked male dancers wearing glittering masks and horns to perform Living For Love, from her new album Rebel Heart.

There were also duets between Jessie J and Sir Tom Jones; Hozier and Annie Lennox; and Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.

The ceremony digressed from pure entertainment for a segment in which US President Barack Obama sent a recorded video message in support of a campaign against domestic violence.

Domestic abuse survivor Brooke Axtell then delivered a poignant message about how a seemingly “handsome, charismatic man” had threatened to kill her.

GRAMMY AWARDS: Full List Of Winners

The 2013 edition of the annual Grammy Awards held on Sunday night at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, USA.

The event featured the movers and shakers of the international music industry who gathered for a night of pomp, pageantry, performances and award presentations.

A list artists including LL Cool J, Taylor Swift, Adele, Rihanna and Justin Timberlake thrilled thousands of guests and millions of spectators who watched the event in the comfort of their homes.

Popular acts Frank Ocean, Fun, Gotye and Babel, Mumford & Sons were top winners of the night as they carted away coveted awards.

Here is the full list of winners.