2019 Grammy Awards
Alicia Keys hosted the biggest night in music. The 2019 Grammy Awards opened with a huge stage performance by Camila Cabello performing Havana. Ricky Martin joined her and cranked it up even further.
Broadcast live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Alicia welcomed everyone to the 61st Annual Grammy Awards. She called out Tracie Ellis Ross in the audience and said we are celebrating your mother Diana tonight. Alicia also welcomed Dolly Parton, and Chloe x Halle to the show and said, “Music is what we cry to, what we rock to, what we make love to. It’s our shared global language.”
“This is a celebration and you didn’t think I would come out here by myself, did you?” said Alicia as she introduced Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Michelle Obama, and Jennifer Lopez. The ladies powered up and each told a personal story or encouragement. When Michelle Obama tried to speak the audience roared and gave her a standing ovation before she could say one word. “Music has always helped me tell my story.”
Alicia rapped up the open with, “Tonight, we celebrate the greatness in each other through music.” And “Who runs the world.”
Shawn Mendes was the second performer of the evening and sang In My Blood. Miley Cyrus joined him for a duet.
Best Pop Duo or Group Performance was the first category, and the Grammy went to Lady Gaga for Shallow. She came from backstage shocked and fighting back tears. “I got to thank God. Thank you for looking out for me.” She said she wished Bradley was there with her. She also said she was proud to work on a film that addressed mental health issues.
Nina Dobrev introduced Cassie Musgraves who had already won two Grammys earlier in the evening. Cassie performed Rainbow. Janelle Monae was up next and performed Make Me Feel.
Alicia Keys won 15 Grammy’s over the course of her career. She told a story of how she lost a Grammy to John Mayer, and how John broke the statue into two pieces and gave her half of the award and wrote her name on it because he felt she won the award too. John joined her on the stage, they put the Grammy back together and announced the nominees for Song of the Year. The 2019 Grammy Award went to Childish Gambino for This Is America. Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino wasn’t there so Alicia and John accepted the award in his honor.
Post Malone performed with the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Post performed Rockstar. The Chili Peppers performed Dark Necessities.
Anna Kendrick introduced the honors for Dolly Parton. The country music queen is 2019’s MusiCares Person of The Year. Dolly performed Here You Come Again with the ladies honoring her and Miley Cyrus joined her and they performed Dolly’s hit Jolene. Dolly ended her performance with Little Big Town and performed Red Shoes and Nine to Five.
Alicia returned and introduced H.E.R. She won a Grammy earlier in the evening and performed Hard Place. Cardi B came next and tore it up. She performed Money. The audience cheered and gave her a very long standing ovation, and husband Offset was all smiles.
Best Country Album was the next category. The 2019 Grammy Award went to Kacey Musgraves for Golden Hour. Alicia took a moment to perform a duel piano solo. She then performed a medley of songs including Killing Me Softly, Unforgettable, In My Feelings, Booed Up, That Thing, and her song New York.
Dan + Shay followed with as performance of their song Tequila.
The next category was Best Rap Song, and the 2019 Grammy Award went to Drake for God’s Plan. Drake made a surprise entrance to accept the award. “I definitely didn’t know I was going to win anything.” “You already won if you have everyone singing your songs word for word.” “You don’t need this right here. You already won.” He was cut off before he finished his acceptance speech.
Alicia introduced the 75th birthday tribute to Diana Ross, a Diamond Diana birthday celebration. Her nine-year-old grandson took the mike and spoke very eloquently about her ‘unique self’ and said, “Please welcome my grand mommy, Diana Ross.” She made a true queen’s entrance in an incredible red gown and sang The Best Years of My Life and Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand. She went into the audience and lit up the entire room. Everyone can only wish they look as good as Diana Ross at 75 years old.
Lady Gaga was next to perform her Grammy winning song Shallow. She also received a standing ovation. And Eve and Alicia’s husband Swizz Beatz introduced Travis Scotts performance.
Smokey Robinson and Alicia sang Tracks of My Tears before introducing the tribute to Motown. Smokey looks good too. Jo Lo started with Dancing in the Streets, Mr. Postman, I Want Money, Do You Love Me, and then Smokey joined in on “My Girl”. Alicia joined J Lo for Poppa Was a Rolling Stone, Square Biz, and Ne-Yo joined J Lo for a big piano number.
BTS came next to introduce the nominees for the Best R&B Album, and the Grammy went to H.E.R. for H.E.R. Brandi Carlile performed The Joke after winning three Grammy Awards earlier in the evening.
Chloe x Halle performed Where is the Love in honor of Donny Hathaway.
The 2019 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album went to Cardi B for Invasion of Privacy. She was beyond shocked and excited. Her husband Offset helped her onto the stage. She fought back tears, held his hand and said, “Babe I can’t breathe.” She then told the audience, “I’m sorry the nerves are so bad. Maybe I should start smoking weed.” She thanked many people, including her daughter and her husband, “You husband thank you.” “And thank you so much everybody,” as the music played to shut her acceptance speech down.
Bob Newhart helped introduce the nominees for Best New Artist, and the 2019 Grammy Award went to Dua Lipa.
The In Memoriam segment is always stunning to realize how much talent leaves us each year. This year it included a tribute to Aretha Franklin with Fantasia, Andra Day and Yolanda Adams singing Natural Woman.
The 2019 Grammy Awards closed with This is America, Childish Gambino taking home Record of the Year. Childish Gambino made history with this win, becoming the first rap song to win the category, and the 2019 Grammy Album of the Year went to Kacey Musgraves for Golden Hour.
Congratulations to all of this years winners!
Tanya Hart, backstage at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
