Kendrick Lamar opened the 60th Grammy Awards broadcast with a powerful performance by Kendrick Lamar, Dave Chappelle, and U2.
The stage was full of men simulating marching and fall from gunshots in his deeply political commentary from Lamar’s album DAMN. He performed a medley of several songs including New Freezer, King’s Dead and DNA.
The words, “This is a Satire by Kendrick Lamar” flashed on the screen just as U2 entered.
Dave Chappelle came out and said, “The only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America is being an honest black man in America,” “Sorry to interrupt. Please continue.”
Kendrick Lamar received a very long standing ovation for the performance.
James Corden followed and opened the show.
Lady Gaga Was An Angel
Lady Gaga, dressed in white with huge white angel wings across her piano, performed Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?) she said for her sister Joanne. Joanne was the sister of Gaga’s father. She was born in March 1955 and died when she was just 19.
John Legend and Tony Bennett were the first presenters. They sang a few bars of New York and then presented Best Rap Song. The Grammy went to Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna for Loyalty. He got another standing ovation. He said the Grammy really belongs to Rihanna.
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Jay Z won the Music Iron Award the evening before and James Corden announced it and joked with Jay Z who laughed in the audience.
James Smith performed his powerful song, Pray.
Nick Jonas and Kelly Clarkson presented the Grammy for Best New Artist. The Grammy went to Alessia Cara for Stay. “Support real music. Everyone deserves the same shot.”
Little Big Town performed Better Man.
Chuck Berry and Fats Domino Honored
60th Grammy Awards honored the late and great musicians Chuck Berry and Fats Domino with a joint performance from Jon Batiste of the band Stay Human and rocker Gary Clark Jr. They also announced the nominees for the Best Pop Solo Performance and the Grammy Award went to Ed Sheeran for the Shape of You. Ed wasn’t there so they accepted on his behalf.
Victor Cruz and Sara Silverman announced the performance of Despacito by Latin superstars Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee with Zuleyka Rivera.
Childish Gambino @DonaldGlover performed Terrified.
Dave Chappelle was up next to present the Best Rap Album Award and the Grammy went to Kendrick Lamar for DAMN. He said he admired people like Jay Z, Nas and Puff as he ended his acceptance speech.
Pink performed Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken.
Sting, Shaggy and James Cordon performed karaoke on the New York subway. They were told to shut up by a city worker. They sang Shaggy’s song It Wasn’t Me. More people told them no one wants to hear the singing on the train. James got socked in the face in the end.
Katie Holmes announced Cardi B. and Bruno Mars performance their hit Finesse. They got a standing ovation.
Trevor Noah was next to present the award for Best Comedy Album. The Grammy went to Dave Chappelle for The Age of Spin: Dave Chappelle Live at the Hollywood Palladium.
If you didn’t get a Grammy James Corden gave out puppies to make sure everyone got something.
Sting performed Englishman In New York. Shaggy came out sang Don’t Make Me Wait with Sting and they wrapped up with Englishman In New York.
DJ Khaled performed next with Rihanna their super hit Wild Thoughts joined by Bryson Tiller.
Best Country Album was next and the Grammy Award went to Chris Stapleton for From A Room: Volume 1.
Country Music Remembers
Country music stars Maren Morris, Eric Church, and Brothers Osborne took a moment to remember the tragic shootings at recent live music events and sang Tears in Heaven in honor of those lost.
Time’s Up
Janelle Monáe delivered a powerful speech. “We come in peace, but we mean business” and Time’s Up. “Equal pay and access for all women.” She then introduced Kesha who belted out her very emotional song, Praying.
Singers Andra Day, Camila Cabella, Cyndi Lauper, Julia Michaels, Bebe Rexha and the Resistance Revival Chorus all sang with her. They hugged and cried in the end.
Camila Cabral spoke for the Dreamers and being an immigrant in this country before U2 performed Get Out of Your Own Way in New York Harbor with the Statue of Liberty behind him.
Sting followed with the nominations for Song of the Year. The Grammy Award went to Bruno Mars for That’s What I like. Bruno congratulated everyone involved in the song.
Fire and Fury
James Corden had stars read passages from the book Fire and Fury. John Legend, Cher, Snoop Dogg, Cardi B., DJ Khaled and last one to read was Hillary Clinton. Hilarious!
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Anna Kendrick was next and introduced Elton John’s performance with Miley Cyrus of Tiny Dancer.
James spoke to his parents in the audience and got angry at them for going to Hamilton while he’s hosting the Grammys. His father said since he hosted last year and he knows how the show can go on for a while, and tickets to Hamilton are so had to get he thought it would be OK. James said, “We’ll talk about this later.”
Ben Platt performed Somewhere. He received a standing ovation.
James introduced the tribute to Andrew Lloyd Webber and introduced Patti LuPone who sang Don’t Cry for Me. She received a standing ovation.
Shemar Moore and Eve introduced SZA who performed her hit Broken Clocks.
Alicia Keys Announced the nominees for Record of the Year and the 60th Grammy Award went Bruno Mars for 24K Magic. Bruno called out to his father and said if you’re watching, “Look at me pops I’m at the Grammys right now.”
Neil Portnow the current president of The Recording Academy mentioned all the help they offer music industry folks recovery from disasters, educational programs, political input and other programs the academy has initiated.
Multiple nominee Chris Stapleton and Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Emmylou Harris covered Tom Petty before the In Memoriam remembrance of those we’ve lost.
Logic performed his moving anti-suicide song 1-800-273-8255 with Alessia Cara and Khalid. He filled the stage with survivors wearing shirts that said, “You Are Not Alone.”
He ended the performance speaking on immigration and said, “Not just a better a country, but a world that is destined to be united.”
U2’s Bono and The Edge announced the nominations for Album of the Year and Grammy went to Bruno Mars for 24K Magic. Wow!
“Oh man thank you! Thank you guys so much!” He thanked the other honorees for their music. He told a story about being 15 and performing in Hawaii and the songs were from his musical heroes. He wants people to dance and move to his music.
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Congratulations to all the winners of the 60th Grammy Awards.
Tanya Hart
Follow me on Twitter at @TanyaHollywood