Cardi B, Kacey Musgraves, and Lady Gaga led the women’s empowerment push as they were some of the biggest winners at the 2019 Grammy Awards on Sunday night.
Cardi, 26, made history as she became the first ever solo woman to take home Best Rap Album for Invasion Of Privacy at the gala event held in Staples Center in Los Angeles.
The big win was quickly followed by 30-year-old Musgraves who won the biggest award of the night; Album Of The Year for Golden Hour.
Earlier in the evening Lady Gaga was emotional as she earned Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her work on Shallow from the A Star Is Born soundtrack.
The emotional high point of the night happened as Cardi looked absolutely stunned as she won in the male-dominated category beating out Pusha-T, Travis Scott, Nipsey Hussle, and the late Mac Miller.
Cardi seemed overwhelmed as she received her honor as she joked: ‘Oh, the nerves are so bad. Maybe I need to start smoking weed!’
Obviously taken aback by the moment, Cardi had to hold the hand of her Migos member husband, Offset, during her speech.
Queen: Cardi, 26, made history as she became the first ever solo woman to take home Best Rap Album for Invasion Of Privacy at the gala event held in Staples Center in Los Angeles
She likes it! The emotional high point of the night happened as Cardi looked absolutely stunned as she won in the male-dominated category beating out Pusha-T, Travis Scott, Nipsey Hussle, and the late Mac Miller
Taken aback: She seemingly couldn’t believe that she won as she was the fifth woman ever nominated for the award and the first to ever capture the Best Rap Album crown
Bad And Boujee: Obviously taken aback by the moment, Cardi had to hold the hand of her Migos member husband, Offset, during her speech
Hilarious: Cardi seemed overwhelmed as she received her honor as she joked: ‘Oh, the nerves are so bad. Maybe I need to start smoking weed!’
Road to recovery: It was a show of support amid the marital issues they have had over the past year as the 27-year-old rapper even kissed her hand during her acceptance speech
Proud: Cardi and Offset proudly posed with her shiny, new hardware
It was a show of support amid the marital issues they have had over the past year as the 27-year-old rapper even kissed her hand during her acceptance speech.
Cardi B told the crowd she found out she was pregnant before her album was completed. She was under pressure to finish it and do video shoots before she began showing.
‘He was like you’re going to do this album,’ she said of Offset. ‘We’re going to have this baby and do this album.’
Cardi B is just the fifth woman ever nominated in the category, which was created in 1995. Lauryn Hill was part of the Fugees when the group won in 1997 for The Score.
Wow factor: Earlier in the night Cardi performed her hit Money
Fierce: She laid on on platform as she dazzled the audience
Simply stunning: Cardi donned a sheer outfit featuring a leopard pattern down the legs
Musgraves led the field with the most Grammys on the night as she earned four including the top honor.
She also won three-of-the-four country awards at the event including Best Country Album once again for the critically-acclaimed Golden Hour.
The 30-year-old star beat out heavy competition including Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Ashley McBryde, and Chris Stapleton.
Kacey also won Best Country Solo Performance for her song Butterfly and Best Country Song for track Space Cowboy.
Golden: The 30-year-old Musgraves who won the biggest award of the night; Album Of The Year for Golden Hour
Taking the high road: Earlier in the evening, Musgraves was presented with Best Country Album
Oh What A World! She was the biggest winner of the night as she earned four trophies total including Best Country Solo Performance for her song Butterfly and Best Country Song for track Space Cowboy.
Wonder in white: Earlier in the night Kacey performed her hit Rainbow
Shining star: She hit every note during the emotional performance
The first award of the night was presented to 32-year-old Gaga who won for Shallow.
The 32-year-old singer accepted the award on behalf of herself and Bradley Cooper for the A Star Is Born soundtrack hit as the 44-year-old actor/director attended the BAFTAs on the same day.
Gaga urged the audience to be more compassionate when it comes to mental health issues as she said: ‘If you see somebody that’s hurting, don’t look away.
Shimmering: Lady Gaga was the first to take home an award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2019 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night
Flying solo: The 32-year-old artist accepted the award on behalf of herself and Bradley Cooper for the A Star Is Born soundtrack hit Shallow as the 44-year-old actor/director attended the BAFTAs on the same day
Aww: Gaga urged the audience to be more compassionate as she said: ‘If you see somebody that’s hurting, don’t look away’
Touching: She was obviously emotional as tears run down her face
Sending a message: Gaga said ‘If you’re hurting, even though it might be hard, try to find that bravery within yourself to dive deep and tell somebody’
Sisterhood: Gaga and Cardi posed with one another during the show as they each had huge nights
‘If you’re hurting, even though it might be hard, try to find that bravery within yourself to dive deep and tell somebody.’
The New York-native was already a double winner as earlier in the night she earned Best Pop Solo Performance for her album Joanne.
It was also A Star Is Born’s second win of the night as earlier they were announced as the winners in the Best Song Written For Visual Media category.
Rocking out: Later on in the evening, Lady Gaga performed the hit single from A Star Is Born
Jaw-dropping: As she is no stranger to theatrics, Gaga put on a very physical performance for a relatively somber song
Headbanging: No doubt she is a fan of metal as she whipped her hair back and forth
Dynamic duo: She was joined by Mark Ronson whom she often collaborates with
Donald Glover was not in attendance at the event but he did earn one of the biggest honors of the night; Song Of The Year for This Is America.
Later on in the evening, Drake beat out pal Travis Scott as they competed in the Best Rap Song category.
The 32-year-old Canadian rapper took home Best Rap Song for God’s Plan at the Aside from Travis, Drake edged out quite the impressive field including Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, and Jay Rock.
Drake sent a message during his acceptance speech as he said: ‘We play an opinion based sport, not a factual based sport.
‘You already won if you have people singing your songs word for word, if they’re singing in your hometown. You’re already winning, you don’t need this right here.
Drizzy: Drake took home Best Rap Song for God’s Plan
One of the most talked about performances of the night came from Jennifer Lopez who did a 60th anniversary tribute to Motown.
Flaunting her dancer’s figure in a glittering bodysuit, she blew through a series of dizzying moves with reliable showmanship.
The 49-year-old’s gig attracted online backlash before it occurred, owing to the fact that she is not black and was never signed with Motown.
Dazzling: One of the most talked about performances of the night came from Jennifer Lopez who did a 60th anniversary tribute to Motown
Going for it: Flaunting her dancer’s figure in a glittering bodysuit, she blew through a series of dizzying moves with reliable showmanship
Gorgeous: As she just completed a 10-day diet challenge, Jennifer looked in amazing shape
Waiting for tonight: The 49-year-old’s gig attracted online backlash before it occurred, owing to the fact that she is not black and was never signed with Motown
Pulling out all the stops: She even did an assisted cartwheel during the high-energy performance
Dynamic duo: She was later joined by living legend Smokey Robinson
Flare for showmanship: She sat down on a pink piano and did an impressive back bend
In harmony: Ne-Yo was the man behind the piano as he played and sing as J-Lo looked back at him
Jenny From The Block also shared the stage during her medley with the evening’s compere Alicia Keys for Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone, War and Square Biz.
As the tribute wore on, Jennifer leaped up onto a pink piano and lay on her back, singing up a storm as Ne-Yo accompanied her at the keys for Another Star.
One of the most emotional parts of the night came during a tribute for Dolly Parton as the country legend was joined by Musgraves and Katy Perry as they opened a medley of some of the 73-year-old’s greatest hits.
Triple threat: Katy Perry (left) and Kacy Musgraves joined Dolly Parton (center) for a tribute to the 73-year-old country legend
Just us: Miley Cyrus joined in on the fun as she sung Jolene – which she has done routinely in recent years – but this time she did it next to her godmother
Aww: Miley gave Dolly a sweet smooch on the cheek at the end of the song
In harmony: They were joined by Maren Morris for the performance
Altogether now: The group were also joined by Little Big Town as they did an ensemble version of 9 To 5
Miley Cyrus joined in on the fun as she sung Jolene – which she has done routinely in recent years – but this time she did it next to her godmother.
Maren Morris and Little Big Town also hit the stage as the band even included Linda Perry.
Alicia Keys proved that she was the hostess with the mostess as she began her monologue to a standing ovation.
The 38-year-old music superstar acknowledged ‘sister’ Tracee Ellis Ross as well as honoree Dolly Parton.
Astroworld: Travis Scott began his performance alongside James Blake as they did Stop Trying To Be God
Ragers: Travis then continued his performance from the inside of a steel cage
Daring: The 26-year-old Houston native then jumped off the cage as he did No Bystanders
What a catch! He lanted on his fans as he concluded his energetic performance
She then proceeded to bring out some of her sisters including Jada Pinkett Smith, Jennifer Lopez, Lady Gaga, and big surprise former first lady Michelle Obama.
Camila Cabello opened the show with a fun performance of her smash hit Havana. She was joined by Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny.
Despite making her name as one of music’s biggest stars in the past year, Ariana Grande was noticeably absent from the show after a disagreement with the show’s producer.
Before the ceremony, it was announced that she had won the coveted Best Pop Vocal award for her work on Sweetener.
She beat out tough competition including Taylor Swift, Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello.
The singer had been due to take to the stage at the gala to sing one of her tracks, but it was reported earlier this week that she now won’t even be in attendance at the event following a dispute with the organizers.
Grande claims she pulled out of performing at the Grammy awards because her ‘creativity and self expression was stifled’ by the producers.
Standing tall: The crowd was on their feet as Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith, Alicia Keys, former first lady Michelle Obama, and Jennifer Lopez hit the stage
Ariana has since broken her silence on the matter, claiming producers of the event refused to allow her to show her ‘creativity’, despite her offering up ‘three different songs’ that she could perform.
Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Travis Scott, Diana Ross, and Cardi B are among a crowded field of performers scheduled for Sunday night’s Alicia Keys-hosted Grammy Awards.
Gaga will perform with Mark Ronson, with whom she collaborated on the song Shallow, while her A Star Is Born co-star Bradley Cooper represents the BAFTA Awards which also take place that same night.
Gaga tied for the third-highest number of nominations this year with five, for record of the year, song of the year, best pop duo or performance, and best song written for visual media for Shallow; and best pop performance for Joanne (Where Do You Think You’re Goin’?).
Living legend: Diana Ross celebrated her 75th birthday with an incredible performance
Adorable: Her grandson Raif-Henok Emmanuel Kendrick introduced her
She’s previously won six Grammy awards, including two in 2010, three in 2011, and one in 2015 for her collaboration album with Tony Bennett.
Other performers include Beyonce’s proteges Chloe x Halle, fresh from their performance of America The Beautiful at the Super Bowl, Dua Lipa, St. Vincent, Andra Day, Camila Cabello, Dan + Shay, Post Malone with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Shawn Mendes, J Balvin, Arturo Sandoval, Young Thug, Janelle Monáe, Kacey Musgraves, H.E.R., Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Little Big Town, Ricky Martin, Fantasia and gospel great Yolanda Adams.
Dua Lipa will be making her Grammy stage debut on the show, where she’ll be joined by St. Vincent for a special performance, while Adams will sing alongside Fantasia and Day in a tribute to late Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.
Hello sunshine! Camila Cabello opened the show with a fun performance of her smash hit Havana
Tremendous trio: She was joined by Ricky Martin and Bad Bunny
Dynamic duo: Miley Cyrus teamed up with Shawn Mendes for a powerful performance
Doppelgangers: St. Vincent (left) and Dua Lipa had a very sensual performance
However one star who will not be on stage – either performing or accepting an award, is Ariana Grande.
This is despite Ariana featuring prominently on billboards promoting the event throughout Los Angeles, and being nominated for both Best Pop Vocal Performance (for God Is a Woman) and Best Pop Vocal Album (for 2018’s Sweetener).
The move comes due to a disagreement with Grammy producers over which songs she would perform, according to sources close to the situation.
An insider tells Variety that Grande felt ‘insulted’ after producers initially refused to allow her to perform 7 Rings,’ the latest single from her forthcoming album Thank U, Next.
Together again: Alicia was joined by John Mayer as they shared a cute story about how they shared a Grammy Award together before presenting Song Of The Year
A compromise was reached whereby 7 Rings would be part of a medley, but Grande pulled out after producers insisted that the second song be of their choosing.
The source added that such stipulations were not imposed on other performers at the show.
The 61st annual Grammy Awards are produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures for the Recording Academy. Ken Ehrlich is executive producer, Ben Winston is executive producer, Louis J. Horvitz is director, Chantel Sausedo is the producer, and David Wild and Ehrlich are the writers.
Shining stars: Lady Gaga cuddled up with Noah Cyrus
Golden: Kacey Musgraves was joined by husband Ruston Kelly
Eccentric: Post Malone looked happy as he sat in the crowd
Tremendous trio: Noah Cyrus embraced Jaden Smith as they posed with her father Billy Ray
No longer Livin La Vida Loca? Ricky Martin was joined by his family as he sat on a two-dollar bill
Stunning: Before the telecast several awards wear given out including one to Tori Kelly for Best Gospel Performance/Song for Never Alone
Rocking it: Annie Clark of St. Vincent accepted Best Rock Song for Masseducation alongside Jack Antonoff
Proud: Rashida Jones accepted Best Music Film for Quincy, the documentary she did about father Quincy Jones
Getting Weird: ‘Weird’ All Yankovic won for Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package for Squeeze Box: The Complete Works of Weird Al Yankovich