List: Winners in key categories at the 2019 Grammy Awards

Los Angeles, United States— Here is a list of winners in the major categories for the Grammy Awards, which were handed out on Sunday in Los Angeles:

* Country star Kacey Musgraves won the top prize of the night, Album of the Year, for her "Golden Hour."

* Album of the Year: Kacey Musgraves, "Golden Hour"


* Record of the Year (best overall song performance): Childish Gambino, "This Is America"

* Song of the Year (recognizing songwriting): Donald Glover (Childish Gambino) and Ludwig Goransson, "This Is America"

* Best new Artist: Dua Lipa

* Best Music Video: Childish Gambino, "This Is America"

* Best Rap Album: Cardi B, "Invasion Of Privacy"

* Best Rock Album: Greta Van Fleet, "From the Fires"

* Best Pop Vocal Album: Ariana Grande, "Sweetener"

* Best Pop Duo/Group Performance: Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, "Shallow"

* Best Urban Contemporary Album: The Carters, "Everything Is Love"

* Best R&B Album: H.E.R., "H.E.R."

* Best Alternative Music Album: Beck, "Colors"

* Best World Music Album: Soweto Gospel Choir, "Freedom"

source: philstar.com

Music's top stars set for Grammys gala

LOS ANGELES, United States — The music world will hit the red carpet on Sunday for the Grammys, with a wider selection of nominees -- led by hip-hop royalty and a bevy of talented women -- up for the top prizes.

The televised bash in Los Angeles, which kicks off at 5:00 pm (0100 GMT Monday) at the Staples Center, is not without controversy, as the Recording Academy grapples with how to embrace diversity in its ranks.

For the second consecutive year, black hip-hop artists are leading the pack -- but observers are still wondering if nominations success can translate into wins.


Rapper Kendrick Lamar -- who won a Pulitzer Prize for his album "DAMN." but has yet to snare a Grammy for Album of the Year -- earned eight nods while Canadian rapper Drake snagged seven.

Women artists scored nominations in all of the top categories, after being largely muted a year ago: rapper Cardi B, pop diva Lady Gaga, pop futurist Janelle Monae and folk rocker Brandi Carlile are among the frontrunners.

In the Best New Artist category, six of the eight nominees are women.

Grande backs out  

But controversy was threatening the gala before it even began, with a number of superstars declining to take part in the show's glitzy concert portion.

Untouchable pop star Ariana Grande -- who dropped her highly anticipated album "Thank U, Next" just before the Grammys -- slammed producer Ken Ehrlich over her decision not to perform, suggested he was "lying" about her readiness.

Drake, Lamar and Childish Gambino -- the rap alter-ego of actor Donald Glover -- have also all turned down performance offers, and it was not clear if they would even attend.

This year, Academy voters did pass on nominating perennial favorites like Taylor Swift for the top three prizes of Album, Record and Song of the Year, relegating pop stars who reigned in years prior to lesser categories.

Praise for women 'overdue' 

Women are also hoping to get their due after the head of the Recording Academy -- which includes more than 13,000 music professionals -- told them last year to "step up" if they wanted to do better on Grammys night.

The brazen comment drew outrage and prompted the executive, Neil Portnow, to say he would resign when his contract expires this summer.

This year, five of the eight Album of the Year nominations went to female artists: Cardi B, Carlile, Monae, R&B prodigy H.E.R. and country star Kacey Musgraves.

Lady Gaga scooped up five nominations including for both Record and Song of the Year for her heart-pounding hit "Shallow," which she performed in the film "A Star Is Born" with co-star Bradley Cooper.

Songstress Alicia Keys is set to host Sunday's ceremony -- the first woman to do so in 14 years.

She vowed this year's performances would be the "sickest" yet and feature of-the-moment stars like Lady Gaga and Cardi B as well as icons like country legend Dolly Parton and disco icon Diana Ross, who will take the stage for a Motown tribute.

A performance honoring the legacy of the late "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin is also expected.

Keys told CBS news this year's greater representation from women was "far overdue."

She hailed the importance "particularly for women to have our seat at the table, to represent the fact that we are so here and so incredible and we are the creators of our music."

"There's a great respect that is deserved to women and you will see that live embodied on Sunday."

source: philstar.com

Bruno Mars triumphs at Grammys; Jay-Z is biggest loser

NEW YORK | R&B artist Bruno Mars won the top prize at the Grammy Awards on Sunday in another victory for pop-driven music over rap, now the most popular genre in the United States.

Mars won six Grammys including song of the year for his hit single “That’s What I Like,” and both record and album of the year for “24K Magic.”

His win denied rappers Kendrick Lamar and Jay-Z the honor of becoming the first hip-hop artist in 14 years to win the coveted album of the year award.

“These songs were written with nothing but joy, with love, and that’s all I wanted to bring with this album, seeing everybody dancing,” Mars, 32, said.

He also paid tribute to his album of the year rivals — Jay-Z, Lamar, Childish Gambino and Lorde — saying: “Thank you, guys, for blessing the world with your music.”

Lamar, 30, regarded as one of the most innovative rappers of his generation, won five prizes mostly in rap categories for his album “DAMN.” and single “Humble.” Rap became the biggest music genre in the United States in 2017, Nielsen Music reported.

Veteran Jay-Z, whose soul-baring album “4:44” had gone into the show with a leading eight nominations, won nothing and chose not to perform at the three-hour show.

The losses by Lamar and Jay-Z in the top categories marked another year when pop music won over more socially incisive work. Adele beat Beyonce in 2017, and in 2016 Lamar lost album of the year to Taylor Swift.

Lamar opened Sunday’s show at New York’s Madison Square Garden with a medley of his hits, accompanied by dancers in military fatigues and later dressed in red hoodies as they mimicked being shot.

TIME‘S UP AND TRUMP

On the red carpet, dozens of musicians wore or held white roses to support women’s equality and freedom from sexual harassment, a theme echoed on stage in an emotional performance by pop singer Kesha of her single “Praying.”

Actress and singer Janelle Monae said the music business had to address issues of equal pay for women, abuse of power and harassment.

“We come in peace but we mean business. And to those who would dare try to silence us, we offer you two words: Time’s up,” Monae said in a reference to the Time’s Up movement spreading from Hollywood to the music business.

On a night when male artists dominated the winners list, R&B newcomer SZA, the most-nominated woman with five nods, left empty-handed.

Politics surfaced throughout the show.

A pre-taped parody sketch saw Hillary Clinton, John Legend, Cher, Cardi B and Snoop Dogg read excerpts from the critical book “Fire and Fury” about U.S. President Donald Trump’s first year in office, ostensibly as contenders for a future spoken word Grammy prize.

Pop singer Camila Cabello, whose parents are Cuban immigrants, spoke in support of the so-called Dreamers – young immigrants brought to the United States illegally when they were children and whose future in the country is in doubt.

Best new artist winner Alessia Cara, along with Khalid and Logic, sang their song “1-800-273-8255” with a group of suicide survivors in a tribute to rock singers Chester Bennington and Chris Cornell, both of whom took their own lives last year.

Logic ended the performance with a freestyle rap supporting the black community, women and immigrants.

source: interaksyon.com

Prince plans U.S. tour of spontaneous shows

NEW YORK | Prince, never one to tie himself down to music industry practices, is planning a U.S. tour. But how to find out where the shows are taking place is another question.

Prince’s promoters announced Friday that the rock icon will bring his “Hit and Run” tour to the United States, which last year saw him play across Europe in a series of shows revealed at the last minute — including two a night in both Paris and London.

The 56-year-old “Purple Rain” creator gave details about the Europe shows on Twitter. But in a problem for the U.S. tour, he abruptly left social media in November.

Prince’s promoters revealed only that his first U.S. show for “Hit and Run” will take place on March 14 somewhere in Louisville, Kentucky.

The city may seem aptly random, but it is the hometown of Hannah Welton, the drummer of his all-female collaborating band 3rdEyeGirl, and the show will raise money for local charities.

The tour comes after Prince showed up with no prior announcement at last month’s Grammys to present the Album of the Year.

Prince last year released two albums simultaneously — “Art Official Age” and “Plectrumelectrum,” the latter performed with 3rdEyeGirl.

The twin release marked Prince’s return to the Warner Brothers label two decades after he famously protested his contractual terms by writing “slave” on his cheek and changing his name to the unpronounceable “love symbol.”

source: interaksyon.com

Kanye West finally hears Beck’s Grammy-winning album, likes it

NEW YORK | Almost two weeks after blasting Grammy winner Beck, rapper Kanye West said that he finally has heard his album — and liked it.

The outspoken rapper nearly rushed onto stage at the Grammys when Album of the Year went to Beck’s “Morning Phase” and afterward said that the alternative rock icon should “respect artistry” and give his prize to fellow nominee Beyonce.

Asked Friday about the criticism he faced over his behavior, West said: “I deserved it, man. I was completely hypocritical.”

West said that he was recently dining with Taylor Swift — another artist he had denounced in the past for winning an award — and the restaurant put on “Morning Phase.”

“Maybe they did it on purpose, so I could finally hear it. But I was like, man, this is kind of good. I ain’t gonna lie,” West told the New York hip-hop radio station Power 105.1 FM.

West said he would listen more thoroughly to “Morning Phase” and conceded: “Maybe it was, potentially, an Album of the Year.”

But West stood by his argument that the music industry’s biggest night should award superstars who generate money for the Grammys by bringing fans who watch on television.

West has won 21 Grammys in his career, making him one of the most awarded artists. He performed at the February 8 Grammys alongside Paul McCartney and Rihanna.

Beck, who is known for his eclectic mash-ups of genres, turned to a more introspective, acoustic sound with “Morning Phase.” The 44-year-old Los Angeles rocker has won critical acclaim over his two-decade career but his fan base is far more niche than those of West or Beyonce.

British soul singer Sam Smith, who rose to fame last year with the ballad “Stay With Me,” swept the other three of the most prestigious awards at the Grammys.

source: interaksyon.com

Eminem wins record sixth Best Rap Album Grammy

LOS ANGELES | Eminem won the Grammy Sunday for Best Rap Album for “The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” beating out newcomers to cement his role as the most awarded and top-selling rapper ever.

With the win, Eminem has won a record six Grammys for Best Rap Album.

“The Marshall Mathers LP 2″ was his eighth studio album, and was considered a sequel to his largely autobiographical “The Marshall Mathers LP” from 2000, which remains the fastest-selling album by a solo artist in the United States.

The now 42-year-old Eminem beat out a field that included Iggy Azalea, who would have been the first solo woman to win in the category. Eminem raised controversy with a recent song in which the rapper — or, he says, a character he is playing — threatens to rape Azalea.

Azalea hit back by charging that Eminem was old and could not think of anything new other than to threaten a young woman.

Eminem did not appear to accept the award, presented at a ceremony ahead of the main televised Grammy gala that features major pop performers.

On “The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” Eminem teamed up with veteran producer Rick Rubin, who brought in hard rock elements, as well as his veteran mentor Dr. Dre. The album features the hit “The Monster,” in which Eminem again collaborated with singer Rihanna.

Eminem – who is sober after a long history of substance use – on the album reflected at length on his trajectory into superstardom from his troubled youth in Detroit, where he grew up as Marshall Bruce Mathers III in a largely African American community.

But Eminem also encountered further controversy on the album by using anti-gay slurs. Eminem had for years tried to battle accusations of homophobia, going so far as to perform at the 2001 Grammys in a duet with Elton John, who is gay.

Eminem argued that he supports gay rights but that he uses the slur as a narrative device.

On “The Marshall Mathers LP 2,” Eminem also patches up with his mother after a notoriously difficult relationship, including past lyrics in which he hinted at violence against the “selfish bitch.”

source: interaksyon.com

New and old stars vie -- or team up -- for Grammys glory

LOS ANGELES - Music's top stars gather Sunday for the Grammys, with artists ranging from the Beatles and veteran rapper Jay-Z to French electro duo Daft Punk and newcomers like New Zealand's Lorde up for honors.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar, pop diva Taylor Swift, chart-topper Justin Timberlake, and Seattle hip hop duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are also among those vying for prizes at music's version of the Oscars in Los Angeles.

The show will also feature some eye-popping collaborations, including rockers Metallica with acclaimed Chinese pianist Lang Lang and Lamar with the Imagine Dragons rockers.

Surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr will perform as Recording Academy organizers belatedly bestow a Lifetime Achievement Award on the Fab Four.

Performers at the awards show include a who's who of music's finest, ranging from Katy Perry and Robin Thicke to veterans Carole King, Chicago and Madonna.

The first couple of hip-hop, Jay-Z and Beyonce, are also expected to perform at the show, brought forward from its usual February date to avoid media conflicts with the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Going into Sunday's show, Jay-Z topped nominations with nine nods, followed by California hip-hop star Lamar, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Timberlake and Pharrell Williams with seven each, while Canadian rapper Drake scored five.

Tipped by many for coveted Record Of The Year is Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," but rival nominees include Kiwi teenager Lorde's "Royals," "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons and Hawaiian crooner Bruno Mars's "Locked Out Of Heaven."

Thicke's "Blurred Lines," made infamous by Miley Cyrus's twerking at last year's MTV Video Music Awards show, is also competing for the evening's top prize.

In the Album of the Year category, Swift's "Red" will compete with Daft Punk's "Random Access Memories," Macklemore & Ryan Lewis's "The Heist," Lamar's "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" and Sara Bareilles's "The Blessed Unrest."

Shortlisted for Song of the Year -- for songwriters -- are "Just Give Me A Reason" sung by Pink, "Locked Out Of Heaven" sung by Mars, "Roar" sung by Perry, "Royals" sung by Lorde and "Same Love" sung by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

Macklemore & Ryan Lewis was also nominated for Best New Artist, against Lamar, country singer Kacey Musgraves and British singer-songwriters James Blake and Ed Sheeran.

The 56th annual Grammy Awards show will include a "Grammy moment" bringing together country music veterans Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson and Blake Shelton.

The show, at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, will climax with a rock supergroup featuring Nine Inch Nails, Queens of the Stone Age, Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl and Fleetwood Mac's Lindsey Buckingham.

Some observers have poured scorn on the Grammy's tradition of throwing unlikely performers together.

Washington Post pop music critic Chris Richards said the so-called "Grammy Moments" were little more than "brand synergy masquerading as artistic collaboration," boosting sales by attracting new demographics to artists.

"Over the past decade, the music industry's biggest awards show has mutated into a Frankenstein-ish pop concert clogged with duets that feel as desperate and illogical as speed dating," he wrote Friday.

McCartney will accept a lifetime achievement award for the Beatles, one of seven to receive the honor also including Kristofferson, the Isley Brothers and German electro music pioneers Kraftwerk.

McCartney and Starr will also reunite for a Grammys tribute event being recorded Monday, and set to air on February 9 -- the 50th anniversary of their appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," launching Beatlemania in the United States.

source: interaksyon.com