Katie Mills
Editors note: Yes, the Grammys were a long time ago. We apologize for our tardiness. Things got backed up, but this is too good to toss.
There were some amazing performances at the 60th anniversary of the Grammys. From Cardi B’s first Grammy performance to Ben Platt’s Broadway tribute, they were all sure to leave a dent in history.
Who Performed?
Brothers Osborne, Maren Morris and Eric Church
Alessia Cara, Khalid and Logic
Childish Gambino
Gary Clark Jr. and Jon Batiste
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee with Zuleyka Rivera
Emmylou Harris and Chris Stapleton
Elton John and Miley Cyrus
Kesha
Lady Gaga
Kendrick Lamar
Little Big Town
Bruno Mars and Cardi B
Patti LuPone and Ben Platt
Rihanna, DJ Khaled and Bryson Tiller
Pink
Sam Smith
Sting
SZA
U2
With a bang, Kendrick Lamar was performing on the stage. The rapper blew people away with loaded, compelling performances “XXX” and “DNA.” He was eventually joined by U2 and Dave Chappelle. Near the end of his set, Chappelle told the audience, “I just wanted to remind the audience that the only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America is being an honest black man in America. Sorry for the interruption.”
Before introducing Kesha’s performance of the #MeToo movement, Janelle Monae had a short, but direct statement about a separate movement called Time’s Up.
“Tonight, I am proud to stand in solidarity as not just an artist but a young woman with my fellow sisters in this room who make up the music industry,” she said. “Artists, writers, assistants, publicists, CEOs, producers, engineers, and women from all sectors of the business. We are also daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, and human beings. We come in peace, but we mean business. And to those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: Time’s up.”
However, things were not turning out so great for Ed Sheeran. It is hard to imagine Ed Sheeran having enemies, yet, there were multiple boos from the audience when he was announced the winner for Best Solo Performance with “Shape of You.” He had won over the likes of Kelly Clarkson, P!nk, Lady Gaga, and Kesha. Luckily, Sheeran was not on stage to hear it.
A group of country superstars provided one of the most emotional performances of the night in tribute to the 59 victims of the Las Vegas shooting. Maren Morris, Eric Church, and the Brothers Osborne delivered a tender rendition of Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” to a silent and contemplative crowd. “All of country music was reminded in the most tragic way of the connection we share with our fans and the healing power music will always provide,” Church said before the performance.
Lastly, it was Cardi B’s first time at the Grammys! On the red carpet for Sunday night’s 60th Annual Grammy Awards, Cardi wowed everyone in a sparkling, structural dress. She took a moment to share some pearls of wisdom with E!‘s Giuliana Rancic.
“I’m feeling butterflies in my stomach,” Cardi said. “I’m tryin’ to get away from gossip sites,” she said, saying she’s been avoiding responding to “bad comments.”
Finally, when it comes to career advice, Cardi had some strong insights to offer: “Do what you have to do—do it your way,” she said.