The 57th Grammy Awards Review

The 57th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday were a mixture of old songs, new faces and upsets, as Sam Smith, a 22-year-old British singer barely known to American audiences a year ago, won three of the top four prizes, and Beck became the dark-horse victor of album of the year.

Kendrick Lamar and Eminem split the four rap trophies. Mr. Lamar, a fast-rising young star who had walked away empty-handed last year, took best performance and song this year for “I.” Eminem won best rap album for “The Marshall Mathers LP 2” and shared best rap/sung collaboration with Rihanna, for “The Monster.”

Kanye West, dressed in a velvety red jumpsuit and a thin gold chain, was barely illuminated by a low spotlight as he sang “Only One,” his voice warped by electronics. 

Among the night’s other big winners, Pharrell Williams took home three prizes: “Happy” won best music video and, in a live version, best pop solo performance, while his “G I R L” won best urban contemporary album.

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Beyoncé,  had been up for a total of six awards, also won three: best R&B performance and R&B song, for “Drunk in Love,” and best surround sound album, for “Beyoncé.”

Accepting the award for best R&B performance, Beyoncé thanked God and her husband, Jay Z, who appears on the track. But she made sure to thank her fans as well, with whom she keeps in constant contact through social media.

“I’d like to say thank you to my Beyhive,” she said. “Thank you guys for riding so hard.”

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Some of the highlights definitely were Beyonce‘s tribute to the movie Selma alongside John Legend. The best performances came last. Beyoncé capped a ceremony that wasn't short on social commentary with a gospel song that was a favorite of Martin Luther King Jr. She ended her rendition introducing Legend and Common, who found inspiration for Glory in King and today's protests — and who performed, indeed, gloriously, accompanied by a full string section and choir.

Perhaps searching for a new twist on a song that seems to never go away, Pharrell performed his hit "Happy" and inserted an international flavor and weirdly dark tone, reinforced by Lang Lang's dissonant piano solo a couple of minutes in. But the choruses remained upbeat while the orchestra members wore yellow.

Superstars Rihanna, Kanye West, and Paul McCartney performed "FourFiveSeconds" with no flash, no one trying to upstage the others. Add some buoyant harmonies, and you have a refreshingly simple and truly rousing number.

One unexpected stir brought some drama to the stage. As Prince (dressed in an incredible bedazzled orange jumpsuit in all his glory) announced Beck’s “Morning Phase” as the winner of Album of the Year, Kanye West jumped on stage to protest the surprising win.  The whole world held its breath for the microsecond when the rapper lunged towards Beck, anticipating another Taylor Swift moment.

But instead of jumping to Beyoncé’s defense (which would have been justifiable — her self-titled album was incredible), Kanye stepped back. A surprised Beck begged Kanye to come back on stage (likely in agreement that he didn’t deserve the award), but Yeezy joined his jilted friends back in the audience. The three-second interaction felt like a million years, and the result was the most hilariously awkward moment of the night.

Article by: Christine O'Connor

Twitter: @christineeeeO