Number crunching with the Grammys as women ‘step up’ and hip hop makes history
This year’s Grammys winners’ list was more diverse than in previous years.
It took an outcry at last year’s miserable representation of females as performers and winners for changes to be made – and for its chairman to leave the building after his comment that female artists had to “step up” only fueled the flame.
“I’m honoured to be nominated alongside so many female artists,” said Dua Lipa as she picked up Best New Artist.
“I guess this year we really stepped up…”
“Let the vagina have a monologue!” Janelle Monae slipped in her line from ‘Django Jane’ during her performance of ‘Dirty Computer’.
Country star Kacey Musgraves picked up four awards, also making their mark were Dua Lipa, Cardi B and Lady Gaga.
Hip hop too made its mark.
Last year Jay-Z had eight nominations but won nothing… leading Beyonce to hiss on the Everything Is Love album:
“Tell the Grammys fuck that 0-for-8 shit.”
Not surprisingly, Beyonce & Jay-Z were a no-show this year, as were Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino.
Drake made an unexpected appearance to collect Best Rap Song for ‘God’s Plan; — only to make the point that awards are not that important.
“If there’s people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain, in the snow, spending money to buy tickets to your shows, you don’t need this right here,” he said, gesturing to his trophy. “You’ve already won.”
Childish Gambino’s ‘This Is America’ became the first rap song to win song of the year as well as the first rap song to win record of the year.
Gambino won four on the night.
Cardi B was the first solo woman to win the rap album gong.
RATINGS
Early indications were that US ratings were slightly up from last year, with 17.9 million watching the awards and 10.2 million for the red carpet.
Last year’s ratings were the lowest since 2009.
The top five most tweeted about moments:
BTS presents Best R&B Album
Drake wins Best Rap Song
Post Malone and the Red Hot Chili Peppers perform
Dan + Shay perform
Cardi B wins Best Rap Album
The most tweeted about celebrities:
BTS
Lady Gaga
Camila Cabello
Shawn Mendes
Cardi B
Miley Cyrus
Dolly Parton
Alicia Keys
Drake
Ariana Grande
The most tweeted about performers:
Lady Gaga
Camila Cabello
Shawn Mendes
Cardi B
Miley Cyrus
The most tweeted about songs:
‘Shallow’ — Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
‘This is America’ — Childish Gambino
‘Jolene’ — Dolly Parton (with Miley Cyrus)
‘Havana’ — Camila Cabello
‘Joanne’ — Lady Gaga
According to the social media giant, its Top Social Moments were:
Alicia Keys’ tribute to Trinidadian-born jazz and classical pianist Hazel Scott, recreating the two grand piano set-up like Scott in the 1943 Mae West film The Heat’s On.
Diana Ross celebrating her birthday with a medley of hits
Cardi B’s performance of ‘Money’
Cardi B’s acceptance speech for best rap album
The rock-rap mashup by Red Hot Chili Peppers and Post Malone.
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