021217_adele_1200Adele swept the 59th annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night with her album “25.”

Adele won a total of five awards including album of the year for “25” and song and record of the year for the hit “Hello.” This made Adele the only artist to ever win album, record and song of the year twice. She previously achieved this five years ago with her last album, “21.”

The Grammys had all eyes on Adele and Beyoncé as they were up against each other in all major categories. Beyoncé, who had been nominated for nine awards this year, more than any other artist, in the end won only two: best urban contemporary album for “Lemonade” and a music video prize for the song “Formation.”

Adele seemed uncomfortable with that fact, and in a turn of events tearfully said she felt she could not accept album of the year in her acceptance speech.

“My album of the year was ‘Lemonade,’ so a piece of me did die inside, as a Beyoncé fan,” Adele said in the media room afterward.

Adele and Beyoncé both performed at the Grammy awards as well. Adele opened the show with her hit “Hello,” then later did a tribute to George Michael with his song “Fastlove.” She abruptly had to stop due to being unable to hear her pitch in “Fastlove” and apologized saying she needed to start over to get it right. After finishing, she teared up as the celebrities in the front row applauded her in support.

Social media was set ablaze with Beyoncé’s performance that was a tribute to motherhood. After an affectionate introduction by her own mother, Tina Knowles, Beyoncé appeared as a crowned fertility goddess with her pregnant belly highlighted for the camera. Her 5-year-old daughter, Blue Ivy, ran around her during the segment.

Chance the Rapper made history Sunday by being the first artist to win a Grammy without ever having sold a single piece of recorded music. Instead, making his music available for free streaming online while developing a worldwide following. Recordings that were not commercially sold were previously banned from Grammy consideration, but the academy relaxed its eligibility standards last year, paving the way for Chance’s victory.

Chance took home three Grammys in total, including best rap performance for “No Problem” and best rap album for “Coloring Book,” beating out his inspirations Kanye West and Drake.

There were several great tributes during the broadcast, including a performance from Bruno Mars and the Time honoring the late Prince. The Prince tribute came on the same day that much of his music was released widely on streaming music services, a result of a series of deals reached with Prince’s estate.

The big early winner was a surprise: David Bowie, who had mostly been passed over for Grammys during his life, won three in the preshow ceremony for “Blackstar,” the album that was released shortly before his death in January 2016. It won best rock performance, best alternative music album and an engineering prize. Once the TV ceremony started, Mr. Bowie won a fourth award, for best rock song.

More from Beliefnet and our partners
Close Ad