Kendrick Lamar among big winners
Stage serves as platform for political statements and surprising musical collaborations
I T was business as usual during Sunday night’s Grammys, which stretched pop bombast and “surprise” musical pairings across more than three hours.
Bruno Mars and rising rap queen Cardi B channeled ’90s color schemes and choreography during the tune “Finesse.” Lady Gaga and Sam Smith belted earnest ballads. Someone even thought it was a good idea to pair up Sting and reggae pop hero Shaggy.
But the show balanced the sparkle, often precariously, with emotional and political messages.
Several performers pinned white roses to their designer duds in support of #TimesUp, a movement against sexual harassment and in support of workplace equality. It comes after many stars wore black at the Golden Globes in a similar show of solidarity earlier this month.
Kesha, who alleged multiple instances of abuse against superstar producer Dr. Luke, took the movement a step further with a powerful performance of her single “Praying,” which she wrote in reaction
to her experiences. She was joined onstage by a host of female singers including Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello and Ingrid Michaels, ending with a teary, group hug.
“We come in peace, but we mean business. And to those who would dare try and silence us, we say, ‘Time’s up,’ ” Janelle Monae said prior to the performance, adding she was “proud to stand in solidarity with the women in this room.”
Former Fifth Harmony member Cabello, who currently has the No. 1 album in the country, introduced a U2 performance with an impassioned speech about “Dreamers,” young immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children who are now living in limbo because of a muddled debate over the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
“My parents brought me to this country with nothing in their pockets but hope. I’m a proud Cuban-Mexican born in eastern Havana,” Cabello said. “All I know is just like dreams, these kids can’t be forgotten and are worth fighting for.”
There were all-caps moments, in fact, from the jump.
Kendrick Lamar opened the show with a blazing performance of “XXX” and “DNA” featuring U2, comedian Dave Chappelle and an army of dancers in fatigues who later were mock gunned down in bright-red hoodies.
“The only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America is being an honest black man in America,” Chappelle said during an interlude of Lamar’s performance.
Lamar was one of the night’s big winners, taking home rap album, performance and song, rap/sung performance with Rihanna and music video. He kept it brief during his acceptance speeches, save for shouting “Jay(-Z) for president!” during one trip to the podium. (Beyoncé as first lady? We like it.)
Several A-listers appeared in a video package reading excerpts from the best-seller “Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House,” including John Legend, Cher, Snoop Dogg, DJ Khaled, Hillary Clinton and a hilarious Cardi B. (“This is how he lives his life?”)
Less successful was a “Tears in Heaven” tribute to victims of the Route 91 Harvest tragedy in Las Vegas, the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history. It was an earnest, if disastrously off-key, attempt by Eric Church, Maren Morris and Brothers Osborne.
Not every performance was designed to make a statement. Some were compelling simply because of the music.
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee made the whole venue dance during a festive performance of their megahit “Despacito.” Childish Gambino incited body rolls and hot flashes with a soulful, searing “Terrified.” And Elton John and Miley Cyrus made the case for a joint album with a solid “Tiny Dancer.” Even Patti LuPone resurrected her Broadway Evita with a masterful “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.”
The actual awards, as usual, were almost an afterthought throughout the ceremony.
Mars earned seven awards, including album, record and song of the year, R&B album, song and performance. But his best moment was shouting “Too many ballads!” late in the show.
Alessia Cara, whose first single, “Here,” was a top 10 hit in 2015, took best new artist over SZA and Khalid. Chris Stapleton nabbed country album, song and solo performance. Ed Sheeran won pop vocal album and pop solo performance.
Local wins included best opera recording for the Houston Symphony’s recording of Alban Berg’s “Wozzeck.” And Houstonian John Hill co-produced Portugal. the Man’s “Feel it Still,” named best pop duo/ group performance.