In one of the more striking moments of a pointedly political Grammy Awards, host James Corden gathered celebrity readers, including Hillary Clinton, to read from Michael Wolfe’s best-seller “Fire and Fury” about President Donald Trump’s White House.
In a pre-taped segment, Corden said a shoo-in winner to next year’s Grammys would be the audio book recording to “Fire and Fury.” Snoop Dogg, John Legend and Cardi B were among those who tried reading from Wolfe’s book. Cardi B said, “He lives his life like this?!”
But the star cameo was Clinton who read a brief excerpt from the book.
Here’s a list of early winners at the awards night:
Album of the Year: 24K Magic
Record of the Year: 24 KMagic
Song of the year (songwriter’s award): That’s What I Like.
Best new artist: Alessia Cara.
Best pop solo performance: Shape of You, Ed Sheeran.
Best pop duo/group performance: “Feel It Still,” Portugal. The Man.
Best traditional pop vocal album: “Tony Bennett Celebrates 90,” various artists.
Best pop vocal album: Divide, Ed Sheeran.
Best rock album: A Deeper Understanding, The War on Drugs.
Best alternative music album: Sleep Well Beast, The National.
Best rap album: DAMN., Kendrick Lamar.
Best rap song: HUMBLE., Kendrick Lamar.
Best rap performance: Kendrick Lamar.
Best urban contemporary album: Starboy, The Weeknd.
Best R&B album: 24K Magic, Bruno Mars.
Best R&B performance: Bruno Mars.
Best R&B song: That’s What I Like, Bruno Mars.
Best dance/electronic album: 3-D The Catalogue.
Best country album: From A Room: Volume 1, Chris Stapleton.
Best jazz vocal album: Dreams And Daggers, Cecile McLorin Salvant.
Best jazz instrumental album: Rebirth, Billy Childs.
Best compilation soundtrack for visual media: La La Land.
Best music video: HUMBLE., Kendrick Lamar
Earlier in the broadcast, U2 performed in front of the Statue of Liberty. And Camila Cabello spoke passionately as “a proud Cuban-Mexican born in Havana” on behalf of immigrants. Cabello said, “This country was built by dreamers for dreamers chasing the American dream.”
It was an epic night for Bruno Mars who won six awards including Album of the Year and Record of the Year. Mars acknowledged fellow nominees in the category, including Jay-Z, Lorde and Childish Gambino. Mars says, “You guys are the reason I’m in the studio pulling my hair out.”
Among the winners, Ed Sheeran won the best pop vocal album and the best pop solo performance awards , Kendrick Lamar won the top honours for best rap album, rap song, rap performance, music video for Humble.
Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra, attended the pre-Grammy Gala on Saturday, a day ahead of the annual Grammy Awards ceremony, had a fan moment of clicking a selfie with American record producer Quincy Jones. She was there in the capacity of the Global Brand Ambassador of HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. “Oh just us… Quincy Jones you rule! But then you always knew that. Grammys #musicfan,” Priyanka posted on Instagram with the selfie. For the party, Priyanka wore a white ensemble.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar and pop superstar Lady Gaga opened the Grammy Awards on Sunday with immediate if understated political touches. With a US flag in the backdrop, Lamar launched into a fierce rap at New York’s Madison Square Garden, on a stage full of dancers clad in camouflage.