An eclectic all-star lineup of artists, musicians, actors, and comedians will take the stage as presenters and performers at tonight’s 60th Annual Grammy Awards.
Kelly Clarkson Among 2018 Grammy Presenters – See the Full List of Presenters and Performers
Earlier today, most of the awards were handed out at the Grammy Premiere ceremony leaving nine categories to be handed out tonight.
2018 Grammy Awards Winners List (Premiere Ceremony Live Blog)
The Grammys air live from Madison Square Garden in New York City, hosted by Late Late Show host James Corden, and will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network, Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.
We’ll be live blogging all the performances and presentations here.
Rapper Kendrick Lamar opens the show. And we’re political already, with the American flag as a backdrop for a performance of “XXX.” Masked dancers in military fatigues break it down, while Bono and the Edge from U2 add the international perspective. Comedian Dave Chappelle suddenly appears on stage with a message: “I just wanted to remind the that the only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America is being an honest black man in America. takes the stage to remind us. Will Donald Trump be bitching about Kendrick on twitter tomorrow. Nah. I suspect that performance would go right over his head.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6duv1u
So. James Corden has to follow that. Wisely, he doesn’t attempt a monologue. After a brief intro, we’re straight to Lady Gaga who dedicates her song to her late aunt. She plays “Joanne” at an angel wing covered piano. She finishes with a slowed up version of “Million Reasons.”
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6duvfc
Tony Bennett and John Legend take the stage next. Tony won his first Grammy in 1962. The singer won a Grammy for Trad Pop album earlier. The duo break into an impromptu duet of “New York, New York.” They present Best Rap/Sung performance to “Loyalty” by Kendrick Lamar with Rihanna. He thanks his fans and his crew. He brings Rihanna to the mic who thanks him in turn.
Back from break, James introduces Jay Z sitting in the audience. He was awarded the Industry Icons award at Clive Davis’ annual party last note. James joked that he’s been in New York for a couple of days and is available to give him a tour.
Next, Sam Smith, clad in a long white coat, performs “Praying” from his latest album. He’s got the gospel choir in the back, naturally.
Kelly Clarkson and Nick Jonas are next. They’re here to present Best New Artist. “The only category nobody can win twice,” says Nick. The Beatles won the award!
And the winner is Alessia Cara. She’s been pretend winning Grammys in the show, but she’s still not ready. Cute. She encourages everyone to support real music.
https://youtu.be/gN9jwAq5SkA
Now, it’s comedian Jim Gaffigan. He makes a joke about the inevitability of Dave Chappelle winning the Comedy category he’s also in. Then he makes a joke about Abba and Elton John being his parents before introducing Little Big Town singing that Taylor Swift song, “Better Man.”
Gary Clarke, Jon Batiste and Joe Saylor perform a lil tribute to Chuck Berry and Fats Domino by performing “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Maybelline.” Clark rips a blistering guitar solo and it’s loads of fun. It’s only a prelude to presenting the Best Pop Solo Performance to… Ed Sheeran for “The Shape of You.” Ed is not in the building. If he were, he might get beat up. Only man in the category wins versus for talented female singers. Twitter sure is mad. Maybe next time, Kelly. Boo.
Victor Cruz and Sarah Silverman literally skip their way on stage. Sarah jokes that they’re there to urge everyone to vote. “Just kidding…the world is over anyway,” she quips. No, the two are really on stage to introduce Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi singing the Latin smash “Despacito.” No Beibs, but a half dressed female dancer…yes.
“That is a catchy song…if they can just get that song on the radio, they’ve got a hit on their hands,” quips James before introducing Childish Gambino aka actor Donald Glover singing “Terrified.” He brings very sexy old school yet super modern vibes to the stage.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6duxli
Next, James introduces the Music Educator of the year, Melissa Salguero who teaches in The Bronx New York. Then, Dave Chappelle is on stage to present Best Rap Album. He shouts out some of his favs before presenting the award to Kendrick Lamar. I was kind of hoping for Jay-Z so he could drag Trump some more. That’s good stuff. Kidding. Kendrick is a worthy winner. He’s the real deal. “Jay for president!” he shouts before the music plays him off.
James introduces Pink, reminding us how she wowed the Grammy audience, suspended from the ceiling, singing “Glitter in the Air.” This time, she’ll be performing “Wild Hearts Can’t Be Broken.” This performance is simple, yet moving with a deaf translator performing off to the side. She’s AMAZING. Her cute kiddo is in the audience.
https://youtu.be/vJVJgbI6gYY
Next, is a taped bit featuring James, Sting and Shaggy doing Carpool Karaoke on a subway train. The joke is the entire train being annoyed, and like good New Yorker telling the all to shut up and sit down.
Then Katie Holmes appears to introduce Cardi B and Bruno Mars. The two join forces to perform “Finesse.” Bruno is always entertaining. That could have lasted longer–a little anticlimactic.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6duyom
Next, Trevor Noah is here to present Best Comedy Album. Kind of weird this particular category was chosen for prime time? And the Grammy goes to…Dave Chappelle of course. AWW THE LOSERS GET CUTE PUPPIES.
Hello it’s the legendary Sting to perform “Englishman in New York.” Things really pick up when Shaggy joins him on stage to rap and sing “I’m a Jamaican in New York.” Good stuff.
DJ Khaled, Rihanna and Bryson Tiller join forces to perform “Wild Thoughts.” DJ says something about “playing yourself” which is one of those annoying catch phrases he’s always lobbing off on The Four. Rihanna, though. She’s got the wild thoughts.
Rihanna, Bryson Tiller and DJ Khaled perform “Wild Thoughts”
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6duznt
Hailee Steinfeld and Donnie Wahlberg are on stage to present Best Country Album. and the winner is…Chris Stapleton. Get out that broom SWEEP SWEEP SWEEP. It’s his third award of the night.
Maren Morris, Eric Church and Brothers Osborne perform Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” to pay tribute to the music fans killed in the Las Vegas and Manchester massacres.
Powerful Vegas Tribute From Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne & Eric Church #GRAMMYs #RT pic.twitter.com/pHF7HLdRfK
— Al Kahn ?????? (@idolxfactor1) January 29, 2018
Janelle Monae is here. She’s proud to stand with all the other women in the music world “We come in peace, but we mean business.” And “to those who would silence us…we say Times Up.” She delivers an impassioned speech to the industry, for equal treatment and equal pay. It’s all part of an introduction to Kesha who takes the stage to perform “Praying” alongside Camila Cabello, Cyndi Lauper, Julia Michaels, and Andrea Day. Wow. A powerful and emotional performance from Kesha. When her battle with Dr. Luke and Sony first broke, I never believed she’d prevail. Thank God she did.
Kesha performs “Praying”
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6dv0xm
Next, Camila Cabello delivers a speech for the DREAMERS. She and her family came to America from Cuba. “These kids can’t be forgotten and are worth fighting for.” The speech leads to an introduction to U2. That’s an unexpected segway. Oh. The band performs “Get Out Of Your Own Way” with the Statue of Liberty as backdrop.
U2 Performs “Get Out of Your Own Way”
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6dv1e5
And now Sting presents the Song of the Year award to the “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars songwriters. Bruno and the committee who wrote the song take the stage to accept the award. What’s with the dude wearing a fashionable face mask?
Another bit: Auditions for the spoken word version of the Trump biography Fire and Fury. Cher, John Legend, Snoop Dogg, Cardi B., DJ Khalid (his reading is hilarious) and HOLY SHIT HILLARY CLINTON!!!! read the most ludicrous bit. HILLARY WINS.
Anna Kendrick is here to talk about the celebration of Elton John coming up (a Grammy special later in the year). He’s here to perform the iconic “Tiny Dancer” with Miley Cyrus. Miley sings the song like she never listened to the lyrics. I was digging this until she showed up.
Elton John and Miley Cyrus sing “Tiny Dancer”
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6dv2a6
James introduces his parents in the audience. They snuck out to watch Hamilton. Oops. That leads way to a Broadway tribute. Ben Platt from Dear Evan Hansen sings “Somewhere” from West Side Story to honor Leonard Bernstein. Ooh. Ben is so good. Too good for this world.
Ben Platt performs “Somewhere”
https://youtu.be/KfpAUt1MBKo
And then, the legendary Patti Lupone takes the stage to honor Andrew Lloyd Webber with a performance of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.”
Eve and Shemar Moore are here to introduce SZA singing “Broken Clocks.” Whoa. This girl is living up to the hype. Me likey.
SZA sings “Broken Clocks”
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6dv38x
It’s Alicia Keys. She gives props to Greg Kurstin who won Producer of the Year (non classical) earlier today. And then presents Record of the Year to Bruno Mars “24K Magic.” Bruno complains he was cut off before. And he asked them to keep playing his song. “Too many ballads tonight.” Hm.
James didn’t MEAN to lead the audience to believe he was bringing Obama on stage. It’s really the Gammy prez Neil Portnow. Still boring!
Chris Stapleton and Emmylou Harris perform a beautiful acoustic version of Tom Petty’s “Wildflowers.” Lovely. It’s followed by a clip of all the music artists we lost this year.
Chris Stapleton and Emmylou Harris “Wildflowers” in Memoriam
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6dv3z8
Logic, Alessia Cara and Khalid are next to perform 1-800-273-8255, a song that reaches out to those at risk for self-harm. The number is literally the suicide hotline. What? While Logic was in the middle of a major political rant, the sound cut off and camera cut to a wide shot. Huh. Anyway. basically, he called out the alt-right, sexual predator, anti-immigrants. Everybody got a shot.
Logic, Alessia Cara and Khalid perform 1-800-273-8255
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6dv442
The last award of the night. U2 and The Edge present Album of the Year to 24K Magic by Bruno Mars. He says the songs were written to bring everyone together with love. He dedicates his award to all the great 80’s producers like Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Prime Time Awards
Record of the Year
“Redbone” — Childish Gambino
“Despacito” — Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber
“The Story Of O.J.” — JAY-Z
“HUMBLE.” — Kendrick Lamar
“24K Magic” — Bruno Mars – WINNER
Album of the Year
“Awaken, My Love!” — Childish Gambino
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar
Melodrama — Lorde
24K Magic — Bruno Mars – WINNER
Song of the Year
“Despacito” — Ramón Ayala, Justin Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd, Erika Ender, Luis Fonsi & Marty James Garton, songwriters (Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee Featuring Justin Bieber)
“4:44” — Shawn Carter & Dion Wilson, songwriters (JAY-Z)
“Issues” — Benny Blanco, Mikkel Storleer Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Julia Michaels & Justin Drew Tranter, songwriters (Julia Michaels)
“1-800-273-8255” — Alessia Caracciolo, Sir Robert Bryson Hall II, Arjun Ivatury, Khalid Robinson, songwriters (Logic Featuring Alessia Cara & Khalid)
“That’s What I Like” — Christopher Brody Brown, James Fauntleroy, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Ray Charles McCullough II, Jeremy Reeves, Ray Romulus & Jonathan Yip, songwriters (Bruno Mars) – WINNER
Best New Artist
Alessia Cara – WINNER
Khalid
Lil Uzi Vert
Julia Michaels
SZA
Best Pop Solo Performance
“Love So Soft” — Kelly Clarkson
“Praying” — Kesha
“Million Reasons” — Lady Gaga
“What About Us” — P!nk
“Shape Of You” — Ed Sheeran – WINNER
Best Rap/Sung Performance
Prblms – 6lack
Crew – Goldlink Featuring Brent Faiyaz & Shy Glizzy
Family Feud – Jay-Z Featuring Beyoncé
Loyalty. – Kendrick Lamar Featuring Rihanna – WINNER
Love Galore – Sza Featuring Travis Scott
Best Rap Album
4:44 — JAY-Z
DAMN. — Kendrick Lamar – WINNER
Culture — Migos
Laila’s Wisdom — Rapsody
Flower Boy — Tyler, The Creator
Best Country Album
Cosmic Hallelujah — Kenny Chesney
Heart Break — Lady Antebellum
The Breaker — Little Big Town
Life Changes — Thomas Rhett
From A Room: Volume 1 — Chris Stapleton – WINNER
Best Comedy Album
The Age Of Spin & Deep In The Heart Of Texas — Dave Chappelle – WINNER
Cinco — Jim Gaffigan
Jerry Before Seinfeld — Jerry Seinfeld
A Speck Of Dust — Sarah Silverman
What Now? — Kevin Hart
