Top 5 Moments at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards show is known as “Music’s Biggest Night” and took place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles this past weekend. Fans wait at the edges of their couches eager to see their favorite songs and musicians take home the golden record players. Aside from the awards, the Grammy’s always plan rare performances from every genre and era of music. The show was filled with performances from Beyonce, Katy Perry, Sir Paul McCartney, and many more. Out of all the memorable moments of the show, I picked out the Top Five!

Beyonce and Jay Z are “Drunk in Love”

Houston’s own superstar Beyonce opened the show with her hit song “Drunk in Love” from her surprise self titled album. Recreating her “just out of the water” look from the music video, she seduced the chair throughout the entire song until her husband, Jay Z, joined her on stage in a suit and bow tie. He performed his verse from the song as the couple strutted hand in hand down to the center of the stage. Their chemistry definitely shined throughout their performance and had the audience at home praising music’s favorite couple.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOrOWMaPDO4

Lorde Wins Song of the Year

At the young age of only seventeen years old, Lorde, the New Zealand pop sensation went home with two Grammys for her hit song “Royals.” The eerie singer beat out the princes and princesses of pop, including Katy Perry, Pink, Justin Timberlake, and Bruno Mars, for both Song of the Year and Best Solo Pop Performance. It’s impressive to see someone from a different country and at this young of age take home two of the most important awards of the night.  Lorde may get teased by the public for her strange dance moves and physical appearance, but it is undeniable that she has accomplished more than most at her age.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR81o3zU3cE

Kendrick and Imagine Dragons Collaborative Performance

The Grammy’s are known to display collaborative performances from the stars of the show. Fellow nominees Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons performed an unforgettable mash-up of their records “M.A.A.D City” and “Radioactive.” Two different genres, rock and rap, performed by two different artists was unexpected.  The crowd was pumped from the performance as seen by Taylor Swift dancing on camera as well as other attendees. Although Kendrick went home empty-handed, he won with this fan favorite performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJFzq7-XZdk

Daft Punk’s Talent Was Recognized, Unlike Their Faces

Unexpectedly, the French duo took home four awards, including Album of the Year for “Random Access Memories”. They also won Record of the Year and Best Pop/Duo Performance for “Get Lucky” featuring Pharrell Williams. With their signature helmets on throughout the show, Pharrell would talk on their behalf when accepting the awards. Pharrell also won four awards, including Producer of the Year. Daft Punk and Pharrell were joined by the legendary Stevie Wonder to perform the Record of the Year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgjteE5iJrE

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis Make History

After winning Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, and Best Rap Album against Drake, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar and Jay Z, rap fans were outraged that the underdogs swept up all the awards in the genre. Their mainstream music did not appeal to those who watch the rap categories closely and listen to rap music regularly. As if dominating the Rap categories wasn’t enough, the duo also took home the Best New Artist Award. The disagreement of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ reception of their Grammy’s disappeared after their tear jerking performance of their controversial hit “Same Love” from their independent album, “The Heist”. Personally, I saw the song performed live last year at the MTVu Woodie Awards in Austin, and immediately became a fan. It’s difficult to disapprove of an artist who openly stands up for same-sex equality, when no one in rap music alone has had the courage to do it. Macklemore received a round of applause after every verse, and then followed Mary Lambert’s heart melting chorus.  In the middle of the song, Queen Latifah performed a marriage ceremony and 33 couples of all types were married in front of music’s biggest stars on music’s biggest night. At that moment, all eyes were on the newlywed couples as they grew emotional and embraced their new spouses. Afterwards, Madonna, who has also openly supported same-sex equality, graced the stage and performed with Mary Lambert.

Let us know what your favorite moment was at the Grammys!