The 61st annual Grammy Awards is over. Here is the list of the winners from this morning’s ceremony.
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Pharrell Williams
SONG OF THE YEAR
“This is America” by Childish Gambino
This song appears to be a commentary on black life in America. It contrasts pop culture’s perception of the black experience and its often brutal reality by juxtaposing happy, carefree choruses and dark, aggressive verses.
BEST NEW ARTIST
Dua Lipa
In 2018, Dua Lipa ruled the airwaves with songs such as “New Rules”, “IDGAF”, “One Kiss” and “Electricity”. The singer also collaborated on a song for the movie “Fifty Shades Freed” and for an album with Andrea Bocelli. Dua Lipa said her biggest influence are Prince and OutKast.
RECORD OF THE YEAR
‘This is America” by Childish Gambino
Featuring a gospel-style choir and background contributions from various American rappers, “This is America” is a pop culture phenomenon that addresses gun violence and the experiences of black people in the United States. The song is built on sharp contrast between jolly melodies and menacing trap cadences. This contrast alludes to the cyclical shifts in mood whenever there is a shooting in America. One second, the entire nation is in an uproar, the next, they are happy and unconcerned, placated by pop culture trends.
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
“Golden Hour” by Kacey Musgraves
Country music singer and songwriter Kacey Musgrave’s 2018 album has been called "warm and enveloping, pitched halfway between heartbreak and healing” The Independent says the album is "a reminder that sometimes – often, if you're looking in the right places – life is beautiful”. “Golden Hour” was rated number 1 by the BBC poll of polls, a compilation of 'best of the year lists' across 35 music reviewers, on a list of the best albums of 2018
BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
“Joanne” by Lady Gaga
BEST POP DUO or GROUP PERFORMANCE
“Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
“Sweetener” by Ariana Grande
BEST R&B SONG
“Boo’d Up” by Ella Mai
According to Ella Mai, ‘Boo’d Up” is a “tender but funky ode to someone who makes us feel like we’re touching the ceiling”. The song rose in popularity on social media and in nightclubs. Rolling Stone called it "one of the biggest singles by a breakout female R&B singer in the past 10 years”.
BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
“Best Part” by H.E.R. ft. Daniel Caesar
BEST R&B ALBUM
“H.E.R.” by H.E.R.
BEST URBAN CONTEMPORARY ALBUM
“Everything is Love” by The Carters (Beyoncé and Jay-Z)
BEST RAP SONG
“God’s Plan” by Drake
“God’s Plan” is a feel-good track that discusses Drake’s future. Being who he is in the industry, he knows that people want him to fail; however, God won’t allow that. The song’s music video is as irresistibly feel-good. Drake gives away nearly a million dollars to people on the streets of Miami.
BEST RAP PERFORMANCE (tie)
“King’s Dead” by Kendrick Lamar, Jay Rock, Future, & James Blake
“Bubblin’” by Anderson. Paak
BEST RAP ALBUM
“Invasion of Privacy” by Cardi B
BEST ROCK SONG
“Masseduction” by St. Vincent
St Vincent explained the title of this song as “a little play on words. Mass seduction, seduction of masses, my seduction. Am I being seduced, or am I the seducer?” “Masseduction”, the song and the album, has been described as a genuine masterpiece: complex, funny, sexy, bleak, uplifting, and inspiring.
BEST ROCK PERFORMANCE
‘When Bad Does Good” by Chris Cornell
BEST ROCK ALBUM
“From the Fires” by Greta Van Fleet
BEST REGGAE ALBUM
“44/876” by Sting & Shaggy
BEST DANCE RECORDING
“Electricity” by Silk City [aka Diplo & Mark Ronson] ft. Dua Lipa
Mark Ronson and Diplo chose to collaborate with Dua Lipa on this track because “she has this deep, soulful voice that harkens back to gospel house.” SPIN called it a ‘slinky dance ballad that exudes Dua Lipa’s own brand of offhand confidence”.
BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM
“Woman Worldwide” by Justice
BEST MUSIC VIDEO
“This is America” by Childish Gambino
The most talked-about music video of recent memory. It stars Gambino dancing around gleefully seemingly unbothered by the chaotic scenes of violence around him. The BBC called it a powerful and poignant allegorical portrait of 21st Century America.
BEST MUSIC FILM
“Quincy”
The American documentary film about the life of American record producer, singer and film producer, Quincy Jones, responsible for producing most of Michael Jackson’s albums and the charity song “We Are The World”.