Grammys 2020: 4 biggest talking points, from Kobe Bryant tributes to Billie Eilish sweeping the awards
Billie Eilish swept all four of the major categories she was nominated in
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Your support makes all the difference.The 62nd annual Grammy Awards has come to a close after taking place at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles.
Some of the biggest stars in the music industry attended the ceremony, while a number of others performed live including Run-DMC and Aerosmith, Camila Cabello, John Legend, Cyndi Lauper, Lil Nas X and Billy Rae Cyrus, BTS, Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.
While Lizzo was the frontrunner when it came to the nominations, ultimately it was Billie Eilish – who shot to fame with her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do Weta Go? – who emerged as the big winner of the night.
Here are the four biggest talking points of the Grammy Awards 2020:
Alicia Keys proving once again that she's a brilliant awards host
After Ricky Gervais hosted his final Golden Globes and it was announced that the Oscars would be host-less for the second consecutive year, Alicia Keys proved that awards hosts can still seem relevant.
She opened the ceremony with a moving tribute to late NBA star Kobe Bryant, who was one of nine people to die in a helicopter crash in LA on 26 January.
“Here we are together on music’s biggest night, celebrating the artists who do it best. To be honest, we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now. Because, earlier today, Los Angeles, America, and the whole wide world lost a hero. We’re literally standing here, heartbroken, in the house that Kobe Bryant built,” she said.
”Right now, Kobe and his daughter Gianna... are in our spirit, they’re in our hearts, they’re in our prayers, they’re in this building. And I would like to ask everybody to take a minute and hold them inside of you, and share your strength and support with their families.”
From there, she put on a number of performances, including a light-hearted cover of Lewis Capaldi's "Someone You Loved". While the show opened on a muted atmosphere with the death of Kobe Bryant still painfully fresh in everyone's minds, she made the room feel at ease.
Billie Eilish dominated the Big Four categories
It was widely expected that Eilish would win at least one of the Big Four awards she was nominated for. But as she won Record of the Year, marking the fourth win of four nominations, the atmosphere at the Staples Centre seemed to turn a little cooler. Given the ceremony until then had felt more diverse than previous events, the fact that Lizzo and Lil Nas X were both snubbed from major awards seemed rather off-key.
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For Eilish herself, she has become the youngest-ever artist to sweep all four major Grammys categories. As she won yet another prize, her speeches became shorter, until she uttered a simple "thank you" for Record of the Year before leaving the stage with her brother.
The performances were (mostly) great
Early artist performances included a phenomenal one by Tyler, the Creator, and a Prince tribute by Usher. Camila Cabello made an emotional dedication to her father during her performance of the song “First Man”, from her latest album.
Ariana Grande did a medley of songs from her latest album, Thank U, Next, while there were tributes to late artists including rapper Nipsey Hussle and Prince.
It wasn't all smooth sailing however, as a slapdash rendition of "Walk This Way" was put on by Aerosmith and Run-DMC, all of whom were apparently experiencing some trouble with their mics.
The Grammys remembered Kobe Bryant
News of a helicopter crash in LA that killed NBA star Kobe Bryant as well as his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, left the music and sport worlds reeling. A number of artists attending the Grammys, from Lil Nas X to DJ Khaled and host Alicia Keys paid tribute during the show.
The liveblog is now closed
See the full list of winners here.
Good evening and welcome to The Independent's liveblog of the 62nd Grammy Awards! I'll be your host for the night, guiding you through what is lining up to be an emotional, and potentially tumultuous event.
Lil Nas X, one of the most nominated artists of the night, has already accepted an award for Best Music Video (for 'Old Town Road')
Image: Reuters
Who are you all rooting for this evening? I've got to admit, it would be nuts if Lewis Capaldi swept in and took Best Song...
A moment of silence was held at the Staples Center in honour of Kobe Bryant
Lewis Capaldi has announced his arrival at the Grammys in typical fashion
Lil Nas X takes another win with Best Pop Solo Performance AND Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for "Old Town Road"... things seem to be lining up nicely for the big categories later on.
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