NEW YORK—Bruno Mars went six for six at the Grammys, winning all of the awards he was nominated for with his energetic and upbeat 90s-inspired R&B album.
Mars won album of the year for 24K Magic, record of the year for the title track and song of the year for the No. 1 hit, “That’s What I Like,” last Sunday at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“Oh my God. Thank you guys so much. Wow,” Mars said. “I’d like to dedicate this award to [songwriters like Babyface, Teddy Riley Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis].” Mars has now won 11 career Grammys.
Jay-Z, the leading nominee with eight, walked away empty-handed. He lost in the rap categories to Kendrick Lamar, who won five awards, including best rap album for DAMN. and best rap song for “Humble.” He has a career total of 12 Grammys.
“This is special man. I got a lot of guys in this building that I still idolize today,” Lamar said, naming Jay-Z, Nas and Diddy as inspirations.
At the end, Lamar closed with: “Jay for president.”
Lamar kicked off the Grammys with a powerful and poignant performance featuring video screens displaying a waving American flag behind him, as background dancers dressed as army soldiers marched and moved behind. He was joined last Sunday by U2’s Bono and The Edge, and also Dave Chappelle—who told jokes in between Lamar’s performance. At one point, Lamar’s background dancers, dressed in red, were shot down as he rapped lyrics, later coming back to life as fire burst to end the six-minute performance.
But the night’s top performer was Kesha, who gave a passionate performance with the help of powerful women behind her, including the Resistance Revival Chorus. She was joined by Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Julia Michaels, Andra Day and Bebe Rexha for her Grammy-nominated song, “Praying.” Dressed in white, they won over the audience and hugged at the song’s end as some audience members cried, including Hailee Steinfeld.
Kesha, who earned her first pair of Grammy nominations this year, has been in a legal war with former producer and mentor Dr. Luke. Janelle Monae introduced the performance with strong words.
Here’s a partial list of winners in the top categories at the Grammy Awards, announced last Sunday by The Recording Academy:
- Album of the year: 24K Magic, Bruno Mars.
- Record of the year: 24K Magic, Bruno Mars.
- 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 rap album: DAMN., Kendrick Lamar.
- Best rap song: “Humble.,” Kendrick Lamar.
- Best rap performance: Kendrick Lamar.
- 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.