French electronic duo Daft Punk won the top honor at Grammy Awards, on Sunday, taking album of the year for “Random Access Memories”. The French electronic pioneers capped the night with the win after taking Song of the Year for “Get Lucky”.
The two mask-wearing musicians hugged each other for several seconds before taking the stage with Pharrell, Nile Rodgers and Paul Williams, part of the large crew who helped Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel De Homem-Christo produce the album.
They beat Taylor Swift, Kendrick Lamar, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis and Sara Bareilles to win the award. Kiwi singer Lorde won best pop solo performance with her hit “Royals”.
“Thank you everyone who has let this song explode because it’s been mental,” she said.
American rapper Macklemore won four awards, including best new artist and rap album for “The Heist,” beating efforts by Kendrick Lamar, Jay Z, Kanye West and Drake.
“Wow, we’re here on the stage right now,” said Macklemore, thanking fans first, then his fiancée and team. “I want to say we made this album without a record label, we made it independently and we appreciate all the support.”
Beyonce kicked off the Grammy Awards with a steamy performance of “Drunk In Love”. Jay Z emerged in a fitted suit to rap his verse, and the couple held hands and danced together.
Imagine Dragons and Kendrick Lamar collaborated onstage to create an electrifying performance, as the acts sported all-white and went from rap song to rock song. Robin Thicke performed with Chicago, singing the group’s songs before going into “Blurred Lines,” which energised the crowd.
Katy Perry sang “Dark Horse” and John Legend and Taylor Swift played pianos during their slow songs. Pink twirled in the air in her signature Cirque du Soleil-form.
Swift, who is nominated for album of the year, lost best country album in a surprise upset to rising singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves. “Oh my goodness. Oh my god. I can’t even. I can’t even,” said a teary-eyed Musgraves, whose “Same Trailer Different Park” won the honour. “I got to make a record that I poured myself into and I’m so proud of.”
The singer also beat Swift for best country song and was nominated for new artist.
Macklemore & Lewis’s wins, which included best rap song and rap performance for “Thrift Shop,” come after the Grammy rap committee almost ousted the group from its categories. A source told The Associated Press that the rap committee rejected the duo, but that was later overruled by the general Grammy committee. The rap committee felt Macklemore & Lewis should qualify for the pop awards instead because of their massive success on Top 40 radio.
The source, who attended the general Grammy meeting, spoke on the condition of anonymity because the meeting was private.
Justin Timberlake won three trophies, including best R&B song for “Pusher Love Girl” and music video for “Suit & Tie,” which also earned Jay Z a Grammy. Jay Z and Timberlake also won best rap/sung collaboration for “Holy Grail”. “I want to thank God – I mean a little bit for this award – but mostly for all the universe for conspiring and putting that beautiful light of a young lady in my life,” Jay Z said, looking at Beyonce. “I want to tell Blue that, look, ‘Daddy got a gold sippy cup for you.””
Bruno Mars won best pop vocal album with his sophomore release, “Unorthodox Jukebox.”
“Ma, I know you’re watching. I hope you’re smiling. I love you very much,” said Mars, remembering his mother, who passed away last year. Mars’s father attended the awards show.
McCartney, engineer Bob Ludwig and gospel singer Tye Tribett are double winners. Imagine Dragons and Rihanna also picked up trophies. LL Cool J hosted the 56th annual awards, aired live on CBS.