Yoopya with Associated Press
Beyoncé sits alone atop the Grammy throne as the ceremony’s most decorated artist in history, but at the end of Sunday’s show it was Harry Styles who walked away with the album of the year honor.
The Grammys spread its top awards among other artists, leaving Beyoncé off stage at the end of the night. But the superstar was a constant presence throughout the night, even when she wasn’t in the room, especially once she won her 32nd award and surpassed late conductor Georg Solti in all-time wins.
I’m trying not to be too emotional, the superstar said after her historic win as her husband Jay-Z stood and applauded her. The singer thanked her late uncle, her parents, Jay-Z and her children for supporting her. I’m just trying to receive this night. I want to thank God for protecting me. Thank you, God.
The Grammys stage at the end of the night has eluded Beyoncé since 2010, when she won song of the year for Single Ladies. She added four trophies to her collection for her album Renaissance.
Styles was emotional accepting his album of the year award, saying he was inspired by everyone in the category. A lot of different times of my life, I’ve listened to everyone in these categories. It’s so important to remember that there is no such thing as best.
The British singer-actor took home three awards Sunday. It feels like validation that you’re on the right path, said the singer backstage. When we get in the studio and begin the record, we just make the music we want to make. It feels really nice to feel like Oh, that’s the right thing to do.
Beyoncé missed being in the room when she tied Solti’s record early in the telecast. Host Trevor Noah said she was on her way to the ceremony but blamed Los Angeles traffic for not being in person to accept it.
Once Beyoncé — the night’s leading nominee — finally arrived, Noah presented her with the best R&B song award at her table.
Beyoncé won for best R&B song for Cuff It, dance-electric music recording for Break My Soul, traditional R&B performance for Plastic Off the Sofa and dance-electric album for Renaissance, which was nominated for album of the year.
Lizzo won record of the year for About Damn Time, delivering a rousing speech that brought many in the audience, including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Adele, to their feet.
Me and Adele were having a good time, rooting for our friends. This is an amazing night. This is so unexpected, Lizzo said, dedicating her award to Prince.
I wanted to make the world a better place, so I had to be that change to make the world a better place. Now, I look around and see these songs are about loving your body and feeling comfortable in your skin and feeling good.
Jazz singer Samara Joy won best new artist, shrugging off challenges by such acts as Wet Leg, Anitta and Maneskin. The New Yorker was virtually in tears when she collected the award and noted that her little brother was her date. I’m so, so grateful. Thank you. She has released two albums as a lead artist and also won the Grammy for best jazz vocal album earlier in the night.
Veteran singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt shrugged off big-name rivals like Adele, Swift and Beyoncé to win the song of the year award. I’m so surprised. I don’t know what to say, a visibly stunned Raitt said, adding that the song Just Like That explores organ donation. It capped a night when Raitt won two other Grammys — for best Americana performance and best American roots song.