While Daft Punk stole the show by lifting all Grammy Awards they were nominated for, lorde’s Royals won the song of the year
Daft Punk and Pharrell Williams didn’t only get lucky — they won in every category they were nominated in at the Grammy Awards, including the coveted album of the year and record of the year for the funk-electronic anthem Get lucky.
“Back when I was drinking, I used to imagine things that weren’t there that were frightening. And then I got sober and two robots called me and asked me to make an album,” said producer Paul Williams, who stood onstage with Daft Punk, who sported their signature helmets.
The French duo won four awards, including best dance/electronica album for Random Access Memories and pop duo/group performance for Get lucky, which earned Pharrell a trophy.
Pharrell, like Daft Punk, won four honours. He came into the night with seven nominations but competed with himself in three categories. Williams, who has produced hits for Britney Spears and Jay Z in the past, won his first Grammy for non-classical producer of the year.
While the men dominated, lorde was the princess of the Grammys: Her hit Royals won song of the year and best pop solo performance. Macklemore & Ryan lewis tied Williams and Daft Punk with four wins. They won best new artist and rap album for The Heist, beating efforts from Kendrick lamar, Jay Z, Kanye West and Drake.
“Wow, we’re here on the stage right now,” said Macklemore, thanking fans first, then his fiancé and team. “I want to say we made this album without a record label and we appreciate all the support.”
Macklemore & lewis’ wins, which include best rap song and rap performance for Thrift Shop, came after the Grammy rap committee almost ousted the group from its categories. A source said 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.
Beyonce kicked off the Grammy Awards with a steamy and smoky performance of Drunk In love. She started on a chair and then grinded in a revealing black outfit. Jay Z emerged in a fitted suit to rap his verse, and the couple — parents of little Blue Ivy — held hands and danced together. Imagine Dragons and Kendrick lamar, who left empty-handed, 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. Thicke finished the performance singing on the floor.
Perry sang Dark Horse in an eerie forest with fire that mirrored the song’s vibe, and John legend and Taylor Swift — who whipped her head, and hair, back and forth — played pianos during their slow songs.
Swift, who was nominated for album of the year, lost best country album in a surprise upset to rising singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves. Justin Timberlake didn’t make an appearance at the awards show. He 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.
Bruno Mars won best pop vocal album with his sophomore release, Unorthodox Jukebox. Paul McCartney, engineer Bob ludwig and gospel singer Tye Tribett were double winners. Imagine Dragons and Rihanna also picked up trophies.