NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Grammys had some technical stumbles this year, but also some unforgettable moments from Kendrick Lamar to Lady Gaga and a Broadway smash. Here are a few of the top moments from the 58th annual Grammy Awards:
KING KENDRICK REIGNS
Kendrick Lamar’s cinematic and energetic performance shined at a Grammys show full of slow songs and ballads. He started the performance shackled in chains singing “The Blacker the Berry,” but broke free to perform his anthem “Alright” in front of a massive bonfire.
He ended the performance in front of an image of a map of Africa labeled with the name of his California hometown of Compton. It was a true Grammy moment, one that was deftly executed, daring and culturally significant.
Lamar was the big winner of the night with five trophies and although he did not take home album or song of the year, the Recording Academy showed that they are not so stuffy that they can’t recognize a musical vanguard.
‘HAMILTON’ SURPRISES NO ONE
The massive success of “Hamilton” earned the Broadway musical a performance spot on the Grammys telecast, the first time the Grammys made room for a Broadway show since 2010. The young African-American and Latino cast performed via broadcast feed from New York and playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda’s varied score mixing pop, R&B and rap fit perfectly on the Grammy show.
LADY GAGA HONORS BOWIE
Lady Gaga and producer Nile Rodgers put together a memorable tribute to the musical chameleon David Bowie, complete with her bright red hair, costumes reflecting his unique styles and splashy technical visuals.
She managed to fit together snippets of 10 of his iconic songs, including “Space Oddity” and “Heroes,” into a psychedelic sing-along as she danced all over the stage.
TAYLOR DOESN’T NEED KANYE
Donning a new bob and a sparkly jumpsuit, Taylor Swift opened the 2016 Grammys with a performance of “Out of the Woods,” but correctly noted — for one night — it was actually “1989,” the title of her best-selling album. Backed by Jack Antonoff on guitar, Swift sounded triumphant as she walked through the audience while glitter rained down inside the Staples Center.
Everyone was wondering if anyone at the Grammys would mention Kanye West’ latest diss of the pop star, who claimed in a new song lyric that he made her famous.
She didn’t need to name drop him in her acceptance speech for album of the year for “1989,” but delivered a strong rebuke against those she said would try to “take credit for your accomplishments or your fame.”
THE MISSES
One of the nights’ highly anticipated performances fell a little flat when Adele had to deal with a slight audio issue.
Her vocals cut out for a few seconds at the beginning of her performance of “All I Ask,” which she powered through nonetheless. Still it was a disappointment for her fans considering her many stellar live performances.
And Justin Bieber’s performance of “Where Are U Now,” with Jack U seemed a little rough and disorganized. He seemed to be aimlessly hopping around the stage looking for direction from the band.
