Beyonce won the Grammy Award for best country album on Sunday for “Cowboy Carter” at a ceremony that served as a love letter to host city Los Angeles following the devastating wildfires that scarred a hub of the music business.
“Cowboy Carter” was in the running for the night’s top Grammy prize of album of the year. Beyonce has never received the album trophy despite going into Sunday’s ceremony with 32 career wins, more than any other musician.
Indian-American vocalist Chandrika Tandon took home the Grammy award for the album Triveni in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category. She outran Ricky Kej and Anoushka Shankar to win the honour.
Chandrika won the award along with her collaborators, South African flautist Wouter Kellerman and Japanese cellist Eru Matsumoto.
Along with Chandrika, names who were contending in the Best New Age, Ambient or Chant Album category included Break of Dawn by Ricky Kej, Opus by Ryuichi Sakamoto, Chapter II: How Dark It Is Before Dawn by Anoushka Shankar, and Warriors Of Light by Radhika Vekaria.
This year’s Grammy festivities were revamped to be part awards show and part fundraiser for people affected by the wildfires, which were contained on Friday after killing 29 people and displacing thousands including many musicians.
Broadcast live on CBS, the show opened with an all-star rendition “I Love LA” featuring Altadena-based band Dawes backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, St. Vincent and Brittany Howard.
“Tonight, we decided we are not just celebrating our favorite music. We are also celebrating the city that brought us so much of that music,” host Trevor Noah said.
Los Angeles natives and siblings Billie Eilish and Finneas followed Noah’s monologue with a performance of nominated song “Birds of a Feather.” “I love you LA,” Eilish said from the stage.
Sabrina Carpenter won best pop vocal album for “Short n’ Sweet,” minutes after a performance of hits “Please Please Please” and “Espresso” on a set inspired by the golden age of Hollywood.
“I’m still out of breath from that performance,” Carpenter said as she accepted the trophy. “This is my first Grammy so I’m going to cry.”
Doechii became the third woman in Grammys history to win best rap album for “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” As she accepted the honor, she offered words of encouragement to Black women and girls.
“Anything is possible,” Doechii said as she held her trophy. “Don’t allow anyone to project any stereotypes on you.”
Grammy winners are chosen by the 13,000 singers, songwriters, producers, engineers and others who make up the Recording Academy.
(With agencies inputs)
