Women shine at 2019 Grammys
A year after the award ceremony faced severe criticism for its lack of female representation, the Recording Academy seemed to make amends by giving women the centre stage as winners, performers and host
Los Angeles: Female musicians such as Kacey Musgraves, Cardi B and Lady Gaga shone bright at the 2019 Grammys, making history by taking home top awards in categories generally dominated by male artistes.
A year after the award ceremony faced severe criticism for its lack of female representation, the Recording Academy seemed to make amends by giving women the centre stage as winners, performers and host.
Women had "stepped up" in a big way as best new artist winner Dua Lipa pointed out, in an apparent dig at outgoing Recording Academy president Neil Portnow.
Portnow had created a furore by saying last year that women needed to "step up" if they desired more representation at the Grammys.
With Alicia Keys as a host, the first female emcee after a gap of 14 years, the ceremony was in for major revamp. Keys pulled the night's biggest surprise by inviting her "sisters" -- former First Lady Michelle Obama, Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Musgraves's four wins, including the biggest prize, album of the year, capped the ceremony's female dominion.
She defeated the likes of Brandi Carlile, Drake, Black Panther: The Album (various artists), Post Malone, Cardi and Janelle Monae to win the award.
Cardi created history by becoming the first solo woman to win best rap album for 'Invasion of Privacy', beating out Nipsey Hussle, Pusha T, Travis Scott, and the late Mac Miller.
Gaga and Bradley Cooper won best pop duo performance and best song written for visual medium for "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born". She also took home trophy of best pop performance for "Joanne".
Lipa, who also won the dance recording award, said it was an honour to be nominated alongside great female artistes. Her fellow new artist nominee H.E.R. took home best R&B album.
Ariana Grande, who gave the ceremony a miss over a disagreement about her set at the ceremony, won best pop vocal album.
Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry performed alongside the 73-year-old nine-time Grammy winner during a tribute. Parton belted out classics such as 'Jolene', '9 To 5' and 'Here You Come Again'.
