The Grammy Awards put women in the spotlight

With Alicia Keys as the host, Michelle Obama as a surprise guest and the crowning of J.Lo, Lady Gaga, and Cardi B, women were the stars of the ceremony.

The Grammy Awards Academy was amid a major turmoil before the 2019 ceremony. Many voices were heard about the small number of women, minorities, and members of the rap community in the nominees’ selection, not to mention among the winners.

Amid the #MeToo storm, Neil Portnow, president of the Grammys had raised an uproar in May 2018 when he advised women to “step up” to earn their spot among the nominees. The (well deserved) backlash which followed this comment forced him to make an effort when programming the performances of this year’s ceremony.

As a result, five impressive women coming from both the entertainment and the political world were united at the Grammys on Sunday: Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, Jaden Pinkett-Smith, Lady Gaga and Michelle Obama, a total surprise. Together, they launched the ceremony with a brilliant opening speech calling for freedom which left the audience in owe. Earlier, Alicia Keys had set the tone with a performance on two pianos as an homage to the Jazz singer and musician Hazel Scott and her appearance in the movie The Heat’s On in 1943.

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Alicia Keys covered the music and lyrics she wishes she had composed in her career. From Nat King Cole to Lauryn Hill, the artist, barefoot, shined with her natural glow and eclectic choices. She even played “Lucid Dreams” by Juice WRLD, who was himself covering one of Sting’s song that was in The Message, by Nas. With both technic and subtilty, Alicia started the ceremony in the best way possible.

Later on, Lady Gaga offered one of the most memorable performances of the evening, before J.Lo gave a vibrant homage to Motown 6th anniversary. Alongside Smokey Robinson, a legend of the label, J.Lo gave a thrilling performance who left most of the critics speechless. Indeed, many were offended that Jennifer Lopez was chosen to honor Berry Gordy’s label, which is very important for the Afro-American community, while the pop star is from Puerto Rico.

The aim of this ceremony was to gather minorities through music and emotions. Jennifer Lopez and her strong business woman experience gave another perspective to the panel of women that the ceremony highlighted. Additionally, the great homage to Aretha Franklin and Dolly Parton, as well as the performances of Janelle Monae, Kacey Musgraves or Diana Ross, also brought to the fore women’s achievements.

The culmination of the evening was the crowning of Cardi B, first women to be rewarded on her own for the best rap album of the year with Invasion of Privacy. With a different type of personality and representing a younger generation, the Bronx rapper wraps an incredible year with a well-earned trophy, one step ahead of her competitors Travis Scott, Pusha T, and Nipsey Hussle.

Cardi said a few words for the last nominee, the late Mac Miller, and dedicated her award to him, washing away any potential controversy with her usual upbeat spontaneity, and went on to celebrate with her partner, Offset.

Last but not least, Neil Portnow announced he is retiring after 17 years as the president of the Grammys Academy, paying the price of his comment last year. Undoubtedly, women were the great winners of the 2019 ceremony and hopefully, this should lead to a change in upcoming years.

Credit: Konbini