By AFRO Staff

The music industry’s best and brightest stars turned up for the 64th annual Grammy Awards on April 3, held at the Las Vegas MGM Grand Garden Arena. 

The event was hosted by Emmy Award-winning comedian, Trevor Noah and featured star-studded performances from R&B singer H.E.R., Lenny Kravitz and rapper Nas.

The show was originally planned for Jan. 31, but producers postponed out of an abundance of caution as the Omicron variant circled the globe, slamming one country after another.

Lil Nas X also performed at the Grammys this year with his controversial hit “Call Me By Your Name.” During the performance, he showcased tweets about the music video for the song, which featured him giving a lapdance to a demonic figure. Lil Nas X later performed, “Dead Right Now” and “Industry Baby” with rapper Jack Harlow.

Noah sent a “thank you to everyone that tuned in” and called the evening “an absolute incredible night!”

Trevor Noah hosted the 64th annual Grammy Awards on April 3 at the Las Vegas MGM Grand Arena. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)

Bruno Mars and Anderson.Paak struck gold again and again on Grammy night, taking – trophies for their work on “Silk Sonic,” which featured their hit single, “Leave the Door Open.” Mars and Paak picked up awards for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best R&B Song.  Silk Sonic also tied with Jazmine Sullivan’s record, “Pick Up Your Feelings” for Best R&B Performance.

“We are really trying our hardest to remain humble at this point – but in the industry, we call that clean sweep!” said Anderson .Paak in a Grammy statement, before offering drinks on Silk Sonic to everyone who wanted to join the after-party.

R&B singer SZA and rapper Doja Cat won Best Pop Duo Performance for “Kiss Me More” featured on Doja’s album “Planet Her.” Doja Cat was in the bathroom and SZA was on crutches when the award was announced. 

“I fell out of bed before I came here, whenever something big happens to me, something crazy happens too,” she said, after hobbling to the stage and lamenting the five minutes Doja Cat spent in the bathroom as the announcement was made.

This year’s Grammys recognized artists with the best recordings between Sept. 1, 2020 and Sept 30, 2021.

Doja Cat, left, and SZA, winners of the award for best pop duo/group performance for “Kiss Me More,” pose in the press room at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

The night was notably less dramatic than the Oscar’s- for obvious reasons, and the night couldn’t end without a plethora of references to Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock during a live television broadcast on March 27th. 

Nate Bargatze showed up on stage with a helmet to tell jokes for the audience, right after the legendary Lavar Burton introduced him as a comedian and reminded everyone to remain seated and keep their hands to themselves.

Singer Jon Batiste also won big this year at the Grammys after accepting his award for Album of the Year for ‘We Are.’ Batiste called the night one that was full of “incredible blessings.”

Jon Batiste, winner of the awards for best American roots performance for “Cry,” best American roots song for “Cry,” best music video for “Freedom,” best score soundtrack for visual media for “Soul,” and album of the year for “We Are,” poses in the press room at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Notably absent from the festivities was world-renowned Kanye West. Prior to the show, there were mixed feelings about Kanye West being banned for comments he made toward Trevor Noah. West’s “Donda” album was nominated for Best Rap Album and Album of the Year, but ultimately didn’t take any awards.

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