Adele, Beyoncé steal limelight at 'politically driven' Grammys

British star Adele clinched as many as five trophies at the 59th annual Grammy Awards. The singer, who began the show at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday night, bagged all the top honours, including categories like ‘Record Of The Year’, ‘Album Of The Year’ and ‘Song Of The Year’. She also took home the trophies for ‘Best Pop Solo Performance’ and ‘Best Pop Vocal Album awards’.

What was heart-warming to see was that she refused to take the ‘Album Of The Year’ honour and said Beyoncé deserves it more than her. "I can't possibly accept this award, and I'm humbled and grateful and gracious but my life is Beyoncé, and the 'Lemonade' album," she said and added that Beyoncé is "empowering" all the black people.

Another highlight of the night was when Beyoncé took the stage to perform "Love drought" and "Sandcastles" from her album "Lemonade", for the first time after announcing her pregnancy. She was introduced on stage by her mother Tina Knowles and received a standing ovation from the audience, which also included her husband Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy Carter. Beyonce's "Lemonade" won the ‘Best Contemporary Album’ and "White Sun II" as ‘Best New Age Album’.

Hosted by James Corden, the awards gala also featured tributes to late singer George Michael by Adele and to late singer Prince by Bruno Mars, The Time and Morris Day. Another big winner of the night was the late singer David Bowie, who posthumously was given five awards for his 2016 album "Blackstar".

The event also witnessed some celebrities who made political statements. While musical group Highly Suspect's member Johnny Stevens wore a jacket with "Impeach" written on its back, Perry donned a white pantsuit and had a band on her arms which read: "Persist". Singer-actress Jennifer Lopez and late Michael Jackson's daughter Paris Jackson also took a jibe at Trump indirectly on stage. But the direct attack on Trump was made by popular rap group A Tribe Called Quest, who called him "President Agent Orange".

The Winners

Album Of The Year: Adele for '25'
Record Of The Year: 'Hello' by Adele
Song Of The Year: Adele and Greg Kurstin for 'Hello'
Rap Album: 'Coloring Book' by Chance The Rapper Urban Contemporary
Album: 'Lemonade' by Beyonce Country Solo
Performance: Maren Morris for 'My Church'
Rock Song: 'Blackstar' by David Bowie Pop Duo/Group
Performance: 'Stressed Out' by Twenty One Pilots
Pop Vocal Album: '25' by Adele
Pop Solo Performance: Adele for 'Hello'
Alternative Music Album: 'Blackstar' by David Bowie
Rock Album: 'Tell Me I'm Pretty' by Cage the Elephant
Rock Performance: 'Blackstar' by David Bowie
New Artist: Chance The Rapper
Rap Song: 'Hotline Bling' by Drake
R&B Song: 'Lake By The Ocean' by Maxwell
R&B Album: Lalah Hathaway for 'Lalah Hathaway Live'
Country Album: Sturgill Simpson for 'A Sailor's Guide to Earth'
Country Song: 'Humble And Kind' by Tim McGraw
Jazz Instrumental Album: 'Country For Old Men' by John Scofield
Jazz Vocal Album: Gregory Porter for 'Take Me to the Alley'
Dance/Electronic Album: Flume for 'Skin'
Music Film: 'The Beatles: Eight Days A Week The Touring Years' by The Beatles
Music Video: Beyonce for 'Formation'
Latin Pop Album: 'Un Besito Mas' by Jesse & Joy Song Written for
Visual Media: Justin Timberlake for 'Can't Stop the Feeling'