The English Queen Takes Her Throne

On Sunday, February 12, 2017, the 59th Annual Grammy Awards aired on national television. This live show consisted of the most well-known hims and hers of the music and entertainment industry in America and from other countries around the world. From symbolic and political performances by Katy Perry and Bob Marley’s grandson, Skip Marley, of her new song “Chained to Rhythm” ending with a billboard sized font of the US Constitution in the background to a forceful performance by A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes and Anderson .Paak which called out the prejudices in our country and the most recent acts of our new president, President Trump (i.e. “Muslim Ban”). Also throwing shots at him calling him “President Agent Orange” and holding up their fists in the air to finish the performance yelling, “Resist!”

Artists like Bruno Mars, Demi Lovato, Tori Kelly and Andra Day wasted no time showing off their vocal talents in heart-warming tributes honoring Prince and The Bee Gees.

But there were a few mishaps at this year’s Grammy’s that won’t be forgotten…well not for a while at least. This year Lady Gaga committed to performing with Metallica after her impressive, sky-diving performance at Superbowl LI a week ago. They came out guns blazing, ready to take the Grammy stage, but when it was time for the song to start, Metallica’s lead singer James Hetfield’s mic failed to work. At first, some who aren't familiar with the song, thought that maybe he was saying words that had to be muted out because of the show and vulgarity but we then saw that as he tried to sing the second verse we still couldn't hear anything. His mic malfunctioned. For the rest of the performance Hetfield and Gaga were nose-to-nose, all up in each other’s grills, sharing a mic and trying to be heard over the loud, raging sounds of rock music. They were still amazing but I’m sure a sound man or producer got an earful from Hetfield right after…yikes.

Vocal powerhouse, Adele, completely took over the Grammy’s but we’ll get to the rest of that shortly. In the middle of her tribute to the late George Michael she stopped and asked to restart her performance. She got a little frustrated and may have said a word that she didn't want to. She wasn't happy with how it was going and she wanted to do it right. After the show Adele told People’s Magazine, “I really do apologize for swearing. George Michael, I love him. He means a lot to me, so I’m really sorry if I offended anyone anywhere.” (Petit, People’s Mag). From watching the second performance you could tell that she was shaken up by the first try. Upon finishing, her eyes were teary and she continued to apologize. But what she may not have known is that as an audience full of regular, everyday people, we don't care about the timing or delay of the show and what her colleagues have to say about it after. We appreciate and respect her much more for stopping and re-doing it instead of finishing it and it not being a great performance. That showed true passion of her art and of how she views those who have come and gone doing the same things as her. Because when you do anything, you do it with excellence.

So after all the hoo-rah and drama during the show, we’ve gotten to this point. The night’s two biggest awards: Song of the Year and Album of the Year. For the past couple of weeks, those engaged in Grammy happenings knew that it was going to be between Adele and Beyoncé. We can debate over the two albums - Adele’s “25” and Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” - for days but one thing is for sure, these two women are at the top of the totem pole and there is no one remotely close to them. Adele wins Song of the Year for “Hello” and goes up to receive her award. She thanks those around her and those who helped bring her to this point where she was 4 years ago with her outrageous album “21”. She goes backstage and it’s time for the Album of the Year. Some think that Beyoncé’s triumphant, political, relatable, strong visual album “Lemonade” is going to take it but it doesn’t. It is Adele, soulful, soothing love songs of “25”, again with Grammy number five for the night. Adele is in utter shock. She gets on stage and although she is very humbled and grateful to win the award she proclaims her love for Beyoncé and for the album during her speech. Mid-tears she emphasizes how “Lemonade” empowered her and those around her and that it was truly a monumental piece. The audience saw the love and admiration for the art of music and how it goes way deeper than the music videos and how great the beat sounds, it’s

about the words and the true meaning behind it.

Beyoncé is known as Queen Bey to her Bey-hive (her fan-base) and to almost all who know her music. But Adele, the Queen of English music has taken over and swept the Grammy’s away last night.

Was it a robbery? Was Beyoncé stripped of of the title again?

The English Queen has retaken her throne…

but she’ll let Queen Bey sit in it, too.

#GirlPower.

Works Cited

Petit, Stephanie. "Adele Explains What Went Wrong with Her George Michael Tribute: 'I Was Devastated'". People.com. Copyright 2017. 13 February 2017 Date Accessed. Web. 13 Feb. 20