Despite the entire music industry dealing with ‘a death in the family’, the 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards reached its highest ratings since 1984. Two words: Adele and Whitney.
Whitney Houston’s body was found the night before the awards ceremony, moments before Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy Concert, where she was expected to perform. Although the party award as said to have been cancelled, Clive Davis announced, “Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on”. Houston’s sudden death, at the age of 48, shocked all. Whitney fans had no doubt that the Grammy Awards would be a somber event. Jennifer Hudson delivered a moving rendition of Houston’s world-renown hit “I Will Always Love You” at the ceremony. However, when the show only dedicated one song to Whitney, emotions ran high. Many fans showed their disappointments with the last minute tribute via social networks, engaging in trending topics like #ThingsShorterThanWhitneysTribute and swarming their Facebook timelines to solely express their opinions about the ‘mini-tribute’.
The show was also ‘Adele’s Biggest Night’. Sweeping every category she was nominated for, Adele received a whopping total of 6 Grammys. Her fiery performance of “Rolling in the Deep” was highly anticipated and received a standing ovation. Gaining style points for looking more glamorous than life, Adele wore a custom Giorgio Armani gown featuring sequins, a black mesh overlay, and a grosgrain panel on the front. This was her first time back on stage since recovering from vocal cord surgery in November. It was no shock that she would receive the highest honor of the night, Album of the Year. “21” was the top-selling album of 2011 and has yet to leave the U.S. pop charts since its release in February!
Nicki Minaj, or should we say “Roman’s” performance at the Grammys was the definition of shock value. Conversation continues to bubble about her controversial performance. The Harajuku Barbie dropped jaws that night, arriving in a gigantic red hooded Versace dress, outlined with black beads, and being escorted by a Pope look-alike. Nicki used a Catholic Church theme to introduce her newest song “Roman Holiday”. The performance featured monks, levitation, stained glass, and even a video depicting an exorcism of Nicki Minaj’s alter ego, Roman. Minaj definitely pulled a Lady Gaga, leaving viewers to ask, “What was that?”
Rihanna graced the stage with her usual rock-star chique style, wearing a tight all black Tina Turner inspired get up. She gave a vibrant rendition of her hit “We Found Love”, beginning the song like a love ballad and ending with a party feel. Coldplay later joined her to introduce their track “Princess of China”. The academy allowed Chris Brown to make a return to the Grammys, three years after his assault on then-girlfriend Rihanna. He delivered an acrobatic performance of his brand new single “Turn Up the Music” and more importantly won the Best R&B Album for “F.A.M.E.”. The night was beyond doubt a rollercoaster of tributes, comebacks, and an overall celebration of contemporary music.