Adele swept the 59th Annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12, going a perfect five for five—including the trio of album, song and record of the year.
It was the second time the British singer swept those categories, making her the only artist to do so. During this year's ceremony, Adele almost didn't accept the album of the year honor ( for 25 ), saying Beyonce should have prevailed for her album, Lemonade.
However, it wasn't just the awards that catapulted Adele to the top of the social-media heap, as she stopped midway through her George Michael tribute ( singing a slowed-down version of "Fastlove" ) and started again, acknowledging her stumble with a bleeped-out expletive that she apologized for to the crowd. ( There were also tributes to Prince and the Bee Gees. Also, late artist David Bowie won four Grammys for his last album, Blackstar. )
Beyonce had her moment in the spotlight, though. In a nine-minute performance, the expectant singer came across as a goddess of fertility in a multimedia salute to motherhood. She ended up winning two awards ( out of nine nods ).
Artists also got political—none moreso than '90s rap act A Tribe Called Quest , whose members accused "President Agent Orange" of "perpetuating evil." Katy Perry performed her new single "Chained to the Rhythm" in a white pantsuit and an armband that read "Persist," an apparent reference to U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Chicago's Chance the Rapper—whose brother recently came out as bisexual—snagged three awards, including best rap album and best new artist.
Transgender actress Laverne Cox, who introduced Lady Gaga ( who performed with Metallica ), urged attendees and viewers to Google "Gavin Grimm," a transgender boy in Virginia who is the plaintiff in G.G. v. Gloucester County School Board, which will decide whether trans students will be able to use restrooms and facilities that comport with their gender identity. Cox also said, "Ladies and gentlemen, all my gender non-binary people watching tonight, eight-time Grammy award winners and six-time Grammy winner, Lady Gaga." She later apologized for not mentioning Metallica.
Vocal group Pentatonix ( with LGBT members Scott Hoying and Mitch Grassi ) performed the Jackson 5's "ABC" and acknowledged the death of jazz/R&B singer Al Jarreau, who passed away just hours before the ceremony. Pentatonix also won its first Grammy, for country duo/group performance for teaming with Dolly Parton on a version of "Jolene."
Late-night talk-show host James Corden hosted—at one point, doing a version of his "Carpool Karaoke" with Jennifer Lopez, Neil Diamond, Keith Urban and others singing Diamond's "Sweet Caroline."
