The 57th Grammy Awards boasted a record 23 performance slots, with only nine awards being given out throughout the night.
And I never thought I would say this, but I missed the awards part.
Always in the impossible situation of being all things to all people, the Grammy telecast needs to be a great show with memorable moments. It’s star power drives social engagement and ratings while representing an increasingly fragmented music universe with every passing year.
But the real magic for me is when the awards elevates a new artist into an established household name. And surprisingly, as it turns out, to see who wins.
2014 was a significant year for new artist development – Smith, Sia, Hozier, Azalea, Bastille, etc. It would be great to see more of these artists get their own moment the way Sia did, engaging viewers in their unique narrative and letting us root for them when they win.
There were some authentically beautiful moments for me this year. Sia’s performance and Shia Labeouf’s surprisingly real intro, Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney performing “FourFiveSeconds,” Sam Smith’s teary eyed performance with Mary J Blige, Beck’s surprise win, John Legend & Common’s Selma tribute,Prince‘s star presence and orange jumpsuit.
But the night belonged to Smith. His teary eyed performance with Mary J Blige, his humility, and openness to be exactly who he is – proved once again how authenticity & emotion is ultimately always at the core of what moves us.