Pyrotechnics, politics and prince: top Grammy performances
Beyonce performs at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles February 12, 2017. photo|Reuters pic
What you need to know:
- Making her first public appearance since announcing she was pregnant with twins, Beyonce delivered a New Age celebration of motherhood before the massive global televised audience. Beyonce was introduced by her proud mother Tina before an image of the 35-year-old singer, her baby bump openly visible between her shimmering bra and beaded panties, flashed on the screen. She was also shown with her mother and daughter Blue Ivy, all in gold.
The Grammy Awards on Sunday brought some of music's top stars to the televised stage with performances that ranged from heartfelt tributes to intense political statements.
Here is a look at some of the key performances:
Mother Beyonce
Making her first public appearance since announcing she was pregnant with twins, Beyonce delivered a New Age celebration of motherhood before the massive global televised audience. Beyonce was introduced by her proud mother Tina before an image of the 35-year-old singer, her baby bump openly visible between her shimmering bra and beaded panties, flashed on the screen. She was also shown with her mother and daughter Blue Ivy, all in gold.
The real Beyonce then appeared wearing a golden crown and flowing cape alongside dozens of female dancers, who made formations around her as they turned the stage into a sea of flowers. After spoken word incantations on the power of women, and renditions of her songs "Love Drought" and "Sandcastles," Beyonce - whose music has become increasingly edgy - looked out to her husband Jay Z and daughter Blue Ivy, who were both beaming.
Bruno Mars goes purple
Bruno Mars channeled Prince with an electrifying performance in which the young star uncannily impersonated the late pop icon. Morris Day and The Time - who co-starred in Prince's classic film "Purple Rain" - opened before Mars arrived, clad in a glittery purple jacket and ruffled white shirt.
Mars dug in to his electric guitar for the charging solo to "Let's Go Crazy," his facial expressions even appearing like those of Prince, who died in April from an accidental overdose of painkillers.
President Agent Orange
In the most politically charged moment of the evening, leading rappers came together to denounce President Donald Trump and his anti-immigration stance.
Busta Rhymes - on stage with A Tribe Called Quest and Anderson Paak - mocked Trump's appearance and vowed to keep opposing him. "I just want to thank President Agent Orange for perpetuating all the evil you've been perpetuating," Busta Rhymes said in a mock award acceptance speech.
"We come together! We the people!" he shouted as fellow performers knocked through a wall on stage - a reference to Trump's plan to build a wall on the border with Mexico. (AFP)
