MUSIC'S biggest stars turned out in force at the Grammys on Sunday in Los Angeles -- and a LOT happened.
Beyonce made history, but lost the night's biggest prize to Harry Styles. Bad Bunny opened the show with some serious reggaeton and First Lady Jill Biden showed up to honor an Iranian artist.
Here are five key moments from Grammys night:
- Bad Bunny, world's biggest artist -
Bad Bunny, music's most streamed artist, exploded into the Crypto.com Arena to open the night, performing a medley of hits off his blockbuster album "Un Verano Sin Ti."
Host Trevor Noah greeted him in Spanish as the Puerto Rican trailblazer introduced himself simply by his first name, "Benito." The room then erupted in color and rhythm as the audience was immersed in Latin sounds including bachata, merengue and mambo.
"I want to know if the Grammys are ready for the real party," exclaimed the 29-year-old who has fast become the face of reggaeton, the genre he has globalized.
Donning a white tee shirt and jeans, Bad Bunny left no one unmoved, with even Taylor Swift launching into a few dance steps.
"Now everyone wants to be Latino," he quipped. "But they're lacking flavor."
Bad Bunny went on to win the Grammy for Best Musica Urbana Album.
- Fifty years of hip-hop -
In probably the most electric moment of the night, a parade of stars from the world of hip-hop -- from Grandmaster Flash and Run DMC to Method Man, Queen Latifah, Missy Elliot and LL Cool J -- got the audience up on their feet to mark the upcoming 50th anniversary of the genre, seen as born in the Bronx in 1973.
The rapid-fire medley of hits across the decades -- Nelly offered a few bars of "Hot in Herre," Lil Uzi Vert closed the tribute with a bit of his "Just Wanna Rock" -- had Jay-Z cheering from his seat.
The Recording Academy has long been criticized for failing to honor hip-hop artists in the main Grammy categories, and for being behind the times in terms of acknowledging hip-hop's overall influence in music. The all-star performance certainly went some distance in putting the genre front and center, at last.
- Touching in memoriam -
The Grammys annual tribute to those the music industry has lost was even more emotional than usual, with Quavo of the hip-hop act Migos honoring his nephew Takeoff, who was murdered late last year in a shooting at the age of 28.
"Days ain't the same without you / I don't know if I'm the same without you," sang Quavo. "I wish I had a time machine / Just so you can take a ride with me / I miss just how you smile at me / Unc and Phew until infinity."
Kacey Musgraves opened the set paying homage to Loretta Lynn, the iconic country singer who died at 90, by covering Lynn's iconic "Coal Miner's Daughter."
And Mick Fleetwood was joined by Bonnie Raitt and Sheryl Crow in a touching performance of "Songbird" by Christine McVie, the late Fleetwood Mac artist who penned many of the beloved band's most famous songs.
- Special award for Iranian song -
In the night's most political moment, First Lady Jill Biden came to Los Angeles to present a special Grammy for Best Song for Social Change.
That award went to 25-year-old Iranian pop singer Shervin Hajipour for his "Baraye" -- an anthem for the protests that have rocked Iran since the September 16 death in custody of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old ethnic Kurd arrested for an alleged breach of strict dress rules for women.
Hajipour was detained after his song went viral and later freed on bail. He is not allowed to leave Iran.
Biden called "Baraye" a "powerful and poetic call for freedom and women's rights."
- Transgender singer Kim Petras makes history -
Kim Petras and Sam Smith took home the Grammy for best performance by a pop duo or group for their hit collaboration "Unholy," which made Petras the first openly transgender woman to win in the category.
"I just want to thank all the incredible transgender legends before me who kicked these doors open for me so I could be here tonight," Petras said after Smith, who is non-binary, urged her to accept the award.
"I grew up next to a highway in nowhere, Germany. And my mother believed me that I was a girl, and I wouldn't be here without her," she told the audience in a speech that elicited cheers from her peers.
Petras and Smith later delivered a blazing performance of the song -- a hellish, red latex-clad show that featured flames, devil horns, whips and the German artist Petras in a cage.
ETX Studio
Tue Feb 07 2023
Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny accepts the Award for Best Musica Urbana Album during the 65th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on February 5, 2023. - ETX Studio
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.