7 Memorable Moments from the 2018 Grammys

Music |

Music’s biggest stars gathered at Madison Square Garden on Sunday when the Grammy Awards returned to New York City for the first time in 15 years. The 60th annual award show was filled with talented stars and beautiful performances, but there are several buzz-worthy moments worth watching again. Relive some of the moments that stole the show at the 2018 Grammys.

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“Despacito” takes over

Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee had the crowd singing “Despacito” when they took the stage to perform their smash hit. There was no escaping the record-breaking song and its remix featuring Justin Bieber in 2017. It became the first Latin song to receive a RIAA Diamond Award for reaching 10 million or more sales and streams in America. The remix even tied Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men’s 1995 hit “One Sweet Day” for the most weeks at No. 1 for a single.

The 90s return with Bruno Mars and Cardi B

Another act who shined in 2017, Cardi B joined Bruno Mars onstage to perform their collaboration “Finesse.” They also took the energy up a notch and brought some 90s vibes into the mix. The Bronx rapper, who went to No.1 with debut hit “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves),” dressed in colorful clothes along with Mars who included one of his famous dance breaks. The performance follows the video which was inspired by In Living Color.

Kesha brings emotion 

Kesha delivered an emotional performance of “Praying” along with some other famous women by her side: Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Bebe Rexha, Julia Michaels and Andra Day. The women sang in unison while all wearing white. “Praying” is off Kesha’s third studio album, Rainbow, which was released after her public legal battle against producer Dr. Luke, whom she accused of sexual abuse.

Janelle Monae says time is up

While introducing Kesha’s performance, singer and actress Janelle Monae gave a powerful speech about the Time’s Up movement. “We are also daughters, wives, mothers, sisters and human beings. We come in peace but we mean business. And to those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: time’s up,” she said.

Camila Cabello gets political

Right after performing with Kesha, Camila Cabello took the stage to honor Dreamers. The singer said that her parents brought her to America “with nothing in their pockets but hope.” She added, “I’m a proud Cuban-Mexican immigrant, born in eastern Havana, standing in front of you on the Grammy stage in New York City, and all I know is, just like dreams, these kids can’t be forgotten and are worth fighting for.”

Patti LuPone added some Broadway into the mix

The Grammys also paid tribute to legendary Broadway composers Leonard Bernstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber. To honor the latter, two-time Grammy and Tony winner, Patti LuPone, reprised her 1981 performance of “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina.” The song appeared in Webber’s Evita.

Bruno Mars wins album of the year

Bruno Mars scored big winning album of the year for “24K Magic.” In his acceptance speech, Mars said his intention with the album was to bring people together the way the music of Babyface, Jimmy Jam Terry Lewis and Teddy Riley did. “I’d like to dedicate this award to them. They are my heroes, they are my teachers, they laid the foundation,” he said.

anna halkidis

anna halkidis

Anna Halkidis is a senior web editor at Long Island Pulse. Feel free to reach out at anna@lipulse.com or on Twitter @annahalkidis.