Beyonce wins top Grammy prize for first time with ‘Cowboy Carter’

Beyonce won the top prize at Grammy Awards on Sunday, taking ‘Album of the year’ for the first time in her career with her country record “Cowboy Carter”.

The superstar singer triumphed over Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and others to claim the trophy that had eluded her even as she collected more lifetime Grammys than any other artiste.

“I just feel very full and very honoured. It’s been many, many years,” Beyonce said on stage on Sunday.

Rapper Kendrick Lamar claimed “Record of the year” and “Song of the year” for “Not Like Us”.

“Pink Pony Club” singer Chappell Roan was named the “Best new artiste” and used her time on stage to urge record labels to pay musicians a living wage with healthcare benefits. She recalled a time when she felt “dehumanised” to not have health insurance.

This year’s Grammy festivities were revamped to be part award show and part fundraiser for people affected by the wildfires, which were contained on Friday after killing 29 people and displacing thousands including many musicians.

The show opened with an all-star rendition “I Love LA” featuring Altadena-based band Dawes backed by John Legend, Brad Paisley, St. Vincent and Brittany Howard.

“Tonight, we decided we are not just celebrating our favorite music. We are also celebrating the city that brought us so much of that music,” said host Trevor Noah, who directed viewers to donation options throughout the show.

Grammy winners are chosen by the 13,000 singers, songwriters, producers, engineers and others who make up the Recording Academy.

At a glance:-

ALBUM OF THE YEAR

“Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé

RECORD OF THE YEAR

“Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar

SONG OF THE YEAR

“Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar

BEST NEW ARTIST

Chappell Roan

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM

“Short n’ Sweet,” Sabrina Carpenter

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE

“Die With A Smile,” Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars

BEST LATIN POP ALBUM

“Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran,”

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM

“Cowboy Carter,” Beyonce

BEST RAP ALBUM

“Alligator Bites Never Heal,” Doechii