The Grammys ceremony kicked off in Los Angeles with winners including The Beatles and The Rolling Stones both nabbing Grammy Awards.
The awards were presented at the Grammys' "premiere ceremony" prior to the main 5 pm Los Angeles / 1 am London event. Notable winners included Sabrina Carpenter, who won best pop solo performance for her hit summer song "Espresso," and British star Charli XCX taking home three awards, including best dance/pop album for "Brat."
The show opened with a moving performance of Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water," dedicated to victims of the LA Wildfires. Artists Yolanda Adams and Angelique Kidjo gave an emotional gospel rendition honoring the first responders who bravely faced the wildfires.
Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr emphasized the power of music to inspire, heal, and unite, also acknowledging the resilience of the community post-wildfires.
Beyoncé leads this year's nominations with her album "Cowboy Carter" boasting 11 nods. Kacey Musgraves won best country song, and spoke about combating darkness through music, following her win for "The Architect."
The nominees for album of the year include Billie Eilish, Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and André 3000. Charli XCX and Sabrina Carpenter also vie for best album after their early victories.
Neither artist was present to collect their initial awards as they were prepping for performances later in the evening. Charli's wins for best dance/pop single and best packaging were acknowledged by her producer, Finn Keane, who praised her artistry and unique branding.
Sean Ono Lennon accepted The Beatles' award calling them "the greatest band of all time," urging listeners to share their music with younger generations to keep the spirit of the '60s alive.
Kendrick Lamar consecutively won best rap song, best rap performance, and best music video for "Not Like US," with his producer Mustard commending Lamar's exceptional performance.