Female musicians such as Kacey Musgraves, Cardi B and Lady Gaga shone bright at the 2019 Grammys, making history by taking home top awards in categories generally dominated by male artistes.
A year after the award ceremony faced severe criticism for its lack of female representation, the Recording Academy seemed to make amends by giving women the centre stage as winners, performers and host.
Women had "stepped up" in a big way as best new artist winner Dua Lipa pointed out, in an apparent dig at outgoing Recording Academy president Neil Portnow.
Portnow had created a furore by saying last year that women needed to "step up" if they desired more representation at the Grammys.
With Alicia Keys as a host, the first female emcee after a gap of 14 years, the ceremony was in for major revamp. Keys pulled the night's biggest surprise by inviting her "sisters" -- former First Lady Michelle Obama, Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Jada Pinkett Smith.
Obama spoke about how music has played a crucial role in her life, particularly in the last one decade.
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"It (music) allows us to hear one another, to invite each other in. Music shows us that all of it matters - every story within every voice, every note within every song," Obama said amid loud cheers from the audience.
Musgraves's four wins, including the biggest prize, album of the year, capped the ceremony's female dominion.
She defeated the likes of Brandi Carlile, Drake, Black Panther: The Album (various artists), Post Malone, Cardi and Janelle Monae to win the award.
The last country LP to win Album of the Year was Taylor Swift's ' Fearless' in 2010.
Musgraves also took home trophies for best country album, best country song and best country solo performance.
"It was unbelievable to be even in a category with such gigantic albums ... it's really crazy. But I'm very thankful. Art is really thriving and it's been really beautiful to see that. I would have nothing without songs. To me, it's just all about the songs," Musgraves said in her speech.
Cardi created history by becoming the first solo woman to win best rap album for 'Invasion of Privacy', beating out Nipsey Hussle, Pusha T, Travis Scott, and the late Mac Miller.
The rapper accepted the award taking the stage with husband Offset, who held her hand as she controlled her tears while talking about her pregnancy and daughter Kulture. She said she found about her pregnancy when she was still in the middle of finishing the album.
"And then you know, you know how it was, we was like, we have to get this album done so I could still do videos while I'm still not showing. And it was very long nights," Cardi said in her speech.
"I can't breath. Oh my goodness. The nerves are so bad!" She added with a laugh, "Maybe I need to start smoking weed."
While Cardi's the first woman to win the award for a solo act, Lauryn Hill did win best rap album as part of hip-hop group Fugees in 1997.
Gaga and Bradley Cooper won best pop duo performance and best song written for visual medium for "Shallow" from "A Star Is Born". She also took home trophy of best pop performance for "Joanne".
Lipa, who also won the dance recording award, said it was an honour to be nominated alongside great female artistes. Her fellow new artist nominee H.E.R. took home best R&B album.
"Where I want to begin is by saying how honoured I am to be nominated alongside so many incredible female artists this year." She added, with a smile, "I guess this year we've really stepped up?"
Actor Donald Grover's musician alter-ego Childish Gambino's "This Is America" marked the first time a rap number won for song of the year and record of the year but he gave the ceremony a miss.
Rapper-singer Drake made a surprise appearance to accept his best rap song award for "God's Plan' and used his time on the stage to throw some shade at the Recording Academy.
Brandi Carlile also went home with three Grammys, including best American album for 'By the Way I, I Forgive You'.
Ariana Grande, who gave the ceremony a miss over a disagreement about her set at the ceremony, won best pop vocal album.
Obama was not the only big draw at the star-studded ceremony as music icons Dolly Parton and Diana Ross delivered inspiring performances.
Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry performed alongside the 73-year-old nine-time Grammy winner during a tribute. Parton belted out classics such as 'Jolene', '9 To 5' and 'Here You Come Again'.
Ross celebrated her 75th birthday on the stage by performing her hits such as 'The Best Years Of My Life' and 'Reach Out And Touch'.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
