Grammy Awards voters spread the love all around
LOS ANGELES – Mumford & Sons wrapped up a completely unpredictable Grammy Awards with perhaps the most surprising win of the night, taking home album of the year for “Babel.”
It was an event that even shocked the London folk-rockers.
“We figured we weren’t going to win anything because The Black Keys have been sweeping up all day, rightfully so,” Marcus Mumford said.
Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys ended up the night’s top winner with four trophies, including producer of the year for his work on Dr. John’s best blues album, “Locked Down,” and best rock song for “Lonely Boy” and best rock album for “El Camino” with bandmate Patrick Carney.
Fun. took home best new artist, in something of an upset over Frank Ocean, and song of the year for “We Are Young.”
Gotye also busted up the predictions, taking record of the year for the haunting “Somebody That I Used To Know,” and finished with three awards.
Jay-Z and Kanye West had three wins – sharing one award with Frank Ocean – along with Skrillex, and a slew of nominees had two wins apiece, including former best new artist winner Esperanza Spalding.
Ocean was shut out in the major categories, but took home two trophies, including best urban contemporary album.
Ocean also won best rap/sung collaboration for “No Church in the Wild” with fellow top nominees Jay-Z and West, and The-Dream. The win came after victories for Jay-Z and West for best rap song and best rap performance for “… in Paris.”
“We Are Young” helped fun. earn a starring role at the Grammys with nominations in all four major categories after the release of their first album, matched only by Christopher Cross in 1981, and six overall.
Other winners included Rihanna, Beyonce, and Taylor Swift. Carrie Underwood won best country solo performance for “Blown Away,” Zac Brown Band won best country album for “Uncaged” and Kelly Clarkson turned in the night’s most exuberant acceptance speech after winning best pop vocal album for “Stronger.”
“Miguel, I don’t know who the hell you are, but we need to sing together,” she said. “I mean, good God. That was the sexiest dancing I’ve ever seen.”