With over 100 Grammy nominations, Beyoncé eventually won the highest honor of the night, Album of the Year, which was given to her by some very special visitors on Sunday.
The Recording Academy called out L.A. firemen, including Fire Captain Sheila Kelliher Berkoh and Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone, to deliver the Grammy Awards’ last prize. Behind them was a gathered group of firefighters.
In a brief address, Marrone thanks all of the firefighters who put their lives in danger to put out the destructive wildfires in Los Angeles last month, saying that the town will come back stronger as a team.
Following the reading of the nominations, Berkoh announces the winner, appearing ecstatic as she declares that Queen Bey has finally won her first Album of the Year award.
As you could expect, Bey leaps to her feet and gives Jay-Z a hug right away. She then walks to the microphone while holding her baby Blue Ivy. After expressing gratitude to the firemen for their courage, she remarks that this medal has been long overdue.
Bey’s first victory of the evening was for Best Country Album, which Taylor Swift gave her. This was her second win of the evening.
As we previously said, this is Beyoncé’s first victory in the category. In a remarkable, if embarrassing, moment at last year’s event, Jay-Z mentioned that she had never received the prize.
Before the ceremony started, we asked John Legend whether Jay’s outburst would make Beyoncé’s victory this year less special. He answered that it would not.
By the way, the whole Grammys show was designed to draw attention to the L.A. fire recovery effort, and a QR code that allowed spectators to give from home kept appearing on screen.
Beyoncé’s victory was undoubtedly a close second, but the largest standing ovation of the evening went to the firemen of Los Angeles.