It's become an annual tradition that we make a playlist with the best of the best of the year. What's the best? We go by end of year lists and then of course the Grammys.

This year's Grammys were off to a rocky start though, with scandals rocking the Recording Academy to the level that Grammy-hoarders Jay-Z, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift (52 Grammys combined) decided to skip the show. That is nothing to say of the helicopter tragedy that cost nine athletes their lives in California, including basketball legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

But as they say, in this very business, the show does indeed have to go on. Here we see two of the most nominated artists this year: Ariana Grande (5 nominations) and Billie Eilish (6 nominations) greet each other outside the Staples Center, where the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards were held. 

Alicia Key's Narrative

This just needs to be watched in its entirety Alicia Keys narrating what's happening at the Grammys.

Alicia Keys' ability to hold it together as grief loomed over the entire entertainment industry has been lauded. Here's one of her charming performances (she was also a host!) where she narrates what will happen at the Grammys as a parody of Lewis Capaldi's Someone You Loved.

Billie Eilish Win(s)

Seeing Billie Eilish win, again and again, reminded us of the line from NPH's 2013 Tony performance that went "nothing is bigger and better [than] seeing a beginner freak out on a win on a first nomination". Billie Eilish did not seem to know how to handle all these wins, she took home awards for all the big four categories. 

Demi Lovato's heartfelt Anyone

This was hands down the best performance at the GRAMMYs. Don't just take our word for it, it was the number one trending on Rolling Stone magazine and is one of the most talked-about performances of the night. 

It's not hard to see why. "Why the fuck am I praying anyway, If nobody's listening" she belts out, and if the false start and the single tear streaming down her face don't switch your emotion chip, maybe learning that this song was recorded four days before her overdose in 2018 will. 

5-Time Grammy Winner Billie Eilish

In our binging, ehm, researching of this power-duo over the whole of 2019 we once came across Finneas answering the question of why he liked working with his sister. "Because I believe every words she sings" was the response. Here's a perfect example of what he means. 

Other Notable Moments

  • Billie said Ariana should have won Album of the Year for thank u, next in her acceptance speech, while Ariana just waved her off
  • Lizzo took home 3 statues, for Truth Hurts as Best Pop Solo Performance, Jerome as Best Traditional R&B Performance, and her album Cuz I Love You also won Best Urban Contemporary Album.
  • Michelle Obama won for the audio version of her book, Becoming.
  • Nipsey Hussle won not one but two posthumous Grammys
  • Boyz II Men jumped in at the last minute in an opening tribute to Kobe
  • Rosalía's rise to stardom continues, she took home Best Latin Rock Album for El Mal Querer
  • Gary Clark Jr. took home a Grammy
  • Lil Nas X finally performed Old Town Road live, with help from Billy Ray Cyrus of course, but also BTS and many other stars
  • Lana Del Rey didn't take home an award, although her album NFR has been the most critically acclaimed album of 2019
  • Neither did Ariana Grande, although she also had one of the most popular performances and a great start of the year with her blockbuster thank u, next
  • Anderson .Paak took home two Grammys for Best R&B Album’ & ‘Best R&B Performance’ for “Come Home” feat. Andre 3000
  • Tyler, the Creator wins for Best Rap Album 

and finally

What a year these two have had. Congrats to these two legends, who are at the beginning of their careers, and yet have already achieved so much.

What else is on our RADAR: