In the midst of recent criticism of the Academy Awards for its lack of diversity (#OscarsSoWhite), the Grammys took a calculated step to try to improve the music award’s public perception with overt racial statements of diversity and inclusion. The host LL Cool J said, during the introduction, “With all that divides us today, our shared love of music unites us.” Following this, audiences saw Kendrick Lamar performing in chains, The Weekend, tributes to B.B King and N.W.A.

In approach of the Grammys, many media sources contemplated whether Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly, the most acclaimed album of last year, would win the award for best album. Short response: no. Although hip hop has undeniably reached large-scale audiences, only one group of artists from the genre has won the coveted award (Outkast).

Taylor Swift won the Grammy for Album of the Year for 1989. In her acceptance speech, Swift responded to misogynistic remarks made by the rapper Kanye West about her:

“As the first woman to win album of the year twice, I want to say to all the young women out there, there are going to be people along the way who will try to undermine your success or who will try to take credit for your accomplishments or your fame.”