“There are so many stellar female producers, artists, songwriters, engineers here tonight,” Dua Lipa, last year’s winner of Best New Artist said before announcing this year’s winner. “And if you’re in the business and you’re hiring, raise your sights to the amazing, talented women out there because we deserve a seat at every table.” For the first time in a long while, those words weren't said in vain.

Dubbed as 'music's biggest night,' the Grammy Awards have long been criticised for failing women, hip-hop, black artists and people of colour. "The event may yoke itself to issues like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter," Laura Snapes wrote for The Guardian in 2018. "But when it comes to actual awards, women and hip-hop continue to be overlooked."

In 2018, only one woman was given a solo Grammy Award. When asked about the lack of gender representation by reporters, the academy's former chief executive, Neil Portnow, responded by saying: "Women who have the creativity in their hearts and souls, who want to be musicians, who want to be engineers, producers, and want to be part of the industry on the executive level” need to “step up.”

So for 2020 to roll around with women dominating the list of nominees and performances was exciting, albeit marred with controversy. In November, Deborah Dugan, the Academy's new chief executive made a statement about the dawning of a new era for the show: "An army of engaged members welcomes diversity, embraces creativity and champions young musicians on the rise." But just 10 days ago, Dugan was shockingly removed from her position resulting in such chaos that it almost overshadowed the night itself. 

In the midst of Dugan's ousting, the show was also forced to contend with the devastating news of Kobe Bryant's tragic death and it was host Alicia Keys who beautifully guided attendees as well as viewers through the emotional night. "Here we are together, on music’s biggest night, celebrating the artists that do it best, but to be honest with you we’re all feeling crazy sadness right now," Keys lamented in the opening moments of the show. “We’re literally standing here heartbroken in the house that Kobe Bryant built.” She then invited Boyz II Men on stage and sang an acapella iteration of It’s So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday.

Women, queer artists, black performers and hip-hop took centre stage, making the ceremony one to remember. Lizzo set the tone right from the start with her opening performance. "Tonight is for Kobe" she declared, before launching into Cuz I Love You, the lyrics of which felt pertinent to the news everyone was still grappling with. A swift outfit change later, she let loose on an orchestral rendition of Truth Hurts surrounded by ballerinas in silky durags. The star's ability to chop and change performances, whether it be fresh choreography, a new flute reveal or a completely different composition is unfathomable. It doesn't take a Lizzo fan to realise her talent, passion and power as an entertainer deserved to be celebrated at this year's show. 

While Ariana Grande didn't take any trophies home with her, her performance was a breathtaking celebration of femininity and vulnerability. Clearly moved by the events of the day, she choked back tears while singing Thank U, Next. 

Though, someone that did wish Ariana had won was none other than the night's biggest winner, Billie Eilish. The pop phenom won five awards, including the most distinguished honours; Album Of The Year, Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year, as well as Best New Artist. Despite making Grammys history, during her speech for the award received for When We All Fall Asleep Where Do We Go? Billie said: "Can I just say that I think Ariana deserves this? Thank U, Next got me through some shit and I think it deserves...more than anything in the world I love you so much."

Camila Cabello stripped her usual saccharine aesthetics and instead dedicated a song to her father, who sat in the front row and wept. It was as heartwarming as it was devastating, as everyone who watched thought of Kobe and his daughter Gigi who had lost their lives earlier that day. 

Though there was hope in these moments of dark and tangled sadness, Demi Lovato made her triumphant return, marking her first performance since she almost died from an overdose in 2018. Anyone, which was written just four days before that night 18 months ago is a visceral salvo that meditates on depression and an unshakeable loss of hope. And while we watched her confess to these dark moments on stage, there was a sense of catharsis as the singer bellowed each stanza triumphantly. “Talked to my imagination / Confided into alcohol / I tried and tried and tried some more / Told secrets ’til my voice was sore.” She goes on, singing that even with “a hundred million stories / and a hundred million songs / I feel stupid when I sing / Nobody’s listening to me.” The entire crowd cheered and clapped until they no longer could. 

Not to forget H.E.R. who performed Sometimes, playing both the piano and riffing on the guitar in an all-encompassing showcase of her talent. Spanish sensation Rosalía also took home the award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album with her 2018 record, EL MAL QUERER. Beyoncé’s Coachella performance-turned-Netflix special Homecoming nabbed an award for Best Music Film. Michelle Obama won Best Spoken Word Album for her book Becoming. And 61-year-old country starlet, Tanya Tucker won her very first Grammy for Best Country Album. 

Dugan's vision for this new era of the Grammy Awards may not have included her in it. But as she fights her own battles, claiming her dismissal was retaliation for uncovering misconduct, vote-rigging, conflicts of interest and sexual harassment, Dugan has already succeeded. In centring women, she created one of the most exciting Grammys we've seen in a long time — and no one can take that away.