At some point Macklemore and Ryan Lewis went from breakout independent rap stars to a duo it was uncool to like. Is it theoretically surprising to see them take down Kanye, Jay Z, Drake and Kendrick all at once? Yes. But you know what? "The Heist" is a good album. It's fun. It has something to say. Let's turn the backlash backwards.
Besides, there's nothing you can do about it. M+RL were big winners during Sunday's Grammys, taking home best new artist, best rap album and, more significantly, setting the scene for a mass wedding (officiated by Queen Latifah and including gay and straight couples) while performing "Same Love" with Madonna, Mary Lambert and Trombone Shorty.
Multiple winners Daft Punk kept their helmets on and let others accept their awards with non-robot words, but still gave a nod to "Same Love" while accepting their award for album of the year.
Otherwise, the show delivered shockers such as Beyonce emphasizing her butt, Katy Perry showcasing her boobs, Pink twirling in the air and John Legend being classy. It probably wasn't smart for Taylor Swift to follow him with what began as a nearly identical, just-me-and-the-piano performance. She may have been counting on people being too stunned by the best rock song category containing no one under the age of 35 to keep watching.
Speaking of age issues, host LL Cool J once again couldn't count on young viewers knowing he used to be a rapper and reminded people about Mama-endorsed knockouts early in the show.
Other awkwardness included the strange pairing of presenters Anna Kendrick and (cough) Oscar nominee Pharrell Williams, the ridiculous rap-rock combo of Kendrick Lamar and Imagine Dragons, and Robin Thicke performing with Chicago in a competition to out-lame each other. Also, the hilarious Steve Coogan referenced "It's Hard Out Here For a Pimp" and added, "It's not too easy for the hookers either."
Lorde sounded good, Kacey Musgraves sounded great, and Jay Z told Blue Ivy that he won her a new sippy cup. Let us all pause for a moment and imagine one of the world's most powerful children eating and drinking out of awards around her house. Let us now accept that this almost certainly happens.
Throughout the night people honored the Beatles (possibly the least-controversial artist you can praise), and Paul McCartney performed with Ringo Starr. Sadly, this was not just an awesomely minimal bass-and-drums combo.
Even if it were, though, the legends wouldn't compare to Macklemore and the night's most legendary moment.
Matt Pais is RedEye music and movies guy.
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