Ok, guys, I gotta admit—I came into this just after 9 pm, as H.E.R. was performing. I fully meant to be in place on my couch at 8 pm, but ended up catching up with friends, which dragged on into dinner and I do not regret that. However, that means I had to catch up on six performances after the fact…but, I watched those, and the rest I watched live so I’ve fully processed everything at this point. Below is my reaction to everything major, and maybe not so major, at the 2019 Grammys, but, the gist? The Grammys still have many problems (JLo performing the Motown tribute?) and, all in all, they’re basic. Yup, the Grammys are b.a.s.i.c. Expanding some of the categories from five nominees to eight doesn’t fix it all, people. Anyway, read on for more.

Slayed

Alicia Keys

How did I not know she’s won 15 Grammys?? She’s almost more famous as a TV show host now, so it’s nice be reminded why she’s so amazing and respected in the first place. I mean, her voice, y’all. She’s so goddamn talented. She’s got that honey-covered voice and she can PLAY TWO PIANOS AT ONCE. I’m sorry?! I think my favorite outfit of hers from the night had to be the leather jumpsuit with the full-on diamond necklace and, of course, her bare face. YES. I mean, why is she so beautiful? Can I please get her skin care routine. But I also truly loved the moment she introduced all her “sisters.” A shiver ran up my spine and down my arms when the wall lifted and they all walked out. The whole opening was lovely.

Michelle Obama

Speaking of the opening…y’all. Michelle. Obama. When everyone started cheering her, I started to tear up. I don’t know why, but I assume because I know why everyone was cheering. We miss her. Her bold, beautiful, strong, respectful, confident presence. It’s always a joy to see her again. After she told everyone to quiet down (because Michelle can breathe and get a standing ovation), she gave a beautiful speech on the importance of music in her life and the unifying quality it has for all of us. "Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves," she said. "Our dignities and sorrows, our hopes and joys. It allowed us to hear one another. To invite each other in. Music shows us that all of it matters." It was a wonderful way to kick off the show.

H.E.R.

When she performed “Hard Place,” I mean, her undeniable talent was clear. It was only further confirmed when she won Best RnB Album…H.E.R. has entered the building, people! She’s beauty and talent personified. She’s won on her EP—HELLO!! Her thanks to her family, omg, I love. She’s so sweet. Her disbelief felt so visceral and I hope she realizes how much she deserves the accolades. Plus, that neon outfit was giving me all the 2019 vibes. 💚

Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Janelle Monae

Nominated for Best Music Video and Album of the Year, this girl knows how to put out music to talk about. She performed “Make Me Feel” and, DAMN, look at that moonwalk!

Shawn Mendes and Miley Cyrus

Ok, um, wow. I have to admit, when I pulled this up on YouTube, I wasn’t expecting much. And then Shawn Mendes started and I thought, alright, cool cool, he’s pretty good. And then Miley came in and I think my brain exploded. I literally got chills watching her belt it out. It reminded me why she became famous all those years ago and I think she’s only gotten better since. Their joint rendition of “In My Blood” was outstanding. And I’m obsessed with Miley’s outfit. Could’ve gone without Shawn’s attempt at showing off the guns, but her vest more than made up for it. I so wish I could pull something like that off.

Post Malone and Red Hot Chili Peppers

Um. I forgot Post Malone could actually sing?? His performance of “Stay” was great. I loved seeing him sing acoustically, no flashing lights, just his raw voice and the guitar. And then ”Rockstar,” I mean, classic Posty, can’t be bummed at that. And then, the Red Hot Chili Peppers showed for ”Dark Necessities.” I honestly could’ve gone without Anthony Kiedis’ vocals…I preferred Post’s. It was cool to see them show up, but I would’ve put this in the “OK-ayed” section if not for Post Malone stealing the show.

Cardi B

I have mad respect for this woman. She killed it and you know she’s got those moves. She rocked the stage. Side note: anyone else notice her stage looked kind of like a butt from overhead? But anyway, her piano player? YAAAASS. And that black peacock feather addition? YES CARDI. I realized, while watching her, I would loooove to see her in concert. Although, I would love to never see Offset’s tongue hanging out at her again. And then when she won Best Rap Album, which is incredible. She was so adorable in her speech. You could see her disbelief and her literally shaking. It was precious. Her piece about her daughter was so sweet and she clearly got her courage back as she spoke. Also, lol at her calling Offset “you, husband.” I love her. Finally, please tell me you didn’t miss her vintage (1995 is “vintage” now 😩) oyster dress on the red carpet, because WOW.

Dan + Shay

Wowee. They won the award for best country duo/group performance for their song “Tequila,” then performed and MY. GOD. Shay’s voice. It took me to heaven and back.

Drake

That speech, man. “If there is (sic) people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain, in the snow, spending their hard-earned money to buy tickets to come to your shows, you don’t need this right here, I promise you, you already won.” It seemed like he was cut off as CBS went to commercial during his pause, but a rep for the show said the producers simply thought he was finished…he did kinda devalue the Grammys (appropriately) so who knows.

Lady Gaga

Alright, girl. I mean, you cannot say she’s not talented. She is the definition of talent, of killing it. And in that sequined, bejewled jumpsuit and those INSANE platform heels, no less. There’s no way I could take even a step in those. But her long notes are what’s truly most impressive. She’s a monster goddess, which she made sure to remind us of when she did her classic Gaga creep stares into the camera...

St. Vincent & Dua Lipa

I mean, come on. It’s ST. VINCENT. She’s incredible. And then then, throw Dua Lipa in there and you’ve got a real winner. They really couldn’t go wrong with a mashup of their songs (MASSEDUCTION winning Best Rock Song earlier in the night) and an Aretha Franklin classic. Not to mention, they looked like mirror images and it was such a cool juxtaposition to their performance. Just SUCH a stellar show. You could not get more iconic than this. St. Vincent and her guitar. Dua and her bod. What more could you need?? And an aside to Dua Lipa alone: I honestly said, “Really? Huh,” when she won Best New Artist. Not that she doesn’t deserve it, but there were so many people nominated, I didn’t think it’d be her. Also, YAS to her “I guess we [female artists] really stepped up?” comment. Yes, shade, girl! She was so sweet in her speech. “No matter where you’re from or your background, don’t let that get in the way of your dreams.”

Yolanda Adams, Fantasia, Andra Day

Gotta admit, I was really thrown by Andra Day’s outfit compared to the others, but they all were incredible. I mean, Yolanda Adams…DAMN. And I feel like Fantasia hasn’t aged a day since American Idol. These women have the voices the rest of us couldn’t even have in our wildest dreams. They were GODDESSES. The perfect people to take on an Aretha Franklin tribute.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Derek Ali, Ludwig Goransson, and Riley Mackin accepting the award on Glover’s behalf.

Childish Gambino

YEEEAAAHHHHHH, CHILDISH GAMBINO, BABYYYYYY. I was really hoping This Is America” would win either Record of the Year or Song of the Year and look at that. It won both! For those of you who don’t know, Song of the Year goes to the songwriter, which may not be the artist, and Record of the Year goes to the performer and those who literally produced the song. Donald Glover did it all on his album (with help, like that of co-producer Ludwig Goransson and engineer/mixer Riley Mackin, aka the guys who accepted the award in lieu of Glover). I really wish he had been there, but, man, I’ll take it. Especially considering why he chose to skip the ceremony. Side note: As they panned the crowd during the Record of the Year awarding, I noticed Zedd…boy needs a haircut.

OK-ayed

Katy Perry, Kacey Musgraves, Miley Cyrus, Maren Morris and Little Big Town

I mean, a Dolly Parton tribute is going to be fun, no matter what. Katy Perry was honestly just too much, but Kacey Musgraves was great. Dolly Parton was, well, it’s Dolly! I hated Miley’s suit, but watching her sing “Jolene” next to her godmother was thrilling. I loved it. Oh my god, and BTS’ reaction was gold 😍 Maren Morris is talented and her outfit, just wow, but I didn’t love her part of the tribute. It was a little dull and, honestly, Miley drowned everyone else out. Finally, Little Big Town took the stage. And Dolly blew them right out of the water. They might as well not have been there. “9 to 5” was a fun one to close on with the whole group though and, overall, I’m glad Dolly got her well-deserved moment in the spotlight.

Camila Cabello

I will say, the set was dope. That dollhouse and the Cuban street scene? That was cool. However, her actual singing fell little flat. Having Ricky Martin come out was pretty cool, and I appreciated the “Build Bridges Not Walls” headline on the paper. Overall though, it was pretty blah.

Diana Ross

How cute was her grandson? Also, did this nine-year-old have a mustache?? I saw her at the Hollywood Bowl about six years ago and I wish I’d appreciated it as much as I should’ve then. What an ICON. HOW is she 74 years old??? Admittedly, I didn’t love her performance, but it was cool to see all the talented, incredible people who loved her and knew all the words to her songs—um, hi, Tracee Ellis Ross (who I somehow forgot was her daughter?!) and, sure, Jaden Smith.

JLo

She was good and, of course, she was stunning because it’s JLo. But I don’t know, I was kinda bored. That Smokey Robinson cameo was pretty cool, as was the bit with Alicia. That pink feather throw was AMAZE and the pink feather dress is everything. Seriously, ARod should count his lucky stars she allows him to date her. Oh, but then Neyo came in…HELLO. Ok, the dancing on the piano rocked. Also, she’s about to be FIFTY. JLo will never die because she’s clearly immortal. Howevvvveerrr, why? Why was JLo the main performer for the Motown Records honoring? I mean, there are so many black female singers who should’ve done it. Sure, they probably couldn't have danced like JLo, but who said they had to? This was about the music, not the dance moves.

Kasey Musgraves

Man, people love her. I thought it’d be either her or Kelsea Ballerini to win Best Country Album, but then she also won Best Country Solo Performance AND Best Country Song, which is pretty freaking impressive for a female in the county music category. Her dedication to her husband was so sweet, as was her performance of “Rainbow.” However, then she won again for Album of the Year…umm…hard pass.

Brandi Carlile

She was expected to do well this year and those predictions clearly came true as she had three Grammys already by the time she performed. I don’t know. She was clearly talented and her voice is rock solid, it just wasn’t enough to hold my attention fully. And don’t get me wrong, I don’t need pyrotechnics to keep my interest, but her performance just wasn’t enough for me. Though I would tune back in every time she held a note because her talent is truly undeniable.

Chloe x Halle

I was SO excited for their performance, their voices literally give me chills, but I feel like this was an odd song choice. Their voices were almost too much for it.

Bombed

Travis Scott

So, James Blake is clearly talented (James Blake?). But, Travis Scott? I mean, come on, he was so heavily autotuned? And then when he moved to the cage, I feel like it was just a bunch of high schoolers jumping around while some average dude yelled into a micorphone. This whole performance is all about the extra pieces. I was getting second-hand embarrassment watching this. The kid with the white mohawk? Nah, dude. As my bf said, “This is what we have to look forward to…what the fuck was that?”

Best Group

Yeah. I was shocked too, Gaga. I mean…um…you can’t sing a song one time and win Best Group. Lol, what.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Album of the Year

I admittedly wanted Post Malone to win, until they announced Janelle Monae, until they announced the Black Panther album by Kendrick Lamar. Alas (yes, I said alas), Kacey Musgraves won. And, um, what? Nah. I rated her last out of all those nominees. So, yeah, I’m honestly shocked she won. Guess I have to go listen to her album, but…ugh, I do not feel like she deserved Album of the Year. Country music? Absolutely. But crossing all genres to win Album of the Year?! No. That just doesn’t fly.

What did y’all think of this year’s Grammys? Improvement? Step back? Doing just fine? Still needs a lot of work? Sound off in the comments!