This year’s Grammys award ceremony was a bit different from last year’s controversy. The females took over the stage as Alicia Keys hosted the ceremony, the first female to host the awards in fourteen years. At the beginning of the show, Keys brought out Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Jada Pinkett Smith. These five women were warmly welcomed by the crowd.

Quite a bit of history was made during the show. Cardi B became the first solo woman to win best rap album for “Invasion of Privacy.” The best new artist award went to another female, Dua Lipa. She was excited to give her acceptance speech as she explained she was pleased with how women really “stepped up” in the music industry this year. In an article posted on to Good Morning America, the president of The Recording Academy gave some input on women in music in 2018, “It has to begin with… women who have the creativity in their hearts and souls, who want to be musicians…and want to be part of the industry on the executive level… [They need] to step up because I think they would be welcome,” said Neil Portnow.

There was also an all-star tribute to Dolly Parton, which included Miley Cyrus, Maren Morris and Little Big Town. According to the Grammys, “ All-around legend Dolly Parton was a star-studded affair.” She also stole the red carpet with her dazzling 73 year old self in a shimmering red dress and red heels.

With the female takeover aside, Childish Gambino won both Song of the Year and Record of the Year with “This is America.” Donald Glover, known as Gambino, was not in attendance at the show. Pitchfork reports it as, “the first time a living nominee hasn’t been present to accept one of the four major awards since George Michael in 1989.” Rumor has it that Gambino did not show up to the Grammys because it has a history of insulting the hip hop genre.

With female power making a comeback and record-breaking award winners, the 2019 Grammys made history. 2018 was a big year for changes in the music industry, and the Grammys took part in exemplifying this.