Music's biggest stars were honored at last night's Grammy Awards and several LGBT artists, allies and inclusive programs picked up wins in their respective categories.
Out musician and GLAAD Media Award nominee Frank Ocean received the Grammy for Best Urban Contemporary Album for his debut Channel Orange. Ocean was also featured on the Jay-Z and Kanye West track "No Church in the Wild" which picked up the award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. Watch Ocean's performance of the Channel Orange track "Forrest Gump" from the live ceremony below.
Fun., who appeared at the GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco in 2012 and have since founded The Ally Coalition to inspire people to take action in the movement for LGBT equality, was honored with Best New Artist and Song of the Year for their track "We Are Young." The song also features singer Janelle Monáe, and climbed the charts after being featured on an episode of Glee. Carrie Underwood, who has spoken out in support of marriage equality, picked up Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for her single "Blown Away." Jay-Z picked up awards for Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration. He worked with the Obama campaign this past year and spoke out in support of marriage equality during a CNN interview in May. LGBT-inclusive film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo picked up the award for Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media.
Out musician Janis Ian picked up the Grammy Best Spoken Word Album for her audio version of her autobiography, Society's Child, which uses relevant lines from her songs to describe each chapter of her life. Eighth Blackbird's newest album Meanwhile received the Grammy for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance and group member Stephen Hartke won the award for Best Contemporary Classical Music Composition for the Meanwhile track "Incidental Music to Imaginary Puppet Plays." Out vibraphonist Gary Burton picked up the Grammy for Best Improvised Jazz Solo for Hot House with Chick Corea. This is Burton's seventh Grammy.
Eighth Blackbird performed during the pre-telecast and the live show featured performances from Elton John, Frank Ocean, Fun. (introduced by Neil Patrick Harris), Jay-Z and Carrie Underwood. Check out Elton John performing with Ed Sheeran below.
