Chris Martin, left, and Brittany Howard perform together during the "In Memoriam" section of the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The awards show airs on March 14 with both live and prerecorded segments. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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LOS ANGELES (AP) - Music returned in a big way at the Grammy Awards, as artists sidelined during the pandemic convened in downtown Los Angeles for a historic night.
Beyoncé emerged from Sunday's ceremony as the most decorated woman in Grammys history, while Taylor Swift became the first woman to win album of the year three times. The history didn't end there: wins by H.E.R. and Megan Thee Stallion made this year's ceremony the first time that four separate and solo female acts won the Grammys' top four prizes.
The show played out seamlessly between an outdoor session emceed by Trevor Noah where Swift, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Megan Thee Stallion, Harry Styles and others won honors. Notably, all were present to accept.
Gone were the dressed down looks of previous virtual ceremonies. High fashion returned to the Grammys red carpet, even if it was a much smaller affair.
The pandemic's toll was driven home throughout the evening - top awards were announced by key figures at music venues that have been shuttered due to coronavirus restrictions. And a lengthy In Memoriam segment highlighted the extent of death - both due to the virus and other causes - that befell the music community in the past year.
Before and during the show, artists spoke about how much being back onstage meant to them, and how they couldn't wait to perform for fans. The show featured large setpiece performances by Bad Bunny, Doja Cat, BTS and more.
Many also spoke about the racial reckoning that has unfolded in the wake of George Floyd's death. Mickey Guyton, the first Black woman nominated for best country solo performance - performed her song 'œBlack Like Me,'ť which was a response to police violence and the ravages of the coronavirus.
Accepting one of her awards, Beyoncé reflected on the moments that led to her triumphs at this year's ceremony.
'œI have been working my whole life,'ť she said. 'œThis is such a magical night.'ť
Billie Eilish, left, and Finneas accept the award for record of the year for "Everything I Wanted" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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H.E.R. poses in the press room with the award for song of the year for "I Can't Breathe" and best R&B song at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Beyonce appears in the audience before accepting the award for best rap song for "Savage" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Taylor Swift accepts the award for album of the year for "Folklore"at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. In background Jack Antonoff, left, and Aaron Dessner. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Doja Cat performs "Say So" at the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Saturday, March 6, 2021. The awards show airs on March 14 with both live and prerecorded segments. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Jhay Cortez, left, and Bad Bunny appear at the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Sunday, March 7, 2021. The awards show airs on March 14 with both live and prerecorded segments. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Maren Morris, left, and John Mayer perform "The Bones" at the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The awards show airs on March 14 with both live and prerecorded segments. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Taylor Swift reacts as she3 is announced as winner of the award for album of the year for "Folklore" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Host Trevor Noah appears at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Beyonce accepts the award for best R&B performance for "Black Parade" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Taylor Swift appears in the audience at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Dua Lipa accepts the award for best pop vocal album for "Future Nostalgia" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Post Malone appears in the audience at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Taylor Swift poses in the press room with the award for album of the year for "Folklore" at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Jacob Collier arrives at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Mickey Guyton performs "Black Like Me" at the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The awards show airs on March 14 with both live and prerecorded segments. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Jhay Cortez performs "Dakiti" at the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Sunday, March 7, 2021. The awards show airs on March 14 with both live and prerecorded segments. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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A general view of the audience watching a performance on screen of Harry Styles at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Brandi Carlile performs during the "In Memoriam" section of the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Tuesday, March 9, 2021. The awards show airs on March 14 with both live and prerecorded segments. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Eric Burton of Black Pumas performs "Colors" at the 63rd Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Thursday, March 11, 2021. The awards show airs on March 14 with both live and prerecorded segments. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
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Lizzo arrives at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Anderson .Paak, left, and Bruno Mars arrive at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Bad Bunny arrives at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Lizzo arrives at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Noah Cyrus arrives at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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Megan Thee Stallion, winner of the awards for best rap song and best rap performance for "Savage Remix" and best new artist poses in the press room at the 63rd annual Grammy Awards at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Sunday, March 14, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
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