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  The 61st annual Grammy Awards presented a plethora and spectacular blend of new and old performances and memorable moments. Here are the most memorable moments from the Grammy Awards:

• Alicia Keys Hosted

Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys dominated the Grammy’s Sunday night the first female host of the show in 14 years, after Queen Latifah,  and highlighted the celebration of music.

“Music is just, you know, those songs that just live inside of you. It lives inside of me. And you just love it so much because it was done so well that you wish you wrote it. That’s how I feel about these songs. I wish I wrote them,” she said.

Keys wore a series of jumpsuits, played two pianos at once during her medley, and recounted a humorous story with John Mayer all while spreading messages of love.

• Michelle Obama makes a surprise appearance

The night started on a high when host Alicia Keys bring out Michelle Obama. The former first lady spoke alongside a female crew including Gaga, Keys, Jennifer Lopez, and Jada Pinkett Smith, about the importance of music. Her surprise appearance led to loud applause from the moment she opened her mouth.

“I know that’s true for everybody here. Whether we like country or rap or rock, music helps us share ourselves, our dignity and sorrows, our hopes and joys. It allows us to hear one another, to invite each other in. Music shows us that all of it matters, every story within every voice, every note within every song.”

Rising Female Artists Rule the Night

This year, women dominated in most major categories.

• Country Singer Kacey Musgrave Wins Album of the Year

Famous country singer Kacey Musgrave wins album of the year for her album “Golden Hour”. Musgrave said she never dreamed that her album would be met with “such love, such warmth, such positivity, it seriously means the world to me.”

“I love country music with everything that I am,” she said. The country singer also took home three more awards.

• Cardi B Makes History

After performing her famous single “Money”, the rapper made history by becoming the first solo woman to win the Grammy award for Best Rap Album for her album “Invasion of Privacy,”

She accepted the award on stage and thanked her on-and-off husband, Migos rapper Offset, who was on stage with her.

• H.E.R. won two awards, including best R&B album

H.E.R presented herself as a real force to be reckoned with winning the award for best R&B album and R&B Performance . She reminded her audience that her self-titled work was an EP (extended play).

“The first thing I want to say is this is unbelievable. Second, this is not even an album, it’s an EP,” she said before inviting her team up to the stage.

“I’m speechless right now, I’m holding back tears. But I really want to say thank you so much to God, first and foremost and my parents who are in the building right now and my wonderful sister, mom, dad, this is for all the sacrifices that you made for me.”

• Ariana Grande won her first Grammy

Pop singer Ariana Grande decided to skip this year’s ceremony because of disagreements she had with producers over what songs she could perform during the ceremony. However, this didn’t stop her from making headlines after she won her first Grammy Award in her career. Grande won the award for best pop vocals for her album “Sweetener.” She tweeted her thanks on Sunday evening. She later went to her social media accounts to post pictures of herself in a Zac Posen gown she would have worn to the Grammys.

• Dua Lipa wins Best New Artist

Popstar Dua Lipa won Best New Artist. It was her second win of the night, after “Electricity” won Best Dance Recording.

“I want to say thank you to my fans who have allowed me to be the best version of myself,” Lipa said.

Tributes

• Aretha Franklin Tribute

Andra Day, Yolanda Adams and Fantasia Barrino ended the entire ceremony with a powerful tribute to the late Aretha Franklin. The trio performed sang verses of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

• JLO Motown Tribute

Jennifer Lopez kicked things off  with a medley of Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancing in the Street” and transitioned into the Marvelettes’ “Please Mr. Postman.” Then she took on the Berry Gordy-penned “Money (That’s What I Want)”, the Contours’ “Do You Love Me” and then performed the Jackson 5’s “ABC,” as her male dancers showed her off Motown’s iconic rainbow logo, as it appeared in the middle of 45s, was lit up behind her.

• Diana Ross

Introduced by her 9-year-old grandson, the amazing Diana Ross celebrates her 75th birthday in an extravagant red ballgown. She sings some of her greatest hits “The Best Years of My Life” and “Reach Out and Touch (Somebody’s Hand) ” a reminder of her legendary status.

• Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton was honored with a tribute as Miley Cyrus, Kacey Musgraves, Katy Perry, Maren Morris, and Little Big Town performed various songs along with her, including “Jolene,” “Here She Comes,” and more.