Alicia Keys, Michelle Obama, Lady Gaga Open The 2019 GRAMMYs

[MUSIC].

PRESENTER: Everybody [APPLAUSE] makes a noise for the host of the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

Fifteen-time Grammy Award winner,

musical superwoman, Alicia Keys. [APPLAUSE].

[MUSIC].

ALICIA KEYS: Thank y'all so much.

Thank y'all so much for the love.

We are in here. We're having an incredible night.

That was so much fun. I was decked there.

I was like, I was part of it.

Welcome to the 61st Annual Grammy Awards.

[APPLAUSE] Do you feel that love in the building?

This is love. This is life.

This is living. This is light.

And all because of music.

Music is so powerful.

So I want everybody to see

we're going to have an incredible

time tonight. This is just the beginning.

I want everybody in here who might be feeling a little nervous,

might be feeling a little a lot of energy,

just let your shoulders drop,

just know that I got you.

I'm going to take care of you tonight.

I got you tonight. Yes, I do.

[APPLAUSE] The audience is so sparkly and gorgeous.

I'm loving it. First of all,

my sister Tracy is right here.

[APPLAUSE] We're honoring her mama, Diana tonight.

That's going to be so amazing.

The magnificent Dolly Parton is right here [APPLAUSE].

I will always love you, Dolly.

I mean, it's magnificent.

Chloe and Halle are out here, my sisters.

My mama's right here,

my husband's right here.

There's love in the building so

it is about that time.

It is so exciting to be here because music is what we all love.

Music is what it's all about.

Everybody is out here shining,

and I'm so proud to bring us together to honor this moment,

because music is what we cry to.

It's what we march to.

It's what we rock to.

It's what we make love to.

[APPLAUSE] It's our shared global language.

When you really want to say something, you say it with a song.

Am I right? Or am I right?

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE] Let's just be honest.

This is a celebration and y'all didn't think I was coming out here by myself, did you?

[APPLAUSE] Please.

Can I bring some of my sisters out here tonight? [APPLAUSE].

[MUSIC].

Wow.

[APPLAUSE]

Tell them what it is, Gaga.

LADY GAGA: They said I was weird.

That my look, my choices,

my sound, that it wouldn't work.

But music told me not to listen to them.

[APPLAUSE] Music took my ears,

took my hands, my voice,

and my soul and it led me

to all of you and to my little monsters who I love so much. [APPLAUSE].

JENNIFER LOPEZ: Back in the Bronx [APPLAUSE] music

gave me a reason to dance from hip hop to freestyle,

pop, soul and salsa.

It kept me moving from the block to the big stages and even bigger screens.

It reminds me where I come from,

but it also reminds me of all the places that I can go.

[BACKGROUND] Music has always been the one place we can all feel truly free.

ALICIA KEYS: Yes. [APPLAUSE].

JADA PINKETT SMITH: We express our pain, power,

and progress through music,

whether we're creating it or just appreciating it.

But here's what I know. Every voice we hear deserves to be honored and respected.

MICHELLE OBAMA: Amen. From the Motown Records [APPLAUSE] I

wore out on the south side. Alright, we got a show to do. [APPLAUSE].

From the Motown Records,

I wore out on the south side to the "Who Run

the World" songs that fueled me through this last decade,

music has always helped me tell my story,

and 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. Is that right, ladies?

LADIES ON STAGE: [OVERLAPPING] Yes.

Yes, ladies.

It's right Michelle.

Yes, it is [APPLAUSE].

ALICIA KEYS: What is better than this?

There's nothing better than this.

Tonight, we celebrate the greatness in each other all of us through music [APPLAUSE].

JADA PINKETT SMITH: Take it in, soak it up.

ALICIA KEYS: I'm taking it in. Excuse me.

[LAUGHTER] Who runs the world?

[APPLAUSE] Thank you so much, ladies,

for your light, your message,

your love, your sisterhood.

I love y'all so much.

LADY GAGA: We love you.

ALICIA KEYS: Give it up for these magnificent goddesses [APPLAUSE]

Enjoy the show.

BOB: What's up, y'all? This is BOB.

GEZ: This is GEZ.

MO: I'm Mo.

JULIA: This is Julia Michaels.

LOGIC: This is Logic. Make sure you subscribe to the Recording Academy channel. Flex.