Feb 16, 2016
Taylor Swift has become the first woman in history to win an Album of the Year Grammy award twice. 1989 is Swift’s fifth studio album, which the singer described at its launch as her “first documented, official pop album.”
Swift graciously accepted the Gong at the 58th Grammy Awards after opening the official ceremony with her first TV performance of “Out Of The Woods.” She then used her acceptance speech to send a powerful message of empowerment, which some sources believe is directed at Kanye West after his controversial lyrics onThe Life of Pablo regarding Swift.
“As the first woman to win album of the year at the Grammys twice, I want to say to all the young women out there: there are going to be people along the way who try to undercut your success, or take credit for your accomplishments or your fame,” Swift said. “But if you just focus on the work and you don’t let those people sidetrack you, someday when you get where you’re going you’ll look around and you will know that it was you and the people who love you who put you there.”
1989 debuted atop the Billboard 200 chart, and sold 1.28 million copies in the US in its first week. It spent the next 23 consecutive weeks in the top five of the list, making it one of only nine albums to spend their first 24 weeks in the top five since 1963.
Swift’s album also took home a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album, and her collaboration with rapper Kendrick Lamar for “Bad Blood” won Best Music Video. Lamar won the most prizes on the night, with five awards including Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, Best Rap Performance, Best Rap/Sung Collaboration, and Best Music Video.
Image: STRINGER/Reuters