Singer Adele, who was honoured with the Album Of The Year award at the 59th annual Grammy Awards for “25”, refused to take the trophy.
The English singer-songwriter said that singer Beyonce Knowles deserved the honour as she makes “black people feel empowered”.
Adele won the award after defeating Justin Bieber’s “Purpose”, Drake’s “Views” and Beyonce’s “Lemonade”.
Adele said on the stage: “Thank you. As you can see, it took an army to make me strong and willing again to do it. And I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”
She went on to recall the moment when she won a Grammy in 2012 during her pregnancy.
“Five years ago, when I was last here, I was so… I was pregnant, and I didn’t know. And I was awarded, and shortly after, I found out… which was the biggest blessing of my life.
“And in my pregnancy, becoming a mother, I lost a lot of myself. I struggled and I still do struggle being a mom. It’s really hard. But tonight (Sunday) winning this is kind of full circle,” she said.
She later refused to take the award.
“But I can’t possibly accept this award, and I’m very humbled and very grateful and gracious but my life is Beyonce, and the album to me, the ‘Lemonade’ album, Beyonce, was so monumental, and so well thought out.
“And so beautiful and soul bearing and we all got to see another side of you that you don’t always let us see, and we appreciate that. And all us artistes adore you. You are our light. And the way that you make me and my friends feel, the way you make my black friends feel is empowering, and you make them stand up for themselves. And I love you,” she said.
Beyonce, who was present at the venue, got emotional after Adele’s speech.
Hosted by British comedian and actor James Corden, the award show, honouring the best of music around the world, took place at the Staples Centre here on Sunday night.
