Batiste wins Album Award, Zelenski appeals to Grammy.

Multi-genre artist John Batiste won Album of the Year, and R&B duo Silk Sonic picked up two of the most significant awards at the Grammy Awards ceremony, including a surprise call for support for Ukraine's wartime President Vladimir Zelensky.

Batiste received the most significant award of the night for We Are, an album inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Silk Sonic, starring Bruno Mars and Anderson. Paak won the Song and Record of the Year Awards for their 1970s-inspired hit "Leave the Door Open."

"We're trying to stay humble right now," Paak joked as the couple accepted their second prize. Olivia Rodrigo, the 19-year-old singer of the heartbreaking ballad "Driver's License," has won Best New Artist. "This is my biggest dream come true. Thank you!" said Rodrigo as he raised his trophy.

Midway through the ceremony, host Trevor Noah delivered a video message from Zelenskyj, comparing the joy of music to the devastation caused by Russia's invasion of his country more than a month ago.

"What is the opposite of music?" The silence of shattered cities and slain people," Zelenski said hoarsely in a green T-shirt. "Fill the silence with your music," he added. "Support us at all costs. Everyone, but don't be silent." L2N2W10HZ The welcome was preceded by a performance by John Legends, which featured two Ukrainian musicians and a Ukrainian poet.

In contrast to the scaled-down outdoor event last year, thousands of spectators filled the venue. The winners were chosen from approximately 11,000 voting members of the Recording Academy.

Noah urged audiences to consider the night an "award-winning concert." "We're going to keep people's names out of our mouths," Noah added of the Oscar actor's slap at the Oscars last Sunday, telling comedian Chris Rock not to name his wife. The winners were chosen from approximately 11,000 voting members of the Recording Academy.