Every time someone presented one of the show’s major prizes — album of the year, record of the year, song of the year, best new artist — he or she rattled off the line before revealing the winner. It was a small but telling detail that demonstrated how the academy wants to be perceived after years of being portrayed as a shadowy record-industry cabal.

Beyoncé earned her first album of the year award at this year's Grammys for her acclaimed eighth studio album, "Cowboy Carter."

The award, presented by the Los Angeles Fire Department, ended the singer’s long-running streak as the most nominated female artist without a win in the category.