Women take centre stage at Grammys 2019, Kacey Musgraves and Cardi B win big

Female musicians such as Kacey Musgraves, Cardi B and Lady Gaga shone bright at the 2019 Grammys, making history by taking home top awards in categories generally dominated by male artistes.

A year after the award ceremony faced severe criticism for its lack of female representation, the Recording Academy seemed to make amends by giving women the stage as winners, performers and host.

Women had "stepped up" in a big way as best new artist winner Dua Lipa pointed out, in an apparent dig at outgoing Recording Academy president Neil Portnow.

Portnow had created a furore last year by saying that women needed to "step up" if they desired more representation at Grammys.

With Alicia Keys as a host, the first female emcee after a gap of 14 years, the ceremony was in for a major revamp.

Keys pulled the night's biggest surprise by inviting her "sisters" -- former First Lady Michelle Obama, Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and Jada Pinkett Smith -- on the stage.

Obama spoke about how music has played a ...