Grammys 2015: Sam Smith triumphs with four Grammy wins

Sam Smith was the big winner at last night’s Grammy Awards ceremony, taking four prizes including record and song of the year and best new artist.

The 22-year-old British soul singer was rewarded for being the only solo artist to sell more than a million albums in both the UK and US in 2014.

Pharrell Williams, Beyonce and Rosanne Cash, daughter of country legend Johnny Cash, won three awards each.

Beck won two, including best album.

Madonna, Katy Perry, Rihanna, Kanye West and Paul McCartney were among those performing at the Los Angeles ceremony.

Sam Smith has cemented his place as one of pop’s biggest stars just nine months after the release of his debut album In the Lonely Hour.

Accepting the trophy for record of the year, he said: “I want to thank the man who this record is about, who I fell in love with last year.

“Thank you so much for breaking my heart because you got me four Grammys.”

Sam Smith also performed his hit Stay With Me on stage with Mary J. Blige.

As well as record and song of the year for Stay With Me and best new artist, Sam Smith won best pop vocal album.

He lost out on the best album award to long-serving indie troubadour Beck, who was honored for his 12th studio LP Morning Phase. It also won best rock album.

“We made this record at my house for the most part, so I would like to thank my kids for letting me keep them awake a little bit longer,” he said.

Pharrell Williams’ Girl won best urban contemporary album, while Happy won best music video and best pop solo performance. He performed that hit on the night with pianist Lang Lang and composer Hans Zimmer.

Drunk In Love, Beyonce’s collaboration with her husband Jay-Z, was named best R&B performance and best R&B song. Beyonce also won best surround sound album.

The other triple winner, Rosanne Cash, picked up the best American roots performance and song awards for A Feather’s Not A Bird and best Americana album.

Clean Bandit and Jess Glynne won best dance recording, while Aphex Twin won best dance/electronic album for Syro, his first album for 13 years.

Ed Sheeran, who had three nominations, went home empty-handed, but did join ELO’s Jeff Lynne on stage to perform at the ceremony.

Other performers on the night included Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna, who teamed up to play their joint composition FourFiveSeconds.

Madonna was joined by male dancers wearing glittering masks and horns to perform Living For Love, from her new album Rebel Heart.

There were also duets between Jessie J and Tom Jones; Hozier and Annie Lennox; and Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett.

The ceremony departed from pure entertainment for a segment in which President Barack Obama sent a recorded video message in support of a campaign against domestic violence.

An abuse victim from Texas then delivered a poignant message about her own experiences.