Last night's Grammy Awards had a lot of great storylines, and while the most important ones going forward are going to be sociopolitical, I want to focus on the music for a moment.

Last night legitimately felt like the beginning of a new era in music. We saw three thirty-year-old men have huge nights as it pertains to Grammy history, and I want to take a few moments to recognize greatness. So here's a little article about a 30-year-old from Compton, CA, a 39-year-old from Nashville, Tennessee, and a 32-year-old from Honolulu, Hawaii.

First off, let's talking about the "K."id from Compton.

Kendrick Lamar picked up his second Best Rap Album last night, making him one of only four acts to ever pull that off. He now trails only Eminem (6) and Kanye West (4), and is tied with Outkast (Big Boi and Andre 3000) at 2.

While I will be one of the first to admit that Grammy wins for Best Rap Album are not the only factor that shows how good a rapper is, they do say something about their talent and crossover appeal. With the K-dot working on the Black Panther soundtrack this year, he may be in-line to enhance his resume with a 2018/2019 to match Eminem's 2002/2003.

At 30 years-old, Kendrick's got plenty of time to pick-up more Grammy awards to contend with Eminem as one of the most successful, and honestly greatest, rappers of all-time. His star is still somehow on the rise, and in the coming years Kendrick might do something that even Eminem, Kanye, and every other solo rap artist have been unable to do, and that is to win Album of the Year (Outkast actually pulled it off in 2004).

Second, let's talk about the man born in Kentucky, but has an origin from Tennessee, Chris Stapleton.

Chris Stapleton is having a career very similar to that of Kendrick Lamar. Both men won Grammy awards in 2016 and 2018, both were nominated for Album of the Year in 2016, and both are one of only four acts to win their "Best of Genre" Grammy awards. Stapleton joins the Dixie Chicks (4), Lady Antebellum (2), and Roger Miller (2) as the multi-time Best Country Album winners.

Stapleton's success might honestly be more impressive than Kendrick's because it is a bit more rare to have that kind of consistent success in Country than in Rap. Regardless, Stapleton has the potential to go down as the most successful solo Country artist in Grammy history. Given that the award has been awarded 26 times, having the most solo wins says something if/when he pulls it off.

So we have established that two men with similar careers are both in a position to be greats, both overall and within their respective genres, but they still didn't have the best night overall.

That honor belonged to Bruno Mars, who took home six Grammy awards.

You read that right, SIX GRAMMY AWARDS!

To put that in perspective, only nine acts in the history of the Grammys have won six or more awards in a single night. Bruno joins seven artists in a tie for third and sits two behind Michael Jackson (1984) and Santana (2000) who both had eight on their respective nights.

When you share a list with Michael Jackson, Santana, Roger Miller, Paul Simon, Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, Beyonce, and Adele, you've done something right. Bruno Mars had himself one of those nights, and his Album of the Year acceptance speech summed it up very well.

"Those songs were written with nothing but joy, and for one reason, and that's love."

Bruno Mars had a night to remember with the six awards and his performance of Finesse with Cardi B, but that quote sums up his night, his album, and honestly his career. He makes happy music that makes people feel joy, love, and many other positive emotions.

At 32-years-old, Bruno Mars is going to be doing this for a while, but right now he is the top dog (pun intended if you get the reference).

Kendrick Lamar, Chris Stapleton, and Bruno Mars had great nights it what are turning into great careers. Three of the best artists in the industry took that next step from great artists to legendary artists. With all of them in their 30's, they will all have the chance to reach that level.

All historcial information and Bruno Mars quote from https://www.grammy.com/