Rapper Childish Gambino's "This is America," about police brutality and racism, won the first big award - song of the year - as well as best music video, and best rap performance.

But Gambino, alter ego of actor Donald Glover, as well as Canadian rapper Drake and Kendrick Lamar, were among several influential stars who were no shows at the biggest night in music.

Their absence was seen as a snub of an awards show that has often shut hip-hop artists out of its top prizes, despite rap's dominance as the biggest music genre in the United States.

Cardi B, who was to perform later on Sunday, could break that trend and take home not only her first Grammy, but potentially become the first rapper since 2004 to win the coveted album of the year award for her "Invasion of Privacy."

Cuban-born Camila Cabello kicked off the televised show with a dance heavy performance of her hit single "Havana" with Latin artists J Balvin, Ricky Martin and Young Thug.