Sam Smith dominates Grammys, but Beck with surprise win

Sam Smith, the British soul singer who was virtually unknown a year ago, dominated the Grammys Sunday with four awards, although adventurous rocker Beck was the surprise winner of Album of the Year honors.
 
Superstar Beyonce and "Happy" creator Pharrell Williams also took home top prizes on the music industry's biggest night, which was marked by displays of artist activism against domestic violence and police brutality.
 
The 22-year-old Smith took home three of the night's most prestigious trophies -- Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist -- as well as Best Pop Vocal Album.
 
Smith, who until recently was working as a bartender in London, on stage thanked the man he fell in love with last year and who inspired "Stay With Me" -- his mega-hit ballad about a one-night stand.
 
"Thank you so much for breaking my heart because you got me four Grammys," Smith said to applause.
 
Smith has refrained from on-stage theatrics and has walked a fine line on his personal life, acknowledging his sexual orientation while striving not to be identified exclusively as a gay artist.
 
He earned an ovation at the Staples Center in Los Angeles when he performed his signature tune in his rich, soulful tenor voice with Mary J. Blige.
 
"Before I made this record, I was doing everything to try to get my music heard. I tried to lose weight and ... I was making awful music," said Smith.
 
"It was only until I started to be myself that the music started to flow and people started to listen. So, thank you, guys, for accepting me to be just me."  

Smith was prevented from a clean sweep of the top categories by Beck, whose introspective "Morning Phase" -- full of lush orchestration...