New Zealand artist Lorde has won two Grammy Awards, taking out song of the year along with collaborator Joel Little for their hit song Royals, and best pop solo performance.
In his acceptance speech, co-writer and producer Joel said "We made this song originally just to give it away for free, so to be here now in this room with so many legends and people whose work I admire is a complete honour."
He also thanked Ella (Lorde). "You know I think you are amazing, always have."
The 17-year-old from Auckland's North Shore, Ella Yelich-O'Connor, said “I probably wouldn’t be here if Joel wasn’t here, this guy has nurtured me through kind of my first years of song writing which I will forever owe him.”
“Thank you to everyone who has let this song explode, because it’s been mental.”
In an earlier brief acceptance speech for best pop solo performance she said “this is the one thing that I did not expect the most about tonight. So, thank you so much.”
Lorde was also nominated for record of the year and best pop vocal album and took to the stage to perform Royals at the ceremony in Los Angeles, which was viewed by an estimated 30 million viewers from around the world.
i am so grateful for the attention my work has received tonight and this year. thankyou and goodnight pic.twitter.com/rZt9iDMo3Z
— Lorde (@lordemusic) January 27, 2014
Royals reigned as No 1 on the Billboard's Hot 100 chart for nine consecutive weeks last year, the first time a New Zealand solo artist has held the US spot.
Lorde has risen to worldwide fame, and featured on the cover of the iconic Rolling Stone magazine in January 2014.
Lorde and Auckland co-writer/producer Joel Little are the first Kiwis to receive a Grammy nomination for both Song of the Year and Record of the Year. Their latest single Team is in the Billboard top 10.
Ok Grammies time, got my cup just like Jay Z, cheers to everyone for the well wishes pic.twitter.com/UcfWFFeCGQ
— Joel Little (@iamjoellittle) January 26, 2014
Lorde's nominations at the 56th Grammy Awards
Record of the Year
Royals
Lorde
Joel Little, producer; Joel Little, engineer/mixer; Stuart Hawkes, mastering engineer
Track from: Pure Heroine
Label: Universal Music
Song of the Year (WINNER)
Royals
Joel Little & Ella Yelich O'Connor, songwriters (Lorde)
Track from: Pure Heroine
Label: Universal Music; Publishers: Copyright Control/Sony ATV
Best Pop Solo Performance (WINNER)
Royals
Lorde
Track from: Pure Heroine
Label: Universal Republic
Best Pop Vocal Album
Pure Heroine
Lorde
Label: Universal Republic
2014 Grammy nominee Lorde discussed her upcoming performance during rehearsals for the 56th Grammys on Jan. 24 in Los Angeles.