Virtually unknown a year ago, Sam Smith is the big winner at the Grammys

Sam Smith holds his four awards in the press room at the 57th annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California on February 8, 2015. AFP PHOTO/FREDERIC J. BROWN

Sam Smith’s Stay With Me, the breakthrough hit for the young British singer and songwriter, was recognised as song of the year at the 57th Grammy Awards, making it a huge night for the 22-year-old artiste who released his debut album, In The Lonely Hour, barely eight months ago.

The widespread acclaim for his emotionally drenched song, a plea for a lover not to leave, dramatically demonstrated the new world in which music is created, given birth and matures at lightning speed thanks to Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and other creations of the Internet age.