Carlos Santana says Adele beat Beyonce because 'she can sing, sing'

Adele performs Hello at the Grammys. Photo / AP

Carlos Santana has defended Adele against the Beyhive.

The British singer walked away with five Grammys on Sunday night, including the coveted Album of the Year gong for her record 25, but has been criticised by fans of Beyonce who believe she should have won the award for her politically- charged album Lemonade.

But Adele, who seemed surprised to have won, has an ally in 13-time Grammy award-winner Carlos Santana, who believes she deserved to win because of her talent.

Watch: Santana and Beyonce perform at Super Bowl XXXVII

"I think that Adele won because she can sing, sing," Santana told AAP.

"With all respect to our sister Beyonce, Beyonce is very beautiful to look at and it's more like modelling kind of music - music to model a dress - she's not a singer, singer, with all respect to her," he said.

Beyonce took to the stage for a show-stopping performance during the Grammys ceremony where she performed her songs Love Drought and Sandcastles with a host of dancers in a display that also emphasised the importance of motherhood and women.

Beyonce performs at the Grammys. Photo / AP

Adele also performed at the awards ceremony, paying tribute to the late George Michael with a slowed-down version of his song Fastlove, which she performed without any dancers.

"Adele can sing, sing. She doesn't bring all the dancers and props, she can just stand there and she just stood there and sang the song and that's it, and this is why she wins," Santana said.