On a star-studded night, musicians gave passionate statements that made Kendrick Lamar the most honored rapper of all time.
Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar won home significant Grammy prizes during a night that saw musicians fight out against Donald Trump’s ICE occupation.
Carole King and Justin Bieber were among the celebrities who wore anti-ICE pins and shouted out during remarks. Bad Bunny, who will perform at the Super Bowl next weekend, won three awards: worldwide music performance, album of the year, and best Á urbana record. He also used his stage time to criticize anti-immigration prejudice.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out,” he stated. “We are Americans, not barbarians, animals, or extraterrestrials. Love is the only thing stronger than hate, therefore please, we must change. We must fight with love if we do. We don’t hate them, we love our people, we love our families and that’s the way to do it, we love.” Bad Bunny has become the first Spanish-language musician to win album of the year.
Billie Eilish, who won song of the year for Wildflower, also used her speech to speak to the same issue. On stage, she declared, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” “We need to continue fighting, speaking up, and protesting because it’s really difficult to know what to say or do right now.”
Olivia Dean received the best new artist award, which was given by Chappell Roan, the previous year’s winner. To cheers, she declared, “I am up here as the granddaughter of an immigrant.” “I believe those individuals should be honored because I am a product of bravery.”
After winning five prizes, including record of the year for Luther with SZA, rap song, and rap album, Kendrick Lamar broke Jay Z’s record as the most-awarded rapper in Grammy history. Lamar won five Grammys last year, bringing his total to 27. He remarked on stage, “I’m not good at talking about myself, but I express it through the music.”
“Please don’t fall into despair,” SZA urged during their speech. “We can go on, we need each other … we’re not governed by the government, we’re governed by God.”
During a red carpet interview, Kehlani, who won two R&B awards for her song Folded, stated: “I wanted to say fuck ICE.” It seems stupid to me because, as a group, we are too strong to be in a room at the same moment and not make some sort of message about our nation.
Gloria Estefan also spoke out in the press conference following her won for best tropical Latin album. She remarked, “I don’t think anyone would say we want a free-for-all at the border.” However, there are no criminals being arrested at all. These individuals have families that have made decades of contributions to this nation. Hundreds of young children are housed in correctional facilities. The most important thing we need is for our administration to pay attention to our appeal for humanity.
The anti-ICE comments come after celebs like Olivia Wilde and Natalie Portman spoke out at the Sundance film festival.
Lady Gaga won prizes for her dance-pop recording and pop voice album. “I just wanna say for women in music, I know sometimes when you’re in the studio with a bunch of guys it can be hard but I urge you to always listen to yourself,” she added in her address.
In an unexpected win, Lola Young beat out Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and Sabrina Carpenter for the pop solo performance prize.
After winning best music film for the documentary Music for John Williams, which he produced, Steven Spielberg attained Egot status, earning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. He joined fellow Egots Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks, Elton John, and Andrew Lloyd Webber, calling the victory “deeply meaningful.”
Tyler Childers won a major country song, Chris Stapleton won a country solo performance, and Jelly Roll won a contemporary country album.
Tyler, the Creator’s Chromakopia received the first-ever Grammy for best album cover, while Joni Mitchell won her eleventh for best historical album. Golden by Huntr/x from the Netflix smash hit KPop: Demon Hunters was also named best song developed for visual media.
Before a night full of A-list singers, including Carpenter, Bruno Mars, Tyler, the Creator, and Bieber, who performed in nothing but his gym shorts, Trevor Noah, who was hosting for the final time, referred to the Grammys as “the best concert money can’t buy.” Noah stated that he wanted to set an example and “believes in term limits,” which is why he chose not to host again.
There was a thunderous round of applause when he joked that Nicki Minaj, who recently went Maga, wasn’t in the building. He stated, “She is still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues.”
The night saw poignant star-led in memoriam segments like Post Malone paying tribute to Ozzy Osbourne and Lauryn Hill paying tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack while also reuniting with Wyclef Jean on stage.
Nominated musicians that went home empty-handed were Carpenter, Bieber and Hayley Williams.
Beyoncé won album of the year for the first time last year, and Lamar, Carpenter, and Charli XCX also took home significant honors.
