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The Grammys didn’t get as political as you might expect, but a few people made sure their voices were heard. Not surprisingly, one of them was Bad Bunny.
While picking up his award for Best Musica Urbana Album, he said, quote, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out. We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
He added that love is more powerful than hate.
Bunny’s album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS”, would go on to win the big one, Album of the Year. He also took home the win for Best Global Music Performance for his song “EoO”.
Billie Eilish was a little more to the point when she accepted Song of the Year for “Wildflower”, saying, “[Eff] ICE.” Before that she said, quote, “No one is illegal on stolen land.” (Here’s a censored clip.)
Jelly Roll won the Grammy for Best Contemporary Country Album and gave an emotional speech that COULD be interpreted through a political lens. After praising God and Jesus, he said, quote, “Jesus is for everybody. Jesus is not owned by one political party!”
While some folks got political, Cher just got . . . confused. They brought her out near the end of the show to give her a Lifetime Achievement Grammy, and to have her introduce the nominees for Record of the Year.
But after giving a great speech about perseverance, and being on both the top AND the bottom in her career, she just started walking off the stage. Host Trevor Noah actually had to call her back to announce the nominees.
Then, when it was time to announce the winner, she just stood there for several awkward seconds, envelope in hand . . . because she thought the name was going to show up on the teleprompter.
When she did announce the winner, she thought it was the late Luther Vandross . . . although she pronounced his name as “Luther Grandose.” (???)
The Grammy ACTUALLY went to Kendrick Lamar and SZA for the SONG “luther”. (Kendrick won five Grammys for the night, and has overtaken Jay-Z as the most decorated rapper.)
Cher didn’t seem to be in an altered state or anything. Maybe she was just having a senior moment. Or perhaps a bottled blonde moment.
Other Grammy Highlights:
1. Post Malone led an all-star tribute to Ozzy Osbourne. They did Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs” while Sharon, Kelly, and Jack watched from the crowd, and they killed it.
2. Lauryn Hill led an all-star tribute to D’Angelo and Roberta Flack that seemed to go on forever. It was more than 11 minutes, but then again, they were honoring TWO people.
3. Justin Bieber performed“Yukon” in nothing but boxers and socks.
4. To call Chappell Roan’s red carpet outfit “daring” would be a vast understatement.
(WARNING: These pics are borderline NSFW.)
5. It wasn’t shown on TV, but Steven Spielberg earned his EGOT when he won a Grammy for producing the documentary “Music by John Williams”.
6. Also not on TV: The Cure won their first-ever Grammys, picking up Best Alternative Performance for “Alone” and Best Alternative Album for “Songs of a Lost World”.
7. Sabrina Carpenter angered PETA by using a live dove during her performance of “Manchild”.
(You can see winners in the categories you care about here.)
