Musicians love to use their large platforms for the greater good of the world — and the artists who showed up at this year’s Grammys were no exception.
In what might have been the most politically infused awards show yet, famous faces did not shy away from making their opinions against orange POTUS Donald Trump heard. Some even tried to get away with pro-Trump shit — but TBH, no one was having that AT ALL.
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Check out all the ways music’s biggest night got RAW with the political beat (below)!
1. During the pre-show, Margaret Cho hopped onstage to say, “Fuck Donald Trump.” YGG!
2. In the pressroom, Patton Oswalt waxed poetic about claims that Hollywood is out of touch with middle America:
“Middle America voted a reality TV show they voted Hollywood into the White House twice: Reagan and Trump. So if anything, the pushback It seems like they’re pushing back against Hollywood, but then tripping and putting Hollywood right into positions of power. It’s a little weird. And also everyone I know in Hollywood are people who came from the Midwest. I hosted the Art Directors Guild last night. These are quiet, sturdy, hardworking craftsmen, carpenters, bricklayers, masons that create the world that movies are made out of. So I don’t know why there’s a weird separation or pushback from Middle America on Hollywood.”
3. Singer Joy Villa turning heads with her “Make American Great Again” gown. It also got her a #1 album on iTunes. BARF!
4. Highly Suspect‘s Johnny Stevens made his feelings clear with an “impeach” jacket. WOOO!
5. Skylar Grey walked the red carpet with a digital purse that flashed the words “empowerment” and “equality.” Stellar!
6. ScHoolboy Q rocked a pink sweatshirt that read “Girl Power.” <3 <3 <3
7. Charlie XCX wore giant safety pin earrings that could be a possible nod to the safety pin movement which followed the election.
8. During his opening number, James Corden said:
“We sit here tonight, no matter our race. Or where we were born or color of face. We using this art remembered forever. And we can survive just by sticking together. The passion, the fashion, the voice and the soul.”
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9. Jennifer Lopez talked about unity in music during her stage time:
“This night is not about dresses or even the awards. It is about the music, the words and the voices. How they move us, inspire us and touch all our lives. At this particular moment in history, our voices are needed more than ever. As Toni Morrison once said, This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self pity, no need for silence, and no room for fear. We do language. That is how civilizations heal.’ So tonight, we celebrate our most universal language: music.”
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10. Paris Jackson used the stage to urge attendees to give their voices to #NoDAPL protests!
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11. Katy Perry performed Chained to the Rhythm wearing a pants suit with a PERSIST armband. If that wasn’t enough, she projected the constitution and a burning white house during her stage statement.
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- Beyonc got real about unifying everyone and creating a space for all kinds of people:
“It’s important to me to show images to my children that reflect their beauty so they can grow up in a world where they look in the mirror, first through their own families, as well as the news, the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the White House, and the Grammys, and see themselves. And have no doubt that they’re beautiful, intelligent, and capable. This is something I want for every child of every race, and I feel it’s vital that we learn from the past and recognize our tendencies to repeat our mistakes.”
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13. Laverne Cox used her stage time (before introducing Metallica and Lady GaGa‘s performance) to raise awareness for Gavin Grimm‘s Supreme Court case:
“Everyone please Google Gavin Grimm. He’s going to the Supreme Court in March. #StandWithGavin.”
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14. Q-Tip shared this, alongside A Tribe Called Quest‘s pointed track about inclusivity:
“We’d like to say to all of those people around the world, all those people who are pushing people who are in power to represent them, tonight, we represent you.”
15. Busta Rhymes trashed Trump, declaring:
“I’m not doing the political clamor right now. I just want to thank President Agent Orange for perpetuating all of the evil that you’ve been perpetuating through the United States. I want to thank President Agent Orange for your unsuccessful attempt at the Muslim ban. We, the people. We the people! We the people! We the people.”
16. Finally, Recording Academy President Neil Portnow called for Trump and Congress to be a champion for the arts!
“We are constantly reminded about the things that divide us race, region and religion, gender, sexual orientation, political party. But what we need so desperately are more reminders of all that binds us together our shared history, our common values, and our dedication to build for ourselves a more perfect union. More than a century ago, a poem was combined with a musical composition and became an instantly recognizable song the world over. Let’s see if you know it?” he asked. A trumpeter played a familiar tune. “America The Beautiful’ captures the essence of our country and reminds us that we are and always will be one people, from sea to shining sea.”In times of triumph and of tragedy, we turn to song and the abiding power of music to lift our spirits, soothe our souls and remind us that everything will be okay. President John F. Kennedy once observed, The life of the arts is very close to the center of a nation’s purpose and is a test of the quality of a nation’s civilization.’ That’s so true. And that’s why we must be loud and clear in our unwavering support of music and the arts, and those who create it.
Behind the extraordinary artists you’ve seen here on our stage are hundreds of thousands of unsung musicians, songwriters, producers and engineers American creators, whose jobs suffer from unfair rules and regulations, some going back 100 years. So, the Recording Academy, together with America’s music makers, call on the president and Congress to help keep the music playing by updating music laws, protecting music education, and renewing America’s commitment to the arts. It’s our collective responsibility to preserve what binds us and to ensure that the whole world continues to benefit from one of our most unique, economically and spiritually important assets and exports: American music.”
Personally, we love when stars use their power for the greater good — so rock the fuck on and keep sharing messages of inclusion and resistance! BOOYAH!
[Image via Getty Images/WENN.]
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