Grammy Awards highs and lows: Kesha's emotional Time's Up performance steals the show
The Time’s Up movement continued at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards when Janelle Monáe gave an impassioned speech while introducing a very passionate performance by Kesha. The pop star performed her scathing single “Praying” surrounded by female artists, including Cyndi Lauper, Andra Day, and Bebe Rexha. The #MeToo performance stole the show, but it wasn’t the only performance with a powerful message.
The awards show started off with a politically charged performance by Kendrick Lamar, who was briefly joined by U2’s Bono and the Edge, and interrupted by Dave Chappelle. Plus, the show ended with Logic delivering an emotional performance of his suicide awareness song, “1-800-273-8255.” At the end of the song, Logic delivered a moving speech that included a message to the countries Donald Trump recently bashed. “To all the beautiful countries filled with culture, diversity, and thousands of years of history: You are not s***holes,” Logic said.
Other emotional performances included a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the Las Vegas and Manchester concert shootings; a touching tribute to musician Tom Petty, and a rocking tribute to Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Pink, and the duo of Elton John and Miley Cyrus also impressed with amazing performances, but everyone was talking about J.D. McCrary, who went note-for-note with Childish Gambino singer Donald Glover.
The show wasn’t all high notes. James Corden‘s hosting was minimal and his skit with Shaggy and Sting was not award-winning. There were audio issues when Maren Morris was speaking about the Vegas attacks. And even though Jay-Z attended, he didn’t perform, and although he had eight nominations, he didn’t win either.
But it wasn’t all bad; they were able to get in the required one Trump joke minimum when people auditioned to read “Fire & Fury.” A few stars took turns reading passages from the book, and it ended with Hillary Clinton reading, “He had a long time fear of being poisoned. One reason why he liked to eat at McDonald’s. Nobody knew he was coming and the food was safely pre-made.” James Corden came in and told Clinton that her Grammy for Best Spoken Word Album was “in the bag.”
For a full list of winners and other highlights, visit Grammy.com.
Watch Maren Morris, Eric Church, and the Brothers Osbourne honor the victims of the Las Vegas and Manchester concert shootings:
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