South African comedian Trevor Noah did not shy away from political humor during his fifth consecutive stint as host of the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, making sharp jabs at former President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies.
Opening the ceremony with a monologue that celebrated music’s biggest stars—including Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Rihanna—Noah also took a swipe at the Grammy voting process. With 13,000 Recording Academy members determining the winners, he quipped that “20 million illegal immigrants” might have had a say in the results.
Later in the evening, Noah made another politically charged remark, referencing changes in Washington, saying, “I’m gonna enjoy tonight because this may be the last time I get to host anything in this country.”
His comments came just days after a controversial immigration policy from Trump’s administration led to widespread ICE raids, resulting in the arrests of 1,179 individuals in major U.S. cities.
Several artists took the opportunity to use their platform to advocate for marginalized communities and push back against divisive policies.
While accepting the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award, Alicia Keys addressed the Trump administration’s elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) departments, stating, “DEI is not a threat, it’s a gift. The more voices, the more powerful the sound. When destructive forces try to burn us down, we rise from the ashes like a phoenix.” She urged the industry to continue amplifying diverse perspectives, saying, “This is not the time to silence the voices we’ve seen on this stage—talented, hard-working people from different backgrounds, with different points of view.”
Rising star Chapell Roan, who won Best New Artist, used her red carpet interview with GLAAD to send a message of solidarity to the transgender community. “It’s brutal right now,” she said. “Trans people have always existed and will always exist. No matter what happens, trans joy cannot be taken away, and we must protect that.”
She added, “Just know that pop music is thinking about you and cares about you. I’m doing my best to stand up for you in every way I can.”
Lady Gaga also took a moment on stage to support the LGBTQ+ community, declaring, “Trans people are not invisible. Trans people deserve love. The queer community deserves to be lifted up. Music is love.”
The Grammy Awards, while celebrating musical excellence, also became a platform for artists to voice their concerns and advocate for inclusivity and change in the face of political challenges.
SOURCE: Vanguard Nigeria
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