Quantcast

TRIBE DELIVERS A MESSAGE

Until A Tribe Called Quest tore it down, late in the evening, with a rousing “We the People” that crashed hard on the Trump administration, big political statements were few and far between at the Grammys. In fact, mum was the word for most of the night, with a few notable exceptions:

  • Beyonce’s thank-you speech after winning the Best Urban Contemporary Album for Lemonade contained an inspirational message of women’s empowerment.
  • Katy Perry wore a “Persist” armband while singing her new “purposeful pop” song, “Chained To the Rhythm.”
  • Highly Suspect’s Johnny Stevens wore a black jacket with “IMPEACH” stenciled on the back.
  • Neil Portnow took the kind, gentle approach, delivering a message about the healing power of music in the face of ugly divisiveness.

It was all polite and well-mannered. But Tribe, joined by Anderson .Paak, Busta Rhymes and Consequence, spelled it all out. When Busta hit the stage, it was pretty clear what time it was. “I’m not feeling the political climate right now. Thank you, President Agent Orange for perpetuating the evil,” he yelled. “We the People,” punctuated with shouts of “resist,” became a referendum against Trump in general and his proposed Muslim ban specifically.

It was a nailbiter, but thanks to Tribe, The Grammys held their own in the battle for Awards Show Activism Supremacy.

NEAR TRUTHS: SPRING BLOOMS
Here come the big guns. (3/28a)
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/28a)
CITY OF HOPE TAPS MARCIANO FOR TOP HONOR
This year's philanthropic model (3/28a)
TRUST IN THE TOP 20
Hip-hop is no longer hibernating. (3/28a)
UMG BROADENS SPOTIFY OFFERINGS
Sir Lucian and Daniel are in harmony. (3/28a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)