For the first time since the 18th century, America is once again ruled by a British queen. Her name is Adele, and last night she became the first artist to ever to sweep all three major awards (album, record, and song of the year) twice.
Geopolitical ramifications of Queen Adele notwithstanding, this year’s Grammy’s weren’t afraid to get political. In fact, Grammy producer Ken Erlich told Variety he welcomed fiery speeches about current issues, in the spirit of artistic expression within the creative community.
Busta Rhymes certainly took up the challenge. During his performance with A Tribe Called Quest and Anderson.Paak, he said, “I just want to thank President Agent Orange for perpetuating all of the evil that you’ve been perpetuating throughout the United States.” He repeated the nickname, “I want to thank President Agent Orange for your unsuccessful attempt at the Muslim ban,” mocking Trump’s temporary immigration freeze on several Middle Eastern countries that was overturned last week.
Rhymes isn’t really grateful to Trump, of course, but he thanked Trump for uniting people in opposition to his actions. Dancers then burst out of a wall as its blocks tumbled down behind the musicians.
The song continued, “We don’t believe you / We don’t believe you / ‘Cause we the people,” and ended with the performers raising their fists and chanting “resist” over and over again.
Katy Perry performed her new single, “Chained to the Rhythm,” while wearing an armband that read “persist.” This was perhaps a nod to Elizabeth Warren’s face-off with Mitch McConnell, who told her to stop speaking repeatedly and remarked “Still, she persisted.” Perry’s backup dancers held picket signs, perhaps in reference to the protests surrounding the Inauguration. Perry and Skip Marley finished their performance in front of a huge image of the U.S. Constitution.
Perry has neither confirmed or denied rumors that the song is about fake news. Her longtime associate Left Shark could not be reached for comment.
The most visual and obvious statement made by a musician did not happen onstage. Joy Villa wore a gown styled like a Trump-Pence flag on the red carpet. The bright blue dress had “Make America Great Again” running down the front, with TRUMP emblazoned in silver rhinestones across the back hem. She carried a heart-shaped purse. The gown was designed by Andre Soriano, a naturalized American citizen who was born in the Philippines.
“She is one of the people on this planet that really promotes love… We need to move this country forward, and we believe it’s time to promote love,” Soriano told The Hollywood Reporter.
The political messages in music, and by musicians, guarantee that their catchy songs aren’t the only things we’ll have stuck in our heads.
