If nothing else, awards show season is highly entertaining to watch. Fashion faux pas, hilarious hosting gaffs, stellar performances and heartfelt speeches make the long-winded occasions bearable.
They are also a platform for entertainers to air their grievances and, over the last few years, they have been fuelled by politically motivated speeches, allegations of racial discrimination and artists ditching ceremonies all together.
However, the 59th Grammy Awards took a different turn when it became a celebration of life, music, family and faith.
It began with Chance the Rapper, who headlined a spate of talented performers in the most feel-good awards show we’ve seen in years. The Chicago based rapper’s mix tape ‘Coloring Book’, won him a Grammy for best rap album—beating out peers Kanye West and Drake, and making him the first artist to win for a streamed release. Throw in another two Grammys for best new artist and best rap performance and the 23-year-old was full of awe and gratitude when he presented his acceptance speech.
“Glory be to God. I claim this victory in the name of the Lord,” he said. “I want to thank God for my mother and my father, who supported me since I was young…I want to thank God for putting amazing people in my life.”
He later wowed the audience with a medley of ‘How Great,’ and ‘All We Got’, joined by Kirk Franklin, Francis and the Lights, Tamela Mann and a gospel choir. Singing about his faith in God, Chance took the house down in a declaration of hope in the midst of adversity.
The love-fest continued when songstress Adele took home five Grammys, including best album of the year for 25. As she accepted her award, she gave a shout out to super star Beyoncé, proving that there’s no love lost between two of the biggest names in music.
“My dream and idol is Queen B, and I adore you, and you move my soul, as you have done for the past 17 years,” she said.
Beyoncé also took to the stage, and the heavily pregnant musician performed a compelling ode to motherhood after being introduced by her own mother. Rolling Stone named it “one of the night’s most powerful performances” and she took home two awards for best urban contemporary album and best music video (‘Formation’).
The Bible tell us to focus on “whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Thanks to Chance the Rapper, this year the Grammys hit close to the mark.
Grammy’s a beacon of hope thanks to Chance the Rapper