Politics takes centre stage at music’s biggest night
This year’s Grammy Awards saw several artists stand up to Donald Trump and ICE. From host Trevor Noah to Olivia Dean, Billie Eilish and Bad Bunny – who targeted US immigration authorities in his acceptance speech – politics loomed large at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards.
Music’s biggest night – the Grammy Awards – took place last night, and while it was a moment to celebrate artists, politics loomed large over the ceremony.
Many winners spoke out against Donald Trump, criticising the actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and sending messages of unity.
Trevor Noah sets the tone
The tone was set by host Trevor Noah, who quipped in his opening monologue that Nicki Minaj had skipped the Grammy ceremony this year because she was still at the White House discussing “important issues” with Donald Trump – namely, whose posterior was bigger.
Noah broke into a Trump impression: “Actually Nicki, I have the biggest ass, everybody’s saying it Nicki.”
Nicki Minaj recently called herself Donald Trump’s “number one fan” – which prompted some of her fans to bin her records.
Noah also joked that the Grammy Awards were coming to viewers “completely live” because “if we edited any of the show, the president would sue CBS for $16 billion” – a reference Trump’s lawsuit against 60 Minutes over an edited interview with Kamala Harris.
Noah even riffed on Trump’s supposed interest in acquiring Greenland: “Because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new island to hang out with Bill Clinton.”
Trump responds on Truth Social
After the show, Trump reacted in a Truth Social post.
“Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!! I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory, statement, have never been accused being there, not even by the Fake News Media,” the post said.
“Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast. It looks like I’ll be sending my lawyers to sue this poor, pathetic, talentless, dope of an M.C.”
Bad Bunny’s direct rebuke of ICE
The biggest political statement of the evening came from Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, who won the coveted Album of the Year for his album DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS. He openly criticised ICE while accepting his award.
Bad Bunny – real name Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio – became the first artist with a Spanish-language record to receive the honour. He began his speech by saying, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say: ICE out.”
This prompted the audience to stand up and applaud.
“We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans,” he said, adding: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love. Please, we have to be different. If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them. We love our people, we love our families, and that’s the way to do it.”
“I want to dedicate this award to all the people who had to leave their homeland to follow their dreams – to all the people who have lost a loved one and, even so, have had to move forward with a lot of strength. This award is for you.”
His comments were a direct rebuke to the ongoing ICE presence in many American cities, particularly in Minneapolis, where two US civilians, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were both shot and killed by ICE agents.
Bad Bunny’s words also come a week before he headlines the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The artist has come under attack from the MAGA crowd since he was announced as the headliner, with Trump recently calling the decision a “terrible choice”.
Billie Eilish: “No one is illegal on stolen land”
Billie Eilish, who won Song of the Year for her track Wildflower, also used her platform to speak out.
“I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything, but no one is illegal on stolen land,” she said, wearing an “ICE OUT” pin.
The end of her speech was bleeped by television censors. According to video footage posted online, Eilish said: “F*ck ICE.”
Eilish was not the only artist wearing anti-ICE pins, with many including Carole King, Amy Allen, Margo Price, Kehlani and Rhiannon Giddens showing their opposition to ICE.
Kehlani, who won two R&B awards, said: “An artist’s job is to reflect the times.”
Music as protest and healing
As for Justin Vernon of Bon Iver, he wore a whistle to honour legal observers who monitor ICE activities.
“I think there’s a reason that music exists and it’s to heal and to bring people together,” he said.
Elsewhere, SZA also used her speech to send a message of unity after winning Record of the Year alongside Kendrick Lamar.
Immigrant voices amplified
Another powerful speech came from Best New Artist winner Olivia Dean, who highlighted her immigrant background.
“I’m up here as a granddaughter of an immigrant,” she said. “I wouldn’t be here … I am a product of bravery.”
Her comments were echoed by Shaboozey, who thanked his Nigerian-born mother and said: “Immigrants built this country, so this is for them, for all children of immigrants.”
The anti-Trump and anti-ICE comments come amid nationwide protests following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Bruce Springsteen is among those who have spoken out, recently releasing Streets of Minneapolis, dedicated to the city and the victims.
Source: Euronews
Also read: US citizens call for “National Shutdown” on January 30
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