Watching the 60th Annual Grammy Awards on CBS was such a unique opportunity in the world of musical performance. In essence it is an awards show; an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the accomplishments of the greatest players in current music. But it also provides so much more—bringing together a wealth of diverse and amazing artists in a single place and allowing viewers to experience their presentations from the comfort of their own homes.
Yes, there is a lot of glitz and glam. There is a lot of pomp and circumstance. But in the midst of it are true artist that have reached a level that deserves recognition, as well as an opportunity to share their art and thoughts with the world.
The Grammys present an opportunity for music of all genres and styles to come together in one place. It puts rap next to country, ageless performers besides brand new breakthroughs. People tune in for a variety of reasons and to see particular artists. And while they are there, they are exposed to new artists and new sounds they may never have heard before.
It also brings artists together to present powerful moments unique to the Grammys. Some of the collaborations are to be expected, such as Bruno Mars and Cardi B on Finesse or Logic, Alessia Cara and Khalid on 1-800-273-8255. Others are more unexpected, such as Shaggy taking the stage with Sting as they created a montage of Englishman in New York and Don’t Make Me Wait, or Sir Elton John and Miley Cyrus performing a duet of Tiny Dancer. Whether a unique collaboration or a powerful solo performance, pretty much everybody that graces the stage creates a bold and beautiful presentation, turning the evening into a series of uniquely different concert experiences.
Many artists take the night beyond just musical expression. Sharing their thoughts and feelings as they accept awards or present artists. As Alessia Cara accepted her award for Best New Artist, she acknowledged our need to pay attention to the artists that are not at the Grammys… the amazing artists not yet known, still dreaming of one day standing on that stage. In a tribute to the lives lost in the senseless acts of violence that took the lives of 81 music lovers between the tragedies in Manchester, England and Las Vegas, Nevada—I was moved to tears as the names of the victims, handwritten in glowing tiles, shown behind the four artist on stage singing the heartfelt words of Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven. There were also many powerful statements of social and political realities, such as Kesha’s Praying, U2’s Get Out of Your Own Way, and Kendrick Lamar’s opening performance.
Of course, I would love to see such an evening of performances live and in person. I have no doubt that the energy in the venue itself is exponentially more impactful than what we see through our screens. I am also very appreciative of being able to bear witness to such an impactful musical event, for free, while lounging on my couch. Watching the Grammys has also inspired me to ensure my ability to witness and share my experience, as many of these artists bring their live performances closer to my home.