Dhe Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj sent a video message to the US Grammys music awards ceremony, asking for support for his country. “What could be more antithetical to music than war?” Zelenskyy said via video message on Sunday evening at the event in Las Vegas, which was broadcast live on US television.
“Our musicians wear protective vests instead of tuxedos. They sing for the injured in hospitals, even for those who cannot hear them,” Zelenskyy said. But the music will still come through.
“Fill the silence with your music. Fill them in today to tell our story. Tell the truth about the war on your social networks, on TV, support us in any way you can, but not silence.”
Quelle: Getty Images for The Recording Academy/Rich Fury
He dreams that people in the embattled Ukrainian cities could live freely again – “as freely as you do on the Grammy stage”.
Prior to the gala, the Recording Academy, which is responsible for awarding the Grammys, and its partner organization Global Citizen referred to a campaign on social media entitled “Stand up for Ukraine”, which is raising money and mobilizing aid during the humanitarian crisis in the country shall be.
Ukrainian musicians on stage
After that, US singer John Legend sang a song dedicated to Ukraine together with Ukrainian musicians.
Ukrainian singer Mika Newton and John Legend
Source: AFP / Matt Winkelmeyer
In the run-up to the Oscars gala last weekend, stars had demanded that Zelenskyj should be added, but nothing came of it.
The award show began with an allusion to the slap scandal surrounding actor Will Smith at the Oscar gala a week ago. Presenter Trevor Noah started the ceremony with a joke. “We’re going to listen to music, we’re going to dance, we’re going to sing, we’re going to put people’s names out of our mouths and we’re going to give out awards,” said comedian Noah, who hosted the Grammys last year, on live television televised gala on Sunday evening in Las Vegas.
Also at the pre-show of the Grammys, the presenter LeVar Burton introduced the comedian Nate Bargatze with the warning to the audience that nobody should move. “I have to warn everyone, the next speaker is a comedian,” Burton explained. “I have to teach everyone – stay in your seats and keep your hands to yourself.”
Comedian Nate Bargatze with his helmet
Those: AP / Chris Pizzello
Only then did Bargatze dare to venture out – with an absurdly large helmet just in case. “They said comedians have to wear them to awards shows now,” he joked. “It doesn’t even cover your face.”
At the Academy Awards a week earlier, actor Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock onstage after he made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett. After that, Smith, who went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard, yelled twice more from his seat, “Keep my wife’s name out of your damn mouth!”
Three Grammy Awards for the Foo Fighters
A few days after the death of drummer Taylor Hawkins, the Foo Fighters received three awards. The band won for Best Rock Performance (“Making A Fire”), Best Rock Song (“Waiting On A War”) and Best Rock Album (“Medicine At Midnight”). No member of the Foo Fighters appeared at the gala.
A commemorative video of Taylor Hawkins at the Grammys
Those: AP / Chris Pizzello
Hawkins was the rock band’s drummer for 25 years and was also considered the best friend of lead singer Dave Grohl. Actually, the group should have performed at the Grammy broadcast. However, after Hawkins’ sudden death, producers announced that he would be honored during the ceremony.
The drummer died on March 25 at the age of 50 in Bogotá, Colombia. That day the band should have played at a festival.
Grammys for Bruno Mars and Olivia Rodrigo
R&B singer Bruno Mars and his group Silk Sonic also received a Grammy. Their single “Leave The Door Open” was honored for Record of the Year. The Song of the Year award also went to Mars and his partner Anderson Paak.
The US pop singer Olivia Rodrigo was honored as the best newcomer at the renowned awards ceremony. The 19-year-old, who began her career as an actress on Disney Channel, released her debut single “drivers license” last year.
Jazz and R&B musician Jon Batiste entered the 64th edition of the US Music Awards with eleven and thus the most nominations. The 35-year-old was able to snag a total of four prizes, including for best music video.
Won three Grammys: Jon Batiste performing on the show
Which: AFP/VALERIE MACON
The Grammys will be awarded for the 64th time this year. The gala was originally planned for January 31, but was then postponed due to the rapid spread of the highly infectious omicron variant of the corona virus. Around 13,000 members of the Recording Academy decide on the winners of the Grammys, which are among the most coveted music awards in the world.
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