UPDATE: British artists FKA Twigs and Cynthia Erivo have clinched early Grammy Awards alongside the Dalai Lama as protests erupted against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during the annual ceremony held at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on January 28, 2024.
Singers including Joni Mitchell and Kehlani were spotted wearing “ICE out” and “Be Good” pins, highlighting widespread backlash against the aggressive tactics of ICE agents deployed in cities like Minneapolis, where approximately 2,000 federal agents are actively working under President Donald Trump‘s mass deportation initiative.
The protests intensified following recent incidents where ICE agents fatally shot two individuals: Renee Good on January 7 and Alex Pretti on January 24. Justin Vernon, the frontman of Bon Iver and nominee for best alternative music album, expressed solidarity by wearing a whistle to honor legal observers documenting federal actions. “I think there’s a reason that music exists and it’s to heal and to bring people together,” he told The Associated Press.
In a powerful moment during her acceptance speech for Best R&B Performance for “Folded,” Kehlani boldly declared, “F*** ICE,” calling for a united artistic front against injustices. Colombian singer-songwriter Karol G, nominated for her album Tropicoqueta, voiced her support for the Latin community, stating, “We are going through a lot of bad and difficult things, and just to be a voice… is very special.”
The Dalai Lama was awarded a Grammy for his narration of the audiobook Meditations: The Reflections of His Holiness, accepted on his behalf by Rufus Wainwright. FKA Twigs, born Tahliah Barnett, won the award for Best Dance/Electronic Album with her project Eusexua. Erivo took home the Grammy for Best Pop Duet/Group Performance for “Defying Gravity,” a collaboration with Ariana Grande.
In a competitive year, Kendrick Lamar, the most nominated artist with nine nods, has already secured victories for Best Rap Song with “TV Off” featuring Lefty Gunplay, and Best Melodic Rap Performance for “Luther” with SZA. Additionally, Lady Gaga also triumphed, winning Best Dance Pop Recording for “Abracadabra,” which further claimed Best Remixed Recording for its Gesaffelstein remix.
The night promises more excitement, with anticipated performances from Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Tyler The Creator, and others. The competition for major awards such as Album of the Year includes Gaga’s “Mayhem” and Lamar’s “GNX,” along with entries from Bad Bunny and Sabrina Carpenter.
In a historic win, the K-Pop group Huntr/x claimed the award for Best Song Written for Visual Media with “Golden,” becoming the first K-Pop act to earn a Grammy.
As the ceremony unfolds, the voices of artists advocating for social justice resonate powerfully, ensuring that the night is not just about music, but also about meaningful change. Watch for more updates as the night progresses and awards are handed out.
