Drake Showed Up to the Grammys to Talk About Why the Grammys Don’t Matter
The Grammy for Best Rap Song went to Drake this year for "God's Plan," which beat out favorites like Travis Scott's "SICKO MODE" and the Kendrick Lamar/Jay Rock/James Blake/Future powerhouse "King's Dead." And in his acceptance speech, Drake took a surprisingly sobering turn.
"We play in an opinion-based sport, not a fact-based sport,” Drake said, almost apologetically, noting that unlike, say, basketball, there are no stats for us to measure talent or skill. “The point is, you’ve already won if you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you’re a hero in your hometown. Look, if there’s people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain and snow, spending money to buy tickets to your shows, you don’t need this right here. You already won. But..."
As Drake's speech reached its climax, his mic was abruptly cut and the broadcast went to a commercial, even though it looked like Drake had more to say. The Grammys had this to say, per Variety:
“During Drake’s speech, there was a natural pause and at that moment the producers did assume that he was done and then cut to commercial,” said Sunshine Sachs’ Michael Samonte. “However the producers did speak with Drake following his speech and did offer him to come back on stage to finish whatever his thoughts were. But Drake said he was happy with what he said and didn’t have anything to add.”
It was a baffling moment in a speech that looked like it was stumbling its way to a genuinely inspiring turn, coming from an artist who's generally pretty tight-lipped. In a largely entertaining show that managed to avoid major gaffes this far into the ceremony, it's a jarring, disruptive choice—and one that feels like it detracted from a genuine, human moment in an awards show that honestly could use a few.
