This year’s Grammy ceremonies got off to an explosive start when Camila Cabello delivered on the awards show’s first performance with a rendition of her “Havana” hit, joined by Young Thug, J Balvin, and Ricky Martin before Alicia Keys would hit the stage to offer up her first words as the Grammys’ host. But, Keys decided that she would need a little help to deliver on the message that would underscore Sunday’s broadcast–the power of music.Soon Alicia invited out Jada Pinkett-SMoith, Lady Gaga, Jennifer Lopez and former first lady Michelle Obama to help her double down on the inspiring message. While Gaga, Smith and Lopez were able to allude to their own experiences as entertainers to highlight how powerful music can be, Obama had to put a hold on her own remarks as she was met with roaring applause immediately after uttering her first words.
“From the Motown records I wore out on the south side,” she began. “To the ‘Who Run the World’ songs that fueled me through this last decade, music has always helped me tell my story […] Music helps us shares ourselves. Our dignity and sorrows, our hope and joy. It allows us to hear one another, to invite each other in.”
Soon after, Lady Gaga would return to the stage to accept the night’s first broadcasted prize for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for her and Bradley Cooper’s “Shallow.”
