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‘You’ve already won’ Drake’s Grammys speech cut short, but still powerful
Last night Sunday, Feb. 11 was the 61st annual Grammy’s and as you probably witnessed, there were plenty of storylines that ensued.
Ariana Grande was spazzing on Twitter per usual, Alicia Keys’ unorthodox hosting brought in the hottest of takes, not to mention the inevitable snubs.
This year was no different as Drake became one of the many post-ceremony talking points when his acceptance speech for Best Rap Song was cut-off mid-speech.
Everyone at the #GRAMMYs is a winner tonight according to @Drake. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/sQ1NqKXQ7m
— CBS (@CBS) February 11, 2019
His smash hit “God’s Plan” beat out the likes of Eminem, Jay Rock, Kendrick, and Travis Scott, but the OVO figurehead decided to use his moment to uplift the artists who did not win, who weren’t invited, and who may possibly place all their stock in the trophy he was holding.
However, the Toronto born rapper’s mic went mute after a pause and saying “But…,” leading many to believe the show producers intentionally pulled the plug —a fitting narrative that was given while he was in the middle of saying how awards don’t matter.
After starting by saying this was the first time in Grammy history where he actually felt like who he thought he was, he addressed everyone else:
“The kids watching, those aspiring to do music, and all my peers that make music from their heart, that do things pure and tell the truth to know we play in an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport. It is not the NBA…”
Drake’s speech continued,
“This is a business where sometimes it is up to a bunch of people that might not understand what a mixed race kid from Canada has to say… or a brother from Houston right there, my brother Travis. You’ve already won if you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you are a hero in your hometown. If there is people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain, in the snow, spending their hard-earned money to buy tickets to come to your shows, you don’t need this right here, I promise you, you already won.”
https://twitter.com/RealLifeKaz/status/1094792101257039872
Grammys cut Drake speech cuz he was shitting on them in the most polite way.
— Ahmed/The Ears/Glorilla's Assistant 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) February 11, 2019
Drake's "this doesn't matter" acceptance speech is the realest thing about this show.
— Tom Breihan (@tombreihan) February 11, 2019
Optics do not tell the entire story and it’s a strong possibility that it was by accident that producers cut to another shot.
A representative for the Grammys clarified to Variety that producers did not intentionally cut off Drake but were under the impression that he had finished his speech.
“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.”
Either way, Drake’s speech, cut-off or not, was dripping with gems.
As a music artist and someone who’s probably been on that side of the coin, Drake was spot-on in speaking to what it feels to seek value in awards — to see validation in trophies — and he wanted to shed perspective.
He’s right, at the end of the day, while their nice, the awards don’t matter. The real value is in the contentment of your fanbase and the tickets sold and in the authentic expression of self. Someone sitting at home really proud of their work yet feeling left out because they weren’t in his shoes at that given point in time needed to hear that.