Embed from Getty Images

They announced the Grammy for Best Rap Song pretty early in the night, and I was genuinely surprised that it didn’t go to Travis Scott for “Sicko Mode,” a song which – arguably – was the best example of where rap music was in 2018 and where it’s going. But of course the Grammys are rarely the best barometers of where music currently is or where it’s going, which is why that Grammy went to Drake for “God’s Plan.” I actually forgot that Drake usually doesn’t go to these kinds of awards shows, and it’s not like he walked the red carpet at the Grammys either. So it was surprising when he came out to accept his Grammy. It could have been a moment when the Grammys subtly made some kind of peace with the black artists they consistently snub. But of course not – producers cut off Drake mid-sentence during his speech.

Drake was cut off during his speech right after a pause and saying “But…,” leading viewers to speculate whether show producers deliberately gave him the yank — amid some mild shade he was throwing at the very idea of awards shows — or whether they just figured he’d wrapped up.

Gracious and grateful las he seemed, Drake was not about to let past perceived snubs at this and other awards shows go completely un-alluded to. (He’s also made a point of avoiding Canada’s Junos, after going unrewarded on that show, even as he hosted it.) He called it “the first time in Grammy history where I actually am who I thought I was for a second, so I like that.” He asked “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… 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.” And then, mid-sentence, the show cut to commercial, leading to a groan in the media room that could probably be heard all the way into the arena, where Drake was presumably still finishing his eloquent speech.

After the show, a representative for the Grammys clarified 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.”

[From Variety]

Yeah, I’ll believe that statement from the Recording Academy when I hear Drake confirm it. I mean, part of me was mad that Drake won a Grammy which (again, arguably) should have gone to Travis Scott. Another part of me believes that Drake only won the Best Rap Song Grammy BECAUSE “God’s Plan” is so… milquetoast and cheeseball. And then the Grammys cut him off when he was trying to make a larger point? Yeah. I feel like Drake and Jay-Z and everybody else in the rap game could easily skip out on the Grammys because the Grammys will just keep doing this sh-t to them.

Embed from Getty Images

Photos courtesy of Getty.