grammys 2019 winners

Drake threw shade at the Grammys during his acceptance speech

It was a huge night for Canadian music at the 2019 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday—not that it matters, if you ask Drake.

The Toronto-born recording artist took to the stage last night in a rare awards ceremony appearance to accept his trophy for Best Rap Song, won for his work on the 2018 banger "God's Plan."

The fact that he was there at all came as a surprise to many, given how reticent he and other high-profile artists had been to perform at last night's show in light of the Recording Academy's apparent aversion to diversity.

Childish Gambino, who won Song of the Year for "This is America", didn't show up to the ceremony at all.

Drake didn't abandon his fellow artists in their protest of the Recording Academy's pattern of choices, however. Rather, he used his time on stage to let everyone know exactly how he feels about the value of a Grammy.

"I wanna take this opportunity while I'm up here to just talk to all the kids that are watching this, that are aspiring to do music, to all my peers that make music from their heart, that do things pure and tell the truth," he said during the speech. "I want to let you know that we play in an opinion-based sport, not a factual-based sport."

In true Aubrey Graham fashion, the rapper contrasted music industry accolades against NBA championships, noting that Grammys aren't given out based on the merit of a performer's work.

"It's up to a bunch of people that might not understand, you know, what a mixed-race kid from Canada has to say, or a fly Spanish girl from New York or anybody else," he said of those who decide the winners.

"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," continued Drake, who has now won 4 Grammys (out of 42 nominations.)

"Look, if there are people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain and 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."

Many artists in the crowd appear to have loved Drake's speech, but his inspirational rant may have ruffled some feathers among members of The Recording Academy.

Yeah, he was basically played off after that part of the speech.

Was it intentional? Almost everyone watching the show says yes, but a representative for the Grammys later clarified in a statement that producers merely thought he was finished speaking.

"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 the rep, via Vanity Fair.

"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."

In related news, penultimate Toronto cool guy Daniel Caesar took home his first Grammy last night for the song "Best Part" with H.E.R.

The newly-minted Best R&B Performance winner brought his mom to the ceremony as his date.

Meanwhile, Shawn Mendes made his Grammys performance debut alongside Miley Cyrus with "In My Blood."

Nicely done, Toronto. You can see a full list of last night's winners right here.

Lead photo by

Recording Academy/Grammys


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