Janelle Monáe’s speech at the 2018 Grammys was incredible — read it here
It’s official: the 2018 Grammy Awards have delivered some of the most powerful moments of awards season so far. First we saw Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga give their best shows yet, and then we witnessed Kesha bring the house down with her emotional “Praying” performance. But right before Kesha, Janelle Monáe’s speech had everyone talking about its inspiring message.
Monáe’s speech was in honor of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements. She gave her statement right before Kesha’s performance, which only allowed Monáe’s words to have more of an impact.
She said,
"Tonight, I am proud to stand in solidarity as not just an artist, but a young woman, with my fellow sisters in this room who make up the music industry — artists, writers, assistants, publicists, CEOs, producers, engineers, and women from all sectors of the business. We are also daughters, wives, mothers, sisters, and human beings. To those who would dare try and silence us, we offer you two words: Time's up. We say Time's Up for pay inequality, discrimination or harassment of any kind, and the abuse of power."
She made sure her words weren’t only directed at Hollywood, either: “It’s not just going on in Hollywood, or in Washington, it’s right here in our industry as well. And just as we have the power to shape culture, we also have the power to undo the culture that does not serve us well. So, let’s work together, women and men, as a united music industry committed to creating more safe work environments, equal pay, and access for all women.”
She added, “Let’s work together, women and men…to create a safe work environment, equal pay, and access for all women. We have the power to change the culture that does not serve us.”
And finally, she said one of the best lines of the night: "We come in peace, but we mean business."
Immediately following Monáe’s speech, Kesha gave us her beautiful live rendition of “Praying,” during which she was joined by a chorus made up of Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Julia Michaels, Andra Day, and Bebe Rexha. It was truly a group of amazing women.
