On Sunday (Feb. 10), Drake caught viewers’ attention when he showed up to the 61st Grammy Awards to accept Best Rap Song for “God’s Plan.” While giving his speech — that was clipped during the live airing — the Toronto native reassured music creatives around the world that as long as you align yourself with the right team or nurture your fanbase, then you’ve already taken home the gold.
“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, look, if there’s people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain, 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’ve already won” he said.
Everyone at the #GRAMMYs is a winner tonight according to @Drake. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/sQ1NqKXQ7m
— CBS (@CBS) February 11, 2019
Drake’s viral speech adds to his platform of critiquing award shows like the Grammys. Reportedly, he declined the show’s offer to perform. The criticism also came to a head when the 32-year-old won Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Hotline Bling” in 2017. Drake believed the melody shouldn’t have been considered in the rap category and wanted the establishment to see him as more than a rapper.
“I’m a black artist, I’m apparently a rapper, even though ‘Hotline Bling’ is not a rap song,” Drake said. “The only category that they can manage to fit me in is in a rap category, maybe because I’ve rapped in the past or because I’m black.”
This is Drake’s fourth Grammy win.
