When protest came to the Grammys

This year’s Grammy awards could not avoid the political. Widespread anti-ICE protests have occurred in the US recent days – and not just in Minneapolis, where federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have been responsible for the deaths of two demonstrators and detained scores of people of Hispanic appearance, prompting community-wide resistance.

At last night’s ceremony, the Recording Academy sent pointed messages, both in their award choices and in the atmosphere in the room. The biggest award of the evening – album of the year – went to the genre-vaulting Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny (pictured above) for his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, a popular choice in line with the decision made for the forthcoming Super Bowl. On Sunday, Bad Bunny will perform at the football game’s half time show – a choice that prompted dismay from the US administration when it was announced.

Bad Bunny took home a total of three Grammys. His acceptance speech started with “ICE out” even before God got a mention.

“We are not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens – we’re humans,” he said, after his win in the best urban music category.

Artists across the generations, from Justin Bieber to Carole King, wore “ICE out” lapel pins on their outfits. Billie Eilish, winner of the song of the year for her hit Wildflower, declared: “No one is illegal on stolen land.”

Even British artists chimed in. Olivia Dean took home the coveted best new artist gong, beating fellow singer Lola Young, whose consolation prize was best pop solo performance.

“I am here as the grand-daughter of an immigrant,” Dean said, referring to her Windrush generation heritage. Young, in typical “messy” fashion, dropped an F-bomb on live TV.

The evening was not end-to-end cultural protests. Often it was just business as usual, with fluffed lines, remarkable frocks (Chappell Roan appeared in a wine-coloured cowl-cape, which covered a nude outfit and a gown seemingly clamped to her nipples) and only a few actual surprises.

Despite her live performance of Espresso, saucy sweetheart Sabrina Carpenter didn’t win anything; nor did Lady Gaga sweep the boards as some had predicted, having to content herself with best pop vocal album and best dance-pop recording.

Kendrick Lamar deservedly became the most awarded rapper in Grammy history after his five wins in nine nominations, including best rap album and the coveted record of the year for his collaboration with SZA, Luther.

Best blooper of the night went to Cher, who confused their song, Luther, with the late Luther Vandross, announcing the late soul man as the winner.

British artists performed honourably, with FKA twigs triumphing in the best dance/electronic album category with Eusexua, beating PinkPantheress, who many felt would win.

After 50 years in the industry, The Cure won their first ever Grammy: best alternative album for Songs of a Lost World – an apt title for times in which, in the words of the Italian philosopher Antonio Gramsci, “the old world is dying and the new struggles to be born”.

Photography by Emma McIntyre/Getty