Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has delivered a passionate speech at this year's Grammy Awards, having shared a video message about how 'music will break through' as war battles on in his country.
In the pre-recorded clip, which was filmed in a bunker in Kyiv, Zelenskyy said: "The war doesn't let us choose who survives and who stays in eternal silence. Our musicians wear body armor instead of tuxedos. They sing to the wounded in hospitals. Even to those who can't hear them. But the music will break through anyway."
He added: "We defend our freedom. To live. To love. To sound. On our land we are fighting Russia, which brings horrible silence with its bombs. The death, silence. Fill the silence with your music! Fill it today, to tell our story."
As the message played, many people took to Twitter to express their surprise, with one writing: "Did not expect to see Zelenskyy on the Grammys…"
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Someone else said: "Can't say i was expecting Zelenskyy at the Grammys."
A third added: "Zelenskyy wins the Grammys."
Another tweeted: "I admit I did not have Zelenskyy Grammys speech on my bingo card."
Others simply felt touched by the message of hope, with some saying they were moved to tears.
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One person commented: "Um, President Zelenskyy? Oh good god I wasn't not emotionally prepared for a war speech. Just tears for Ukraine."
The video was followed by a poignant performance of John Legend's newly-released 'Free', which saw the singer joined by Ukrainian singer Mika Newton, from Burshtyn, and poet Lyuba Yakimchuk, from Donbas - who had fled Ukraine just days ago.
Legend, who is a 33-time Grammy nominee and 12-time winner, may not have been nominated for any awards this year, but was honoured earlier this week with the Recording Academy’s first-ever Global Impact Award, presented by the Black Music Collective.
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Valeisha Butterfield Jones, co-president of the Recording Academy, said in a statement: “John is one of the most important artists of our time, someone who leads by example and pushes important boundaries consistently across music, philanthropy, and activism. His contributions and impact to music and our culture are unparalleled.”
Riggs Morales, chair of the Black Music Collective, added: “On behalf of the Black Music Collective, we are honored to bring together some of the most influential creatives of our time to celebrate John Legend ahead of Music’s Biggest Night. This event is a reflection of our continued work as we strive to celebrate the greatest and brightest in Black music who transcend beyond race and genre.”
Jess Hardiman