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| Recording Academy President Neil Portnow on the Red Carpet at Sunday's Grammy Awards in New York, NY |
This past Sunday, the world of music came together to celebrate each other's achievements and dreams came true in 2017. Cardi B gave her first (and AH-MAZING) live performance with big-night winner Bruno Mars of their "Finesse" collab. Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, and several other women joined Kesha to belt together the singer's new hit single "Praying" to bring awareness of sexual harassment and assault, complete with white ensembles in support of the "Time's Up" movement. Miley Cyrus captivated the audience with her duet with Elton John to his classic "Tiny Dancer" and Lady Gaga gave us a slice of heaven with her performance of "Joanne" and "A Million Reasons". And let's not forget Kendrick Lamar's opening performance that kicked off the night!
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| Ke$ha (center), Cyndi Lauper (one over to left), and Camila Cabello (one over to right), among other women, delivered an emotional, tear-jerking rendition of the songstress' single "Praying". |
But when Recording Academy President Neil Portnow took the stage, he said something that would have many both at home and in the audience baffled. He said it was time for women in the music industry to "step up" when it comes to driving creativity and making it on their own. Within minutes, P!nk and Katy Perry were quick to defend the "Time's Up" movement and the accomplishments for music each and every year. Variety Magazine commented "#GrammysSoMale" in response to Portnow's speech. To make matters more complicated, Lorde was the only female nominee for Album of the Year; she was against Jay-Z, Donald Glover, Kendrick Lamar, and winner Bruno Mars.
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| Cardi B taking a *brief* break from reading Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House. |
No word on whether Portnow is going to be removed from his position or suspended, but one thing is for sure: women have been and always will be stepping up in terms of setting trends in the music industry in more ways than one. With Judy Garland, there would be no "Wizard of Oz"; without Beyoncé, there would be no Destiny's Child (or
Lemonade); and without Adele, there would be no "Hello", "Skyfall", or "Chasing Pavements".
