Despite women being underrepresented in this year’s Grammy Award nominations — and only a small portion of them winning — it was female voices that stole the show and amplified the important message of the Time’s Up movement.
One of the most empowering moments of the show was undoubtedly Kesha’s performance of “Praying” alongside Camila Cabello, Cyndi Lauper, Julia Michaels, Bebe Rexha and Andra Day.
Before they took the stage, Janelle Monae delivered an awe-inspiring speech.
“We come in peace, but we mean business. For those of you who would try to silence us, we have two words for you: Time’s Up.” –@JanelleMonae #Grammys ??? pic.twitter.com/6MuDdc52uh
— Her Campus (@HerCampus) January 29, 2018
“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,” Monae started. “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. We come in peace, but we mean business,” Monae said. And 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, time’s up for discrimination, time’s up for harassment of any kind, and time’s up for the abuse of power.”
“Because, you see, it’s not just going on in Hollywood, it’s not just going on in Washington — it’s right here in our industry as well. And just as we have the power to shake culture, we also have the power to undo the culture that does not serve us well,” Monae said. “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.”
The speech was the perfect introduction for Kesha, who accused her former producer Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald of sexual, verbal and emotional abuse and then entered into a lengthy legal battle.
Kesha even being on the Grammy’s stage was a big moment for her return to music. Her teary-eyed performance was particularly moving, though.
women supporting women. solidarity, forever. #TimesUp #WhiteRose2018 #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/eNOv9GjCJL
— Her Campus (@HerCampus) January 29, 2018
The choice of all-white for the group was a nod to the decision for celebrities to wear white roses in support of #MeToo and Time’s Up.