During a poignant moment at the 66th Grammy Awards, held in Los Angeles, Annie Lennox, the revered Scottish singer-songwriter and advocate for political change, made a groundbreaking call for peace in the Gaza Strip. Her appeal marked a historic first, as she became the premier artist to voice such a demand at a significant entertainment award ceremony.
Lennox’s powerful message was delivered towards the close of her rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U,” a song originally performed by the late Irish vocalist Sinéad O’Connor, during a segment dedicated to remembering artists we have lost. With a raised fist, Lennox declared her stance, exclaiming to the audience,
“Artists for ceasefire,”
thus cementing her position at the age of 69 as a vocal advocate for global peace.
She further emphasized her call with a heartfelt
“Peace in the world,”
as the visage of O’Connor was projected behind her, paying tribute not only to the artist’s memory but also to her advocacy for Palestinian rights.
This bold move by Lennox was met with widespread acclaim from international audiences, praising her for taking a stand and honoring O’Connor’s legacy of activism. The gesture resonated deeply, underscoring the role of artists as catalysts for change and dialogue in times of conflict.
The Grammy Awards ceremony also witnessed other celebrities and artists echoing the call for peace. The band Boygenius made a visual statement on the red carpet by donning pins that bore the emblem of the “Artists Call for Ceasefire Now” campaign. This initiative, manifested through a petition directed at US President Joe Biden, garnered the support of a wide array of celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez, Joaquin Phoenix, Janelle Monáe, and Dua Lipa, among others.
In a similar vein, Esperanza Spalding, an artist known for her musical prowess and social activism, displayed her solidarity with Palestine by wearing a kaffiyeh, a potent symbol of Palestinian identity and resistance.
Through these acts of solidarity and advocacy, the 66th Grammy Awards became not just a celebration of musical achievements but a platform for promoting peace and highlighting the pressing need for a ceasefire in Gaza. The artists’ unified stance serves as a reminder of the power of music and fame to influence public opinion and catalyze change on a global scale.
