Childish Gambino Won Big At The Grammys: Why Didn’t He Attend?
Childish Gambino was the man of the night at this year’s Grammys, but unfortunately, the singer/rapper/actor wasn’t present.
Gambino, whose real name is Donald Glover, reportedly declined to perform during music’s biggest night. According to Ken Ehrlich, the Recording Academy’s longtime award show producer, Gambino was invited to play, and he opted not to.
Gambino scored big at the 61st Grammys making history by winning for Song of the Year and Record of the Year for “This Is America,” which was the first hip-hop song to win those esteemed awards.
The rapper and singer’s win is intriguing being that “This Is America” is such a political song, and rap artists often get snubbed at the Grammys. Hence the reason that so many of hip-hop’s biggest stars decided to sit this award ceremony out.
TDE’s Kendrick Lamar, who also snagged several Grammy nominations and wins was nowhere to be found during yesterday’s celebration.
“The fact of the matter is, we continue to have a problem in the hip-hop world,” Ehrlich told CNN. “When they don’t take home the big prize, the regard of the academy, and what the Grammys represent, continues to be less meaningful to the hip-hop community, which is sad.”
It’s unknown exactly why Gambino chose to sit out yesterday’s Grammys, but if the singer truly embodies the message of “This Is America,” it makes sense that the multitalented artist wouldn’t show up.
“I’m so fitted. I’m on Gucci. I’m so pretty. I’m gone get it,” Gambino raps while dancing in a mockingly way during the video for “This Is America,” which also won Video of the Year.
“This Is America” clearly made a huge statement and left a lasting impression on audiences. Perhaps Gambino wanted to do the same by not being present at the Grammys to collect his trophies.
Glennisha Morgan is a Detroit-bred multimedia journalist and writer. She writes about intersectionality, hip-hop, pop culture, queer issues, race, feminism, and her truth.
