Public Theologian, Artist and Music History Sage Building an 'Indie' Bridge Between Theology and Pop Culture Connecting with Artists and Providing a Ministry of Presence Since 2003
While the movie "One Battle After Another" walked away with the most awards including Best Picture and Best Director wins, Sinners and K-Pop put on one of the most colorful and mesmerizing musical performances during the Academy Awards. Both movies also made history and stood as proud beacons of their communities during their performances and when accepting their awards.
Sinners received a standing ovation from the audience after performing the original movie soundtrack song "I Lied to You" in a spellbinding kaliedoscopic real time montage that presented as a vibrantly surreal mix of ethnic dancers, Blues singers, guitarists, African dancers and a singular ballet performance by Misty Copeland who came out of retirement and recovery from a recent hip replacement surgery to be among the performers. The innovative horror movie won a total of 4 Oscars. Michael B. Jordan picked up his first Oscar for his brilliant portrayal of two characters as twins. The movie also won for Best Original Score with long time friend and fellow collaborator Swedish ____, Best Original Screenplay for Director and writer Ryan Coogler. Cinema photography with a history making win for Afro-Philippino the first female to ever win in that category.
Good news Detroit youth and broader community. Thanks to the generosity of two very high profile musicians, a new media hub has opened at the historic and recently renovated Michigan Central Station. Usher and native Detroiter Big Sean combined their resources and contributed $1,000.000.00 to the project. For more information visit this link and check out the background story on You Tube:
Last night's Grammy show was an amazing platform on which artists united in a powerful demonstration of the importance and power of the First Amendment. The freedom to speak one's mind freely without hesitation or fear of reprisal. Last night the reverberations were in protest of Ice. Freedom of Speech is a right that has made the US envied around the world and is one of the primary reasons that thousands of immigrants flock to our country yearly.
The truth flowed eloquently whether it was a very short sentence by Billy Eilish who stated "You can't be illegal on stolen land", Bad Bunny's "Ice Out" followed by "love is more powerful than hate, including a reminder that "we are human, we are American." The cameras switched across the audience and zoomed in on what appeared to be a very proud faced Gloria Estefan who looked genuinely pleased about what he was saying.
Shaboozey's prepared speech extending gratitude to his mother an immigrant who worked three jobs to support him and his four siblings was an emotional moment for him as tears streamed from his eyes.
Kehlani who received her first award ever, the Grammy for Best R&b performance, mentioned the power of all the voices coming together and concluded with an expletive deletive "f... Ice."
Olivia Dean who picked up a Grammy for Best New Artist mentioned how she came from a family of immigrants and they should be recognized for their bravery.
It was a good show. Trevor Noah did a great job hosting. The interlude between him and Bad Bunny where he got him to sing along in Spanish was priceless.
That memorial tribute to D'Angelo and Roberta Flack curated-led by Lauren Hill and the other artists who have passed on the year past was brilliant, very stunning, spiritually and musically uplifting. They took us to church--Lela Hathaway, October London, Bilal, John Baptiste, Chaka Kahn and John Legend. Check out the videos on YouTube:
Pharrell Williams received the Dr.Dre Global Impact Award for 2026:
Other performances to check out that were memorable in their own right. Leon Thomas picked up a Grammy for his song MUTT which I understand Chris Brown's vocals influenced and were featured on.
Btw,that was a very soulful performance of Yukon by Justin Beiber. I was just a little surprised by his attention grabbing sleek attire. He only wore shorts and socks. Here's an explanation behind his outfit at this link.
Iconic producer and humanitarian Pharrell Williams was awarded the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards show held at the Crypto.com arena in Los Angeles, California. Pharrell a partner of the production team the Neptunes has been producing hits with icons like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z and other notable Rap and Hip-Hop recording artists for decades.
He was Co-Director, a keynote speaker, and among the performing musicians at the Grace for the World concert held at the Vatican last year in September. Also performing were Andreas Boccelli, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Clipse, Angelique Kidjo, Teddy Swims, Jelly Roll and others. Full list of those performing at the Grace for the World Concert at the Vatican, the concert sponsors, and the occasion for the musical celebration can be found at the link below:
https://share.google/aimode/6tMVmlk3KVI4dlKbC
For more information about the concert, check out the You Tube video at this related post.
The 68th Annual Grammy Awards take place on Sunday, February 1,2026 at the Crypto Arena in Los Angeles. Trevor Noah is hosting again this year.
Special Grammy pre-show celebrations and honors have taken place during the week leading up to Sunday's biggest night in music. Music Cares person of the year is Mariah Carey. She was celebrated for her philanthropy and career achievements at their annual gala that was held on January 30, 2026. Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Footnote Fighters and Charlie Puth were among the artists who participated in a beautiful song tribute, re-imagining her songs in their own styles.
In her speech Mariah encouraged artists and the puublic to continue giving to the Music Cares foundation because artists need care and they need community. She also stated "Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be here with all these
magnificent artists singing my songs back to me, infusing them with
their own artistry and giving them all new life. This has given me
life.”
Two new award categories were established this year, Best Traditional Country Album and Best Album Cover.
Some of the nominations in popular categories are listed below:
Best R&B Song
For new vocal or instrumental R&B recordings
Heart Of A Woman
Summer Walkerst R&B Song
Folded Darius Dixson, Andre Harris, Donovan
Knight, Don Mills, Kehlani Parrish, Khris Riddick-Tynes & Dawit
Kamal Wilson, songwriters (Kehlani)
Heart Of A Woman David Bishop & Summer Walker, songwriters (Summer Walker)
It Depends Nico Baran, Chris Brown, Ant Clemons, Ephrem Lopez Jr., Ryan Press, Bryson Tiller, Elliott Trent & Dewain Whitmore Jr., songwriters (Chris Brown Featuring Bryson Tiller)
Overqualified James John Abrahart Jr, Durand
Bernarr, John Derisme, Egberto "Budda" Foster, Amaire Johnson, Frank
Moka, Cary Singer & Chase Worrell songwriters (Durand Bernarr)
YES IT IS Jariuce Banks, Lazaro Andres Camejo,
Mike Hector, Peter Lee Johnson, Rodney Jones Jr., Ali Prawl & Leon
Thomas, songwriters (Leon Thomas)
Olivia Dean KATSEYE The Marias Addison Rae sombr Leon Thomas Alex Warren Lola Young
Song Of The Year
Abracadabra Lady Gaga, Henry Walter & Andrew Watt, songwriters (Lady Gaga)
Anxiety Jaylah Hickmon, songwriter (Doechii)
APT Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét
Chahayed,Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Chae Young Park, Theron
Thomas & Henry Walter, songwriters (ROSÉ, Bruno Mars)
DtMF Marco Daniel Borrero, Scott Dittrich,
Benjamin Falik, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Hugo René Sención
Sanabria, Tyler Spry & Roberto José Rosado Torres, songwriters (Bad
Bunny)
Golden — From KPop Demon Hunters EJAE,
Park Hong Jun, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seo
& Mark Sonnenblick, songwriters (HUNTR/X: EJAE, Audrey Nuna, REI
AMI)
Luther Jack Antonoff, Roshwita Larisha Bacha,
Matthew Bernard, Scott Bridgeway, Sam Dew, Ink, Kendrick Lamar, Solána
Rowe, Mark Anthony Spears & Kamasi Washington, songwriters (Kendrick
Lamar With SZA)
