Sunday, Jan. 28 was the 60th annual Grammy Awards, where musical artists from all genres gathered together in celebration of the music industry. Sunday nights performances, however, were filled with many current and political issues such as references to the #MeToo movement, immigration, gun violence and a surprise appearance by former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Kesha showed her support for the #MeToo movement as she gave an emotionally charged performance of her hit song, “Praying”. Kesha was joined on stage by Cyndi Lauper, Camila Cabello, Andra Day, Julia Michaels and Bebe Rexha to deliver a message of support and female empowerment. Cabello made a second political statement as she dedicated a speech to the “DREAMers” and shared her own story of immigration and the pride she has in her heritage.

“Today, in this room full of music’s dreamers, we remember that this country was built by dreamers, for dreamers, chasing the American dream,” Cabello said. “I’m here on this stage tonight because, just like the DREAMers, my parents brought me to this country with nothing in their pockets but hope. They showed me what it means to work twice as hard and never give up. And honestly, no part of my journey is any different from theirs.”

Cabello wasn’t the only one speaking up about topics that hit close to home, Kendrick Lamar put on a performance of political intensity as he was joined on stage by Bono and comedian Dave Chappelle. Chappelle’s declaration of what it’s like to be an “honest black man in America” was followed by Lamar’s backup dancers falling to the ground as each one was pretending to be shot.

“The only thing more frightening than watching a black man be honest in America,” Chappelle said. “Is being an honest black man in America.”

A strong statement by Chappelle bringing to the surface issues of racial prejudice and gun violence and ultimately increasing the nights’ political tension. Perhaps the most evident political reference was made by former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as she, amongst many other celebrities, read from Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury”. Host James Corden put on a skit where he auditioned celebrities to be the narrator of President Trump’s alleged award for next years spoken word album.

“We know that our current president does love winning awards, and the good news for him is he may just be the subject of next year’s winner,” Corden said. “The question I’ve got is: Who will be the narrator?”

The skit came to a close with a surprise appearance by Clinton whom Corden interrupted and declared that he had found “the one” and that the Grammy was “in the bag”. The skit received backlash on social media, Corden, however, stood by it.

A night of music and comradery was also a night of underlying political representations and performances by many. The night of televised entertainment served as a voice to many of the most prevalent and pressing issues facing the United States today.