Grammys 2020: Gary Clark Jr's powerful protest song has fans calling him 'the next Prince'
At the star-studded 62nd Grammy Awards, Gary Lee Clark Jr scored a triple win with trophies for Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song and Best Contemporary Blues Album for his new album 'This Land'. But it is his performance that stole all the attention.
The musician who hails from Austin, Texas, is known for his fusion of blues, rock and soul music with elements of hip hop. His album 'This Land' gained popularity for bringing racism to light in an unapologetic manner. Both the song and the video recreate aspects of Clark's childhood and elucidate his thoughts on the newly-formed policies of President Donald Trump since he was elected in 2016.
As the singer performed the powerful protest song at the ceremony, fans were taken aback and could not stop praising him. "@GaryClarkJr might've had the performance of the night with his powerful protest song 'This Land!' He drops Trump's name one the most hateful way, too. THIS IS WHAT MUSIC IS SUPPOSED TO DO!!" one fan wrote and another one posted, "@GaryClarkJr that performance was powerful AF & right on time brother."
Many other viewers could not stop posting about it. "@GaryClarkJr smashing the #Grammys2020 can't wait to see you live!!!" one wrote, and another said, "Gary Clark Jr. is singing 'This Land' for all the people who have been told to 'go back home' but was born here and helped build this country. Like my parents, grandparents, great grandparents and beyond. This is our land too."
"Gary Clark Jr. #Grammys2020 fire literally fire," one fan wrote and another said, "@GaryClarkJr killing it! What a reward for staying up late enough to see this #Grammys2020 #thisland." Calling him "the next Prince", one fan wrote, "I can kinda see @GaryClarkJr as the next Prince or, even better, the next Lenny Kravitz. He's fiery and charismatic!"
Inspired by 'This Land Is Your Land' by Woody Guthrie, Clark's 'This Land' debuted at number six on the US Billboard 200.
Hosted by Alicia Keys, the ceremony was broadcasted live in HDTV and 5.1 surround sound on the CBS Television Network at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.