Drake accepts Best Rap Song for "God's Plan" onstage during the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards. February 10, 2019.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Drake's acceptance speech for Best Rap Song for "God's Plan" at the 61st Grammys was cut short after he said musicians big or small "didn't need" a Grammy to feel successful. Speculation online grew that the show had intentionally silenced Drake mid-speech, but a representative for the Grammys' P.R. firm claimed that wasn't the case in a statement to Variety.
From Michael Samonte of Sunshine Sachs:
“During Drake’s speech, there was a natural pause and at that moment the producers did assume that he was done and then cut to commercial... However the producers did speak with Drake following his speech and did offer him to come back on stage to finish whatever his thoughts were. But Drake said he was happy with what he said and didn’t have anything to add.”
In his speech, Drake likened the Grammys to "an opinion-based sport, not a factual based sport," and gave a nod to his fellow nominees. "If you have people who are singing your songs word for word, if you're a hero in your hometown, if there's people who have regular jobs who are coming out in the rain and the snow, spending hard earned money to buy tickets to come to your shows, you don't need this right here. You already won."
Drake's appearance at the show was something of a surprise: he refused to confirm before the show if he would attend, and declined to perform at the show alongside fellow nominees Kendrick Lamar and Childish Gambino.
Check out the full list of winners at the 61st Grammy Awards.
