Alicia Keys called on artists to "refuse the old system" as she hosted the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday night (26.01.20).
Alicia Keys
The 39-year-old star made reference to the controversy surrounding the Recording Academy's recent politics - which has prompted accusations of sexism and voting irregularities - as she hosted the show at the Staples Center.
Alicia told the crowd at the glitzy ceremony: "I'm proud to be here. And I'm proud to be here and feel the energy of the artists.
"It's a new decade. We can reuse the negative energy. We refuse the old system, we want to be respected in our diversity."
The controversy Alicia referred to centres on Deborah Dugan - the former CEO of the Recording Academy, the body that oversees the Grammy Awards - who recently filed a discrimination lawsuit against her former employer.
In her 46-page legal complaint, she alleged sexual misconduct, gender discrimination, and corruption in the Academy.
Amid the ongoing controversy, Alicia expressed her desire for change - but she also insisted that the Grammys should be used to shine a light on the power and influence of music.
The New York-born singer explained: "Tonight we want to celebrate the people, the artists who put themselves on the line."
Hailing the likes of Billie Eilish, Lizzo and Ariana Grande, Alicia added: "You see us. We're unstoppable. Celebrating the music, because I know how much Kobe [Bryant, who passed away on Sunday] loved music. So we've got to make this a celebration in his honour. He would want us to keep the vibrations hot."
Alicia also insisted she was determined the "bad guys" wouldn't win.
She said: "We unite in spite of what went on this week. Music changes the world. It's when people do nothing that the bad guys win."
Tagged in Alicia keys Kobe Bryant