The artist currently known as Prince presented the award for Album of Year at the 2015 Grammys, during which he added a shout-out to the #BlackLivesMatters movement protesting the deaths of young people of color at the hands of police.
“Albums still matter,” the seven-time Grammy award-winner said. “Like books and black lives, albums still matter,” he added to applause. (RELATED: ‘Selma’ Snubbed At The Oscars, Media Blame Racism)
It was the only socially conscious display during the three-and-a-half hour award ceremony. President Barack Obama recorded a PSA calling for an end to domestic violence. “Artists have a unique power to change minds and attitudes and get us thinking and talking about what matters,” he said, “And all of us have the power to set an example.”