Jill Biden honors Iranian singer with Grammys’ new ‘social change’ award

Jill Biden presented two awards at the Grammys on Sunday night, a new one for social change and Song of the Year to Bonnie Raitt.

The first lady was asked by the Recording Academy to present the two awards, including a new Special Merit award: ‘Best Song for Social Change.’ It recognizes a song that speaks to social injustice in a meaningful way.

She dressed with the appropriate bling for the night, wearing an off-the-shoulder custom gown by Oscar de la Renta. The designer described it as ‘gold floral and vine-embroidered.’ It gave her a glow as she walked on stage. The musician-filled audience gave her a standing ovation. 

The social change award went to Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour, whose song ‘Baraye’ is described as the anthem of the Mahsa Amini protests. Mahsa Amini was arrested for wearing her hijab ‘improperly’ and died while in police custody.

Her death sparked nationwide protests across Iran with many Iranian celebrities taking part. Protests also sparked up around the world in a show of solidarity. 

Biden described Hajipour’s song as a ‘powerful and poetic call for freedom and women’s rights.’ 

‘A song can unite, inspire, and ultimately change the world. Beginning this year, the Recording Academy is presenting a new award recognizing a song that responds to the social issues of our time, and has the potential for positive global impact,’ Biden said.

Hajipour was arrested on September 29, 2022, two days after ‘Baraye’ was initially published, and was released on bail on October 4, 2022. 

Jill Biden presented at the Grammy Award on Sunday night

He composed the song from tweets posted by Iranians in the aftermath of Amini’s death. Many blamed Iran’s social, economic, and political ills on the clerical regime.

He was forced to remove the song from his social media platforms by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’s security agents shortly after his arrest. 

The song garnered more than 40 million views in less than 48 hours before it was removed from Instagram. 

Hajipour was accused of ‘propaganda against the system’ and ‘inciting people to violent acts.’ He is prohibited from leaving Iran.

But nominations for the song flooded the submission box for the Grammys’ social change award.

‘More than 130,000 people have responded with submissions of songs that promote awareness, raise consciousness, and inspire change,’ Biden said of the award. ‘The winner of this special award was selected by a blue ribbon committee and ratified by the Recording Academy board of trustees.’

The academy asked the first lady to present the new award.  

‘The First Lady was honored to be asked by the Recording Academy to announce the Grammys’ first Social Change award to Shervin Hajipour for his song ‘Baraye,” Biden’s press secretary Vanessa Valdivia said in a statement. ‘As a steadfast champion for women and girls around the world, the First Lady was inspired by his song that served as an anthem for freedom and women’s rights.’

President Joe Biden has condemned Iran’s crackdown on the protesters. 

Trevor Noah hosted the Grammy Awards for his third straight year.

He introduced Biden to the stage, describing her as ‘the only person in the world who knows which of tonight’s songs the President’s sings in the shower.’ 

Jill Biden presented the new award ‘Song for Social Change’ to Iranian singer Shervin Hajipour, whose song ‘Baraye’ is described as the anthem of the Mahsa Amini protests

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Protests were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died following her detention by morality police for allegedly breaching the country’s strict Islamic dress code

Jill Biden also presented song of the year to Bonnie Raitt

Jill Biden arrived at the Crypto Arena after the show began and after Beyonce, who missed her big moment where tied the all-time wins record after being stuck in traffic.

The first lady entered via back entrance ahead of her award presentations. Earlier in the day she attended a rehearsal session at the arena. 

She joined an all-star list of presenters at the 65th annual Grammy Awards, including Beyoncé, Adele and Taylor Swift.

Beyoncé, meanwhile, became the most decorated artist in Grammys history with her 32nd career win, breaking record set in 1997. 

She tried to stop her tears as she said: ‘Thank you so much. I’m trying not to be too emotional. And I’m trying to just receive this night. I want to thank god for protecting me. Thank you, god. I’d like to thank my uncle Johnny, who’s not here. 

‘But he’s here in spirit. I’d like to thank my parents, my father, my mother, for loving me and pushing me. I’d like to thank my beautiful husband, my beautiful three children who are at home watching. I’d like to thank the queer community for your love. And for inventing this genre. God bless you. Thank you so much to the grammys. Thank you.’

Another record was set Sunday night.

Viola Davis emerged from Sunday’s show an EGOT – a term for those who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony – after her win for best audio book, narration and storytelling recording. The actor gave an emotional speech and emphatically said ‘I just EGOT’ after she marched on stage to collect her award.

‘Oh, my God,’ she said. ‘I wrote this book to honor the 6-year-old Viola, to honor her, her life, her joy, her trauma, everything,’ Davis said. ‘It has just been such a journey.’

Queen crowned! Beyonce showed up rare emotion and got tearful as she broke the all time record for most wins ever at the Grammy Awards after arriving fashionably late

Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the Grammy Awards in 2019 – above she is with Jada Pinkett, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez, and Lady Gaga backstage at the Staples Center

Viola Davis became an EGOT – a term for those who have won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony – after her win for best audio book, narration and storytelling recording

Jill Biden is not the only first lady to appear at the Grammy Awards.

Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the Grammys in 2019 and, a year later, won for best spoken word album for the audiobook version of her memoir, ‘Becoming.’

And Hillary Clinton won a Grammy in 1997 for best spoken word album for her book ‘It Takes a Village.’ 

The first lady appeared at the Grammys to cap off a three-day trip to California where she focused on two of her top initiatives: her Joining Forces program to support the military and their families and the Bidens’ Cancer Moonshot.