Worship at the Grammy’s–and a major change in the “powers that be” in the music industry.
How Great is Our God!
Last week we looked at how God was at work in the biggest night of television for sports – The Super Bowl. This week there was something equally, if not more fantastic, during the biggest night of television for music . . . the 59th annual Grammy Awards.
There, an artist named Chance the Rapper won Best Rap Album and Best New Artist. At the end of 2016 we had given a word that involved Chance and how God was using him. This week, that divine influence continued as Chance won these two awards (among others). When he took the Grammy, he exclaimed (twice) – “I claim this victory in the name of the Lord!” and then gave profuse thanks to God.
However, what really stood out was Chance’s performance for the evening when he and a Gospel choir took to the stage and led the whole audience in worship with the famous Chris Tomlin song “How Great is Our God.” He asked people to stand up and sing the song, one that countless worship teams have performed over the years.
So think about that for a moment: The nominee and winner of the Best Rap Album award (a title that has been claimed in the past by people like Eminem, Jay-Z, and Kanye West) and the winner of Best New Artist (a title that has been claimed by people like Bob Newhart, Bette Midler, Sheryl Crow, and Mariah Carey) brought a traditional Christian worship song to the Grammys . . . a song in its fullness that is about the Triune God and His victory as the “Lion and the Lamb.”
God is moving!
After the event, Billboard and other major news outlets showcased a snapshot picture of a text message conversation between Chance and the previous year’s rap album winner – Kendrick Lamar. In the text, Kendrick congratulated Chance and wrote out: “God is moving!” These are rappers who are admired by everyone in the industry and are way outside the bounds of the “Christian” music world.
For those with eyes to see, there is a massive shift happening in the spiritual climate of this nation. There have been major prophetic words through ministries like the International House of Prayer that have proclaimed that the African American community would lead the way in the next major revival. What happened at the Grammy’s was a small but tangible sign of this.
Shift in the music industry
But there is even more to this than a God-centered Grammy performance and award speech. As “Best New Artist,” it is incredibly important to note that Chance made history this week. The Chicago native has refused to sign with any record labels and has reached his success completely independently. His entire album was made available online for free.
Though much of the establishment in the music industry has been frustrated with Chance’s approach (it’s outside their control), they have not been able to deny his influence and impact. Thus, the Grammy’s had to change their rules in order to allow Chance’s album to be considered for a nomination (previously, an online streaming album would not be allowed consideration for an award).
Chance represents another major shift in the “powers that be.” We’ve talked extensively about the underground earthquake that is happening at every sector of society, where there is a shifting of all the major power players of this world, from government, to education, to media. Chance’s Grammy win is a brilliant example of this . . .
. . . and his celebration of God makes it all the more beautiful when you consider what God is doing throughout the world.
Get ready, because there is a lot more to come!