Volodymyr Zelensky, the president of Ukraine, sent a video message to the Grammys 2022 yesterday, encouraging the world not to be silent about the country's predicament.
On February 24, Russia invaded Ukraine, and the attack on the European country is still ongoing. According to the United Nations, as of March 29, 1,179 Ukrainian people had been killed and 1,860 more had been injured.
As the fighting continued, Zelensky submitted a pre-recorded video message from Kyiv to the awards night event, pleading for support from those watching.
He said, "Can you think of anything more completely opposite to music? The stillness of shattered towns and individuals who have been slaughtered."
Zelensky added that instead of shooting stars, Ukrainian children draw swooping rockets. More than 400 children were hurt, with 153 of them dying. The president said they will never see them draw, either.
He said they don't get to select who lives and who dies in eternal silence because of the war. Instead of tuxedos, Ukraine's musicians wear body armor. They sing to the injured in hospitals, even to those who cannot listen to them. However, the music will eventually break through, he added.
Zelensky pointed out that they defend their freedom, so they can survive the onslaught. "We are battling Russia on our soil, which uses its bombs to create a dreadful stillness. The deafening hush. Your music will fill the void. Fill it in right now to help us tell our story," he continued.
The Ukrainian leader is pleading for help in any way people can as the conflict is destroying all of their cities, including Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Volnovakha, Mariupol, and others. "They're already legends, but I'd like to see them alive and well. On the Grammy stage, you're as free as you are," Zelensky said.
Following Zelensky's message, John Legend paid tribute to Ukraine with his new single "Free." The song, which includes lines like "Lay down warriors / Lay down those guns / Let peace flow in," was performed with the help of poets and musicians from throughout the country.
The Grammy Awards 2022 was held Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, after being postponed from January owing to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. H.E.R., Nas, Justin Bieber, and more were among the artists who performed.
Since the crisis began in February, a number of Ukrainian musicians, producers, and DJs have joined the fight against Russia, serving as war correspondents and fundraising for the military.
