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“Ya better stand up right now and stop playing, I’m worshiping my God. He’s powerful, merciful, worthy!” This is what triple Grammy winning rapper Chance the Rapper declared as he took the Grammy stage with Kirk Franklin, Tamela Mann, Francis & the Lights and a Gospel Choir, turning the “mainstream” Grammy telecast into a full-on worship service! He was a big winner on Grammy night, winning three awards, Best New Artist, Best Rap Album for “Coloring Book,” and Best Rap Performance for “No Problem.” This capped off a great evening for Kirk and Tamela as well. Kirk won two Grammys, one for Best Gospel Album for “Losing My Religion” and shared one for Best Gospel Performance/Song with Tamela Mann for “God Provides,” which Kirk wrote.
They joined the rapper along with a huge choir for “How Great” and “All We Got,” two selections from his Grammy winning “Coloring Book” album. Though he’s not a new artist, he was only able to win since the recording academy recently changed the eligibility rules to allow albums such as his, released only by streaming, to be allowed to compete for awards. Chance does not have a record company contract, and releases his product directly to the public via his streaming platform. His internationally televised testimony may be a Grammy first, especially in the Rap category. “Glory be to God. I claim this victory in the name of the Lord,” He said while accepting his Best New Artist Award, “I want to thank God for my mother and my father, who supported me since I was young, for Kirsten, for Kensli, for all of Chicago, and I want to thank God for putting amazing people in my life.” Say Amen!
by Jerry Wells from articles on grammy.com, christianpost.com and praisephilly.com
