Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. took to the 2024 Grammys stage to pay tribute to the victims of the Supernova music festival massacre that launched the Israel–Hamas war on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Tonight, we celebrate the world of music,” he said. “Every one of us, no matter where we’re from, is united by the shared experience of music. It brings us together like nothing else can and that’s why music must always be our safe space. When that’s violated, it strikes at the very core of who we are.”
Mason also recognized the tragedies at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris in 2015, the Manchester Arena in England in 2017 and the Route 91 Harvest Music festival in Las Vegas in 2017.
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Of the attack on festivalgoers on Oct. 7, where more than 360 people were killed and another 40 were kidnapped by terror group Hamas in the worst civilian massacre in Israeli history, he said, “That day, and all the tragic days that have followed, have been awful for the world to bear as we mourn the loss of all innocent lives.”
Mason continued, “We live in a world divided by so much. And maybe music can’t solve everything, but let us all agree, music must remain the common ground upon which we all stand, together in peace and harmony. Because music has always been one of humanity’s greatest connectors.”
The music executive said spoke of music’s power to unite, explaining that the string quartet playing in the background — which consisted of musicians of Palestinian, Israeli and Arab descent — achieved something beautiful by playing together. “Now is the time for us, for humanity, to play together, to come together with empathy and with love.”
The Grammys are the first major awards show throughout the 2024 awards season to feature remarks onstage about the attack.
Earlier in the night, in memoriam performer Annie Lennox called for a ceasefire and peace in the world at the end of her performance.
And during the red carpet, Montana Tucker, a singer, songwriter and social media star, wore an oversize yellow ribbon on the front of her gown, with the message “Bring Them Home.”
The yellow ribbons are a sign of support for the hostages that are still being held in captivity by Hamas since the Oct. 7 attack. It is believed that 136 Israeli hostages are currently being held captive.
The 66th annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Trevor Noah, aired live from Los Angeles on Feb. 4. Find the complete list of the night’s winners here.
