Jill Biden took to the stage at the Grammy Awards on February 5, notably to present an award to Shervin Hajipour’s hit song “Baraye”, which became the anthem of the protests in Iran, “a powerful poem for freedom and the rights of women,” said the First Lady of the United States.
It was the political touch of the evening. The First Lady of the United States Jill Biden came on stage to announce the first prize for “Song for a change in society”.
The award went to “Baraye,” the track by Iranian pop singer Shervin Hajipour, 25. A title that has become an anthem of the protest movement that has shaken Iran since the death on September 16 of Mahsa Amini following his arrest by the morality police in Tehran.
The artist, detained because of the virality of his song on social networks, was released on bail.
“One song can unite, inspire and ultimately change the world,” said President Joe Biden’s wife. “Beginning this year, the Recording Academy is presenting a new award recognizing a song that addresses the social issues of our time and has the potential to have a positive global impact,” explained Jill Biden, introducing the new Best Song category. for social change.
Regarding “Baraye”, Jill Biden praised “a powerful and poetic call for freedom and women’s rights” in Iran, whose relations with the United States have been broken for more than forty years.
Jill Biden also presented the award for best song to Bonnie Raitt who created a surprise during the evening which also marked the coronation of Beyoncé, now the most successful artist in the history of the Grammy Awards.
This isn’t the first time a First Lady has made an appearance at the annual Music Awards gala. In 2019, Michelle Obama made a surprise appearance at the Grammys, taking the stage alongside Lady Gaga, Jada Pinkett Smith and Jennifer Lopez.