Clipse Delivers a Powerful Performance of “The Birds Don’t Sing” and Its Meaning

Hip-hop duo Clipse is set to make waves at the upcoming 2026 Grammy Awards. Comprising brothers Gene “Malice” Thornton Jr. and Terrence “Pusha T” Thornton, the duo will perform on February 1, 2026. This performance comes amid an impressive five Grammy nominations, a significant achievement for the artists who first entered the rap scene in 1994.

Grammy Nominations and Performance Details

Clipse’s nominations this year include:

• Best Music Video for “So Be It”
• Best Rap Performance for “Chains & Whips”
• Best Rap Album for Let God Sort Em Out
• Best Rap Song for “The Birds Don’t Sing”
• Album of the Year for Let God Sort Em Out

This marks their first Grammy nominations in 23 years. Their previous nomination was in 2003 for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for “Like I Love You.” At the Grammy Awards, Clipse will share the stage with icons like Pharrell Williams, who also has four nominations this year.

Powerful Performance of “The Birds Don’t Sing”

In honor of their nomination for “The Birds Don’t Sing,” Clipse delivered a memorable live performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in July 2025. The stripped-down rendition featured poignant family photographs, enhancing the emotional weight of the song.

The performance culminated in a powerful message as a voiceover urged listeners to cherish their loved ones. Host Jimmy Fallon described the performance as “phenomenal,” reflecting the song’s deep emotional significance.

Significance of “The Birds Don’t Sing”

The song is a tribute to Clipse’s deceased parents. Mildred Thornton, their mother, passed away in November 2021, followed by their father, Gene Thornton, in March 2022. The song captures their grief and the painful process of loss.

Malice spoke about the songwriting journey in a July 2025 interview with Big Boy TV, highlighting his struggles with grief and the close bond with his brother. The emotional recollection of their father’s final conversation resonated deeply throughout the track.

Clipse’s performance of “The Birds Don’t Sing” in September 2025 at The Vatican, along with John Legend and Voices of Fire, showcases the song’s broad appeal and significance. As the Grammy Awards approach, anticipation builds for Clipse’s performance and their potential wins.