Cher Sparks Grammy Mix-Up Announcing ‘Luther Vandross’ for Kendrick Lamar, SZA Win
During the recent Grammy Awards, iconic singer Cher inadvertently sparked confusion while announcing the award for Record of the Year. Instead of naming the actual winners, Kendrick Lamar and SZA, Cher mistakenly referred to the legendary Luther Vandross.
Cher’s Grammy Mix-Up Explained
As Cher prepared to announce the winner, she received a prompt indicating the title “Luther,” leading her to mistakenly declare, “Oh, the Grammy goes to Luther Vandross.” She mispronounced Vandross’s name as “Grandoss,” which resulted in a humorous moment.
Realizing her error, she quickly corrected herself, stating, “No, Kendrick Lamar! The Grammy goes to Kendrick Lamar.” Lamar’s reaction was light-hearted, reflecting the jovial atmosphere of the event, as SZA celebrated on her way to the stage.
Significance of the Winning Track
The winning song, “Luther,” is featured on Lamar’s album “GNX” and pays homage to Vandross, who passed away in 2005. This track samples Vandross along with Cheryl Lynn’s rendition of “If This World Were Mine,” a classic written by Marvin Gaye.
- Song: “Luther”
- Artists: Kendrick Lamar and SZA
- Album: “GNX”
- Sampled Artists: Luther Vandross, Cheryl Lynn
- Original Song Writer: Marvin Gaye
Producer and Artist Reactions
During the acceptance speech, producer Sounwave emphasized the importance of Vandross’s legacy, stating, “First and foremost, let’s give a shout-out to the late, great Luther Vandross.” Lamar shared his personal connection to Vandross, acknowledging him as one of his favorite artists.
Highlighting the song’s significance, Lamar remarked on the emotional journey of obtaining clearance for the sample. He mentioned the condition set by the Vandross estate, which strictly prohibited cursing in the song’s lyrics. He said, “That was the only thing, right? And we said, you know what? We are going to do just that.” He concluded his speech by affirming, “Luther forever.”
Grammys Host Acknowledges the Moment
Following the inadvertent mix-up, host Trevor Noah seized the opportunity to inject humor into the situation, remarking, “I love live television.” This comment underscored the unpredictable nature of live events.
Before making her award announcement, Cher had already received acknowledgment for her own achievements, having been honored with a lifetime achievement award. She briefly forgot about her role in announcing the nominees, prompting Noah to gently remind her to return to the stage.
This year’s Grammy Awards showcased unforgettable moments, celebrating musical excellence while reminding viewers of the human aspect behind live performances. For more highlights and coverage from the Grammys, visit Filmogaz.com.
