Photo by Kevin Winter for The Recording Academy via Getty Images.
Grammys 2021: Lil Baby Honors Rayshard Brooks with Gripping "The Bigger Picture" Performance
Killer Mike and Tamika Mallory joined the Atlanta rapper in a potently-political performance at the 63rd annual Grammys.
Lil Baby delivered a gripping performance of his song "The Bigger Picture" at tonight's Grammys ceremony.
Unlike many of the evening's live performances, the backdrop for the potently-political performance was built off-campus, recreating the circumstances leading to and following the death of Rayshard Brooks, the 27-year-old Atlanta man who was murdered by a member of the city's police department. The rapper was joined by fellow ATLien, Killer Mike (rapping a portion of the Run The Jewels song, "Walking in The Snow,) and activist Tamika Mallory, who demanded President Joe Biden act not as an ally, but an accomplice, to systemic reforms.
"Nominations aside, actually performing “The Bigger Picture” means the most to me. I paint pictures with my songs and wanted the performance to bring that picture to life," said Lil Baby in a statement via press release. "Just like with the song, this performance had to reflect the real. No sugar-coating. My family, my fans and my city know who I do this for," the rapper added.
"The Bigger Picture" was nominated this evening for both "Best Rap Song" and "Best Rap Performance," bowing to Megan Thee Stallion and Beyoncé's "Savage Remix" in each. Proceeds from the song's sales were donated to the National Association of Black Journalists, Black Lives Matter, The Bail Project, and Breonna Taylor's attorney.
You can watch Lil Baby perform "The Bigger Picture" at the 63rd annual Grammys below. See the full list of tonight's winners here.