American rapper Logic delivered a moving performance of his song “1-800-273-8255” on stage at the 60th Annual Grammy Award Ceremony on Sunday, alongside featured singers Alessia Cara and Khalid.
The title of the song is the National Suicide Prevention hotline number, and the entire song is a message meant to give strength and hope to those struggling.
The trio of artists were joined on stage by suicide attempt survivors and their family members to deliver this powerful message: “You are not alone.” One survivor teared up on stage. After the performance, Logic delivered an inspirational speech, which received a standing ovation from the crowd.
“Black is beautiful, hate is ugly. Women are as precious as they are stronger than any man I have ever met… Be not scared to use your voice!…Stand and fight for those who are not weak, but have yet to discover the strength that the evil of this world has done its best to conceal,” he said. “…bring us your tired, your poor, and any immigrant who seeks refuge. For together we can build not just a better country, but a world that is destined to be united.”
Following the speech, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention released a statement praising Logic’s advocacy of suicide prevention and his use of a public platform to reach more people.
“When Logic released the song 1-800-273-8255, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s calls increased by nearly 50 percent. This was no coincidence,” the statement says.
Many have taken to Twitter to give their own reactions:
Logic for President!!!!!!!!!!
— lisa rinna (@lisarinna) January 29, 2018
How do you get back to the business of handing out an award after Logic dropped … logic. That was the show close right there. #grammys
— T.J. Holmes (@tjholmes) January 29, 2018
The song was released in April of 2017, quickly climbing up Billboard’s Hot 100 and Streaming Songs charts. Logic did an interview with Genius to explain the lyrics and how he got his inspiration by meeting people on tour that claimed his music had saved their lives.
“It hit me, the power that I have as an artist with a voice,” Logic explains. Now he continues to use that advantage to give others a voice.
