By Jason Hamric

Substrate wants to thank the Grammys for a great start on redirecting the awards event this year.

From an organization with an extremely problematic history with rap and the over all hip hop genre and lifestyle when it comes to awards, this is a wonderful move forward.  The 50 years of Hip Hop presentation was amazing. I don’t even know how to elaborate on that (GO WATCH IT).

Beyoncé overtaking the number one slot for most Grammys won, making her the first female of color to hold this prestigious title was an amazing moment to see. With Jay Z cheering her on from the seats, it was like watching a head of state commanding a room. In fact IMHO there is a great argument that Jay and Beyoncé are the President and First Lady of music (well let’s say the President and first husband now) and industry power couple. Oh and did I mention the ACTUAL US First Lady was there also? That’s right, another great Grammy 2023 moment. She was presenting a brand new award for the Grammys, “recognizing songs that address social change”. Thank you Grammy folks!

Watching the first openly trans Grammy winner was something I was not expecting and my heart burst with excitement as now there’s yet one more goal for young people who might feel marginalized or disenfranchised to reach for. Just knowing that this is all possible, as bad as the world seems, gives me hope for tomorrow.
There seemed to be a new respect that I’ve not seen before amongst all the artist. Whether black, white, trans, young, old and those identifying male or female. Maybe it’s because the event seemed to be taken over by someone under 65 finally, but I think it’s because for what seems like a first The Grammy board seemed to try to right their wrongs by working towards equality and not being another “Oscars”

I think we all know that the system is flawed -and rigged.  And I know this isn’t perfect, but in this world any forward motion toward moral justice and enlightenment is worth a tiny mention on an internet radio website.

Once you acknowledge the people bubbling up under your surface, you are finally understanding what really makes the world go around and you’re one step closer to a loving and equal society.

sub·strate
/ˈsəbˌstrāt/
an underlying substance or layer