SZA calls Grammy celebrations 'dystopian' amid violence and immigration raids

SZA has described the experience of celebrating at the Grammy Awards as “incredibly dystopian” given the current climate in the United States, saying she struggled to reconcile the glamour of the event with reports of violence and immigration enforcement.

The singer won two awards on Sunday, taking record of the year and best melodic rap performance for Luther, her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar. Speaking to reporters backstage, she reflected on the contrast between the ceremony and events outside.

“It’s incredibly dystopian that we’re dressed up and able to celebrate accolades and the material world and people are getting snatched up and shot in the face on the street,” she said.

SZA added that many people were unsure how to respond to the moment. “It just feels bizarre and I find so many of us don’t really know how to feel right now, besides rage and hopelessness, and I don’t feel like that’s the calling card that I want to subscribe to,” she explained.

The artist said she believed the situation could push communities to support one another. “I really believe in great possibility. I believe that entropy can breed change. I believe that this is a time when we can dig deep as a community and really learn that OK, it’s not time to count on anyone else but us and our neighbours to protect ourselves; to rally for each other, to be that morale booster, to disseminate mutual aid, to take care of each other.”

Echoing comments made by other performers during the night, she stated, “it’s always fuck ICE, but it’s just a matter of, I just don’t want everyone to fall into despair because when you lose steam and you lose morale, change becomes impossible but it’s so not.”

While accepting record of the year earlier in the evening, SZA urged viewers not to lose hope, saying, “Please don’t fall into despair. I know that right now is a scary time.”