Even before taking the center stage, facing the strobe lights and performing in front of millions of viewers around the world, Beyonce shared some personal stories backstage at Sunday's Grammys behind her moving rendition of Take My Hand, Precious Lord.
Beyonce took a little time together with her all-Black men choir to reflect on the song's significance to their individual lives and to the #BlackLivesMaster movement. Backstage clips from the I Am Sasha Fierce singer's pre-show rehearsal, members of her backup choir shared personal experiences with age-old issue racism and their objective to end the life-threatening concern for their peers.
Beyonce shared bits and pieces of her private family history. She recalled that her grandparents tramped down the streets with Martin Luther King Jr. According to a Rolling Stone report, Beyonce's father was one of the first black youngsters to attend an all-white school.
"I feel like now I can sing for his pain, I can sing for my grandparents' pain, I can sing for some of the families that have lost their sons," she said in the video.
Beyonce revealed that the gospel hymn, which her mother Tina Knowles used to sing to her, is closely tied to her family's personal history.
Beyoncé also divulged why she chose to perform with an all-black male choir.
"I wanted to find real men that have lived, have struggled, cried and have a light and a spirit about them," she explained. "I felt like this is an opportunity to show the strength and vulnerability in black men."
Gwyneth Paltrow introduced the singer, saying Reverend Thomas A. Dorsey's composition was a favorite of Martin Luther King Jr, who is the subject of the Oscar-nominated Selma.
The award-winning performer appeared angelic in silky white gown.
Beyonce won for Best R&B Song, Best R&B Performance and Best Surround Sound Album for her self-titled album. In last year's Grammy, Beyonce opened the show with sensual duet with husband Jay-Z.
Other performances related to the #BlackLivesMatter movement was Pharrell's performance of Happy which featured a "hands up, don't shoot reference. Prince introduced the pop artist in his presenter speech: "Like books and black lives, albums matter."
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