Among those winning big at the 61st annual GRAMMY awards celebrations was Childish Gambino who, depsite his absence, earned several of the night's highest honrs, including Song oF The Year for his "This Is America" track, marking the first time a rap song has ever won in the category.
"This Is America" was one of the three total rap songs that were nominated for the award this year, beating out Kendrick Lamar and SZA's "All the Stars," Drake's "God's Plan," Shawn Mendes' "In My Blood," Maren Morris, Zedd, and Grey's "The Middle," Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's "Shallow," Brandi Carlile’s “The Joke,” and Ella Mai’s “Boo’d Up.”
In addition to Song of The Year, "This Is America" also won the distinctions of Best Rap/Sung Performance, Best Music Video and Record of The Year. Elsewhere, Cardi B also made history Sunday night as the first solo woman to win the category of Best Rap Album.
Drake previously stated, like Gambino, that he would not be present at the ceremonies, but arrived just in time to collect an award for Best Rap Song with his "God's Plan" track. During his speech, Drizzy seemingly criticized the Recording Academy by addressing his fellow nominees and stating that the award means nothing before being cut off by a commercial without warning.