Erykah Badu Takes A Knee For Colin Kaepernick At Soul Train Awards

Returning for the third year in a row as host of the Soul Train Awards, Erykah Badu got this year's festivities off on the right foot—or rather the right knee when she opened up the show by taking a knee onstage in solidarity with Colin Kaepernick Sunday evening.

"I know I usually do a big elaborate musical number, but right here I feel the need to do this," the legendary songstress expressed. " This is for Kap." "Kap, we appreciate you for giving up your life, your dream for your belief in us.' she declared.

This comes as only the latest in a slew of high-profile displays of support for the former San Francisco 49er. It was last season that Kaepernick sparked a nationwide conversation after making the decision to kneel during the national anthem of the United States at the start of football games in an effort to protest injustices against the African-American community, particularly in response to the deaths of black men at the hands of law enforcement.

Kaepernick's move would initiate a league-wide protest that particularly gained steam this season following Donald Trump's remarks, suggesting that NFL owners fire players who kneel during the national anthem and referring to these players as "sons of bitches." Unfortunately, Kaepernick would not be able to join in on these protests on the field after a suspected effort among league owners to blackball the quarterback in response to his actions after he was left dangling in free agency this season with no teams showing interest in signing him.

He's since filed a grievance of collusion against the NFL owners for this suspected blackballing and continues to garner support from the likes of Jay Z, J. Cole, Cardi B, and a slew of others across the sectors of sports and entertainment.

Erykah Badu