Musicians John Legend and Common did not walk home empty-handed Oscar night when they took home the trophy for “Best Original Song” for “Glory” from the film “Selma.”
The Ava DuVernay directed pic didn’t receive many nominations Oscar night and lost its chance at “Best Picture” to “Birdman,” but the song “Glory” was a highlight throughout Oscar season, winning “Best Original Song” at the Golden Globes beforehand. Legend and Common also wowed the Grammy’s with a stirring performance of the Civil Rights themed, Hip Hop spiritual, but the duo topped themselves with their Oscar showstopper. Turning the stage into Selma, Ala. infamous the Edmund Pettus Bridge, rapper Common lead a march of choir singers while Legend sang lead on the piano. The solemn, yet rousing performance moved many in the audience to tears, including “Selma” star David Oyelowo, who played Martin Luther King, Jr.
On a night that was joked, even by the host, as being one of the whitest Oscar nights ever, John Legend used his win to talk about social justice.
“Selma’ is now because the struggle for justice is right now … We know that the Voting Rights Act that they fought for 50 years ago is being compromised right now in this country today. We know that right now, the struggle for freedom and justice is real. We live in the most incarcerated country in the world. There are more black men under correctional control today then were under slavery in 1850. We are with you, we see you, we love you and march on.”
Watch Common and John Legend’s performance of “Glory” below.
