A giant video projection of the U.S. Constitution loomed over the stage at this year's Grammys, making the music industry's top awards show one of the most overtly political yet.
The document that defines America and famously begins with "We the People" provoked a standing ovation from the audience at the culmination of a performance by pop singer Katy Perry, who wore a "Persist" armband and sang her newly released song, "Chained to the Rhythm."
With a refrain of "We think we're free," the song's lyrics talk about being lulled into a "comfortable bubble." Performing on a set that included a picture-perfect white picket fence, Perry was joined by Skip Marley, grandson of Jamaican reggae legend Bob Marley, whose songs often protested against oppression and social injustice.